People v. Gentry
Illinois Appellate Court, First District
157 Ill. App. 3d 899 (1987)
- Written by Sara Rhee, JD
Facts
Stanley Gentry (defendant) lived with his girlfriend, Ruby Hill. On December 13, 1983, Gentry and Hill had an argument, during which Gentry spilled gasoline on Hill. She later went into the kitchen and was near the stove when the gasoline ignited. Gentry was able to put the fire out, but Hill sustained serious burns. Gentry was tried for attempted murder. The trial court instructed the jury on the definition of attempt murder, as well as the four different mental states that were sufficient to prove murder. Gentry appealed, arguing that the court’s instruction as to the four different mental states allowed the jury to convict him for attempt murder without showing that he had the specific intent to kill.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Linn, J.)
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