People v. Nelson

PRESIDING JUSTICE McBRIDE

delivered the opinion of the court:

Defendant Byron Nelson was charged with six counts of first degree murder in the January 2002 death of Cornelius Buchanan. On July 30, 2006, following jury selection, the State asked the trial court to grant use immunity to codefendants Corey Hodges and Jerome Weathers. The trial court denied the State’s motion and found that it could not compel Hodges and Weathers to testify against defendant because each had a fifth amendment right against self-incrimination. The State proceeded to trial, but the jury was unable to reach a verdict…