People v. Eason

Defendant-appellant, Fabian Eason, was convicted of first degree murder for the shooting death of Lakesha Walker. He was sentenced to 45 years’ imprisonment. The issues upon appeal are: (1) whether the court properly denied defendant’s request for a second degree murder instruction; and (2) whether the court properly denied defendant’s request for an involuntary manslaughter instruction.

BACKGROUND

Before the jury was selected for defendant’s trial, the State moved to nol-pros counts III, IV¡ and V against defendant. The State proceeded on the first degree charges provided in counts I and II…