People v. Carrasquillo

Following a bench trial, defendant was convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections. He appeals, arguing that the trial court’s imposition of sanctions in the form of prohibiting defense counsel from cross-examining the State’s sole eyewitness or presenting rebuttal testimony regarding prior inconsistent statements made by that witness was reversible error.

Defendant was arrested on November 25, 1985, and charged with murder. His trial took place on two separate days, February 26, 1987, and March 30, 1987. On the first day of trial,…