People v. Shinkle

Defendant Stephen Shinkle was convicted of one count of arson of personal property, one count of arson of real property (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 38, par. 20 — 1(a)), and one count of conspiracy (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 38, par. 8 — 2) to commit arson after a jury trial in the circuit court of Cook County. The trial court sentenced him to 48 months’ probation, 1,600 hours of public service and a $5,000 fine, which it stayed for two years.

On appeal, he contends: (1) the admission of a police officer’s testimony of a conversation between defendant and his coconspirator violated the Illinois…