People v. Rowe

Following a bench trial, defendant was convicted of murder in violation of section 9 — 1 of the Criminal Code of 1961 (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1973, ch. 38, par. 9 — 1) and sentenced to 14 years to 14 years and one day. On appeal he contends: (1) the trial court erroneously precluded him from testifying as to his state of mind at the time he shot the victim, and (2) he was not proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

At trial the following pertinent facts were adduced.

For the State:

Nathan McCain

On June 8, 1974, he and another man were standing, talking on the northwest comer of 79th and May Streets.…