2015 IL App (1st) 133874

No. 1-13-3874

Opinion filed September 18, 2015 

 FIFTH DIVISION

IN THE

APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS

FIRST DISTRICT 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ) 

ILLINOIS, ) 

 ) 

 Plaintiff-Appellee, ) 

 ) 

v. ) 

 ) 

IGNACIO CASTELLANO, ) 

 ) 

Defendant-Appellant. )

Appeal from the Circuit Court

of Cook County.

No. 08 CR 4784

The Honorable

Timothy Joseph Joyce, 

Judge, presiding.

 

 JUSTICE GORDON delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion. 

 Presiding Justice Reyes and Justice McBride concurred in the judgment and opinion. 

 OPINION

¶ 1 Defendant Ignacio Castellano, age 34 and mentally retarded, was 

convicted after a bench trial of first-degree murder and two counts of 

aggravated battery, and sentenced on November 21, 2013, to a total of 32 years 

with the Illinois Department of Corrections. 
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¶ 2 On this direct appeal, defendant asks this court to reduce his murder 

conviction to second-degree murder, arguing that he proved by a preponderance 

of the evidence a mitigating factor, namely, that he had an actual, although 

unreasonable, belief in the need to act with deadly force to defend himself and 

another. 720 ILCS 5/9-2(a)(2) (West 2008).

¶ 3 With respect to second-degree murder, the factfinder must first conclude 

that the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed 

first-degree murder before the factfinder considers whether defendant proved by 

a preponderance of the evidence one of the mitigating factors required for 

second-degree murder. 720 ILCS 5/9-2(c) (West 2008); People v. Thompson, 

354 Ill. App. 3d 579, 586 (2004). On this appeal, defendant does not claim that 

the State failed in its initial burden of proving him guilty beyond a reasonable 

doubt of first-degree murder. 

¶ 4 Since defendant challenges neither the State's satisfaction of this initial 

burden nor the aggravated battery convictions, the sole issue on appeal is 

whether the trial court should have reduced the murder charge to second-degree

murder based on defendant's claim of imperfect self-defense. People v. Jeffries, 

164 Ill. 2d 104, 113 (1995) ("The imperfect self-defense form of second degree 

murder occurs when there is sufficient evidence that the defendant believed he 

was acting in self-defense, but that belief is objectively unreasonable."). 
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¶ 5 In reviewing defendant's claim, we do not consider what we would have 

done if we had been standing in the trial court's shoes. Instead, we consider 

whether any rational trier of fact could have reached the same conclusion that 

the trial court did. People v. Blackwell, 171 Ill. 2d 338, 357 (1996) (the 

question is whether "any rational trier of fact" could have reached the same 

conclusion) (emphasis and internal quotation marks omitted). A careful review 

of the trial record shows that a rational trier of fact could have reached the same 

conclusion. Thus, for the reasons explained in greater detail below, we affirm. 

¶ 6 BACKGROUND

¶ 7 On February 9, 2008, a fight among five men in a gangway on South 

Drake Avenue ended with two men fatally stabbed. The two decedents were 

Ramiro Landa, defendant's brother-in-law, and Rafael Villagrana. The 

remaining three men were: defendant; Javier Cahue; and Jesus Sanchez. Both 

defendant and Javier Cahue testified at trial, but Jesus Sanchez did not. The trial 

court concluded that it "simply" did not "believe [defendant's] testimony," while

"Cahue was testifying "credibly."

¶ 8 Defendant was indicted for: (1) the first degree murder of Rafael 

Villagrana; (2) the first-degree murder of Ramiro Landa; (3) the attempted firstdegree murder of Jesus Sanchez; (4) the aggravated battery of Jesus Sanchez; 

(5) the aggravated battery of Javier Cahue. The trial court found defendant not 
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guilty of the murder Ramiro Landa and not guilty of the attempt murder of 

Jesus Sanchez, but guilty of the murder of Villagrana and guilty of the 

aggravated battery of both Jesus Sanchez and Javier Cahue. 

¶ 9 I. Evidence at Trial

¶ 10 As stated above, our review demands a careful consideration of the 

evidence at trial, which we describe in detail below. As this court has 

emphasized, our review must not be a "mindless rubber stamp on every bench 

trial guilty verdict we address." People v. Hernandez, 312 Ill. App. 3d 1032, 

1037 (2000). 

¶ 11 A. State's Case-In-Chief

¶ 12 1. Javier Cahue

¶ 13 Javier Cahue testified that, in February 2008, he lived alone in a coach 

house in a rear yard on South Drake Avenue. A gangway ran along the side of 

the main building which led to the rear yard. Cahue was at home watching 

videos with Jesus Sanchez1 and Rafael Villagrana when they decided to depart 

at 9:20 p.m. on February 9, 2008, to attend a birthday party. Villagrana went 

down the stairs first, with Jesus Sanchez following and Cahue behind Jesus 

Sanchez. When Cahue reached the bottom of the stairs, he observed two men 

 1 Since Willie Sanchez, Jesus' brother, and Chicago police officer Mario 

Sanchez testified at trial, we will refer to Jesus Sanchez by his full name to avoid 

confusion.
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approaching from the street to the gangway. Cahue recognized one of the men 

as Ramiro whom Cahue had previously sold marijuana to. Although Cahue had 

not previously encountered the other man, Cahue identified him in court as 

defendant. Cahue testified that he had no problems with Ramiro Landa. 

¶ 14 Cahue testified that Landa moved to Villagrana's side and defendant 

stabbed Villagrana in the chest, swinging more than once at Villagrana. 

Villagrana then moved toward the street. As Jesus Sanchez was running toward 

the street, defendant stabbed him in the back. After Jesus Sanchez was stabbed, 

he also moved toward the street, and defendant moved to "slash towards" Cahue 

with a punching motion but defendant caught Landa on the left side of the neck 

under the ear and blood started spurting. Defendant froze in apparent disbelief 

over what he had done to Landa. Cahue then started struggling with defendant 

trying to take the knife from defendant's hand, and Cahue did not feel the blade 

when his hand was cut. Defendant told Cahue "my beef ain't with you." Cahue 

let go of the knife, gave defendant a push toward the street and then closed the 

gate which was now between them. Defendant ran off towards the street.

¶ 15 Cahue testified that he waited a minute before walking to the street, 

where he observed Villagrana lying dead on the sidewalk and Landa lying 

further south on the sidewalk, but Cahue did not observe defendant or Jesus 

Sanchez. Cahue asked a neighbor to call the police and started walking away 
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out of fear that defendant would return. He called his brother who subsequently 

transported him to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where Jesus Sanchez was also being 

treated. Cahue needed stitches and his hands were bandaged. The police then 

transported him to a police station where he spoke with detectives and 

identified defendant from a lineup as the person who stabbed Jesus Sanchez, 

Villagrana, and Landa, and cut Cahue's hands. 

¶ 16 Cahue testified that he did not observe words or gang signs exchanged 

before defendant drew his knife, and that no one but defendant possessed a 

knife or weapon. Cahue admitted that he sold drugs, that he had disposed of the 

cocaine and marijuana in his home before his brother transported him to the 

hospital, and that he had been convicted in 2005 for the manufacture and 

delivery of 500 grams or more of marijuana. He also admitted that he, 

Villagrana and Sanchez were all Latin Kings but stated that he was no longer in 

the gang. At the time of the incident Cahue weighed 280 pounds.

¶ 17 2. Chicago Police Officer Mario Sanchez

¶ 18 Chicago police officer Mario Sanchez testified that he was in uniform 

and in a marked police vehicle at 9:20 p.m. on February 9, 2008, with Officer 

Perez2 when he was dispatched to South Drake Avenue. When he arrived, he 

observed two bodies lying on the ground, and defendant kneeling over one of 

 2 Officer Sanchez did not provide a first name for his partner, Officer Perez. 
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the bodies. Officer Sanchez, who is fluent in Spanish, heard defendant state

"get up, come on, let's go, are you okay, get up."

¶ 19 Sanchez testified that, when the officers approached, defendant 

appeared to be in shock and asked Sanchez to call an ambulance for his brotherin-law which Sanchez did. Sanchez then asked defendant if they could speak to 

him in the police vehicle since it was cold outside. Defendant stated that it was 

better for him to speak to the officers in their vehicle because he did not want 

gang members to observe him speaking to the officers. Sanchez testified that 

the crime scene was located in "a high infested gang area" which included the 

Latin Kings. 

¶ 20 After defendant entered the back of the vehicle and Sanchez and his 

partner entered the front, the officers asked what happened. Defendant 

responded that his brother-in-law wanted to buy drugs at a South Drake 

address3 and instructed defendant to wait nearby. Subsequently, his brother-inlaw ran out of the gangway stating that he had been stabbed and asking 

defendant to call the police. Defendant then ran across the street to his house to 

call 911 and returned to find his brother-in-law lying on the sidewalk. Another 

man ran out of the gangway and fell nearby. Then two more men ran out of the 

 3

 Officer Sanchez testified to the precise address, which was the address 

where Cahue testified he lived. 
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gangway, entered a black SUV and drove south on South Drake Avenue. The 

men also appeared injured.

¶ 21 Sanchez testified that defendant stated that he lived at a South Drake

address where his brother-in-law also lived, and that defendant's wife was 

Ramiro Landa's sister.

¶ 22 3. Detective Greg Swiderek

¶ 23 Detective Greg Swiderek testified that he and his partner David Roberts 

were assigned to investigate the stabbing of two people near South Drake 

Avenue on February 9, 2008. When they arrived, they observed two dead 

bodies and blood trails which led to and from a gangway by a South Drake 

address.

