The PEOPLE v. Alexander

After a bench trial in the circuit court of Cook County the defendant, Samuel Alexander, was found guilty of burglary. He was sentenced to imprisonment for not less than two nor more than four years. On his direct appeal to this court he raises two constitutional questions: first, that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel, and, second, that he did not knowingly waive his right to a jury trial.

At approximately 5 P.M. on April 6, 1968, three Chicago police officers responded to a call that a burglar alarm had been activated at a liquor store at 67th and Halsted Streets in the city…