1 

 2016 IL App (5th) 130416-B 

 NO. 5-13-0416 

 IN THE 

 APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS 

 FIFTH DISTRICT

________________________________________________________________________ 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, ) Appeal from the 

 ) Circuit Court of 

 Petitioner-Appellee, ) Johnson County. 

 ) 

v. ) No. 99-CF-106 

 ) 

JAMES E. GRANT, ) Honorable 

 ) James R. Williamson, 

 Respondent-Appellant. ) Judge, presiding. 

________________________________________________________________________ 

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

 Justices Welch and Cates concurred in the judgment and opinion. 

OPINION 

¶ 1 In 2002, the respondent, James E. Grant, was committed pursuant to the Sexually 

Dangerous Persons Act (SDP Act) (725 ILCS 205/0.01 et seq. (West 2000)). In July 

2012, he filed the application for discharge that is at issue in this appeal. A jury found

that the respondent remained a sexually dangerous person, and the trial court entered an 

order to that effect. The respondent appealed, raising four issues. We reversed the 

court's order on the basis of one of those issues−we found that the court erred and 

violated the respondent's right to due process by appointing an independent examiner of 

the State's choosing. People v. Grant, 2015 IL App (5th) 130416. Because we remanded 

NOTICE

Decision filed 09/01/16. The 

text of this decision may be 

changed or corrected prior to 

the filing of a Peti ion for 

Rehearing or the disposition of 

the same.
2 

the matter to the trial court for a new hearing, we did not find it necessary to address the 

respondent's remaining arguments. The State appealed, and the Illinois Supreme Court 

affirmed our decision. People v. Grant, 2016 IL 119162. In addition, however, the 

supreme court directed this court to consider any additional issues that we find are likely 

to occur on remand. 

¶ 2 The respondent argues that (1) the trial court abused its discretion in denying his 

motion in limine seeking to exclude testimony of four witnesses concerning the details of 

the respondent's underlying convictions and an uncharged incident that was considered 

by the expert witnesses in reaching their opinions, (2) the court committed plain error in 

failing to provide jurors with a definition of clear and convincing evidence sua sponte, 

and (3) the court erred in refusing several of his proposed jury instructions which would 

have given the jury definitions of various terms that are not defined under the SDP Act. 

We find that the court abused its discretion in denying the motion in limine in its entirety. 

However, we find no merit to either of his contentions related to jury instructions. We 

remand this matter to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with both this 

decision and our earlier decision in this matter. 

¶ 3 Factual Background 

¶ 4 The 1999 criminal charges underlying the respondent's commitment stem from 

four separate incidents. He was charged with residential burglary, theft, and criminal 

damage to property in three of those incidents, each of which involved the theft of 

women's underwear. In the fourth incident, the respondent was charged with attempted 

aggravated criminal sexual assault, home invasion, residential burglary, and aggravated 
3 

battery. These charges involved the attempted sexual assault of an adult neighbor, 

Heather Pearman. In the Pearman case, the respondent pled guilty to the charge of home 

invasion and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. In two of the other cases, the 

respondent pled guilty to residential burglary and was sentenced to nine years on each 

charge. In the remaining burglary case, the prosecution opted to file a petition for 

commitment under the SDP Act in lieu of prosecution. As noted, the respondent was 

committed pursuant to the SDP Act in 2002. 

¶ 5 In 2012, the respondent filed the recovery application at issue in this appeal, his 

third such application. A team of three evaluators found that the respondent was at low 

risk for reoffending. They recommended that he be conditionally released. The State 

filed a motion asking the court to appoint Dr. Angeline Stanislaus as an independent 

examiner to conduct an additional evaluation of the respondent. The court granted the 

State's motion and appointed Dr. Stanislaus. Dr. Stanislaus diagnosed the respondent 

with transvestite fetishism, paraphilia, and "rule out" pedophilia, which means she did not 

have enough information to diagnose the respondent with pedophilia but could not rule it 

out. She opined that the respondent had a propensity to commit sex offenses as a result 

of his fetishism. She acknowledged, however, that this conclusion had to do with the 

way he fulfilled his urges to dress in women's underwear, not simply the fact that he had 

those urges. Dr. Stanislaus and the three evaluators all testified at a hearing on the 

respondent's recovery application. As noted earlier, the respondent appealed an order 

finding that he remained sexually dangerous, this court reversed on the basis of the 

court's appointment of Dr. Stanislaus, and the Supreme Court of Illinois affirmed our 
4 

decision. We now consider the respondent's remaining arguments. We will discuss 

additional background facts as necessary. 

