People v. Rodgers

Following a jury trial in the circuit court of Du Page County, the defendant, Richard Rodgers, was found guilty of home invasion (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1991, ch. 38, par. 12-11 (now 720 ILCS 5/12-11 (West 1992))) and first-degree murder (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1991, ch. 38, par. 9-1 (now 720 ILCS 5/9-1 (West 1992))). The trial court merged the conviction of home invasion into the conviction of first-degree murder and sentenced the defendant to 45 years in prison. The defendant contends on appeal that the trial court erred by: (1) refusing to give an instruction on involuntary manslaughter (Ill. Rev. Stat.…