Man who set fire that claimed one life, severely injured another, will serve terms
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin announced last week that the Second District Appellate Court of Illinois has affirmed the First Degree Murder conviction of Todd Mandoline, 31, for starting a fire in 2012 that claimed the life of his former girlfriend, Paula Morgan, 24, of Lombard. On January 20, 2012, a jury found Mandoline guilty of First Degree Murder and Aggravated Arson. On April 30, 2015, Judge John Kinsella sentenced him consecutive terms of imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections – 27 years for murder and 12 years for Aggravated Arson.
On July 21, 2012, Mandoline attended a birthday party Morgan held for herself at her home in Lombard. During the party, Mandoline was asked to leave, which he did. In the early morning hours of July 22, however, Mandoline returned to the home and set fire to Morgan’s mother’s car located in the driveway. The fire spread to the home and ultimately claimed Morgan’s life and severely injured one of Morgan’s friends.
In his appeal, Mandoline argued that probable cause did not exist for his arrest; he did not voluntarily reinitiate questioning after the initial interrogation has ceased, due to his invocation of his right of counsel; his statements to police were not voluntary, knowing or intelligent; statements he did make were in violation of law that requires electronic recording; and the trial court erred in its jury instructions.
In its affirmation, the Appellate Court found that the Trial Court acted properly and within its power on each of the issues raised by Mandoline. Justice Birkett delivered the judgment of the Court with Justices Burke and Spence concurring.
Mandoline’s appeal was defended by Edward Psenicka of the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Criminal Appeals Division.
