Lake County

Mr. Simmons was convicted of the first-degree murder of Deborah Tressler, who was kidnapped, sexually assaulted, beaten and stabbed in 2001. The jury voted unanimously to recommend a death sentence and the trial court condemned him to death. This Court affirmed that sentence on direct appeal but later, on a post-conviction challenge, vacated the death sentence and ordered a new penalty hearing. The second jury voted 8-4 to recommend a death sentence and the trial court condemned Mr. Simmons. This is his direct appeal of his second death sentence.