People v. Smith

Defendant Antoine Smith was charged with three counts of first degree murder (720 ILCS 5/9 — 1(a)(1) through (a)(3) (West 2000)), as well as attempted armed robbery (720 ILCS 5/8 — 4, 18 — 2 (West 2000)), in connection with a botched robbery at the Citgo gas station on Green Bay Road in Evanston, Illinois. During the attempted armed robbery, the cashier, James Pappas, was killed. After a jury trial, defendant was convicted of both first degree murder and attempted armed robbery and sentenced to a term of natural life imprisonment. On appeal, defendant argues (1) the circuit court erred in…