People v. Atkins

A jury convicted defendants Larry Gross and William Atkins, brothers, of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Atkins was sentenced to concurrent terms of 22 years for murder and 7 years for conspiracy. Gross was sentenced to concurrent terms of 26 years for murder and 7 years for conspiracy. On appeal, defendants contend: (1) they were denied their constitutional right to conflict-free representation and effective assistance of counsel; (2) the trial court erroneously denied severance; and (3) their convictions for conspiracy must be vacated. Defendant Atkins further contends that the…