By Associated Press - Tuesday, April 8, 2014

BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) - A former East St. Louis man granted a new murder trial after questions were raised about the presiding judge has been convicted a second time.

The Belleville News-Democrat (https://bit.ly/1lIB1eG) reports St. Clair County Circuit Judge Robert Haida on Tuesday found 55-year-old Gregory Muse guilty of first-degree murder and committing a felony while armed.

Prosecutors alleged Muse and Correy Ransom were robbing an East St. Louis pawn shop in 2011 when the store owner killed Ransom. Muse was charged under a statute allowing an accomplice to be accused in a death if it happens during a forcible felony.



Haida overturned Muse’s conviction last year after his trial overseen by then-Circuit Judge Michael Cook. Cook resigned, pleaded guilty to federal heroin and weapons charges, and was sentenced to two years in prison.

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Information from: Belleville News-Democrat, https://www.bnd.com

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