4 At 4 a.m. on February 10, they returned to Area 4 where they 

interviewed defendant from 4:30 to 5 a.m., with Detective Jose Garcia acting as 

a translator. After observing small cuts on defendant's left middle finger and 

index finger and after interviewing Cahue, Swiderek decided to activate the 

electronic recording interview system and interview defendant again. With 

Officer Garcia translating, Swiderek advised defendant of his Miranda rights 

and interviewed defendant for 20 minutes starting at 5:55 a.m. on February 10, 

2008. See generally Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed. 

2d 694 (1966). 

 4 This was the same South Drake address where Cahue testified that he 

lived.
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¶ 24 On cross, Swiderek testified that defendant's arrest report reflected that 

defendant was 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighed 130 pounds.

¶ 25 4. Sergeant Jose Garcia

¶ 26 Sergeant Jose Garcia testified that he was fluent in Spanish and he acted

as a translator during Detective Swiderek's interview of defedant at 4:30 a.m. on 

February 10, 2008. After the interview, Garcia and his partner Detective Rios 

traveled to an address on South Drake Avenue, where defendant had stated that 

he resided and which was across the street from where the bodies were found. 

Garcia and Rios entered a gangway5 on the south side of defendant's building 

and walked toward the rear entrance of the basement apartment. At the end of 

the gangway, there was an enclosed porch with a common stairway. There 

were concrete steps leading down toward the basement apartment and stairs 

leading up to the first floor. There was a door between the gangway and the 

common area which Swiderek had described. This door was open. At the 

bottom of the concrete steps, directly in front of the door to the basement 

apartment, they found a bloody black jacket. With respect to the door to the 

basement apartment, they observed blood stains around the lock area in the 

middle of the door, on the door jamb and on the light switch to the right of the 

door. The officers then knocked on the door but no one responded. Then 

 5 This is not the gangway where the fight occurred.
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Garcia walked to the front of defendant's building and then to the front of the 

house immediately to the north on South Drake Avenue. In the front yard of 

the house immediately to the north and just inside a fence, he observed a bloody 

knife laying in the snow.

¶ 27 5. Forensic Investigator Brian Smith

¶ 28 Chicago police investigator Brian Smith testified that he and his partner 

Detra Gross processed the crime scene, including the bloody knife found in the 

front yard of the house immediately to the north of defendant's building and the 

bloody jacket found near defendant's apartment. 

¶ 29 6. Marisol and Willie Sanchez, Siblings of Jesus Sanchez

¶ 30 Marisol Sanchez, the sister of Jesus Sanchez, testified that she visited 

Jesus at Mt. Sinai Hospital on February 10, 2008, and that he had a stab wound 

in his back. Jesus was 17 years old, 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighed 130 

pounds.

¶ 31 Willie Sanchez testified that he was Jesus' older brother and that he

was a member of the Latin King gang. Willie was serving a one-year sentence 

for felony criminal damage to property at the time of the trial. On New Year's 

Eve 2007 and into New Year's Day 2008, Willie was in front of his house on 
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South Drake Avenue6 with his brother Jesus and another person named Jose 

James. At that time, Willie observed a person whom he later learned was

named Ignacio. Although defendant's first name is Ignacio, Willie did not 

identify defendant in court as Ignacio. The following exchange occurred:

"ASSISTANT STATE'S ATTORNEY (ASA): And [at] some point 

did you see a person who you later learned was Ignacio?

WILLIE SANCHEZ: Yes.

ASA: Do you see Ignacio in court today?

WILLIE SANCHEZ: No.

ASA: Stand up and look around and tell me if you recognize 

anybody. If you do or you don't. Stand up please.

WILLIE SANCHEZ: No, I don't." 

However, Willie subsequently identified People's Exhibit No. 49 as a 

photograph of Ignacio as Ignacio appeared when he was at Willie's house on 

New Year's Eve 2007, and Exhibit No. 49 is a photograph of defendant.

¶ 32 Willie testified that, when he observed Ignacio on New Year's Eve, 

Ignacio was drunk and carrying a 24 pack of beer down the street. Willie asked 

Ignacio if he wanted to come up and have a beer with them, and Ignacio agreed. 

 6 Both Willie Sanchez and Javier Cahue testified that they lived on a 

property with the same street number on Drake Avenue. Sanchez lived in the front 

house, while Cahue testified that he lived alone in a coach house in the rear yard. 
No. 1-13-3874

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Later, Willie was asleep on the couch when Jesus woke him to say that Ignacio 

had urinated on Willie's daughter's toys. Willie observed liquid that appeared to 

be urine on the toys and observed Ignacio pulling up his pants. Willie told him

to leave and a fight ensued, with Willie and Jesus both punching Ignacio in the 

face. Ignacio's left eyebrow was bleeding and he left. In 2008, Willie was 6 feet 

tall and 200 pounds. 

¶ 33 7. Stipulations Regarding Biological Evidence

¶ 34 The parties entered into a number of stipulations concerning the 

biological evidence and analysis in the case. The stipulations themselves were 

marked as People's Exhibits. 

¶ 35 People's Exhibit Nos. 56 and 57 were stipulations to the blood standards 

obtained from decedents, Ramiro Landa and Rafael Villagrana, respectively; 

and Nos. 58, 59 and 60 were stipulations to the buccal swabs obtained from

Jesus Sanchez, Javier Cahue and defendant, respectively. 

¶ 36 No. 61 was a stipulation that Jennifer Belna, a forensic biologist with the 

Illinois State Police, had obtained DNA profiles suitable for comparison for: 

(1) Rafael Villagrana; (2) Jesus Sanchez; (3) Ramiro Landa; (4) Javier Cahue; 

and (5) defendant.7

 In No. 61, the parties also stipulated: (1) that DNA 

 7 These five men were the five who participated in the fight on February 9, 

2008. 
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obtained from blood stains on Javier Cahue's blue jeans matched the DNA 

profiles of both defendant and defendant's brother-in-law, Ramiro Landa; and 

(2) that DNA obtained from blood stains on the knife matched the DNA profiles 

of defendant and the two decedents, Ramiro Landa and Rafael Villagrana, and 

Javier Cahue could not be excluded from one of the mixtures found on the 

knife. 

¶ 37 No. 62 was a stipulation that Debra Klebacha, a forensic biologist with 

the Illinois State Police, received defendant's jeans, a black jacket, a knife, and 

swabs from a light switch and door, and she processed and preserved these 

items for future DNA analysis. No. 63 was a stipulation that Nicholas Richert, 

a DNA analyst employed with the Illinois State Police had analyzed the swabs 

from the black jacket, door and light switch and reached the following 

conclusions. DNA obtained from blood stains on the jacket matched the DNA 

profiles of Ramiro Landa, Javier Cahue, and defendant. DNA obtained from 

the blood stain on the light switch matched the profile of defendant, and DNA 

obtained from the basement door matched the profile of Javier Cahue. 

¶ 38 Nos. 64 and 65 were stipulations regarding the testimony of Dr. Michel 

Humilier, a forensic pathologist employed by the Cook County medical 

examiner's office. Humilier performed the autopsies of both Rafael Villagrana

and Ramiro Landa and concluded that Villagrana's death was the result of 
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multiple stab wounds and that Landa's death was the result of a stab wound to 

the left side of the lower neck. Villagrana suffered three stab wounds, including 

a stab wound to the chest, a stab wound to the upper back, and a stab wound to 

the lower back. 

¶ 39 After reading the stipulations and moving exhibits into evidence, the 

State rested its case in chief. Defendant then moved for a directed finding 

which the trial court denied. 

¶ 40 B. The Defense's Evidence

¶ 41 1. Brian Miskell

¶ 42 Brian Miskell, a Chicago fire department paramedic, testified that on 

January 1, 2008, at 5 a.m. he was dispatched with his partner, Grace Flores 

Pacowixz, to South Drake Avenue8 where he observed a battery victim. The 

victim was defendant who had a laceration above his left eye which was bruised 

and swollen shut, and a swollen left cheek. The victim also had an odor of 

alcohol on his breath. Miskel was told that defendant had lost consciousness at 

one point but Miskel did not testify who provided this information. Miskel and 

his partner then transported him to the emergency room of Mt. Sinai Hospital. 

 8 The street number provided by Miskell was the same street number for the 

property occupied by Javier Cahue, who lived in the rear coach house, and Willie 

Sanchez, who lived in the front house. This was also the location where the fight 

on February 9, 2008, later occurred. 
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¶ 43 2. Dr. Amardeep Singh

¶ 44 Dr. Singh testified that he was the emergency room doctor at Mt. Sinai 

Hospital who treated defendant on January 1, 2008 at 5 a.m. Defendant, who 

was intoxicated, suffered a fracture to the upper left cheek bone, head trauma, 

and a facial laceration. Dr. Singh stitched the laceration but testified that it 

would still leave scarring. He testified that, according to his contemporaneous 

notes, defendant presented to the emergency room "with alcohol intoxication, 

assault with a pipe, possible loss of consciousness. Facial laceration, 

complaining of face pain and swelling." Based on his notes, Dr. Singh could 

not be certain that defendant was discharged the same day. 

¶ 45 3. Chicago Police Officer Ramiro Gonzalez

¶ 46 Chicago police officer Ramiro Gonzalez testified that he was in the gang 

enforcement unit. At the time of trial, his assignment concerned gangs 

throughout the city of Chicago. However, from December 2007 through 

February 2008, his assignment was limited to the 10th District which is from 

Roosevelt Road to "55 River" and from Cicero Avenue to Ashland Avenue. 

