People v. Chevalier
Illinois Supreme Court
544 N.E.2d 942 (1989)
- Written by Susie Cowen, JD
Facts
Mr. Chevalier and Mr. Flores (defendants) shot and killed their wives. Both men argued with their wives prior to shooting them. In the course of these arguments, the defendants’ wives each admitted to having committed adultery. Chevalier’s wife also disparaged her husband’s sexual capabilities, and Flores’s wife told her husband that she committed adultery in their marital bed. At separate trials, both defendants requested jury instructions on voluntary manslaughter, arguing that the killings occurred in the heat of passion after discovering infidelity. In Flores's case, the trial court declined to issue the instruction, and in Chevalier's case, the trial court issued an instruction different from the one requested. Both defendants were convicted of murder and appealed. The appellate court reversed their convictions and remanded the cases for new trials. The prosecution petitioned the state supreme court for review. Upon granting the review petition, the court consolidated the cases.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Stamos, J.)
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