The PEOPLE v. Turner

James Turner was tried by jury in the circuit court of Winnebago County and found guilty of murder. The sentence as fixed by the jury is life imprisonment. Before considering the case on the merits we are obliged to determine whether we have jurisdiction. In criminal cases our jurisdiction on direct appeal is limited to a review of cases involving a question arising under the constitution of the United States or this State and “appeals * * * by the defendant from sentence in capital cases.” Const., art. VI, sec. 5.

The defendant claims that the court erred in denying a motion for a…