People v. Smart

2025 IL 130127

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS (Docket No. 130127) THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Appellant, v. CECIL SMART, Appellee. Opinion filed June 5, 2025. JUSTICE NEVILLE delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion. Chief Justice Theis and Justices Overstreet, Holder White, and Rochford concurred in the judgment and opinion. Justice O’Brien dissented, with opinion, joined by Justice Cunningham. OPINION ¶1 This case presents an evidentiary question: when a defendant denies the commission of a charged crime and does not present any evidence or argument that his…