Luna found eligible for the death penalty

Juan Luna was found eligible for the death penalty Tuesday morning by a Cook County jury.

Luna was convicted last Thursday of the murders of seven people at a Brown's Chicken restaurant in Palatine on Jan. 8, 1993.

The jury could not reach unanimous agreement on whether Luna actually is responsible for killing any of the victims nor could they agree on whether the murders of seven people were "cold and calculated," two of the "aggravating factors" used to determine whether someone is eligible for the death penalty. Other factors include multiple deaths, premeditation, or a crime performed during the commission of another felony.

The jurors' lack of unanimity could be a positive sign for Luna's defense lawyers as they now proceed to presenting testimony about whether the jury should actually impose a death sentence on the former appliance salesman from Carpentersville.

The jurors now will begin hearing that testimony, which is expected to take several days.

Please return to dailyherald.com for updates as more details become available.