People v. Bryant

Charles Bryant was convicted of armed robbery (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, par. 18—2) and attempted armed robbery (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 38, par. 8—4) and sentenced to seven years in prison. For the reasons below, we reverse and remand for a new trial.

Shortly before midnight on November 5, 1983, William Randolph and Steven Hall were robbed at gunpoint by an unknown assailant on Calumet Avenue in Chicago. While the robbery was in progress, a patrol car passed nearby, and Hall and the robber ran away. Randolph ran to the police car and told the officers that he had just been robbed. He…