People v. Merritte

Following a jury trial, defendants Earnest and Walter Merritte were convicted of first degree murder. Earnest Merritte was sentenced to a term of 80 years’ imprisonment. Walter Merritte was sentenced to natural life imprisonment. Defendants now appeal from their convictions and sentences. We affirm.

Mark Harcar was beaten to death on October 26, 1990, near Tony’s Meat Market in Streator, Illinois. William Vietti, a friend of the victim, testified that he was with Mark on the day he was killed. Vietti met Mark at the market at about 5 p.m. They spent the evening drinking beer and burning boxes…