People v. Swanson

PRESIDING JUSTICE RAKOWSKI

delivered the opinion of the court:

Defendant, Richard Swanson, was charged by indictment with two counts of first degree murder. Following a bench trial, he was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to three years’ probation with 26 weekends in the Cook County jail. On appeal, defendant contends that his conviction must be reversed because his use of force against the victim was justified. Additionally, he argues that the trial court was precluded from convicting him of second degree murder when he had been charged with first degree murder.

On December 18,…