People v. Russell

The defendant was arrested and charged with burglary. He waived his right to a jury, was tried by the court, found guilty and sentenced to serve a term of two to five years. Preceding defendant’s trial, two co-defendants, Robert Lewis and David Smith, were tried and convicted of the same crime. The conviction of Lewis was reversed in People v. Lewis, 97 Ill.App.2d 255, on the ground of reasonable doubt. The facts follow.

On January 9, 1966, Chicago Police Officer James Meli was directed to investigate a truck parked at the side of the building at 2142 West 79th Street, the address of Marcella,…