People v. Bellamy

Defendant, Victor Bellamy, was charged with a burglary allegedly committed on 8 June 1954. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1953, ch. 38, sec. 84.) The indictment also charged that he had been previously convicted of burglary, which brought him within the Habitual Criminal Act. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1953, ch. 38, sec. 602.) He was found guüty by a jury and judgment was entered on the verdict and defendant sentenced to the Illinois State Penitentiary “for the term of life”, as required by section 602.

On this late appeal (the facts with respect to which appear in the latter half of this opinion), defendant argues:…