Opinion ID: 2995541
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Attempted Aggravated Criminal Sexual

Text: Assault Illinois defines aggravated criminal sexual assault as (1) the commission of an act of sexual penetration (a) by the use of force or threat of force or (b) with knowledge that the victim was unable to understand the nature of the act or was unable to give knowing consent, and (2) during the commission of the offense, any one of ten aggravating circumstances is present, e.g., the defendant displayed, threatened to use, or used a dangerous weapon; caused bodily harm to the victim; threatened or endangered the life of the victim; or perpetrated the offense during the course of the commission or attempted commission of any other felony. See 720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/12-13(a)(1)-(2), 5/12-14(a)(1)-(10). An attempt is defined as the doing of any act that constitutes a substantial step toward the commission of a specific offense with the intent to commit that offense. See 720 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/8-4. Todd argues that [t]here was no evidence of an aggravator charged or proved. But, in Count IV of the indictment against Todd, which alleged attempted aggravated sexual assault, the state specifically charged that he caused bodily harm to Sandy Shelton by striking and choking her. As to the evidence, the violent and statutorily aggravated nature of this murder is overwhelming. Indeed, four applicable ag gravators are present in this case. There is evidence that Todd used a sharp knife, which is a dangerous weapon, to stab Shelton; caused significant bodily harm to Shelton; endangered Shelton’s life; and perpetrated the offense during the course of both a murder and a robbery, which are both felonies. That is all beside the point, however. Todd’s conviction was for his attempt of the offense, not for his completion of it. Therefore, the state was not required to show any aggravating factor, but only an act that constituted a substantial step toward the commission of the offense and an intent to commit an aggravating factor (along with the other elements of the offense). See, e.g., People v. Childress, 746 N.E.2d 783 (Ill. App. Ct. 2001). Todd’s use of force in this circumstance could have qualified as a substantial step, and the state would have only needed to show intent to commit the other elements, including an aggravating factor. We therefore reject his argument, and find the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision reasonable. See Todd, 607 N.E.2d at 1197.