People v. Hall

Defendant Norman Hall was charged by indictment with murder (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch. 38, pars. 9 — 1(a)(1), (2)) and armed violence (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch. 38, par. 33A — 2). After a bench trial he was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch. 38, par. 9 — 2(a)(1)). He was sentenced to 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Defendant appeals and raises the following contentions: (1) the trial court denied defendant a fair trial where it deliberately rejected competent evidence of his good reputation for peacefulness and allowed the prosecution, over…