People v. Cannon

On remand, the circuit court of Cook County held a Batson hearing subsequent to the jury trial of defendant, Darrell Cannon. The trial court ruled that the State did not use its peremptory challenges during voir dire to exclude black venirepersons from the jury. Defendant appeals, claiming that the trial court’s ruling was against the manifest weight of the evidence.

We reverse and remand for a new trial.

Background

Following a jury trial, defendant was convicted of murder (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 38, pars. 9 — 1(a)(1), (a)(2)), based on accountability. The trial judge sentenced defendant to…