People v. Ashford

After a bench trial in Sangamon County, defendant was convicted of four counts of murder (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 38, par. 9—1(a)(2)), four counts of felony murder (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 38, par. 9—1(a)(3)), and one count of armed robbery (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 38, par. 18—2). At sentencing, the trial judge found defendant eligible for the death penalty and sentenced defendant to death. On direct appeal, this court affirmed defendant’s convictions and death sentence. (People v. Ashford (1988), 121 Ill. 2d 55.) Subsequently, defendant filed a petition for post-conviction relief in…