People v. Lewis

On April 19,1973, the body of Corwin Robert Nicoll was discovered in a secluded area of Macon County, Illinois. NicolTs death had resulted from multiple gunshot wounds. On April 24, 1973, an indictment was returned charging defendant Thomas Lewis with three counts of murder, and single counts of armed robbery, theft of property having value in excess of *150, and arson.

Defendant was the only living eyewitness to the shooting incident. At his jury trial, defendant testified that he fired the gun which killed Corwin Nicoll, but that the shots were discharged as he attempted to defend himself during…