People v. Masini

Defendant, Charles Masini, was found guilty by a jury of criminal damage to property of less than $150 in value. The circuit court of Lake County entered judgment thereon and sentenced defendant to 9 months’ incarceration. The appellate court affirmed, one judge dissenting. (65 Ill. App. 3d 1011.) We allowed defendant’s petition for leave to appeal.

On November 13, 1976, at approximately 1:30 p.m., defendant was clearing brush on a farm which he had leased. He was using what he referred to as a “brush axe.” Also according to defendant, he and his barn were hit by buckshot which he believed had…