People v. Jackson

Defendant Tony Jackson was indicted for, among other offenses, first degree murder (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1991, ch. 38, pars. 9 — 1(a)(1), (a)(2)) and unlawful use of a firearm by a felon (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1991, ch. 38, par. 24 — 1.1(a)). At his bench trial, the circuit court rejected defendant’s defense of self-defense and defense of another, finding him guilty of second degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. Defendant appeals, asserting that (1) the judge misapplied the law of self-defense when she refused to admit his testimony that his friend was scared; (2) the judge assumed the…