People v. Varnado

Defendant, Eugene Varnado, in a bench trial was found guilty of the murder of Hazel Durham and was sentenced to serve from 25 to 50 years in the Illinois State Penitentiary. Defendant appeals.

The issues presented for review are (1) whether the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that defendant was sane at the time of the commission of the offense and (2) whether the trial court’s decision to exclude evidence contained in a letter written by defendant to his mother was an abuse of discretion.

We affirm.

The following facts were adduced by stipulation: In early September 1972 the victim, Hazel…