This area includes South Drake Avenue. Gonzalez testified that he was familiar 

with Javier Cahue, Willie Sanchez and Jesus Sanchez, and that they were all

members of the Latin Kings. 
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¶ 47 Gonzalez testified that he routinely provided his cell phone number to 

victims of crimes and anyone else who wanted to provide information to the 

police. On February 9, 2008, at 9:16 p.m., Gonzalez received a call to his cell 

phone number from a phone number that he later learned belonged to 

defendant. When he asked whether he had an "independent recollection" of 

how he responded to that call, Gonzalez replied "[y]es" and then explained that 

he "always" told people to call 911. 

¶ 48 In January 2011, Gonzalez was asked to obtain and did, in fact, obtain a 

police report regarding a robbery and battery on New Year's Eve 2007 or New 

Year's Day 2008 which occurred on South Drake Avenue.9

 

¶ 49 4. Stipulation Regarding Phone Records

¶ 50 The parties stipulated that, if an AT&T employee were called to testify, 

she would testify that a particular landline phone number was registered to an 

"Ignacio Garsellano" at defendant's address on South Drake Avenue and that a 

call was placed on February 9, 2008 at 9:16 p.m. from this landline to a phone 

number, which Officer Gonzalez had previously testified was his cell phone 

number. The call lasted 34 seconds. Two calls were then placed from the same 

landline to 911 at 9:17 p.m. lasting 41 seconds, and at 9:18 p.m. lasting 33 

seconds.

 9 The street number was the street number of the property where both Javier 

Cahue and Willie Sanchez lived.
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¶ 51 5. Defendant 

¶ 52 a. Direct Examination

¶ 53 Defendant, who testified through a Spanish interpreter, testified that his 

full name was Ignacio Garcia Castellano, that he was 34 years old and that he 

had never attended school, either in Mexico or in the United States. In 2007 and 

2008, he was in a serious relationship with Petra Landa and they had three 

children together. Petra's brother was Ramiro Landa. In 2007, defendant was 

working at a company packing meat and living in a basement apartment on

South Drake Avenue10 with Petra, their three children, his brother-in-law and 

one of Petra's nephews.

¶ 54 Defendant testified that, on New Year's Eve 2007, he walked to the house 

of his friends Juan and Graciella on Drake Avenue where he had been invited 

for dinner. Defendant carried with him $600 which he had saved to purchase a 

vehicle, and he hoped to purchase it from them. Petra was not ready to leave, so 

she told defendant to call her later. When defendant called, Petra said it was too 

cold for the youngest to go outside. After dinner, defendant started walking 

home on Drake Avenue when he observed two men, whom he did not know, 

standing on the sidewalk. As he approached, he heard them talking about being 

 10 Defendant provided the same address which Officer Mario Sanchez 

testified that defendant had provided on the day of the fight, and which was the 

subject of the stipulation regarding phone records.
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glad that they had beaten someone up. They told defendant that if he wanted to 

pass, he had to give them a beer. Defendant responded that he had only one 

beer and that he had already taken a drink from it. Defendant identified one of 

the men from a photograph as Willie Sanchez. When defendant walked away, 

Willie Sanchez told him not to talk about what he heard Sanchez saying or 

Sanchez would kill him. 

¶ 55 Defendant testified that he was afraid and crossed to the other side of 

street where he kept walking. Defendant observed another man whom he did 

not know but whom he identified in court from a photograph as Jesus Sanchez. 

Jesus Sanchez asked if defendant wanted a beer and defendant said no, thanks. 

Jesus Sanchez then grabbed defendant stating that he was a Latin King and that 

defendant was disrespecting him. Defendant was aware that area of Drake 

Avenue was controlled by the Latin Kings. Jesus Sanchez held defendant and 

the two other men ran over and all three hit defendant. Then they took 

defendant into a house and to the second floor. Willie Sanchez stated that 

defendant had just disrespected his brother and hit defendant in the forehead 

with a bottle.

¶ 56 Defendant testified that, after he was hit in the face with a bottle, the next 

thing he remembered was waking up downstairs, between the stairs and the 

door, laying face down. He felt pain in his back and his face, and he could hear 
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two men talking behind him. The third man was in front of him. Defendant did 

not move because he was afraid that, if he moved, they would attack him again. 

The two men behind him were arguing over who had hit him. The third man, 

who was by the door, said that he would take defendant to the alley. Defendant 

heard a vehicle pull up, and someone knocked, and a fourth man said he was 

going to pick something up and he needed money. The man by the door said 

that "paisas have money always." Defendant explained that "paisas" are from 

Mexico. The fourth man then stepped over defendant, removed defendant's 

wallet from defendant's pocket, removed the money and replaced the wallet. 

Then he exited and defendant heard the vehicle leaving. Then defendant heard 

the man by the door trying to light a cigarette, and the man by the stairs told 

him to bring it over here and he would light it. After the man by the door 

stepped over defendant, defendant rose and ran toward the open door. 

¶ 57 Defendant testified that, once outside, he stumbled on the ice as he ran 

toward his brother's house. His brother, Juan Garcia Castellano, lived on Drake 

Avenue. The three men chased him and threw things at him as they ran. When 

he reached his brother's house, he opened the gate and knocked hard but the 

three men fell on top of him and were hitting him on his face, head and the back 

of his head. When his brother opened the door, the three of them ran. His 

brother picked him up and brought him in the house. When defendant asked to 
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use his phone, his brother advised him against it because they would kill 

defendant. However, defendant did not listen and called the police. After the 

police arrived, defendant showed them where he had been beaten. Police 

vehicles arrived and officers knocked on the door but no one answered. The 

police then placed defendant into an ambulance. 

¶ 58 Defendant testified that he had his birthdate tattoed on his hand: 

"[b]ecause I don't know about letters or numbers and I forget." The ambulance 

transported him to Mt. Sinai Hospital and he was released later that day. As a 

result of the beating, he had a lasting scar above his left eyebrow. After 

defendant was released from the hospital, he experienced a great deal of pain 

and he could not stay sitting, laying down or standing up for very long. On the 

third day after his release, he returned to work. A day or two after the beating, 

defendant observed some men standing outside, and defendant recognized one 

of them and called the police. Officer Gonzalez came to talk to defendant, and 

he provided defendant with his phone number and instructed defendant to call 

again if defendant observed his attackers. 

¶ 59 Defendant testified that, on February 9, 2009, in the evening, he was at 

home at his home on South Drake Avenue, watching television with his 

children. His brother Juan was over with his wife, and two of Petra's nephews 

were also there. At 9 p.m. Petra's brother, Ramiro Landa, asked defendant to 
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accompany him to obtain an identification (ID). Defendant responded that he 

was afraid to go out, but Landa replied that, when defendant asked Landa to go 

somewhere, he did; so defendant agreed. Before leaving the house, defendant 

did not take any weapons and he did not observe Landa take any. After they 

exited the house, defendant walked behind Landa stating that it was dangerous 

for him to be on the street. After the beating on New Year's Day, defendant had 

stayed inside for long periods of time. Defendant and Landa were walking on 

Drake Avenue, when Landa walked into a yard. Defendant recognized the 

house as the house where he was beaten and he told Landa not to do that 

because this was the house where he was beaten. Landa replied that, as long as 

defendant was with Landa, defendant was safe. Landa then lifted up his jacket 

and defendant observed a knife. Landa stated that if they tried anything, he 

would "teach them a lesson." Landa told defendant that, if he was scared, 

defendant could go back. Defendant started to go back to his house but he was 

"very afraid" for Landa and defendant tried to pull Landa away. At this point, 

Landa was in the gangway and defendant was trying to pull Landa out of it. 

¶ 60 Defendant testified that, as he was trying to pull Landa away, three men 

came running toward them and surrounded defendant. One of the three men 

was Jesus Sanchez who told defendant "all right, paisa, now I'm really going to 

kill you." Then defendant heard a whistle which he recognized as a signal that 
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gang members used to call others. When he heard the whistle, defendant 

became very scared and grabbed his brother-in-law's knife. Defendant was 

asked "[a]t the time that you grabbed the knife *** where were those men?" and 

he replied "[t]hey came at me and they started hitting me."11 Defendant was 

then asked "[c]ould you tell whether any of them had weapons at that point?"

and he replied "[n]o, no, no."12 Defendant tried to push them, and he felt that he 

had cut one of them. Then he tried moving back. Defendant identified one of 

the three men from a photograph as Javier Cahue. The three men continued to 

beat him down the back of the gangway. When defendant moved back, 

"something in the shadow came at me" and defendant heard "you cut me 

already brother-in-law." Then Javier Cahue was behind defendant and hitting 

defendant, and defendant swung the knife back, and Cahue said that defendant 

had cut him. Cahue grabbed defendant's hands with both his hands, and Cahue 

was pushing the knife toward defendant's chest. At first, defendant could not do 

anything but then he grabbed the knife. Cahue held on to defendant with a lot of 

force but defendant was able to move a little to the side and Cahue let go. 

 11 Defendant's testimony seems to indicate that he grabbed the knife before 

the three men "came at" him. However, on cross, he was asked to clarify this fact, 

and he responded that they started beating him before he grabbed the knife.

12 It is ambiguous whether defendant's "no" was a response to whether he 

could tell or whether the men had weapons.
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Cahue said "don't kill me, please don't kill me," and defendant replied that he 

did not want to kill anyone and that he was just defending himself. 

