People v. Easley

On October 16, 1987, defendant, Ike J. Easley, Jr., was indicted on two counts of conspiracy (first degree murder) (111. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, par. 8 — 2(a)) and five counts of first degree murder (111. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, pars. 9 — 1(a)(1), (a)(2)). The conspiracy counts against defendant were dismissed by the State before trial. Defendant was accused of killing Robert Taylor, a superintendent at the Pontiac Correctional Center (Pontiac), on September 3,1987.

Following a jury trial in the circuit court of Livingston County, defendant was convicted of first degree murder. At a separate…