People v. Mitchell

On August 4, 1989, defendant, Anthony Mitchell, was indicted on two counts of first degree murder in the stabbing deaths of David and Dawn Lieneke. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, par. 9 — l(aXl).) The murders occurred on July 4, 1989. Following a jury trial in the circuit court of St. Clair County, defendant was convicted on both counts. The trial proceeded to the death penalty phase, and the same jury found defendant eligible for the death penalty because defendant murdered two people, a statutory aggravating circumstance. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, par. 9 — l(bX3).) The jury next…