People v. O'NEILL

This is a capital case in which the jury imposed a sentence of death after returning guilty verdicts on seven counts including first-degree murder. The defendant, John O'Neill, seeks review of both the underlying judgments of conviction and the sentence of death. We reverse the sentence of death, partially reverse the judgments, and remand to the trial court with directions.

I

The defendant, John O’Neill, and John Baca were good friends and were involved in an unlawful marijuana cultivation and trafficking venture. The illicit business was conducted out of three residential properties in…