People v. Ward

Following a jury trial in the circuit court of Cook County, defendant, Jerry Ward, was convicted of the murders of Bruce Herd and Herd’s girlfriend, Pamela Williams; the armed robbery of Bruce Herd; and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. For the murder convic-' tions, the circuit court sentenced defendant to death. The court also imposed a 30-year term of imprisonment for armed robbery and a 3-year term of imprisonment for possession of a stolen motor vehicle.

On direct appeal, this court affirmed defendant’s convictions and sentences. People v. Ward, 154 Ill. 2d 272 (1992) (Ward I). The…