People v. Hobley

On February 18, 1987, Madison Hobley was charged by indictment in Cook County with murder (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 38, pars. 9 — 1(a)(1), (a)(2)), felony murder (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 38, par. 9 — 1(a)(3)), arson (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 38, par. 20 — 1(a)), and aggravated arson (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 38, pars. 20 — 1.1(a)(1), (a)(2)). These charges related to a January 6, 1987, fire that left seven persons dead, injured several others, and badly damaged a three-story apartment building at 1121-23 East 82nd Street in Chicago. Defendant entered a plea of not guilty to all counts.…