People v. Stewart

Opinion by JUDGE GRAHAM

¶ 1 Defendant, Coleman Backstrom Stewart, appeals the judgment of conviction entered on jury verdicts finding him guilty of felony menacing and misdemeanor obstructing a peace officer. We conclude that there were a number of errors in the trial proceedings-two of them standing alone might serve as the basis for reversal, but collectively they clearly require that we reverse the conviction and remand for a new trial.

I. Background

¶ 2 When an impetuous youth runs from police, good things rarely result. This case is just such a circumstance.

¶ 3 Inebriated, defendant took a…