People v. McKinney

Gordon L. McKinney (defendant) was convicted in the circuit court of Moultrie County of arson (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, par. 20 — 1(a)) and subsequently sentenced to a term of imprisonment of five years. Defendant appeals, contending: (1) the trial court erred in allowing the State to introduce statements that defendant made two months before the fire; (2) the State failed to prove defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt; (3) the State improperly elicited immaterial evidence of defendant’s prearrest silence; and (4) defendant was denied effective assistance at counsel.

Facts

Gordon L.…