The PEOPLE v. Sawyer

The defendant, Ernest Sawyer, together with three co-defendants, was found guilty of the crime of murder by a jury in the circuit court of Cook County. His direct appeal is presently pending in the appellate court, and this appeal arises from the circuit court’s dismissal, without an evidentiary hearing, of his post-conviction petition (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1969, ch. 38, pars. 122 — 1 et seq.), and a petition under section 72 of the Civil Practice Act. Ill. Rev. Stat. 1969, ch. no, par. 72.

The victim of the murder was Sam Gerrick, the owner of a grocery store. He was shot during the course of a…