People v. Stewart

The defendant, Walter Stewart, brings this appeal from a dismissal of his petition for post-conviction relief without an evidentiary hearing in the circuit court of Cook County. At his original trial, the defendant entered pleas of guilty to charges of murder, attempted murder and armed robbery. After the pleas were accepted and judgments were entered, the prosecution sought the death penalty. Following a bench sentencing hearing, the trial judge sentenced the defendant to death. A 30-year sentence for the attempted murder and armed robbery was also imposed. A post-trial motion to withdraw…