Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Defendant Denied Motion to Suppress Statements Made by Police After Armed Robbery
An Illinois defendant was found guilty of armed robbery at a gas station and sentenced to 23 years in prison. He got 8 years for the armed robbery and another 15 for a firearm enhancement. He appealed the decision on the basis that the court should have suppressed evidence related to a confession that… Read More »
15-Year-Old Defendant Charged with First-Degree Murder
On August 4th, 2010, a 15-year-old defendant was charged with first-degree murder after the shooting death of another individual. He was also charged with two counts of armed robbery. The murder counts alleged that he personally discharged a handgun killing another person. The defendant was offered a plea deal in which he would personally… Read More »
Illinois Now Allows Punitive Damages in Wrongful Death Cases
Illinois has made a change to the law that will affect wrongful death lawsuits. Previously, the law barred individuals from seeking punitive damages in wrongful death cases. Now, a plaintiff will be able to recover punitive damages in a wrongful death suit. In some cases, this will increase the size of the verdict. Illinois… Read More »
Nursing Home Operator Accused of Intentional Understaffing
A lawsuit has been filed against several Illinois nursing homes alleging that the nursing homes intentionally understaffed its facilities. Residents of the nursing home are prone to slip and fall injuries, pressure ulcers (bed sores), and aren’t diagnosed with potentially life-threatening conditions until it is too late. Attorneys for the plaintiff are seeking to… Read More »
Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Paramedics Charged with Murder
The family of a man who died as a result of suffocation has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against two paramedics and the company that they work for. The decedent was suffering from alcohol withdrawal when the paramedics attempted to get him out of the house and onto a gurney. The paramedics were told… Read More »
Defendant Loses Bid to Appeal Life Sentence on 8th Amendment Grounds
This is a case from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals involving a 16-year-old defendant who was convicted of murder after an attempted robbery of a corner store. On July 28th, 1994 the defendant was 16 years old and visiting an aunt in Decatur, Illinois. While there, he and his cousins conspired to rob… Read More »
Defendant Sentenced to 42 Months in Prison on Charges of Aggravated Domestic Battery and Possession of Methamphetamine
An Illinois defendant was sentenced to 42 months in the Illinois Department of Corrections on counts of aggravated domestic battery and possession of methamphetamine. He was acquitted of two charges of armed violence. At his sentencing, the state requested a sentence of 4 years on the conviction while the defendant lobbied for probation. The… Read More »
Probation Revoked for Defendant Who Changed His Residence without Notifying His Probation Officer
In the case, People v. Jones, the defendant was charged with domestic battery after striking a household resident on the head. He was given 12 months probation for the offense. As part of his probation, he was required to report any change of address to the probation officer in charge of his case. He… Read More »
Champaign Man Charges as Armed Habitual Criminal After Police Find Drugs, Guns in His Home
A Champaign man has been charged as an armed habitual criminal after police raided his residence and found a loaded gun and a large amount of prescription painkillers. The defendant was arrested by members of the Champaign County Street Crimes Task Force. He was arraigned on charges of being an armed habitual criminal and… Read More »
Criminal Defendant Denied Motion to Withdraw His Guilty Plea
In the case of People v. Balfour, defendant Balfour pleaded guilty to aggravated battery with a firearm. The defendant wanted to withdraw his guilty plea on the basis that his criminal defense attorney misrepresented a key agreement that was made by the prosecution; specifically, that the prosecution had agreed to a 7-day furlough as… Read More »