¶ 61 Defendant testified that he then grabbed his brother-in-law but his 

brother-in-law said he could not walk and that he had lost a lot of blood. 

Defendant "got him out of that place" and then ran toward his house. After 

reaching his house, defendant took off his jacket and "threw it where [he] 

always thr[e]w it in [his] house," opened the door and called Officer Gonzalez

from his home phone. Gonzalez replied that he was at home and instructed 

defendant to call 911. When defendant called 911, he told them that several 

people were injured and they should send two or three ambulances. After 

calling 911 and telling his girlfriend that her brother had been "cut," defendant 

ran back toward where his brother-in-law was laying and began to lift him up, 

but officers were already on the scene and one of them told him not to do that. 

Defendant told him that he "need[ed] to talk to an officer" because he "kn[e]w 

what happened," and the officer instructed defendant to enter the squad vehicle, 

which he did.

¶ 62 Defendant then identified a photograph of his jacket and the place where 

it was found, which he testified was "the little alley where I always come out." 

Prior to February 9, 2008, he was not aware that there was a house behind the 
No. 1-13-3874

24 

front house at that location on South Drake Avenue.13 After defendant entered 

the back of the squad vehicle, he agreed to go to the police station at Area 4. 

When he first talked to the police at Area 4, "[o]ne of the officers threatened 

me. He told me that that he was going to put his hand in my behind." The 

officer claimed: "I do that to all the people who don't want to talk and they end 

up talking." The officer further threatened that "the judge was going to give 

[defendant] 70 to 80 years and that [the officer] was just going to go home." 

After those threats, defendant was very afraid but he eventually told the police 

the truth. 

¶ 63 Defendant testified that, when he first grabbed the knife from his brotherin-law, he "grabbed it so they could see that [he] had a knife, for them to let 

[him] get away." If those three men had not threatened and "c[o]me at" him, he 

would not have removed the knife and he would have gone home. He did not 

want to stab anyone. When asked "[w]hy did you hold up the knife and stab?" 

he replied: "I was scared because they were going to kill me, so I was just 

trying to get them away from me." 

¶ 64 b. Cross

¶ 65 On cross, defendant testified that, although he had brought $600 with him 

on New Year's Eve in the hope of purchasing a vehicle from his hosts, they 

 13 That location was where Willie Sanchez lived in the front house and 

Javier Cahue lived in the rear coach house.
No. 1-13-3874

25 

began talking and completely forgot about the vehicle. Defendant admitted that 

he stabbed his brother-in-law on February 9, 2008. After defendant was 

attacked on January 1, 2008, he was not angry but scared and thankful that he 

was able to escape. Although his brother told him not to call the police since it 

would anger the gang members, defendant believed "it would be a good thing 

for them to be arrested because [he] live[d] in the area." On February 9, 2008, 

which was a Saturday, defendant was at home watching television with his 

children and he had four or five beers. His brother-in-law was also drinking. 

¶ 66 Defendant testified that he had never viewed the videotape of his 

statements to the police or reviewed the transcript. When the police arrived on 

February 9, 2008, one of the first police officers asked defendant to enter the 

squad vehicle which he did. At that point, his brother-in-law and another man 

were laying on the ground, and defendant admitted at trial that he had stabbed 

both of those men. However, defendant did not inform the officer that he had 

stabbed those men, and he did not recall what he told the officer. After the fight, 

defendant had cuts on his hands, but he did not receive stitches and did not go 

to the hospital. Defendant did not know whether he stabbed Jesus Sanchez, who 

was one of the men who had previously beaten defendant on January 1, 2008. 

Defendant did not observe anyone else with a weapon in the gangway on 

February 9, 2008, because "it was too dark." However, when he was leaving to 
No. 1-13-3874

26 

head to his home, someone hit him "really hard" on his back and he did not 

know what he was hit with.

¶ 67 Defendant testified that, when his brother-in-law was standing in the 

gangway, defendant "was going home, but he turned around to get [his brotherin-law] because [he] didn’t want to leave him there." Defendant had walked 

away but he came back and "tried to pull" his brother-in-law "but he was too 

heavy." The brother-in-law had the knife "inside his pants at the waist." They 

had "that knife at home to cut tomatoes or chili's [sic] or anything." When the 

three men first approached, defendant was holding on to his brother-in-law's 

jacket and the three men were running toward them. When he was asked 

whether he grabbed the knife before or after the three men started beating him, 

defendant stated before:

 "ASA: Did you start getting beat up before or after you grabbed the 

knife from Ramiro's waistband?

DEFENDANT: The second before I grabbed it.

ASA: They started hitting you beforehand?

DEFENDANT: Yes." 

¶ 68 When defendant was asked why Ramiro did not reach for his own 

knife, defendant replied that his brother-in-law was "very high." Although 

defendant did not observe him using drugs that day, defendant testified that 
No. 1-13-3874

27 

"[h]e liked to smoke a lot of weed and did cocaine" but he always went outside 

to do it. After the three men started beating defendant, defendant felt "all the 

blows from everywhere" and he did not "know which one was hitting me 

where." The first blow landed on defendant's head. Defendant admitted that he 

stabbed one of the men in the chest:

"ASA: Where did you stab the guy that passed you first, what part of 

his body did you stab him?

DEFENDANT: I think in his chest because I pushed him.14

ASA: When you say you pushed him, did you push the knife into his 

chest?

DEFENDANT: Yes, I had the knife in my hands and I was pushing 

him and I was moving and I was swinging and I was pushing them 

away." 

¶ 69 On cross, the State played an audiotape of a 911 call but defendant 

could not identify his voice on the tape.15 Defendant admitted telling the 

detectives: that "Ramiro was gone for six or seven minutes, and then he came 

 14 In a stipulation, the parties agreed that the medical examiner who 

performed the autopsy on Villagrana would testify that Villagrana received a stab 

wound to the chest.

15 Both parties agreed that the translation and transcript of the 911 call was 

not accurate.
No. 1-13-3874

28 

and told [defendant] to call the police"; that defendant had cuts on his hands 

from cutting an apple in the morning and working in a butcher shop; that 

Ramiro had the knife tucked inside his sleeve; and that the men had threatened 

defendant's life and to burn his house. However, defendant testified that he was 

"saying anything" because he had been threatened and he was very scared. 

Defendant recalled that, after a lineup, the police informed him that his jacket 

had been found by the door of his house. Defendant testified that he always left 

his jacket there, that it was his work jacket and that he always threw it under the 

stairs because it was always dirty. 

¶ 70 Defendant admitted that he mistakenly told the police that the first time 

he was beaten was on Thanksgiving rather than New Year's Eve:

"ASA: By the way, when you were talking to the Detectives about 

the time that you had gotten beaten up before, you told them it happened 

on Thanksgiving Day, not New Year's Day?

DEFENDANT: Yes.

ASA: And that was just a mistake?

DEFENDANT: I don't really have any kind of education. I don't 

really know about dates, but dinner is a dinner." 16

 16 Defendant had previously testified that he had his birthdate tattoed on his 

hand: "[b]ecause I don't know about letters or numbers and I forget."
No. 1-13-3874

29 

¶ 71 The State also asked defendant about his interview at 3:15 p.m. with 

an assistant State's attorney (ASA) and Detective Jose Garcia. Defendant 

admitted that he told them that he had been drinking with his brother-in-law and 

had finished almost five beers, and that one of the men said he was going to kill 

defendant. The State then asked defendant about an interview later in the 

afternoon17 with Detective Jose Garcia and another ASA. Defendant admitted 

stating that the first two men who came at him did not have anything in their 

hands.

¶ 72 6. Heriberto Orozco

¶ 73 Defendant's next witness was Heriberto Orozco who testified that, on

December 13, 2010, at 9:30 p.m. he was at the home of his girlfriend, Marisol 

Sanchez, the sister of Jesus Sanchez. Jesus was there with his girlfriend Leslie 

Brown. Orozco observed Jesus and Brown arguing and rolling around in the 

snow outside, which Orozco described as fighting. When Orozco separated 

them, Jesus pushed Orozco away and punched Brown in the face. The police 

were called, and Jesus was arrested. Orozco did not know the outcome of the 

case.

 

17 The ASA in court stated that the interview was "at about 5:30 p.m. in the 

afternoon" but then the subsequent times given, which are all in 24-hour time, are 

shortly after 3:30 p.m.
No. 1-13-3874

30 

¶ 74 7. Chicago Police Officer Benjamin Martinez

¶ 75 Chicago police officer Benjamin Martinez testified that, shortly after 

midnight on January 26, 2013, he arrested Jesus Sanchez, who was standing

with several other people outside the K'Oz Nightclub near 3551 West 25th 

Street, Chicago. They were flashing gang signs and yelling gang slogans at the 

patrons of the club. Specifically, Jesus was yelling: "Raza killer, SD killer, 

Two Six Killer and Ambrose killer." 

¶ 76 8. Chicago Police Officer Mario Uribe

¶ 77 Chicago police officer Mario Uribe testified that he interviewed Javier 

Cahue at Mt. Sinai Hospital on February 9, 2008. at sometime after 11 p.m.

about a stabbing. 

¶ 78 First, Uribe responded yes when asked by defense counsel if Cahue 

stated that "he, Javier Cahue grabbed at the offender's neck to stop him and in 

the process stabbed the victim," and that Cahue "grabbed the person with the 

knife, who then stabbed the second man who the offender had come to the 

scene with." This testimony left the impression that Cahue admitted to stabbing 

a victim.

