People v. Crosby

After a jury trial, defendant was found guilty on two counts of possession of a controlled substance. After the trial court entered judgment on these verdicts and sentenced the defendant, the defendant filed a notice of appeal and brief in this court. Before the State could file its brief, the defendant died. After considering motions by both the defense and the State concerning the disposition of the instant case, we ordered the parties to file briefs concerning the effect of the defendant’s death on the instant proceedings.

The issue we must resolve is whether the defendant’s death prior to…