¶ 6 The SDP Act 

¶ 7 The SDP Act allows the State to file a petition for the commitment of a criminal 

defendant instead of prosecution if prosecutors believe the defendant is a sexually

dangerous person as defined in the SDP Act. People v. Burns, 209 Ill. 2d 551, 553 

(2004). A sexually dangerous person is defined as an individual who (1) has suffered for 

at least one year from a mental disorder that includes the propensity to commit sex 

offenses and (2) has demonstrated a propensity to commit sexual assault or to commit 

molestation against children. 725 ILCS 205/1.01 (West 2012). At proceedings on a 

petition to commit a respondent, the State must prove he is sexually dangerous beyond a 

reasonable doubt. 725 ILCS 205/3.01 (West 2012). 

¶ 8 At any time after a respondent is committed under the SDP Act, he may file a 

recovery application, alleging that he is no longer sexually dangerous and requesting a 

discharge or conditional release. People v. Trainor, 196 Ill. 2d 318, 331 (2001). At 

proceedings on a recovery application, the State must prove that the respondent remains 

sexually dangerous and subject to continued commitment by clear and convincing 

evidence. 725 ILCS 205/9(b) (West 2012). At issue in a recovery proceeding is the 

respondent's current psychological condition and whether he "is presently a sexually 

dangerous person within the meaning of the Act." People v. Studdard, 82 Ill. App. 3d 

736, 740 (1980). The respondent's primary argument in this appeal is that the court 

allowed the State to present evidence that related to his mental condition between 1997 
5 

and 1999 rather than his mental condition at the time of the hearing. We turn now to 

those arguments. 

¶ 9 Respondent's Motion in Limine

¶ 10 The respondent first argues that the court abused its discretion in denying his 

second motion in limine. We review a trial court's decision to grant or deny a motion in 

limine to determine whether the court abused its discretion. People v. Melton, 2013 IL 

App (1st) 060039, ¶ 58. We agree with the respondent that the court abused its discretion 

in denying the motion in its entirety. However, as we will explain, under the unusual 

circumstances of this case, we find that some of the testimony he sought to exclude is 

properly admissible. 

¶ 11 Shortly before trial, the respondent filed his second motion in limine. He sought to 

exclude the anticipated trial testimony of four witnesses. Specifically, he sought to 

exclude the testimony of Heather Pearman about the events underlying his guilty plea in 

the home invasion case. He also sought to exclude the testimony of Sonny Warren 

concerning a 1997 incident at Buncombe Elementary School. Warren was 13 years old 

when the incident occurred. Her anticipated testimony would describe discovering the 

respondent in the girls' locker room at Buncombe Elementary School. The incident did 

not lead to any charges against the respondent. The respondent also sought to exclude the 

testimony of Johnson County Sheriff Elry Faulkner and Deputy Jeff Jordan concerning 

their investigation of the incident at Buncombe Elementary School and all four of the 

criminal cases. Finally, the respondent asked the court to exclude a video recording of 

his confession to police. He argued that none of this evidence was relevant because it did 
6 

not relate to his current condition. He further argued that Pearman's anticipated 

testimony was especially prejudicial and would amount to a retrial on the felony charges. 

In addition, he argued that Warren's testimony was inadmissible because it related to an 

incident that did not involve any criminal conviction. The court denied the motion. 