¶ 79 However on cross, Uribe testified that Cahue stated that defendant 

stabbed everyone in the gangway. Uribe responded yes when asked by the 
No. 1-13-3874

31 

ASA if Cahue stated that "the offender approached Cahue with another man, 

male Hispanic, and started to stab Sanchez and another victim and the victim, 

Cahue" and that "the offender also stabbed the male Hispanic that came with 

him." Uribe testified that Cahue was being treated by the hospital staff as Uribe 

spoke with him.

¶ 80 The trial court then asked questions in order to clarify the testimony. 

Uribe agreed that Cahue had told him that Cahue grabbed the offender's neck. 

Then the court asked what "happened as a result or after he grabbed the 

offender's neck?" Uribe replied: "Cahue said the offender stabbed Sanchez in 

the back and that he cut Cahue's hands with his knife. I guess he was trying to 

wrestle the knife away from him, and then he – the offender stabbed the other 

unknown man he came with." 

¶ 81 9. Stipulations 

¶ 82 The defense read three stipulations between the parties regarding Willie 

and Jesus Sanchez.

¶ 83 In the first stipulation, which was labeled Defense Exhibt No. 43, the 

parties stipulated that an ASA would testify that on February 11, 2008, at 4:50 

p.m. he interviewed Willie Sanchez; and that Willie Sanchez's oral statement 

was memorialized in a written statement which Willie Sanchez signed on every 

page. The statement recited, among other things, that "Willie states that he, 
No. 1-13-3874

32 

Willie, was pretty high and drunk from cocaine, so he was just laying back," 

and "Willie states that Ignacio was then thrown out of the apartment." The 

stipulation did not provide a further context for these remarks.

¶ 84 In the second stipulation which was labeled Defense Exhibit No. 44, the 

parties stipulated that, if the court reporter for the grand jury proceeding on 

February 20, 2008, was called to testify, he would state that Willie Sanchez was 

asked the following questions and provided the following answers: 

"ASA: Do you see anybody on the street at that point that you invite into 

the party?

WILLIE SANCHEZ: Yes, ma'am. Ignacio. 

ASA: Had you ever seen this person named Ignacio before?

WILLIE SANCHEZ: No, ma'am." 

¶ 85 The third stipulation, Defense Exhibit No. 45 stated that, if an 

investigator with the public defender's office was called to testify, she would 

state that she interviewed Willie Sanchez on June 2, 2011, in the kitchen of his 

parents' home and he stated " that Ignacio, the guy with the beer, was not a gang 

member," "that he and his friends were so mad that they beat the guy with their 

fists and bottles," and "that the beating started upstairs, and they continued to 

beat him all the way downstairs and outside."
No. 1-13-3874

33 

¶ 86 The fourth stipulation, stated that, if Edith Sanchez were called to testify, 

she would state that she called the police on December 24, 2012, because her 

brother, Jesus Sanchez, came home drunk and started arguing with her, and 

placed his hands on her in an offensive manner and pushed her into a tree 

causing her pain. 

¶ 87 After the stipulations, the defense rested and the State began its rebuttal 

case.

¶ 88 C. The State's Rebuttal Case

¶ 89 The State's rebuttal case consisted mainly of the introduction of 

statements made by defendant to police. 

¶ 90 1. Detectives Matias and Swiderik

¶ 91 Prior to introducing the statements, the State called Detective Christopher 

Matias who testified: that he spoke Spanish, that he interacted intermittently

with defendant from 4:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. on February 10, 2008: that he acted 

as a translator for defendant during certain procedures such as obtaining buccal 

swabs and photographs; and that neither he nor other officers in Matia's

presence threatened to place a hand on defendant's behind. The State then 

recalled Detective Gregory Swiderik who testified: that his first interview of

defendant began at 4:30 a.m. at Area 4 and was not recorded; that, at 6 a.m., 

defendant was taken into a recorded interview room; that defendant was there 
No. 1-13-3874

34 

until 4:15 p.m. and all the interviews between 6 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. were 

recorded; that Detective Garcia translated the interviews at 4:30 a.m. and 6 

a.m.; and that Detectives Matias and Garcia were the only officers who 

translated for defendant at Area 4.

¶ 92 2. Stipulation Re: Videotape

¶ 93 The State then read a stipulation between the parties that People's Exhibit 

No. 66 was an accurate two-hour video recording of the interviews of defendant 

on February 10, 2008, including: (1) two interviews conducted by Detectives 

Swiderek and Garcia; and (2) a third interview conducted by an ASA starting at 

3:13 p.m. The parties also stipulated that People's Exhibit No. 67 is a 143-page 

English translation and transcript of the video. 

¶ 94 3. Sergeant Jose Garcia

¶ 95 Sergeant Jose Garcia testified that he is fluent in English and Spanish, 

and that he acted as a translator for defendant during the interview which began 

at 4:30 a.m. and lasted 20 minutes. At that time, the police did not consider 

defendant to be in custody and regarded him as a witness. During that 

interview, defendant stated that his brother-in-law entered a gangway and exited 

after sustaining injuries but defendant did not state whether he observed the 

person who stabbed his brother. Defendant stated that he did not know how 
No. 1-13-3874

35 

Rafael Villagrana was stabbed; that he (defendant) never entered the gangway;

that two men ran out of the gangway and entered a black Blazer-type vehicle. 

¶ 96 Garcia testified that, after this interview, he left Area 4 and returned to 

the crime scene. After discovering the knife in the yard north of defendant's 

home, Garcia returned to Area 4 at 5:40 p.m. and defendant was moved into a 

recorded interview room. Neither Garcia nor any officer in Garcia's presence 

threatened to place his hand in defendant's behind. Garcia had listened to the 

911 tape in this case and recognized the voice as defendant's voice.

¶ 97 Next Garcia testified about the substance of the 911 tape. After the call 

was received, the call operator informed defendant that the operator did not 

speak Spanish and he placed defendant on hold waiting for a Spanish speaker. 

Then defendant said that he hit Ramiro and swore. When a Spanish-speaking 

operator came on the line, defendant asked for an ambulance because a man 

was hurt. Defendant stated that they "got into a fight with some gangbangers" 

and the gangbangers hit Ramiro. Then defendant stated there were three injured 

men. The Spanish interpreter stated that "two gangs fought and he got 

stabbed," but Garcia believed that interpretation was incorrect.

¶ 98 On cross, Garcia testified that he did not take any notes during the first 

interview at 4:30 a.m. that he did not write a report about it, and that if any 

notes were taken, that would have been done by Detective Swiderek.
No. 1-13-3874

36 

¶ 99 The State then marked the 911 tape as People's Exhibit No. 68, and it was 

admitted into evidence. 

¶ 100 4. The Videotape

¶ 101 After Garcia testified, the judge stated that they would adjourn for the 

day, and he would review the videotape and the transcript before the parties 

returned to argue the case on another day. When court resumed, the judge 

stated:

"the State had requested that I review with the Defense agreement, 

portions of the electronically recorded interrogation as specified on the 

sheet that the parties brought to my chambers the next day together. That 

was from 5:56 a.m. to 6:19 a.m. on February [10]th, from 6:32 a.m. to 

7:35 on the same date and from 3:13 p.m. to 6 – it should be to 3:39 p.m. 

on the same date. I've reviewed that. 

I've also reviewed the transcript that the parties jointly presented to 

the Court. I've reviewed those portions of the ERI and the transcripts, 

neither more nor less." 

¶ 102 The parties had previously stipulated on the record that People's 

Exhibit No. 66 was an accurate video recording of interviews with defendant 
No. 1-13-3874

37 

and that People's Exhibit No. 67 was an accurate English translation and 

transcript of the video. 18 

¶ 103 a. First Interview

¶ 104 The first interview, which began at 5:56 a.m. on February 10, 2008, was 

conducted by Detective Swiderek with Detective Garcia acting as an interpreter. 

¶ 105 At the start of that first interview, Detective Swiderek informed 

defendant that they were going to place him in a lineup, and defendant was read 

his Miranda rights. Detective Swiderek stated that he had showed defendant a 

photograph of Rafael Villagrana, one of the stabbing victims, and defendant 

responded that he did not know him and had "hardly seen him." 

¶ 106 Defendant stated that his brother-in-law asked defendant to accompany 

him while his brother-in-law was going to "get" something but his brother-inlaw did not specify what or where. Defendant left his home on South Drake, 

and followed behind his brother-in-law. As they walked, the brother-in-law 

instructed defendant to wait at a certain location, and the brother-in-law kept 

walking. After 10 minutes, the brother-in-law returned, again told defendant to 

 18 The State's brief states that the transcript is also included in the common 

law record. However, the transcript in the common law record and the transcript 

labeled Exhibit No. 67 are not identical. Exhibit No. 67 contains corrections in pen 

to the translation which the transcript in the common law record lacks. We will 

rely on Exhibit No. 67.
No. 1-13-3874

38 

wait, then walked two houses away, opened a gate and entered a gangway, 

walking toward the back of a house. This time defendant followed. 

¶ 107 Defendant testified that it was the same place where defendant had 

been beaten up and robbed by three men on Thanksgiving Day.

19 Defendant had 

a scar from the incident and made a police report about it. The incident 

occurred in the front house on the property.

¶ 108 Defendant stated that, after his brother-in-law walked down the gangway

a second time, defendant did not hear anything and then, six or seven minutes 

later, his brother-in-law came running out and grabbed defendant and told him 

to call the police. Defendant held his brother-in-law and laid him on the 

ground. Then defendant ran to his house and told his wife "they hit your 

brother." After retrieving an officer's phone number from his wallet, defendant 

called the officer who told him to call 911, which he did. Defendant told the 

911 operator to send two ambulances for two or three people. After calling 

911, defendant ran back to his brother-in-law and started lifting him up, but a 

police vehicle arrived and an officer instructed defendant not to do that. 

