People v. Miles

In a bench trial, the trial court found defendant, Henry L. Miles, guilty of one count of predatory criminal sexual assault (720 ILCS 5/12 — 14.1(a)(1) (West 1998)) and one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse (720 ILCS 5/12 — 16(c)(1)(i) (West 1998)). The latter offense merged into the former, and the court sentenced him to six years’ imprisonment.

Defendant appeals on the ground that the trial court erred in admitting hearsay statements of the alleged child victim, C.M. Despite our deferential standard of review, we agree with that contention. Because the verdict depended so heavily on…