People v. Cruzado

Following a jury trial, defendant Eliezer Cruzado 1 was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to a 28-year prison term. He appeals, raising as issues whether he was denied his right to a fair trial where (1) he was precluded from presenting witnesses; (2) the circuit court prohibited him from presenting evidence of his mental capacity to support his claim of self-defense; (3) the State failed to disclose to him a prior conviction of a witness until after trial; and (4) the State presented testimony of a gang expert.

On September 17, 1993, 17-year-old Avilio Lopez died from a…