The PEOPLE v. Ross (Pawlak)

Defendants Charles Ross and Josephine Pawlaic were jointly tried and convicted of arson in a jury trial in the circuit court of Cook County. They appeal directly to this court, charging that they were denied due process in that the indictment was insufficient and failed to inform them of the nature and cause of the accusation against them. Additionally, they contend that the evidence was insufficient to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, that they were denied an opportunity to impeach the State’s chief witness on the basis of statements he made to the police and that “secret ex parte…