People v. Shaw

This case is now before us for reconsideration on a mandate from the United States Supreme Court. Shaw v. Illinois, 394 US 214.

Defendant was convicted of the unlawful sale of narcotic drugs, and sentenced to life imprisonment, that sentence being mandatory under Illinois law because of a prior federal conviction for a similar offense.

The question at issue is whether or not defendant was unduly restricted in cross-examination of an informer who had testified to a purchase of heroin from defendant. The trial judge had taken the position that, because of defendant’s acquaintance with the…