¶ 109 Defendant stated, after the officer asked him what he was doing, 

defendant explained that the man was his brother-in-law and that defendant had 

 19 Defendant testified that he mistakenly said Thanksgiving Day when he 

meant New Year's Day.
No. 1-13-3874

39 

been with him earlier. The officer replied that defendant was an important 

witness and instructed him to enter the police vehicle, which defendant did.

¶ 110 Defendant stated that, after his brother-in-law ran out of the gangway, 

another man exited and was holding onto the fence. Then two men ran out, 

entered a black Blazer truck and departed. In the interview, Detective Swiderek 

asked defendant why he told the 911 operator there were two or three people 

injured. Defendant said that he "called fast" and said he needed "[t]wo – three." 

The detective also asked defendant how he had received the cuts that the 

detective observed on defendant's hands. Defendant replied: "This cut is from 

an apple I cut in the morning and this one is because I work at a butcher shop." 

When the defendant asked about the blood on his pants and shoes, defendant 

replied: "I don't know if it's from my brother-in-law." 

¶ 111 b. Second Interview

¶ 112 The second interview, which began at 6:32 a.m. and lasted approximately 

an hour, was conducted again by Detectives Swiderek and Garcia.

¶ 113 At the start of the second interview, they told defendant that he had been 

identified "as the guy that did this," and that "[y]our brother-in-law died for 

nothing." The detectives told him that now was his chance to explain himself, 

that he did not look like a bad person, but that if he did not explain himself he 

would look like a cold-blooded killer. The detectives also told him that a knife 
No. 1-13-3874

40 

had been found next to his house and a bloody jacket or sweatshirt outside his 

apartment door. The detectives said that they were going to take defendant's 

clothes and test the blood on them to see if it "c[a]me back to the people that 

got stabbed." The detectives told him that, if he did not explain himself, it 

"looks bad for" him. 

¶ 114 The detectives then said that Ramiro was like his brother and asked: 

"You're going to let Ramiro die for nothing?" When defendant said "I never 

went all the way over there," Detective Swiderek replied "[y]eah he did" and 

"you could be looking at spending a lot of years in jail." The detective said they 

found the knife next to defendant's house because that is where defendant put it. 

When they asked about the black jacket, defendant replied that he wore a black 

jacket but he did not remember when he took it off. Detective Swiderek

responded that defendant took it off because "those guys are dead" and it's got 

blood all over it." Defendant stated that he had the jacket on when he ran 

across the street to his house but he did not have it on when the police arrived. 

¶ 115 The detectives then stated that the knife they found was "going to match 

these cuts" and it was found "next to [defendant's] house," and that it was 

"going to have blood on it from people that got stabbed." They repeated that, if 

defendant did not explain himself, he would "look like a cold-blooded killer," 

and they repeated several times that Ramiro was dead. Then Detective 
No. 1-13-3874

41 

Swiderek stated: "if you don't explain yourself you could be going away for a 

long time." 

¶ 116 Detective Swiderek added: "You know those guys robbed and beat you. 

You were mad. Sometimes things happen. But you better explain yourself here. 

We have people that saw you. Picked you out. We have blood. There's blood 

on your hands. We have the knife. Next to your house. We don't think you're a 

bad guy. But sometimes things happen. And if you don't explain yourself, it 

looks like you went over there just to kill a whole bunch of people. *** Now is 

the time to explain yourself." 

¶ 117 Detective Garcia, who was acting as the interpreter, then asked, 

independent of any question posed by Detective Swiderek, "why did Ramiro 

have to die? Did you kill him on purpose?" To which, defendant replied no.

¶ 118 Then Detective Swiderek continued: "Your friend, your brother. You 

know, Ignacio, things happen. We don't think you're a bad guy. You've never 

been in a lot of trouble. *** You know maybe you were drinking a little bit[,] 

things happen." Defendant replied: "Yes, I drank about four almost five 

beers." 

¶ 119 Then Detective Garcia, not acting as an interpreter for Detective 

Swiderek, stated: "Alcohol makes you do things that later you regret. *** But 

things happen. You have to explain it. You have to explain it to him." 
No. 1-13-3874

42 

¶ 120 Detective Swiderek said that he would be mad too if someone robbed 

him and asked what they robbed defendant of. Defendant said $600 dollars. 

Detective Swiderek said "[o]kay[,] so maybe you just wanted to get your money 

back," but defendant replied no. 

¶ 121 Then Detective Garcia, not acting as an interpreter, asked defendant 

several times why he went there with a knife. Detective Swiderek then stated

that they knew that defendant did not "want it to go this way," and added "[w]e 

told you these guys – some of these guys were in a gang, right?" Detective 

Swiderek said "if you don't want to explain yourself we have to go on – we 

have to go on with what other people are telling us. And they're not saying – 

They're not saying nice things." 

¶ 122 Detective Garcia, not acting as an interpreter, stated: "They're saying it 

occurred differently from what you're saying. They're going to say how the 

story happened. Here is your opportunity to tell us how you saw things happen. 

Explain how Ramiro died. Did he die at your cold-blooded hand? Did you 

assassinate him? Then how did Ramiro die? How is it that Ramiro died? How 

did Ramiro die? Did you assassinate him? Did you kill him? How did he die?"

¶ 123 Detective Garcia continued: "How are you going to ask Ramiro's family 

for forgiveness, your own family? How are you going to ask them for 

forgiveness for what happened to him? Are you going to let them believe that 
No. 1-13-3874

43 

you cold-bloodedly killed him? *** Don’t you want to ask them for forgiveness 

for what happened to Ramiro?" When defendant indicated yes, Detective 

Garcia stated: "Then explain to us how it happened."

¶ 124 Then defendant stated: "We came out of the house. He tells me 

accompany me brother-in-law. Weeks before he had mentioned that he wanted 

to get an ID." Defendant stated that Ramiro "was very upset because he said he 

wasn't interested in anything in life. *** Because his father doesn't love him." 

When Detective Garcia asked what that had to do with "going with the guys 

about an ID," defendant replied: "They also took money from him." When they 

arrived at the house, his brother-in-law told defendant to wait, and then the 

brother-in-law left and returned and said "come on dude let's go f*** them up." 

Ramiro was carrying a small knife with a red handle, and defendant told him no 

and tried to take the knife from him. But defendant was not able to take the 

knife, so defendant went after him. When they arrived at the gangway to the 

house, two men were coming toward them, and his brother-in-law pushed him 

away. Defendant stated: "Then he took the knife and the guy yelled. One of 

the guys yelled and he took – I didn't know if he had hit him or not." In the 

prior quote, it is not clear who "he" is but "he" seems to refer to the brother-inlaw and "him" seems to refer to one of the three men. Then defendant stated: "I 

just heard him say paisa I don't want to die paisa." 
No. 1-13-3874

44 

¶ 125 Defendant then stated: "Then when I saw him coming back – He didn't 

have the knife anymore. He was coming back without anything. He was 

coming back with his hand like this. I don't remember if it was this hand. Then 

I grabbed him and brought him back and let him go there on the sidewalk. I 

went back. The knife was just thrown on the ground and a fat guy went running 

towards the other side. I think – I'm not sure what happened. I then grabbed 

the knife and went to get my brother-in-law and I took him out of there. I then 

let him go and went outside to a make a call" by phone. The "him" and "he" at 

the start of this quote appear to refer to his brother-in-law.

¶ 126 Defendant stated that he left running, threw away the knife, threw down 

the jacket and called the police. Detective Garcia told him that what he related 

was "not possible," that defendant was "not telling [them] something" and that 

he had to tell them "the whole truth." Detective Garcia added: "the only thing 

that is going to help you is the truth. I know you're scared. I know you didn't 

plan this." Detective Swiderk told him: "The witnesses have you Ignacio with 

the knife." Then the detectives stated:

"DETECTIVE SWIDEREK: Don't do that to him.

DETECTIVE GARCIA: Don't do Ramiro like that. Don't blame him.

DETECTIVE SWIDEREK: You don't want to disgrace him.
No. 1-13-3874

45 

DETECTIVE GARCIA: You don't want to disgrace him. You don't 

want him to take the blame for that disgrace. No, right.

DETECTIVE SWIDEREK: The witnesses have the knife in your 

hand." 

¶ 127 Then defendant stated that when he went with Ramiro, he did not know 

what Ramiro was going to do, and that he did not do the stabbing. Then the 

police argued with defendant that defendant was the one who was robbed, that 

Ramiro did not have a problem with these men; and that defendant was "the one 

with the problem." Detective Swiderek stated: "There was one knife out there 

and your brother was stabbed, an accident. And you stabbed him. It was an 

accident. It was an accident. It was an accident yes. Yes – yeah – yeah. Well 

guess what? If it wasn't then you're going to go down as a cold-blooded killer 

of your own brother-in-law. 'Cause everybody's got the knife in your hands." 

¶ 128 Detective Swiderek then stated: "The knife has your fingerprints on it." 

Both detectives then repeated a number of times that defendant could not blame 

Ramiro. Defendant then explained that Ramiro was mad because he gave these 

men money to obtain an ID but they never gave him the ID. The police then 

argued with him that he was the one who was robbed and beaten, and that the 

witnesses said that defendant had the knife not Ramiro. Defendant stated: "I 
No. 1-13-3874

46 

already explained myself. I already told you what happened." The police 

repeated several times that he should let Ramiro rest in peace.

