People v. Ramona Washington

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January 24, 2006, Chicago.

The Illinois Appellate Court reversed the first-degree murder conviction of Ramona Washington in the case of People v. Washington, 363 Ill. App. 3d 13 (2006).A jury found Ramona Washington guilty of first-degree murder under 720 ILCS 5/9-1(a)(1)(2000). Judge James Linn sentenced Ms. Washington to 20 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

On appeal, Attorney Robert M. Stephenson argued, among other things, that trial Judge James B. Linn made two reversible errors. First, Judge Linn erred in allowing the State to introduce evidence of a pending polygraph examination of Ms. Washington. Second, Judge Linn erred in failing to quash arrest and suppress Ms. Washington’s inculpatory statements.

The Appellate Court First District, in a unanimous opinion authored by Justice Garcia, agreed and reversed Ms. Washington’s convictions and remanded the case for a new trial. The Appellate Court specifically agreed with defense counsel’s argument that the State used the polygraph evidence to impermissibly bolster its case. The Court further held that before polygraph evidence may be admitted, it must first be established that the defense is challenging the voluntariness of the statement. Based on this alone, the Court reversed Ms. Washington’s first-degree murder conviction and remanded the case for a new trial. However, the court went on to find that Ms. Washington was subject to an illegal arrest, as the police did not have probable cause.

Attorney Robert M. Stephenson represented Ms. Washington at her new trial where Ms. Washington accepted a plea agreement to second-degree murder and was released from prison within one-year.

All documents relating to this case may be viewed by use of the links to the left.

Related Documentsn

January 24, 2006. Illinois Appellate Court's Opinion in People v. Washington. 363 Ill.App.3d 13: Read the full test of the Illinois Appellate Court's unanimous opinion reversing Ramona Washington's conviction and remanding the case for a new trial.

Read the full text of Ramona Washington's Opening Brief in the Illinois Appellate Court

Read the full text of the State's Brief in People v. Washington

Read the full text of Ramona Washington's Reply Brief in the Illinois Appellate Court

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