People v. Sutherland

Chief Justice Thomas and Justices Freeman, Kilbride, and Garman concurred in the judgment and opinion.

Justices Karmeier and Burke took no part in the decision.

OPINION

Following a jury trial in St. Clair County, defendant Cecil Sutherland was convicted of aggravated kidnapping (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, par. 10 — 2(a)(2)), aggravated criminal sexual assault (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, par. 12 — 14(b)(1)), and first degree murder (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, par. 9 — 1(a)(1)). The circuit court sentenced defendant to death. This appeal followed. 134 Ill. 2d R. 603.

For the reasons…