People v. Walls

Defendants Walls and Byrd were both charged with the murder of Beverly Hemphill (also known as Kimberly or Nookie) and the attempted murder of Monique Hill. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 38, pars. 8—4, 9—1(a).) The defendants were tried together before a jury and found guilty on both charges. Walls was sentenced to consecutive terms of 35 and 15 years, and Byrd was sentenced to consecutive terms of 30 and 10 years. They both appeal their convictions and sentences, and this court has consolidated their appeals.

The facts of this case are tragic, not only because they tell a tale of how one young…