People v. Batson

Defendant, Mary Batson, was charged with the offense of murder (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch. 38, par. 9—1(a)(2)), voluntary manslaughter (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch. 38, par. 9—2(a)(2)) and reckless homicide (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch. 38, par. 9—3(a)). The jury returned guilty verdicts on all three counts. The circuit court of Johnson County entered judgment only on the verdict of guilty of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced defendant to eight years of imprisonment.

At approximately 7:30 p.m. on October 16, 1983, defendant arrived at the Beehive Tavern. Victim and proprietress of the tavern,…