¶ 12 At the recovery hearing, the following testimony was elicited over the respondent's 

objection. Heather Pearman testified that at 5:45 a.m. on October 13, 1999, she awoke to 

find someone sitting on her bed. She assumed that it was her husband, who left for work

at 5:30. Pearman testified that she asked twice, "What are you doing?" but received no 

answer. At this point, she reached up to touch the person's face and felt a telephone cord. 

Pearman believed the intruder was trying to choke her, so she "started panicking and 

screaming." She testified that she grabbed hold of the intruder to try to "hold him off of" 

her. She explained that a friend of her husband was spending the night at the Pearman 

home. The friend ran into the Pearmans' bedroom when he heard her screams, and the 

intruder then fled. Pearman testified that she jumped on the intruder's back to attempt to 

stop him from fleeing. A scuffle ensued involving Pearman, her husband's friend, and the 

intruder; however, the intruder was able to get away and flee from the house. Pearman 

testified that she then ran to get her gun and attempted to shoot the intruder, but her gun 

did not fire. 

¶ 13 Pearman acknowledged that it was too dark for her to see the intruder. She 

testified, however, that she believed that it was the respondent because he had a "tall and 

lanky" build and because when he fled from her home, he ran in the direction of the 

respondent's house. She explained that she knew the respondent because he was her 
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neighbor. When asked whether she would have any reason to dispute it if she were told 

that the respondent's intent that night was to sexually assault her, Pearman responded, 

"No." 

¶ 14 Pearman acknowledged that she did not have any contact with the respondent after 

the incident and had no personal knowledge concerning his treatment or progress. She 

noted, however, that she heard he had been deemed not to be dangerous. Over the 

respondent's objection, the State's Attorney asked Pearman if she agreed that the 

respondent was no longer dangerous. She replied, "No." Asked to explain, she stated, "I 

really feel like a lot of people don't get rehabilitated very well or don't−I think he's ill." 

The State's Attorney then asked Pearman whether she was afraid of the respondent when 

the events took place. She replied, "Very." Asked if she was still afraid, she again 

replied, "Very." Finally, Pearman was asked if she would be afraid if the respondent was

released, and again she replied, "Very." 

¶ 15 Sonny Warren testified that she had known the respondent since she was a child. 

She testified that when she was in eighth grade, she and a friend went to the basement of 

Buncombe Elementary School to use the restroom, which was located next to the girls' 

locker room. She testified that they heard some second-grade girls playing hide and seek 

in the locker room. They went into the locker room to tell the younger girls to go back to 

class. Warren stated that when they entered the locker room, the lights were turned off. 

Warren reached for the light switch, but felt a hand covering the switch. She testified that 

she knew that it was the respondent's hand because she could see his eyes. Warren told 

her friend to go to get help, and she told the younger girls to get out of the locker room. 
8 

Asked why she sent her friend for help, Warren explained, "He didn't need to be in there, 

you know, he was the man around town that you didn't want to be around." She testified 

further that the respondent ran from the locker room, toward an exit, and out of the school 

building. She stated that when she saw him running toward the exit, where it was light, 

she recognized him. 

¶ 16 Warren testified that she immediately reported the incident to school authorities 

and that she reported it to police the next day. She explained that she discussed the 

incident with a teacher because it upset her. She testified that she was afraid during the 

incident. Warren acknowledged that the second-grade girls playing in the locker room 

were all fully clothed, and she acknowledged that she did not see the respondent touch 

any of them or attempt to do so. 

¶ 17 Sheriff Elry Faulkner testified that he became involved in the investigation of the 

attempted sexual assault of Heather Pearman because he knew the respondent and his 

family. He explained that Deputy Jeff Jordan had obtained a search warrant requiring the 

respondent to provide hair and saliva samples for DNA analysis and that Deputy Jordan

asked Sheriff Faulkner to go with him to execute that warrant. (The samples were needed 

for comparison with hair found on a ski mask that was found in Heather Pearman's 

bedroom.) Sheriff Faulkner testified that while they were driving the respondent to the 

hospital to obtain the samples, the respondent confessed. After obtaining the samples, 

they drove the respondent to the police station to take a statement from him. A video

recording of the respondent's statement was played for the jury. Among other things, the 

respondent told the officers that he put on a condom before going to Heather Pearman's 
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home. After playing the video, the State's Attorney asked Sheriff Faulkner, "I want to be 

very clear, um, Mr. Grant said he put on a condom before he left his home and went to 

the Pearman home, is that correct?" Sheriff Faulkner replied, "That's correct." 

