People v. Harris

After a bench trial the defendant, Samuel Harris, was found guilty of first degree murder and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. The cause then proceeded to a sentencing hearing at which the death penalty was found to be inappropriate, and the defendant was sentenced to a 100-year term of imprisonment. The defendant argues on appeal that: (1) the victim’s statement while in the hospital following her shooting constituted a dying declaration and should have been admissible; (2) the court erred in refusing to allow cross-examination of a witness regarding the content of a statement, a…