People v. Murray

This case presents question as to whether govt. presented sufficient evidence to establish that defendant was member of “street gang” for purposes of Ill. Streetgang Terrorism Omnibus Act (Act) in order to prove him guilty of unlawful possession of firearm by street gang member. While Appellate Court held that govt. satisfied its burden of showing that “Latin Kings” was street gang based on detective’s opinion that said gang sold drugs and used guns to protect their drugs, cash and members from rival gangs, defendant argued that govt. failed to show that “Latin Kings” was street gang, since govt. failed to show existence of course or pattern of criminal activity by gang that consisted of at least two criminal offenses that were committed by gang within five years of each other.