¶ 18 Deputy Jordan was one of two deputies who responded to a call from Heather 

Pearman. He testified that he found a ski mask and electrical cord at the scene. He 

identified the cord, and the State's Attorney was allowed to publish it to the jury. Deputy 

Jordan testified that he spoke with the respondent later that morning. Although he did not 

tell the respondent that he was a suspect, he did indicate that he would likely be 

contacting him to collect hair and saliva samples for DNA testing. Deputy Jordan 

testified that he saw the respondent five days later with his hair cut very short. He 

explained that this seemed suspicious because prior to that, the respondent always had 

shoulder-length hair. Deputy Jordan further testified that a search of the respondent's 

home uncovered a pornographic movie, additional cords, and several items of women's 

underwear and lingerie, including a black negligee that was reported missing from 

another home. He testified that when he and Sheriff Faulkner interviewed the 

respondent, the respondent admitted that he went to the Heather Pearman's home because 

he intended to have sex with her. 

¶ 19 We will first consider the respondent's arguments concerning the admissibility of 

Sonny Warren's testimony. He argues that her testimony was not relevant to any issue 

because there was nothing inherently sexual about the incident. In addition, he argues 

that the testimony was not admissible because the incident did not lead to a conviction for 

any crime. We agree.
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¶ 20 In support of his position, the respondent cites People v. Beshears, 65 Ill. App. 2d 

446 (1965). There, the trial court admitted the testimony of a police officer describing 

his arrest of the respondent for child molestation and the events leading up to the 

respondent's arrest. Id. at 449-50. However, there was no evidence in the record 

showing that Beshears was ever convicted of a crime. Id. at 450. On appeal, this court 

reversed an order finding the respondent to be a sexually dangerous person. We 

explained that evidence of an arrest without a conviction was not admissible to prove the 

commission of a crime. Id. at 461. The incident described by Sonny Warren in this case 

did not lead to an arrest, much less a conviction. In addition, while it is certainly 

plausible that the respondent went into the girls' locker room with the intention of 

molesting a young child, nothing in Sonny's testimony or other evidence establishes that 

he actually did so or attempted to do so. As such, the trial court abused its discretion in 

allowing her to testify. 

¶ 21 We note, however, that some of the expert witnesses referred to the Buncombe 

Elementary School incident in their testimony. We further note that the court gave jurors 

a limiting instruction, explaining to them that they could consider this evidence only for 

the purpose of determining how much weight to give the experts' opinions. An expert 

witness may testify about the underlying facts contained in any reports or other materials 

the expert reasonably relied on in forming his or her opinion even if direct evidence of 

those facts is not admissible. In re Commitment of Butler, 2013 IL App (1st) 113606, 

¶ 31 (citing People v. Anderson, 113 Ill. 2d 1, 9 (1986)); In re Commitment of Hooker, 

2012 IL App (2d) 101007, ¶ 51. Such evidence is admissible for the limited purpose of 
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explaining to jurors the basis of the expert's opinion; however, it may not be admitted as 

substantive evidence. In re Commitment of Butler, 2013 IL App (1st) 113606, ¶ 31. In 

addition, such evidence may be excluded if the trial judge determines that its prejudicial 

impact outweighs its probative value. People v. P.T., 233 Ill. App. 3d 386, 392 (1992) 

(quoting Anderson, 113 Ill. 2d at 12). We express no view on the appropriateness of 

admitting the experts' testimony concerning the Buncombe Elementary School incident in 

this case. 

¶ 22 We next consider the remainder of the respondent's arguments related to the 

motion in limine. He acknowledges that evidence of his four convictions is admissible. 

