People v. Lara

FIFTH DIVISION

June 27, 1997

No. 1-95-1930

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, ) APPEAL FROM THE) CIRCUIT COURT OF

Plaintiff-Appellee, ) COOK COUNTY. )

v. ))

GABRIEL LARA, ) THE HONORABLE) RICHARD NEVILLE,

Defendant-Appellant. ) JUDGE PRESIDING.

Defendant, 18-year-old Gabriel Lara, was charged by indictment with the offense of first degree murder. Following a bench trial, the trial court entered a finding of guilty and sentenced defendant to 22 years in prison. Defendant appeals.

On December 9, 1993, the victim, 22-year-old Hector Ramos, drove several coworkers home from Wauconda. After stopping to…