People v. Cartalino

Defendant John Cartalino and codefendant Robert Bridges were charged with the offenses of murder, home invasion, burglary, attempted armed robbery and armed violence. Cartalino was tried by a jury while Bridges was tried in a separate but simultaneous bench trial. The trial was structured so that the jury heard evidence intended to relate primarily to the guilt or innocence of Cartalino. The State’s witnesses were cross-examined by Cartalino’s counsel in the presence of the jury. Bridges’ counsel cross-examined them in the absence of the jury. Questioning of defense witnesses for Bridges and…