¶ 129 Defendant then stated that the other men threatened to burn down 

defendant's house and Ramiro took the knife. Defendant then said, "When we 

got there" and Detective Garcia interrupted and said: "Hmm-hmm. When you 

got there – you took it? You took it from him?" Defendant then repeated: "I 

took it from him." Defendant stated that, when they entered the gangway, the 

men jumped on him and defendant grabbed the knife to defend himself. 

Defendant continued that, when the men passed by him, he turned around and 

"threw the hit" which accidentally hit his brother-in-law. Defendant stated that, 

when one of the other men came at him, defendant hit him, and that when one 

of the men grabbed him, he stabbed him. 

¶ 130 The following exchange occurred:

"DETECTIVE GARCIA: So you think you that you stabbed two and 

then you accidentally stabbed your brother-in-law?

DETECTIVE GARCIA: Yes?

DETECTIVE SWIDEREK: Say yes.

DETECTIVE GARCIA: I'm sorry I don't hear you. You have to tell me – 

DEFENDANT: Yes. " 
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¶ 131 Defendant stated that if the men had not thrown themselves on him, he 

wouldn't have done anything, and "I didn't want to hit anybody. I had the knife

and I didn't mean to hit the chubby one" and "I didn't want to stick anyone." 

Defendant stated that Ramiro did not tell him that Ramiro had a knife until they 

arrived at the scene. Defendant did not see whether anyone else had a knife 

because it was dark. After defendant told the detectives that he did the 

stabbing, the detectives told him "[n]ow your brother can rest," and they offered 

him a soda. 

¶ 132 c. Third Interview

¶ 133 The third interview, which began at 3:13 p.m., was conducted by an ASA 

with Detective Jose Garcia acting as an interpreter. The ASA began by reading 

defendant his Miranda rights. When the ASA then asked defendant if he would 

like to relate what happened last night, Detective Garcia translated that as: "Do 

you want to tell him what happened yesterday? What you told us. What you 

told us." 

¶ 134 Defendant then related: that his brother-in-law lives in defendant's home; 

that defendant was at home watching television and had consumed almost five 

beers; that his brother-in-law invited defendant to accompany him to obtain an 

ID; that the brother-in-law had already paid for the ID but had not received it;

that they walked to the place where defendant had been previously beaten up; 
No. 1-13-3874

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that, when they arrived, his brother-in-law said that he wanted to teach them a 

lesson and that was when defendant first observed his brother-in-law with a 

knife; that defendant grabbed him and said "no—no—no"; that defendant 

continued to follow him saying no and they entered the gangway through a 

gate; that suddenly men appeared in the gangway; that one of the men 

recognized defendant, ran toward defendant and jumped him; that defendant 

then took the knife from his brother-in-law and defended himself with it; that a 

second man attacked defendant; that defendant turned around and accidentally 

stabbed his brother-in-law; that a "chubby" man grabbed the knife and said 

"don't kill me paisa"; that defendant replied that he did not want to hurt anyone

and he did not "know what's going on with me"; that it was like defendant was 

"dizzy" and he "snapped out of it" when the chubby man grabbed defendant's 

hand; that the chubby man let defendant go; that defendant grabbed his brotherin-law and left and laid him on the sidewalk; that his brother-in-law told him to 

call the police; that defendant ran towards his house and threw the knife away; 

that when he arrived at his house, he took off his jacket and called an officer 

who stated that he could not attend to him and to call 911; that defendant called 

911 and requested an ambulance for 2 or 3 people. 

¶ 135 When the ASA asked defendant when he was beaten up, defendant 

replied "[i]t was on Thanksgivng Day or how do you say that?" and Detective 
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Garcia replied "Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving" and defendant agreed with 

him. When the ASA asked "[n]ot New Year's Eve," defendant replied that "it 

was on the day of the dinner." Defendant stated on the day he was beaten, his 

brother-in-law later pointed to defendant's eye and asked what happened.

¶ 136 When the ASA asked defendant if he had stabbed the first man in the 

chest, defendant responded he did not see the area where the man was hurt. 

Then Detective Garcia stated "you told us you *** stabbed him more or less 

right around" here and that defendant should show the ASA where, which he 

did. Defendant stated that he did not know if he cut the second man. Defendant 

also related that he worked at Sam's assembling boxes to pack meat. 

¶ 137 As stated above, after watching the videotape and reading the transcript 

of the three interviews, the court proceeded to oral argument and then verdict. 

¶ 138 II. Conviction and Sentence

¶ 139 The trial court found defendant guilty of first-degree murder and two 

counts of aggravated battery, and rejected defendant's claims of self-defense 

and second-degree murder predicated on imperfect self-defense The

presentence report indicated that defendant was 34 years old, with no gang 

affiliation and only one conviction for driving while intoxicated. A 

psychological evaluation concluded that defendant had "mild mental 

retardation." 
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¶ 140 After hearing factors in mitigation and aggravation, the trial court

sentenced defendant on November 21, 2013, to a total of 32 years with the 

Illinois Department of Corrections. The sentence included 30 years for the 

first-degree murder, and 2 years for each aggravated battery, with the 

aggravated battery sentences to run concurrently to each other but consecutively

to the murder sentence. This appeal followed.

¶ 141 ANALYSIS

¶ 142 On this direct appeal, defendant asks this court to reduce his murder 

conviction to second-degree murder, arguing that he proved by a preponderance 

of the evidence a mitigating factor, namely, that he had an actual, although 

unreasonable, belief in the need to act with deadly force to defend himself and 

another. 720 ILCS 5/9-2(a)(2) (West 2008). For the following reasons, we 

affirm. 

¶ 143 I. Standard of Review

¶ 144 "The question of whether a defendant's actions were committed under 

mitigating circumstances—here, the question of whether defendant 

unreasonably believed that circumstances justifying the use of lethal force were 

present—presentd a question of fact." People v. Romero, 387 Ill. App. 3d 954,

967-68 (2008). In the case at bar, the trial court found that the mitigating 

factor was not present. "In an appeal challenging a factual determination that 
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51 

no mitigating factor was present, the question presented is *** whether the fact 

finder correctly concluded that the defendant did not prove the existence of a 

mitigating factor by a preponderance of the evidence." Romero, 387 Ill. App. 

3d at 967. When a trial court determines that the defendant failed to prove the 

presence of a mitigating factor by a preponderance of the evidence, the 

reviewing court will not reverse if it determines that "after viewing the evidence 

in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could 

have found that the mitigating factors were not present." People v. Blackwell, 

171 Ill. 2d 338, 358 (1996).

¶ 145 In a bench trial, the responsibility of weighing the credibility of the 

witnesses rests with the trial court. People v. Coleman, 301 Ill. App. 3d 37, 42 

(1998). "This court will not substitute its judgment for that of the trial court on 

questions involving the credibility of witnesses." In re Jessica M., 399 Ill. App. 

3d 730, 738 (2010). A trial court's decision to believe one witness's account of 

an attack over another "is virtually unassailable on appeal." In re Jessica M., 

399 Ill. App. 3d at 738.

¶ 146 "[T]his deference does not require a mindless rubber stamp on every 

bench trial guilty verdict we address." People v. Hernandez, 312 Ill. App. 3d 

1032, 1037 (2000). The trial judge must "consider all the evidence presented in 

determining the matter before it," and a reviewing court will review the record 
No. 1-13-3874

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to ensure this was done. People v. Mitchell, 152 Ill. 2d 274, 322 (1992). A 

"trial court's failure to recall and consider testimony crucial to defendant's 

defense result[s] in a denial of defendant's due process rights." Mitchell, 152 

Ill. 2d at 323. Likewise, "[a]lthough the trial court's findings of fact are given 

great weight, they are not conclusive where *** the finding is unsupported by 

the testimony given at trial." People v. Jones, 404 Ill. App. 3d 734, 746 (2010).

¶ 147 II. Imperfect Self-Defense

¶ 148 Section 9-2 of the Criminal Code of 1961provides for two forms of 

second-degree murder, the second of which occurs when: "[a]t the time of the 

killing [defendant] believes the circumstances to be such that, if they existed, 

would justify or exonerate the killing under the principles stated in Article 7 of 

this Code, but his belief is unreasonable." 720 ILCS 5/9-2 (West 2008). This 

second form of second-degree murder is known as imperfect self-defense, and 

"occurs when there is sufficient evidence that the defendant believed he was 

acting in self-defense, but that belief is objectively unreasonable." People v. 

Jeffries, 164 Ill. 2d 104, 113 (1995).

¶ 149 Self-defense consists of six factors: "(1) force is threatened against a 

person, (2) the person is not the aggressor, (3) the danger of harm was 

imminent, (4) the threatened force was unlawful, (5) the person actually and 

subjectively believed a danger existed that required the use of the force applied, 
No. 1-13-3874

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and (6) the person's beliefs were objectively reasonable." People v. 

Washington, 2012 IL 110283, ¶ 35. To sustain a charge of first-degree murder 

after the defendant raises the issue of self-defense, the State must prove beyond 

a reasonable doubt that at least one of the six factors was not present. Jeffries, 

164 Ill. 2d at 128. However, to be found guilty of second-degree murder, the 

defendant must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that all of the first 

five factors were present. Jeffries, 164 Ill. 2d at 129.

¶ 150 III. Burden of Proof

¶ 151 Defendant argues that his conviction for first-degree murder should be 

reduced to second-degree murder because he proved, by a preponderance of the 

evidence, that he had an actual, but unreasonable, belief in the need to act with 

deadly force for self-defense.

