People v. Ward

Following a jury trial in Cook County, defendant, Jerry Ward, was found guilty of the murder of Bruce Herd and Herd’s girlfriend, Pamela Williams (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch. 38, par. 9 — 1(a)), the armed robbery of Bruce Herd (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch. 38, par. 18 — 2(a)), and possession of a stolen motor vehicle (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch. 95½, par. 4 — 103(a)(1)). After the verdict was rendered, the court found the defendant eligible for the death penalty, since he was over the age of 18 at the time the offenses were committed, he committed two murders, and they were committed in the course…