People v. Jefferson

Following a jury trial, defendant Darryl Jefferson was convicted of first degree murder (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1989, ch. 38, par. 9 — 1 (now codified as 720 ILCS 5/9 — 1 (West 1992))), and sentenced to 30 years in the custody of the Department of Corrections. On appeal, 1 defendant contends that (1) the circuit court erred when it failed to instruct the jury on second degree murder; (2) the court improperly commented on the evidence during defendant’s closing argument and abused its discretion when it failed to adequately respond to the jury’s request for clarification; (3) his right to a fair…