People v. Gentry
Illinois Appellate Court, First District
510 N.E.2d 963 (1987)
During an argument, Stanley Gentry (defendant) spilled gasoline on his girlfriend Ruby Hill, which later ignited near the kitchen stove, causing her serious burns after Gentry extinguished the fire; Gentry was tried for attempted murder, and the trial court instructed the jury on the definition of attempt alongside all four mental states sufficient for murder generally (which include knowledge, not just intent), and he was convicted. Gentry appealed, arguing the instruction improperly allowed conviction without a finding of specific intent to kill.
Whether a jury instruction listing all mental states sufficient for murder generally, including mere knowledge that death or serious harm may result, improperly allows a conviction for attempted murder without a finding of specific intent to kill.