People v. Ingram

A jury found defendant, Robert Ingram, guilty of first degree murder (720 ILCS 5/9 — 1(a)(1) (West 2000)). The trial court sentenced him to 25 years for the murder and 25 years for personally discharging a firearm, for a total of 50 years in the Illinois State Penitentiary. On appeal, defendant contends that (1) the trial court erred by admitting statements made by the victim to a civilian witness under the dying declaration exception to the hearsay rule, and (2) defendant’s trial counsel was ineffective for failing to request a second degree murder instruction based on provocation. We affirm.