Illinois Inmate Wins New Trial After Arguing His Sentence Was Too Lenient

An Illinois inmate who regretted his guilty plea to murder has won a new trial based on arguments that his 30-year sentence was too lenient.

Benny Deanda Jr. wants to assert in a new trial that he acted in self-defense, the Chicago Tribune reports. He pleaded guilty during his first trial and received the 30-year sentence. Deanda argued he should have received a minimum of 35 years in prison.

If Deanda is convicted, he could be sentenced to life in prison. His appellate lawyer is Levi Harris of the state Appellate Defender’s office. "Ninety-nine out of 100 times, it would be inadvisable” to argue a sentence was too short, Harris told the Tribune. "Here, he wanted another shot” at trial.

Hat tip to ISBA Daily Legal News.