People v. Oyler

Summary

The court affirmed the judgment imposing five first degree murder convictions, related arson and incendiary-device convictions, special-circumstance findings, and a death sentence. In the portion shown, the court rejected challenges concerning defendant's absence from a chambers conference, the qualifications of retained and appointed counsel, reassignment of the trial judge, and denial of a venue-change motion, primarily because the challenged proceedings were not critical stages, the claims were forfeited, or the asserted errors lacked merit.