¶ 152 Section 9-1 of the Criminal Code defines the offense of first-degree

murder, in pertinent part:

"(a) A person who kills an individual without lawful justification 

commits first degree murder if, in performing the acts which cause the 

death:

(1) he either intends to kill or do great bodily harm to that 

individual or another, or knows that such acts will cause death to 

that individual or another; or
No. 1-13-3874

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(2) he knows that such acts create a strong probability of death 

or great bodily harm to that individual or another[.]" 720 ILCS 

5/9-1 (West 2008).

¶ 153 Section 9-2 of the Criminal Code defines the offense of second degree

murder, in pertinent part, as follows:

"(a) A person commits the offense of second degree murder when he 

commits the offense of first degree murder as defined in paragraphs 

(1) or (2) of subsection (a) section 9-1 of this Code and either of the 

following mitigating factors are present:

(1) At the time of the killing he is acting under a sudden and 

intense passion resulting from serious provocation by the 

individual killed ***; or

(2) At the time of the killing he believes the circumstances to be 

such that, if they existed, would justify or exonerate the killing 

under the principles stated in Article 7 of this Code, but his belief 

is unreasonable.

(b) Serious provocation is conduct sufficient to excite an intense 

passion in a reasonable person.

(c) When a defendant is on trial for first degree murder and 

evidence of either of the mitigating factors defined in subsection (a) of 
No. 1-13-3874

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this Section has been presented, the burden of proof is on the 

defendant to prove either mitigating factor by a preponderance of the 

evidence before the defendant can be found guilty of second degree

murder. However, the burden of proof remains on the State to prove 

beyond a reasonable doubt each of the elements of first degree murder 

and, when appropriately raised, the absence of circumstances at the 

time of the killing that would justify or exonerate the killing under the 

principles stated in Article 7 of this Code." 720 ILCS 5/9-2 (West 

2008).

"[T]he elements of first degree and second degree murder are identical, and it is 

the presence of statutory mitigating factors that reduces an unlawful homicide 

from first degree to second degree murder." People v. Thompson, 354 Ill. App. 

3d 579, 587 (2004).

¶ 154 "[T]he second degree murder statute requires the State to prove, beyond a 

reasonable doubt, each element of first degree murder before the burden shifts 

to the defendant to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, any of the 

factors in mitigation that must be present to reduce the offense from first degree

to second degree murder." Thompson, 354 Ill. App. 3d at 586. This court has 

held that, once the defendant proves a mitigating factor by a preponderance of 

the evidence, the State has a burden to disprove it beyond a reasonable doubt. 
No. 1-13-3874

56 

Thompson, 354 Ill. App. 3d at 586 ("Once the defendant carries his burden of 

proving any of the factors in mitigation, the burden shifts back to the State to 

prove the absence of the implicated mitigating factors beyond a reasonable 

doubt."); People v. Golden, 244 Ill. App. 3d 908, 919 (1993) (If defendant 

presents mitigating evidence "the State must disprove those factors beyond a 

reasonable doubt."). In People v. Buckner, 203 Ill. App. 3d 525 (1990), the 

court explained that "the second-degree murder statute functions as a defense 

against the first-degree murder charge, which the State is still required to prove 

before the trier of fact considers whether the mitigating factors were shown by a 

preponderance and, if it so finds, the State must disprove such factor(s) by proof 

beyond a reasonable doubt." (Emphasis in original.) Buckner, 203 Ill. App. 3d 

at 533-34.

¶ 155 However, the Second District has held that "[t]hese cases misstate the 

law" and "Illinois's statutory scheme nowhere provides that the State must 

disprove a mitigating factor beyond a reasonable doubt after a defendant has 

established a mitigating factor by a preponderance of the evidence." People v. 

Romero, 387 Ill. App. 3d 954, 966 (2008). In the 1980's, shortly after the 

Criminal Code was amended to replace the offence of voluntary manslaughter 

with the offence of second-degree murder, the Illinois Supreme Court held that 

"the new Act not only requires the defendant to come forward with some
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57 

evidence of a factor in mitigation; it requires the defendant to prove, by a 

preponderance of the evidence, a factor in mitigation. Furthermore, the State is 

no longer required to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, the absence of the 

factor in mitigation." (Emphasis in original.) People v. Shumpert, 126 Ill. 2d 

344, 352 (1989). See also People v. Simon ̧ 2011 IL App (1st) 091197, ¶ 51 

("The State is not required to prove the absence of the mitigating factor beyond 

a reasonable doubt.").20 

¶ 156 In the case at bar, defendant argues that the State failed to disprove the 

mitigating factor beyond a reasonable doubt, and the State argues that it did. 

However, we need not resolve the issue of whether this is required — an issue 

that is not addressed by the parties — because the factfinder stated that he did 

not find defendant credible and thus defendant failed to satisfy his initial burden 

of proving the mitigating factor by a preponderance of the evidence. 

¶ 157 First, the State satisfied its burden of proving defendant guilty of firstdegree murder beyond a reasonable doubt, a fact that defendant does not dispute 

on appeal. The State satisfied this burden by calling Javier Cahoe, one of the 

survivors of the brawl, as well as other witnesses. Then, defendant attempted to 

satisfy his preponderance burden by calling several witnesses including himself. 

Like Cahoe, defendant was one of the survivors of the event. 

 20 The issue of burden of proof was not briefed by the parties in Simon, and 

was not dispositive to this court's holding in that case.
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¶ 158 However, defendant failed in his attempt to satisfy his preponderance 

burden because the trial court found: "I simply don't believe his testimony. I do 

not believe the changing circumstances of those statements to the police." For 

example, Officer Sanchez, who was the first officer to arrive at the scene, 

testified that defendant claimed he was merely standing on the sidewalk when 

four men, including his brother-in-law, ran out of the gangway, all injured.

Even defendant admitted at trial that he lied to the police at first, claiming that 

an unidentified officer threatened him, and that he told the truth only later. By 

contrast, the trial court "conclude[d] that Cahoe was testifying credibly." After 

listening to defendant's own admittedly conflicting statements, the trial court 

concluded that defendant "did not act out of any belief, even unreasonable, that 

self-defense was necessary that would lead to him being found guilty of seconddegree murder." Since the trial court found that defendant failed in his attempt 

to satisfy his initial preponderance-of-the-evidence burden, we will analyze 

below whether any rational trier of fact could have reached the same 

conclusion. Blackwell, 171 Ill. 2d at 357.

¶ 159 IV. Any Rational Trier of Fact

¶ 160 As we stated earlier, the burden was on defendant to prove by a 

preponderance of the evidence the following five factors: "(1) force is 

threatened against a person, (2) the person is not the aggressor, (3) the danger of 
No. 1-13-3874

59 

harm was imminent, (4) the threatened force was unlawful, [and] (5) the person 

actually and subjectively believed a danger existed that required the use of the 

force applied." Washington, 2012 IL 110283, ¶ 35 (listing the factors of selfdefense); Jeffries, 164 Ill. 2d at 129 (burden is on defendant to prove by a 

preponderance). We must affirm if "any rational trier of fact" could have found 

that defendant failed to prove any one of these factors by a preponderance.

Blackwell, 171 Ill. 2d at 357. 

¶ 161 Our review of the record shows that a rational trier of fact could have 

found that defendant failed to prove by a preponderance that he was not the 

aggressor. Defendant testified that he and his brother-in-law walked to the 

same house where defendant had been previously beaten, and his brother-in-law 

showed defendant a knife and stated that he would "teach them a lesson." 

Defendant testified that he had an opportunity to leave at that point but decided 

to remain. According to defendant's own testimony, if defendant had not 

grabbed the knife from his brother-in-law when the three men approached, then 

the resulting fight would have been a fist fight of two men against three men. 

The medical examiner testified that the murder victim, Rafael Villagrana, died 

of multiple stab wounds, and defendant's own testimony indicated that no one 

succeeded in taking the knife from defendant during the fight and no one else 

had a knife. Defendant admitted that he stabbed both of the men who died, both 
No. 1-13-3874

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Villagrana and his brother-in-law. Based on defendant's own testimony alone, a 

rational trier of fact could have concluded that defendant failed to show by a 

preponderance of the evidence that he was not the agressor.

¶ 162 In reaching this conclusion, we do not overlook defendant's assertion that 

he was threatened by the police and that, after being threatened by them, he 

would "say[] anything." Defendant testified that the police threatened him with 

70 to 80 years in jail if he did not talk to them, a claim that none of the officers 

denied when they testified. The officers denied that they threatened to place a 

hand in his behind, but they did not address this other threat, of decades in jail. 

Defendant's assertion of this second threat finds support in the transcript of the 

second interview where the detective, who was in charge of the questioning,

told defendant "if you don't explain yourself you could be going away for a long 

time" and where the detective who acted as a Spanish interpreter told defendant: 

"You have to explain it to [the other detective]." Statements like these 

contradict and undercut the Miranda warnings which defendant received at the 

start of the first interview and should not be encouraged. However, no issue 

with respect to the statements is raised on appeal, and the trial judge read the 

transcript and took these statements into consideration when making his 

credibility determination of defendant whom he had the opportunity to observe 

in person — an opportunity which we lack. 
No. 1-13-3874

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¶ 163 Based on our careful and detailed review of the record, we cannot 

conclude that no rational trier of fact could have found as the trial court did with 

respect to the second degree murder charge, and thus we must affirm. 

¶ 164 CONCLUSION

¶ 165 For the foregoing reasons, we affirm defendant's conviction and sentence 

on this direct appeal.

¶ 166 Affirmed.