People v. Banks

Following a jury trial in the circuit court of Cook County, defendant, Randy Banks, was convicted of the murder of 16-month-old Veronica Hurley. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 38, par. 9 — 1(a)(1).) The jury found defendant eligible for the death penalty based upon the statutory aggravating factor of murder of an individual under 12 years of age that resulted from exceptionally brutal or heinous behavior indicative of wanton cruelty. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 38, par. 9 — 1(b)(7).) The same jury then found insufficient mitigating factors to preclude the imposition of the death sentence.…