People v. Ranola

A jury in the circuit court of Cook Comity convicted defendant of aggravated battery (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch. 38, par. 12 — 4(a)), and he was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment. In this appeal from that judgment, defendant contends that his conviction should be reversed because the State did not disprove that he was acting in self-defense when he struck the victim.

The incident giving rise to the charges against defendant occurred on March 13, 1984, in the Gemstone Jewelry Store located in the lower level arcade at 444 West Fullerton in Chicago. On that date the store was owned and…