People v. Smith

Defendant, Geraldine Smith, was charged with first degree murder (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, par. 9 — 1(a)(1)) and conspiracy to commit murder (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, par. 8 — 2(a)) arising from the June 23, 1987, shooting death of Valerie McDonald. Following a jury trial in the circuit court of Cook County, defendant was convicted of both counts. The trial court denied defendant’s post-trial motion, which sought a new trial to introduce exculpatory testimony of nine new witnesses. Defendant waived her right to be sentenced by the jury and the trial judge determined defendant was…