People v. Tackett

The defendant, James M. Tackett, was charged with attempted rape and with burglary with the intent to rape, in violation of sections 8 — 4(a) and 19 — 1(a) of the Illinois Criminal Code of 1961 (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1977, ch. 38, pars. 8 — 4(a) and 19 — 1(a)), respectively. He was found not guilty of the attempt and guilty of burglary in a bench trial in the circuit court of Saline County. He appeals his conviction on the sole ground that the requisite intent to commit rape was not shown beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. A review of the evidence is essential to a resolution of this issue.

The…