People v. Edgeston

Defendant, Ondrea Edgeston, was indicted in Winnebago County for the first degree murder of Forrest Peter King. Following a jury trial, defendant was found guilty and convicted as charged. At a separate sentencing hearing, the same jury found defendant eligible for the death penalty based on the multiple-murder aggravating factor, and he subsequently was sentenced to death. The death sentence was stayed (134 Ill. 2d R. 609(a)), pending direct appeal to this court (Ill. Const. 1970, art. VI, §4(b); 134 Ill. 2d R. 603).

The State adduced the following evidence at trial. Barbara Cox, an…