Opinion ID: 2144314
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: Excessiveness of Punishment

Text: Defendant contends that the death sentence imposed by the jury is excessive when juxtaposed with the evidence in mitigation. Defendant presented evidence that she was physically and sexually abused by her alcoholic mother, sexually abused by her mother's boyfriends, and physically abused by her boyfriend/codefendant. She also offered evidence that she was depressed and had received psychiatric treatment, and that she suffers from an antisocial personality disorder. She asserts that her low IQ qualifies her as mildly mentally retarded and that this factor alone should preclude the imposition of the death penalty. A capital sentencing jury's decision will not be lightly overturned, particularly where it is amply supported by the record. People v. Johnson, 146 Ill.2d 109, 145, 165 Ill.Dec. 682, 585 N.E.2d 78 (1991). Mitigation evidence of a defendant's cognitive abilities and mental health does not preclude imposition of a death sentence when that evidence is outweighed by aggravating evidence. People v. Wilson, 164 Ill.2d 436, 460, 207 Ill.Dec. 417, 647 N.E.2d 910 (1994). Likewise, evidence that a defendant has been physically or sexually abused or is an alcohol and drug abuser does not invalidate a death sentence when outweighed by aggravating evidence. People v. Taylor, 166 Ill.2d 414, 211 Ill.Dec. 518, 655 N.E.2d 901 (1995). Here, defendant confessed to a brutal rape, torture, and murder of a six-year-old girl. An expert attributed the victim's death to 42 distinct injuries arising from a combination of strangulation, puncture wounds to the chest, and blunt head trauma. In addition, the State offered evidence in aggravation that defendant had previously assisted in raping one of her friends, that she had sexually and physically abused her child, and that she had sexually assaulted a fellow inmate. Considering all of this evidence, we cannot say that the jury was required to find that the mitigation evidence precluded imposition of the death penalty. See People v. Johnson, 146 Ill.2d 109, 145, 165 Ill.Dec. 682, 585 N.E.2d 78 (1991).