People v. Harris

Defendant, Eugene Harris, was convicted of delivery of a controlled substance and sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment. Defendant appeals from his conviction, contending (1) the State improperly excluded blacks from the jury after defense counsel objected to the State’s use of its peremptory challenges; and (2) the prosecutor made improper comments during cross-examination and closing argument that the defendant had coerced a witness into providing testimony.

At trial, Chicago police officer Nancy Stokilo testified that on June 28, 1984, while working as an undercover plain clothes officer,…