People v. Thomas

After a jury trial in the circuit court of Lake County, defendant, Christopher Thomas, was convicted of murder arising from the shooting death of Rafael Gasgonia. Defendant waived a jury for his capital sentencing hearing. The trial judge found defendant eligible for the death penalty based upon the statutory aggravating factor that the murder occurred during the course of a felony. 720 ILCS 5/9 — 1(b)(6) (West 1994). After a hearing in aggravation and mitigation, the trial judge found that there were no mitigating factors sufficient to preclude imposition of the death penalty. The trial…