The evidence is relevant because the State is required to prove that a respondent in SDP 

proceedings has a propensity to commit sex crimes and that he suffers from a mental 

disorder that has lasted for more than one year. Id. at 393; People v. Studdard, 82 Ill. 

App. 3d 736, 741 (1980) (citing Ill. Rev. Stat. 1977, ch. 38, ¶ 105-1.01 (now 725 ILCS 

205/1.01 (West 2014))). Moreover, the State must prove that the respondent has 

demonstrated a propensity to commit sex crimes, which requires it to prove that the 

respondent has committed or attempted to commit at least one sexual assault or act of 

molestation of a child. People v. Allen, 107 Ill. 2d 91, 105 (1985). The respondent 

argues, however, that the evidence presented in this case was cumulative and highly 

prejudicial. He argues further that the evidence of his crimes should have been limited to 

certified copies of his convictions, a presentence investigation report that was admitted 

into evidence, and any references to those crimes in the evaluations and reports of the 

expert witnesses who evaluated him. 
12 

¶ 23 We agree with the respondent that ordinarily evidence of prior sex crimes should 

be limited to certified copies of convictions for those crimes. See People v. Lawton, 212 

Ill. 2d 285, 303 (2004) (explaining that "[t]he State may [show the respondent's

propensity to commit sex crimes] by introducing a record of a prior conviction"); People 

v. Cole, 299 Ill. App. 3d 229, 234 (1998) (holding that court records demonstrated that 

the respondent had committed previous sex offenses); Studdard, 82 Ill. App. 3d at 741 

(suggesting in dicta that on remand the State should offer a certified copy of a conviction 

to prove a previous sex offense). In this case, however, it would not be clear from the 

certified copies of the respondent's convictions alone that the convictions were for sex 

crimes. This is because the respondent pled guilty to home invasion and residential 

burglary, which are not sex offenses. As such, some testimony from the sheriff or the 

deputy who investigated the crimes is necessary for the State to prove that the respondent

has a demonstrated propensity to commit sex crimes. We are aware of no cases explicitly 

prohibiting such testimony in all SDP Act cases. 

¶ 24 We hold, however, that such testimony must be limited to a basic recitation of the 

facts underlying those convictions. For the State to prove that the respondent has 

demonstrated a propensity to commit sex crimes, it is necessary to present at least some 

testimony explaining that he committed the home invasion with the intent to sexually 

assault Heather Pearman. It is also relevant for the State to present at least some 

testimony explaining the sexual nature of the residential burglary convictions. However, 

it was not necessary for the jury to hear these facts repeatedly. It was prejudicial and 

irrelevant for the jury to hear that police found multiple cords in the respondent's house, 
13 

except to the extent the expert witnesses relied on this information. It was prejudicial and 

irrelevant for the jury to hear that the respondent aroused Deputy Jordan's suspicion by 

cutting his hair short after being informed that he would likely be required to provide a 

hair sample for DNA testing. 

¶ 25 Furthermore, we find that Heather Pearman's testimony was not relevant and was 

especially prejudicial. Her testimony was irrelevant because she did not have any 

personal knowledge of the respondent's intent. She testified that she believed the intruder 

was attempting to choke her, and she later testified that she would have no reason to 

dispute it if she was told that his intent was to sexually assault her. In spite of this, 

Pearman's testimony was particularly prejudicial to the respondent. As the respondent 

notes, the testimony of a victim describing what it was like to experience a violent crime 

is uniquely prejudicial. In addition, Pearman testified multiple times that she was afraid 

during and after the attack. Considering the limited probative value of this testimony, its 

potential to have a prejudicial impact is unacceptably high. 

¶ 26 In conclusion, we find that the trial court abused its discretion in denying the 

respondent's motion in limine in its entirety. On remand, the court should exclude the 

testimony of Sonny Warren and Heather Pearman and the video recording of the 

respondent's confession. In addition, the court should limit the testimony of Sheriff 

Faulkner and Deputy Jordan to the facts of the underlying offenses. We note that some 

of these matters were considered by the experts in evaluating the respondent. As 

discussed previously, the experts may testify about facts they relied on in reaching their 
14 

diagnoses, even if those facts are not themselves admitted into evidence. However, they 

may not be admitted as substantive evidence, as happened here. 

