People v. Garrett

This cause presents questions of appellate procedure and of substance regarding Batson hearings, which are designed to ascertain whether purposeful racial discrimination in jury selection has been practiced by the State. See Batson v. Kentucky (1986), 476 U.S. 79, 90 L. Ed. 2d 69,106 S. Ct. 1712.

Following a jury trial in the circuit court of Cook County, defendant, Johnny Garrett, was convicted of criminal sexual assault (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 38, par. 12 — 13(a)(1)) and sentenced to an extended term of 16 years’ imprisonment. After the jury was sworn, defendant, citing Batson, had moved…