People v. Starnes

Mr. PRESIDING JUSTICE SEIDENFELD

delivered the opinion of the court:

The defendant, James Starnes, was convicted of the murder of his wife after a jury trial. He was sentenced to 25 to 50 years. On appeal he contends (1) that the court erred in admitting two oral statements alleged to have been made by him; (2) that certain other evidence was improperly admitted; (3) that he was proved guilty only of voluntary manslaughter; and (4) that his sentence is excessive.

Ruth Wiley was shot and killed on June 9, 1970, in the living room of her Rockford home. Her nine-year-old daughter, Brenda Wiley, was…