The People of the State of Illinois, Appellee v. Terrance Walker, Appellant

Summary

The court held that the trial court committed plain error by mechanically denying appointed counsel's continuance request without exercising discretion or considering the relevant circumstances, forcing an unprepared attorney to try a serious murder case. Because the error affected the fairness and integrity of the trial, the convictions were reversed and the case was remanded for a new trial; the court also found the evidence sufficient to permit retrial under double-jeopardy principles without deciding guilt on retrial. The court did not reach the ineffective-assistance claims.