People v. Murff

Defendant appeals his jury conviction of aggravated criminal sexual assault (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, par. 12—14), raising as issues whether (1) the State used its peremptory challenges to systematically exclude jurors based on race, (2) the circuit court improperly admitted prejudicial evidence, and (3) defendant was proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. We affirm, for reasons which follow.

At trial, I.A. testified that at around 11 p.m. on August 10, 1987, while walking home alone, she saw defendant, whom she had known for several years. Defendant offered to share his bottle of wine,…