People v. Crane

Following a February 1997 trial, a jury found defendant, David Crane, guilty of murder. It had been alleged that defendant “beat and burned” the victim, Robert Gahan, knowing that such acts created a strong probability of Gahan’s death. See Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, par. 9 — 1(a)(2) (now 720 ILCS 5/9 — 1(a)(2) (West 1996)). Defendant appeals his conviction, contending (a) that the State failed to prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, (b) that the State should have been barred from presenting certain evidence at trial, (c) that double jeopardy prohibited the State from pursuing a…