Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Jury Deliberations
Defendant was convicted, after jury trial, of 1st-degree murder. Court committed reversible error when it allowed jury to observe audio and video evidence in courtroom during deliberations in presence of a representative of State's Attorney's office and a court bailiff, and without prior notice to Defendant. Judge, Defendant, and defense counsel were not present to oversee interaction and to observe any impropriety. Procedure rendered trial fundamentally unfair and an unreliable means of determining guilt.(CARTER and O'BRIEN, concurring.)