168 Ill. App. However, a trial court must exercise its discretion within the bounds of the law. Where a trial court's exercise of discretion has been frustrated by an erroneous rule of law, appellate review is required to permit the exercise of discretion consistent with the law. Admissibility of Guilty Plea A. Knowing and Intelligent The State contends that the appellate and circuit courts erred in barring the use of defendant's guilty plea to attempted murder as evidence at his murder trial. The State argues that the guilty plea constitutes an admission based on a knowing and intelligent guilty plea.
Defendant contends that the circuit court's in limine order was proper.
Defendant argues that the circumstances surrounding the guilty plea render it unknowing and, therefore, inadmissible at his murder trial. The controlling legal principles are quite established. It is generally held that a voluntary plea of guilty on a prior trial or hearing, even for another offense, where the plea in effect admits certain facts which are relevant and material on the present trial, is admissible. Illinois has long followed this general rule. The prior guilty plea is admissible in the subsequent proceeding so long as the guilty plea was voluntary.