Hill

Defendant is imprisoned for life without possibility of parole after a jury trial involving two separate incidents: robberies and first degree felony murder with special circumstances at a Taco Bell restaurant on July 4, 1992, and robbery and attempted premeditated murder at a Gas and Food market on August 11, 1992. On appeal, defendant primarily challenges the joinder of the two cases for trial. He also contends the trial court should not have admitted evidence that defendant solicited the killing of a victim-witness to prevent the witness’s testimony and the trial court should not have limited defendant’s cross-examination of the key prosecution witness. We affirm the convictions.

Facts

The Taco Bell Case

Defendant had worked at the West Pittsburg Taco Bell from May 26 to May 29, 1992. He left the job saying he was moving out of town. In fact, defendant lived with his girlfriend across the street from the Taco Bell. Defendant told his girlfriend that Taco Bell made a lot of money and it would be a good place to rob.

On July 4, 1992, about 7 a.m., a Black man wearing an old, green, hooded army jacket pushed his way through the doors of the Taco Bell as the manager,…