People v. Smith

Mr. PRESIDING JUSTICE STAMOS

delivered the opinion of the court;

Defendant, Eddie Smith, was charged by indictment with the offenses of murder and arson in violation of sections 9—1 and 20—1 of the Criminal Code of 1961 (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1973, ch. 38, pars. 9—1 and 20—1). The charges were brought in connection with a fire that erupted shortly before 1 a.m. on June 30, 1974 in a second floor apartment located at 1509 South St. Louis Street in Chicago, Illinois, and which resulted in damage to the building and the death of a tenant, Rose McCloud. Upon a jury trial defendant was found to be guilty…