People v. Hayes

Following a jury trial in the circuit court of Cook County, defendant was convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to the penitentiary for a term of 20 to 30 years, and he now appeals to this court. The Public Defender contends only that the sentence imposed was excessive but defendant’s subsequently filed pro se brief raises numerous issues.

On August 25, 1967, at approximately 10:00 A.M., Thomas Stevens, the manager of the Bargain Basket food store in Chicago, was at his desk when a man touched him on the back and announced a robbery. Stevens turned and saw defendant who was holding a…