People v. Parker

Chief Justice Thomas and Justices Freeman, Fitzgerald, Garman, Karmeier, and Burke concurred in the judgment and opinion.

OPINION

Following a jury trial in the circuit court of Cook County, defendant, Ronald Parker, was convicted of second degree murder (720 ILCS 5/9 — 2(a)(2) (West 2002)) and sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment. On appeal, defendant contended he was denied a fair trial because the trial court improperly instructed the jury and failed to give the jury a general “not guilty” verdict form as required by Illinois Pattern Jury Instructions, Criminal, No. 26.01A (4th ed. 2000)…