I. Background On November 10, 2000, Petitioner and another man shot and killed Osciel Morales. See Appellate Court Order, People v. Laughlin, No. 1-03-1618. (Ill. App. Ct. 1st Dist. Oct. 5, 2006), at 2, 7, Ex. A to [16]. Petitioner was charged with first degree murder and tried before a jury in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.