People v. Pelt

Following a jury trial in the circuit court of Will County, defendant, Rayshun Pelt, Sr., was found guilty of aggravated battery of a child, his infant son, Rayshun Pelt, Jr., and first degree felony murder predicated on aggravated battery of a child. Defendant was found not guilty of first degree knowing murder and involuntary manslaughter. After merging defendant’s conviction for aggravated battery of a child with his felony-murder conviction, the court sentenced defendant to 46 years’ imprisonment. A divided appellate court reversed defendant’s convictions. For the reasons discussed below,…