The Illinois Department of Corrections said Monday that Ceja would be the 161st person on Illinois death row. State records indicate that 2 inmates have been placed on death row since the moratorium, but both were sentenced before Ryan's decision. DuPage County State's Atty. Joseph Birkett has stated that, despite the governor's concern, it was his job to apply the death penalty statute. Creswell set June 28 as the initial execution date, but that date will be set aside as all death penalties cases in Illinois are automatically appealed.
Appeals traditionally take more than a decade to run out.
Creswell said that because Ceja was convicted of killing two people, her sentencing options were limited to either the death penalty or natural life. She detailed his life as a member of a Maywood street gang, in which he was reportedly third in command and in charge of training gang rookies. She recited his various crimes involving handguns, as well as his admitted daily use of marijuana. Ceja showed no visible reaction when he was sentenced. He's a very strong kid.