People v. Jimerson

Following a jury trial in the circuit court of Cook County, the defendant, Verneal Jimerson, was found guilty of the murders of Larry Lionberg and Carol Schmal. The defendant waived his right to a jury at his death sentencing hearing, and the circuit court sentenced the defendant to death. On direct appeal to this court, the defendant’s convictions and death sentence were affirmed. (People v. Jimerson (1989), 127 Ill. 2d 12.) The defendant subsequently filed a petition for post-conviction relief. The circuit court summarily dismissed the defendant’s petition, without conducting an evidentiary…