People v. Hancock

Defendant, Wallace R. Hancock, was initially arrested for the murder of his 20-month-old daughter, Tanya. A three-count indictment filed on December 19, 1975, enlarged the charges to include murder, rape and deviate sexual assault. Pursuant to a change of venue, defendant was tried before a jury in Washington County rather than in St. Clair County where the alleged crimes occurred. He presented an insanity defense. At the close of the State’s case, the court dismissed the rape charge and trial resumed. The jury found defendant guilty of murder and deviate sexual assault; however, the court…