People v. Balderas

Defendant, Antonio Balderas, was indicted for the murder (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, par. 9 — 1) of Miguel Rivera, the attempted (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, par. 8 — 4) murder (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, par. 9 — 1) of Luis Pagan and the armed robbery (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, par. 18 — 2) of both Pagan and Rivera. At the conclusion of the ensuing trial, a jury found defendant guilty as charged, and the State sought the death penalty. Defendant waived his right to a jury for the subsequent sentence hearing, and the circuit court ultimately found him eligible for the death…