In Illinois, conspiracy to commit murder, like other conspiracies, requires proof of an agreement to commit the offense, intent to commit it, and an act in furtherance of the agreement, and carries a Class 1 felony sentence.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Elements of Conspiracy:
To be convicted of conspiracy to commit murder in Illinois, the prosecution must prove the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
Agreement: The defendant agreed with another person to commit the offense of murder.
Intent: The defendant intended that the offense of murder be committed.
Act in Furtherance: An act in furtherance of the agreement was committed by the defendant or a co-conspirator.
Solicitation of Murder:
A person commits solicitation of murder when, with the intent that the offense of first-degree murder be committed, they command, encourage, or request another to commit that offense.
Sentence:
Conspiracy to commit murder is a Class 1 felony, which carries a penalty of 4 to 15 years in prison.
First-Degree Murder:
Illinois law defines first-degree murder as when a person intends to kill, intends to inflict great bodily harm, or knowingly engages in an act that has a strong probability of death or great bodily harm for another individual, causing a person's death.
Case Law:
The Illinois Supreme Court case People v. Hopp (209 Ill. 2d 1, 805 N.E.2d 1190 (2004)) outlines the elements of conspiracy, including the requirement of intent to kill.
