The People v. Taylor

The defendant, John Lee Taylor, was tried by jury in the circuit court of Champaign County and convicted of the crimes of rape and burglary. He was sentenced to the penitentiary on the rape charge for a term of 25 to 50 years and on the burglary charge for a term of 15 to 40 years, the sentences to be served concurrently. We have jurisdiction on direct appeal because of constitutional claims advanced by the defendant.

Before discussing these claims, we shall consider the defendant’s argument that the evidence was insufficient to establish his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The victim of the…