People v. Williams

Following a jury trial in the circuit court of Cook County, defendant, Bennie Williams, was convicted of murder and armed robbery. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 38, pars. 9 — 1(a), 18 — 2(a).) Defendant waived a jury for the sentencing phase of his trial. Upon finding defendant eligible for the death penalty, weighing aggravating and mitigating factors, and determining that there were no mitigating factors sufficient to preclude imposition of the death penalty, the trial judge sentenced defendant to death. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 38, par. 9 — 1(h).) The sentence was stayed pending direct…