A Kane County judge Tuesday set an Oct. 7 sentencing hearing for Bonzell L. Joyner, convicted in the 1994 slaying of College of DuPage student Armando Mendez.
A jury last year deliberated about three hours before convicting Joyner, 22, of murder for firing a bullet into the 19-year-old Mendez’s head on Oct. 27, 1994, ending a gang beating.
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Mendez was returning home from work when his car ran out of gasoline on Aurora’s east side. As he was filling the tank from a portable gas can, members of an Aurora street gang set upon the former Aurora Central Catholic High School football player in the mistaken belief he belonged to a rival gang.
Joyner ended the beating when he walked behind the dazed victim and fired a single bullet into his head, killing him.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, and Judge Donald C. Hudson has ruled Joyner is eligible for it.
Post-trial motions are expected to be concluded during a July 17 hearing in Hudson’s courtroom, officials said.
Of the 10 men initially charged with murder in connection with Mendez’s death, one was acquitted; three, including Joyner, were convicted of murder; and the rest pleaded guilty to lesser charges.