People v. Peoples

Defendant was convicted, after jury trial, of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder and sentenced to 70 years in prison. Evidence was sufficient to prove Defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Jury reached its guilty verdict in 5 minutes when court incorrectly told jury it could convict based on accountability theory, after jury sent note that they didn't have enough evidence that Defendant was the shooter. As possibility of jury lenity or compromise, or that the jury's error favored State, cannot be ruled out, conviction is reversed and case remanded for new trial. Court expressly addressed all factors in aggravation and mitigation at sentencing, except that Defendant was age 24 at time of sentencing.(FITZGERALD SMITH and HOWSE, concurring.)