People v. Sanchez

Defendant was charged by indictment with the murder of Justina Rivera in violation of sections 9 — 1(a)(1) and 9 — 1(a)(2) of the Criminal Code of 1961 (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1979, ch. 38, pars. 9 — 1(a)(1) and9 — 1(a)(2)), and with armed violence in violation of section 33A — 2 (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1979, ch. 38, par. 33A — 2). Following a bench trial, defendant was found guilty of murder and was sentenced to serve 20 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. On appeal, he contends that: (1) the court improperly admitted hearsay evidence; (2) the testimony of an eight-year-old witness was…