The PEOPLE v. Chaffin

Defendant, Edgar Chaffin, was indicted for the murder of Thomas Westbrook and his trial by jury commenced in the circuit court of Cook County. During the proceedings the State moved for a mistrial which was allowed over defendant’s objection. When the case was called for retrial, defendant filed a plea of autrefois acquit and former jeopardy, which was allowed. The State appealed and the appellate court affirmed. (115 Ill.App.2d 1.) We granted leave to appeal.

The testimony of the State’s witnesses indicated that in the early morning of February 25, 1967, the defendant was driving two men,…