People v. Belknap

The defendant, Daniel R. Belknap, was convicted of first degree murder and endangering the life of a child in connection with the death of five-year old Silven Yocum in September 2006. 720 ILCS 5/9 — 1(a)(1), 12 — 21.6(a) (West 2006). On appeal, the defendant raises challenges to the sufficiency of the evidence, the trial court’s failure to strictly comply with Illinois Supreme Court Rule 431(b) R. 431(b) (eff. May 1, 2007), the admission of certain testimony, and the court’s ex parte communications with the jury. We reverse the defendant’s convictions and remand for a new trial.

I. FACTS

The…