People v. Terrell Opinion text corrected

After a February 2002 bench trial, the defendant, William R. Terrell, was convicted of one count of solicitation of murder (720 ILCS 5/8—1.1(a) (West 2000)). The defendant appeals, arguing that his request that his girlfriend’s stepfather, Larry Wilkins, drive him and his intended victim to the place where he planned to murder her did not fit within the statutory definition of solicitation of murder. We reverse.

I. BACKGROUND

Wilkins became acquainted with the defendant while the defendant was dating Wilkins’ stepdaughter, Jewel Cooper. In August and September 2001, when the events leading to…