Withers v. the People

Petitioner commenced these actions in the criminal court of Cook County by filing four petitions under section 72 of the Civil Practice Act, (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1959, chap, no, par. 72,) requesting that judgments of conviction on four different indictments be vacated and a new trial granted on each. The appeals, which have been consolidated for review, are from orders denying each of the petitions.

The records show that on April 28, 1952, four indictments were returned against the petitioner. Two indictments charged him with rape, another charged him with armed robbery and the fourth charged him…