People v. Ashford

The defendant, James “Pud” Ashford, and Gary Jones were charged by indictment in the circuit court of Sangamon County with four counts of knowing murder (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 38, par. 9 — 1(a)(2)), four counts of felony murder based on armed robbery (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 38, par. 9 — 1(a)(3)), and one count of armed robbery (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 38, par. 18 — 2). The circuit court granted the defendant’s motion for a severance and accepted his waiver of a jury trial. A bench trial followed, and the defendant was found guilty of all charges. The defendant waived a jury for the…