People v. Huckstead

On September 18, 1980, defendant, Ronald Huck-stead, was convicted of murder following a jury trial in the circuit court of Coles County, and sentenced to a term of 25 years’ imprisonment. A divided appellate court affirmed. 98 Ill. App. 3d 1206 (Rule 23 order).

The issues presented are: (1) Did the trial court’s failure to give Illinois Pattern Jury Instruction (IPI), Criminal, No. 25.05 (1968) constitute plain error? (2) Did the trial court commit reversible error by giving IPI Criminal No. 3.04 to the jury?

On the evening of March 28, 1980, defendant was in the Corner Lounge Tavern in…