People v. Blue

Following a jury trial in the Cook County circuit court, the defendant, Murray Blue, was convicted of first degree murder for killing Louis Moret. The jury found the defendant eligible for the death penalty. See 720 ILCS 5/9 — 1(b)(3) (West 1998). The jury then found no mitigating circumstances sufficient to preclude the death penalty, and the trial court sentenced the defendant to death. That sentence has been stayed pending direct review by this court. Ill. Const. 1970, art. VI, § 4(b); 134 Ill. 2d Rs. 603, 609(a).

We reverse the defendant’s conviction and remand for a new trial.

BACKGROUND

Aro…