The PEOPLE v. Coleman

Defendant James Coleman and a co-defendant, Ronald Hiller, were arrested on March 29, 1969, and charged with aggravated battery in connection with a shooting the previous day. On March 31, 1969, the defendants appeared before the circuit court of Cook County, and accepted the appointment of the Public Defender. Following a conference between defendants and their counsel, the State amended each complaint to charge aggravated battery as a misdemeanor, thereby eliminating the possibility of a penitentiary sentence. (People v. Novotny, 41 Ill.2d 401.) This was of particular significance as to…