Opinion ID: 1176143
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Albert Luna, Sr.

Text: ¶ 46 Defendant argues that Albert's murder was not cruel because medical evidence revealed ... no classic defense injuries and the sequence of his wounds could not be determined. The evidence demonstrated, however, that Albert was conscious during part or all of the initial beating with the baseball bat. Even if unconscious, he later regained awareness and strength and, suffering great pain from the wounds, struggled with defendant in the kitchen. Defendant stabbed Albert so fiercely that the knife blade pierced his right forearm and penetrated the torso, where it was later found embedded. Even if subsequent gunshots fired in quick succession into Albert's body were not especially cruel, ample evidence indicates that this victim suffered intense physical pain and anguish before his death. The trial court did not err in finding that Albert's murder was especially cruel.