¶ 27 Jury Instructions

¶ 28 The respondent raises two arguments concerning jury instructions. He first argues 

that the court committed plain error by failing, sua sponte, to provide an instruction 

defining clear and convincing evidence for jurors. In addition, he argues that the court 

abused its discretion in refusing to give his tendered nonpattern jury instructions. We 

find neither argument persuasive. 

¶ 29 Jury instructions serve an important purpose−they help jurors understand the law 

applicable to the evidence before them so that they are able to reach the correct verdict. 

People v. Bowman, 357 Ill. App. 3d 290, 294 (2005). Parties are entitled to have the jury 

instructed on the law applicable to the issues presented. Johnson v. Johnson, 386 Ill. 

App. 3d 522, 542 (2008). Determining which instructions should be given is a matter 

within the discretion of the trial court. The court abuses its discretion only where its 

instructions are unclear or misleading, or where they "do not fairly and accurately state 

the law." Id. 

¶ 30 The respondent first argues that the court's failure to provide jurors with a 

definition of clear and convincing evidence constituted plain error. We note that because 

we have already reversed the court's judgment on another basis and are addressing this 

issue only to provide guidance should it arise on remand, we need not determine whether 

the asserted error rises to the level of plain error. For the reasons that follow, we find that 
15 

the court is not required to provide jurors with a definition of clear and convincing 

evidence even if requested to do so. 

¶ 31 Ordinarily, if a party wants a specific jury instruction given, the party must request 

that instruction. People v. Turner, 128 Ill. 2d 540, 562 (1989). As the respondent 

correctly contends, however, in the criminal context, trial courts are required to give 

certain jury instructions sua sponte in order to ensure the defendant's right to a fair trial. 

Id. at 562-63. Specifically, courts must provide instructions concerning the presumption 

of innocence, the elements of the offense charged, and, most significantly for our 

purposes, the burden of proof. Id. Although proceedings under the SDP Act are civil in 

nature, respondents have many of the rights associated with a criminal trial because of the 

potential deprivation of liberty that is at stake. Trainor, 196 Ill. 2d at 328. Thus, we 

agree with the respondent that properly instructing the jury on the standard of proof is 

crucial. 

¶ 32 Here, however, it is important to emphasize that the jury was properly instructed 

that the State was required to prove its case by clear and convincing evidence. This court 

has previously held that trial courts are not required to define that standard. In re R.W., 

332 Ill. App. 3d 901, 906 (2002). In re R.W. involved a petition for the involuntary 

administration of psychotropic medication. Id. at 902. However, the reasoning 

underlying our decision there is applicable here. We explained there that "[t]he 

possibility of confusion that occurs when a definition of 'clear and convincing evidence' 

is given has led several [Illinois] courts to recommend not defining the phrase." Id. at 

907 (citing Washington Courte Condominium Ass'n-Four v. Washington-Golf Corp., 267 
16 

Ill. App. 3d 790, 820 (1994), and In re Estate of Casey, 155 Ill. App. 3d 116, 123 (1987)). 

We also considered the committee comments to an Illinois pattern jury instruction used in 

civil cases involving fraud and deceit, which require proof by clear and convincing 

evidence. We noted that the committee concluded "that the expression 'clear and 

convincing' is more understandable" than any other definition that might be given. Id. 

(citing Illinois Pattern Jury Instructions, Civil, No. 800.03, Comment, at 739 (2000)). 

¶ 33 We acknowledged that there is a pattern instruction defining "clear and convincing 

evidence" to be used in criminal cases involving the defense of not guilty by reason of 

insanity. Id. (citing Illinois Pattern Jury Instructions, Criminal, No. 4.19 (3d ed. Supp. 

1996)). We explained, however, that this instruction was necessary because such cases 

usually require juries to apply different standards of proof to various findings in the same 

trial. See id. at 907-08. We concluded that failure to give the jury an instruction defining 

clear and convincing evidence did not deprive the respondent of the right to a fair trial. 

