Docket No. 84046-Agenda 3-May 1999.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, Appellee, v. MURRAY BLUE, Appellant.

Opinion filed January 27, 2000.

JUSTICE McMORROW delivered the opinion of the court:

This matter comes before the court on the direct appeal of the jury conviction of defendant, Murray Blue, of one count of first degree murder (720 ILCS 5/9-1(a)(1) (West 1992)); three counts of attempted first degree murder (720 ILCS 5/8-4, 9-1 (West 1992)); two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm (720 ILCS 5/12-4.2(a)(1) (West 1992)); and two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (720 ILCS 570/401(a)(2)(A) (West 1992)). Defendant elected to have the same jury deliberate his subsequent capital sentencing hearing. 720 ILCS 5/9-1(d) (West 1992). The jury determined that defendant was eligible for the death penalty, and that there were no mitigating factors sufficient to preclude the imposition of the death penalty. 720 ILCS 5/9-1(b), (d) (West 1998). The trial court entered judgment on the verdict and sentenced defendant to death.

Defendant appealed his convictions and sentence directly to this court. 134 Ill. 2d R. 603. On appeal, defendant contends that errors occurring at the guilt and sentencing phases of his trial entitle defendant to a new trial or, in the alternative, to a new sentencing hearing.

This court holds that cumulative errors occurring at trial deprived defendant of his due process right to a fair trial. U.S. Const., amend. XIV,