People v. Garner

On August 25, 1989, the body of William Winston was found stabbed to death in the kitchen of his house at 2846 West Taylor Street in Chicago. Acting on a tip, police arrested defendant, Clevester Garner, as he was driving the victim’s missing automobile. At the conclusion of the ensuing trial, a jury convicted defendant of murder and armed robbery, and the State sought the death penalty. Defendant waived his right to a jury for the subsequent sentence hearing, and the circuit court ultimately found him eligible for the death penalty. However, noting several mitigating factors, the court…