People v. Malcom

On the morning of 13 March 1970 two male Negroes, one tall and thin, the other shorter, entered a cleaner’s shop at 838 Montrose Avenue in Chicago. Bernice Odem, the 73 year old manager, was alone in the store. Mrs. Odem was ordered to the rear of the store and told to lie on the floor. The shorter man, armed with a gun, emptied the cash register while the taller man, armed with a knife, took a ring from Mrs. Odem’s left hand and was attempting to take another ring from her right hand.

At that juncture, Mr. Dubin, the owner of the establishment, entered the store. The shorter man confronted…