Opinion ID: 2166993
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: conclusion

Text: For the foregoing reasons, we vacate defendant's convictions of felony murder and affirm his remaining convictions. The sentencing jury's conclusion that defendant is eligible for the death penalty remains standing. Accordingly, if the State seeks the death penalty for defendant on remand, only the second phase of the death sentencing hearing need be conducted anew. See People v. Thompkins, 191 Ill.2d 438, 477, 247 Ill.Dec. 498, 732 N.E.2d 553 (2000) (and cases cited therein). We reverse defendant's death sentence and remand the cause to the circuit court of Cook County for further proceedings. Convictions affirmed in part and vacated in part; death sentence reversed; cause remanded.