People v. Smith

After a jury trial John Smith and George Ross were found guilty of the crime of murder. They appeal from that conviction on the grounds that their guilt was not proven beyond a reasonable doubt and that certain comments by the Assistant State’s Attorney during closing argument denied them a fair trial.

The following facts in this case have not been disputed. During the late evening of February 23, 1969, defendant, George Ross, hosted a party in his second floor apartment at 5936 South State Street, Chicago, Illinois, and John Smith, his half-brother, attended. Approximately twenty or thirty…