People v. Pecoraro

Following a jury trial in the circuit court of Cook County, defendant, John Pecoraro, was found guilty of murder (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 38, par. 9 — 1) in connection with the shooting death of Jimmy Christian. Thereafter a capital sentencing hearing was conducted before the trial court and defendant was sentenced to death. Defendant’s conviction and sentence were affirmed on direct appeal. People v. Pecoraro, 144 Ill. 2d (1991). Defendant subsequently filed a petition for relief under the Post-Conviction Hearing Act. 725 ILCS 5/122 — 1 et seq. (West 1994). The State filed a motion to…