Id. at 908. 

¶ 34 The respondent urges us to reconsider our holding in light of the Second District's 

decision in In re Timothy H., 301 Ill. App. 3d 1008 (1998), which reached the opposite 

conclusion. We decline to do so. We discussed In re Timothy H. and explicitly stated 

that we disagreed with its holding. In re R.W., 332 Ill. App. 3d at 906. We still believe 

the rationale underlying our holding is sound. A court does not abuse its discretion or 

deprive the respondent of a fair trial if it instructs jurors that the State must prove its case 

by clear and convincing evidence without defining that term. 
17 

¶ 35 The respondent's final contention is that the court abused its discretion in refusing 

to give seven tendered nonpattern jury instructions that would have defined various terms 

that do not have definitions under the SDP Act. We disagree. 

¶ 36 As stated previously, a court abuses its discretion in deciding which instructions to 

give only if its instructions are confusing or misleading or do not accurately reflect the 

applicable law. Johnson, 386 Ill. App. 3d at 542. Once the court determines the issues 

on which jurors will be instructed, it must give the Illinois pattern jury instructions

applicable to those issues unless the court determines that any of those instructions do not 

accurately reflect the law. Bowman, 357 Ill. App. 3d at 294. However, if there is no 

applicable pattern instruction, the court has the discretion to give a nonpattern instruction. 

We will not reverse its decision absent an abuse of that discretion. Id. 

¶ 37 We find no abuse of discretion. As previously mentioned, the respondent's 

tendered instructions would have defined various terms that are not defined in the SDP 

Act. Terms that are not defined by statute are to be given their ordinary and commonly 

understood meanings. People v. Hill, 409 Ill. App. 3d 451, 454 (2011). We believe that 

jurors should be able to understand the ordinary and commonly understood meanings of 

the terms used in the instructions provided. 

¶ 38 The respondent argues, however, that jurors needed to be instructed on the 

definition of a sex offense due to conflicting testimony from the expert witnesses about 

what constitutes a sex offense. This confusion stemmed from their consideration of the 

respondent's theft of underwear from homes. We are not persuaded. Assuming an

additional nonpattern instruction may have been helpful, the instruction tendered by the 
18 

respondent would have been more likely to confuse jurors than to aid them. The 

instruction was over one page long and included references and citations to several 

statutes. The court did not abuse its discretion in refusing to give the instruction. 

¶ 39 We have previously reversed the judgment of the trial court based on its decision 

to grant the State's motion for an independent evaluation. We now remand this matter to 

the trial court for further proceedings consistent with both this opinion and our earlier 

opinion in this matter.

¶ 40 Cause remanded. 
2016 IL App (5th) 130416-B 

NO. 5-13-0416 

IN THE 

APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS 

FIFTH DISTRICT 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, ) Appeal from the 

 ) Circuit Court of 

 Petitioner-Appellee, ) Johnson County.

 ) 

v. ) No. 99-CF-106 

 ) 

JAMES E. GRANT, ) Honorable 

 ) James R. Williamson, 

 Respondent-Appellant. ) Judge, presiding. 

________________________________________________________________________ 

Opinion Filed: September 1, 2016

________________________________________________________________________ 

Justices: Honorable Melissa A. Chapman, J. 

 Honorable Thomas M. Welch, J., and 

 Honorable Judy L. Cates, J., 

 Concur 

________________________________________________________________________ 

Attorney Cord Z. Wittig, Kruger, Henry & Hunter, 110 West 5th Street, 

for P.O. Box 568, Metropolis, IL 62960 

Appellant 

________________________________________________________________________ 

Attorneys Hon. Tambra K. Cain, State's Attorney, Johnson County Courthouse, 

for 401 Court Street, Vienna, IL 62995, Patrick Delfino, Director, David 

Appellee J. Robinson, Deputy Director, Perry Miller, Staff Attorney, Office of 

 the State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor, 725 South Second Street, 

 Springfield, IL 62704

________________________________________________________________________