People v. Roman

Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Evidence
Citation
Case Number: 
2013 IL App (1st) 110882
Decision Date: 
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
District: 
1st Dist.
Division/County: 
Cook Co., 3d Div.
Holding: 
Reversed and remanded.
Justice: 
HYMAN
Defendant was convicted of murder after he and several co-defendants beat to death a factory employee in parking lot where victim worked. Court erred in admitting evidence of Defendant's affiliation with a street gang, including photos of Defendant's tatoos and testimony from officer that tattoos showed Latin Kings gang affiliation. Court erred in allowing State's courtroom cart displaying "Gang Unit" sticker. Gang evidence was of no probative value, as gang evidence had nothing to do with witness identification of Defendant, or with any other issue, and only inflamed the jury.(PUCINSKI and MASON, concurring.)