The death penalty commutations made by former Gov. George Ryan will not have any effect on the possibility of Anthony B. Mertz receiving a sentence of the death penalty if he is found guilty of first degree murder.

Mertz, 26, a former Eastern student, is on trial for first-degree murder, home invasion and aggravated criminal sexual assault in relation to the death of Eastern student Shannon McNamara.

Earlier this month, after having put a moratorium on the death penalty three years ago, Ryan decided to commute the sentences of everyone on death row in Illinois to life sentences because he thought the system was unfair.

If Mertz is found guilty, State’s Attorney Steve Ferguson plans to seek a sentence of the death penalty.

Judge Dale A. Cini questioned potential jurors this week on their stance on the death penalty, explaining that Ryan’s commutations have no effect on people who are sentenced to death after he made his announcement.

Despite the fact that the halls of death row have been emptied, the future of what will happen to Illinois’ capital punishment system is currently unknown.