People v. Williams

The issue in this case is whether the trial court’s statements in response to defendant’s motion for a finding of not guilty amounted to an acquittal for double jeopardy purposes. We hold that these statements did not constitute an acquittal.

FACTS

Defendant, Tracy Williams, and codefendant, Jamal Crumble, were charged with first degree murder (720 ILCS 5/9 — 1 (West 1992)) and armed robbery (720 ILCS 5/18 — 2 (West 1992)). These charges arose out of the December 27, 1993, murder of Thomas Yednak. Defendant’s case was severed from his codefendant’s case, and defendant waived his right to a jury…