Opinion ID: 1101247
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: ¶ 1. This case arises from the October 30, 1993, murders of Bennie Brown, Sr., and Natasha Cole. It is alleged that Danny Porter (a.k.a. Danny Soul) and his roommate, Carlos Stewart, were hired by Herman Saunders (a.k.a. Robert Tricky Mickey Marsh) to kill Brown. It is further alleged, that, immediately after Brown's murder, Stewart returned to the scene alone and killed Cole, because she had recognized him. Porter was acquitted of Cole's murder, and this appeal involves only Count II of the indictment, the capital murder of Brown. ¶ 2. This Court finds that Porter's Sixth Amendment right to counsel was violated by a police-initiated interrogation, which resulted in Porter's confession, and which occurred two days after Porter asserted his right to counsel at an initial appearance. For this reason, the confession, made without the benefit of counsel, should have been suppressed. Therefore, this case is reversed and remanded to the trial court for proceedings consistent with this opinion. ¶ 3. In addition, two other issues are addressed to provide guidance on remand: (1) the granting of a sentencing instruction on the statutory aggravator that the defendant knowingly created a great risk to many persons, and, (2) the communications from the Attorney General's Office made during the sentencing phase of the trial. ¶ 4. This Court's consideration of the instruction on the aggravating circumstance of knowingly creating a risk to many persons is procedurally barred, because no contemporaneous objection was raised. Nonetheless, should similar evidence be introduced on remand, the instruction should not be given. That is, the evidence presented was insufficient to support such an instruction. ¶ 5. Furthermore, the input of the Attorney General's Office during the sentencing phase of this trial warrants a discussion on the propriety of such communications. The exact circumstances of the communication from the Attorney General's Office are unclear from the record. This Court recognizes that the Attorney General's Office is an important resource for prosecutors throughout this State. However, if any party is allowed to make arguments before a trial judge on behalf of the prosecution, the arguments must be made in the presence and hearing of defense counsel. Moreover, defense counsel must be given an opportunity to respond. The proscription against ex parte communications is a fundamental tenet of our judicial system. Ex parte communications from the Attorney General's Office, or any other source, are unacceptable, and are to be avoided. ¶ 6. Thus, this case is reversed and remanded for proceedings consistent with this opinion. The other issues raised by Porter are procedurally barred, without merit, and/or moot, and will not be addressed.