People v. Friesland

The defendant, William Friesland, was tried and convicted of burglary in a jury trial in the circuit court of Montgomery County and was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment. Defendant appealed to the appellate court contesting the fairness of his trial. The appellate court affirmed the circuit court. (130 Ill. App. 3d 595.) We granted the defendant’s petition for leave to appeal pursuant to our Rule 315 (87 Ill. 2d R. 315).

Prior to his trial, the defendant filed a discovery motion requesting production of Paul A. Seago’s mental health records. Seago, who had pleaded guilty to the burglary for…