People v. Gonzales

Mr. PRESIDING JUSTICE SULLIVAN

delivered the opinion of the court:

After a bench trial, defendant was convicted of murder and sentenced to a term of 25 to 50 years. He presents the following issues for review: (1) whether he was proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt; and (2) whether the acquittal of a codefendant based on identical evidence requires the reversal of his conviction.

At approximately 12:30 a.m. on June 20, 1971, 10 teenagers were returning home from a dance in two cars — one following the other. After some passengers had been dropped off, the lead car entered the intersection of…