Second, this evidence of defendant's prior misconduct was close enough in time to be genuinely relevant in showing defendant's intent at the time of the murder. Finally, this evidence was also relevant and probative in that it directly involved and shed light on defendant's relationship with Allen, the alleged victim of the attempted murder charge. Because the charging information asserted a battery, involuntary manslaughter was a factually included lesser offense of murder. The critical element distinguishing the offenses is intent-the intent to kill or the intent to batter. The record reveals no serious evidentiary dispute concerning whether defendant intended to kill or batter Harris.
Reckless homicide is an inherently included offense of murder.
However, the record reveals no serious evidentiary dispute concerning the distinguishing mens rea element. In light of the extremely brutal nature of Harris's death, the court did not abuse its discretion in choosing not to assign any significant weight to defendant's claim of remorse.