People v. Jefferson

Defendant Freddie Jefferson appeals from his conviction by a jury of the murder of Tammy Washington on the grounds that (1) the trial judge gave improper instructions on accomplice liability; (2) the prosecutor made inappropriate remarks during his closing argument; and (3) the trial judge improperly questioned the defendant and impermissibly commented on the evidence. Defendant seeks a reversal of his conviction with a remand for a new trial.

On the evening of June 14, 1987, defendant and his half-brother Fleener Jefferson drove to the 6800 block of South Winchester in Chicago where Eric…