People v. Murray

Following a jury trial in the circuit court of Cook County, defendant Jerome Murray was convicted of murder and sentenced to 30 years’ imprisonment. On appeal, defendant argues that: (1) his right to a fair trial was violated when the trial court improperly excluded testimony exculpating him and inculpating another person; and (2) the trial court improperly considered the fact that a death occurred as an aggravating factor in sentencing him to a 30-year prison term.

We affirm.

Background

Evidence presented at trial disclosed that on February 6, 1987, at approximately 9:15 p.m., a group of young…