People v. Smith

Defendant, Ricky Smith (otherwise called A1 Capone), and codefendant Frank Bates, were jointly tried before a jury and found guilty of murder. Defendant was sentenced to a term of from 25 to 75 years. The facts in the instant case are sufficiently stated in our opinion in People v. Bates (1975), 25 Ill.App.3d 748, 324 N.E.2d 88.

In Bates the codefendant appealed, contending that: (1) the admission of the coerced testimony of the State’s key witness violated defendant Bates’ right to due process of law; and (2) the evidence produced by the State was insufficient-to support defendant Bates’…