People v. Johnston

A jury convicted Joseph Johnston (Johnston) of aggravated battery, mob action, and two counts of ethnic intimidation. The trial court sentenced Johnston to probation. On appeal, Johnston argues that: (1) the evidence was insufficient to convict Johnston; (2) Illinois’ ethnic intimidation statute violates the due process and equal protection clauses of the fourteenth amendment and also violates the free speech provision of the United States Constitution; (3) Illinois’ ethnic intimidation statute violates the State Constitution’s due process and free speech provisions of article 1; (4)…