The PEOPLE v. Lexow

The defendant, Elmer Lexow, was tried in the criminal court of Cook County and found guilty of the crime of assault with intent to commit robbery. After judgment had been entered on the jury’s verdict, the State filed a statement under the Habitual Criminal Act. The former conviction of the defendant was stipulated and the court sentenced defendant to the penitentiary for a term of not less than five nor more than twenty years.

The defendant first contends that the trial judge improperly restricted defendant’s counsel during the examination of prospective jurors. Counsel stated for the record…