People v. Williams

Defendant, Michael Williams, and codefendant, Buford Hodby, were convicted of first-degree murder in simultaneous jury trials for the shooting death of a rival gang member. On appeal, defendant seeks a new trial on the grounds that: (1) the trial court abused its discretion in denying defendant’s motion for a new trial when newly discovered evidence exculpated defendant and inculpated two other individuals; (2) the trial court committed plain error by failing to inquire during voir dire if the potential jurors would be prejudiced by knowledge that defendant was a gang member; (3) the State’s…