People v. Ayers

Following simultaneous but severed trials before two separate juries, codefendants Chaka Ayers and Terrace Hoskins were each convicted of the first degree murder of Kwasi Page. The trial court sentenced Ayers to 45 years’ imprisonment and Hoskins to 26 years’ imprisonment. In appeal number 1 — 00—1470, Hoskins argues that: (1) he was denied his fundamental rights to due process and trial by jury where the jury was given contradictory instructions on first degree murder and the phrase “without lawful justification” was omitted from several instructions; (2) the trial court erred in impaneling…