People v. Eason

357 N.E.2d 1191, 44 Ill. App. 3d 308, 2 Ill. Dec. 748, 1976 Ill. App. LEXIS 3485
CourtAppellate Court of Illinois
DecidedDecember 16, 1976
Docket75-267
StatusPublished
Cited by13 cases

This text of 357 N.E.2d 1191 (People v. Eason) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Appellate Court of Illinois primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
People v. Eason, 357 N.E.2d 1191, 44 Ill. App. 3d 308, 2 Ill. Dec. 748, 1976 Ill. App. LEXIS 3485 (Ill. Ct. App. 1976).

Opinion

Mr. PRESIDING JUSTICE GUILD

delivered the opinion of the court:

A Winnebago County jury found Lonnie Gale Eason guilty of a single count of armed robbery, and the court sentenced him to serve not less than five, nor more than 20 years in the penitentiary. He appeals from that conviction contending (1) that he was denied his right to a speedy trial, (2) that in light of his alibi testimony, the State’s identification evidence was insufficient to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and (3) that the trial court erred in failing to suppress certain statements made by the defendant during a post-arrest custodial interrogation. We find none of these arguments persuasive, and affirm the judgment entered by the lower court.

Between 12:30 and 12:40 p.m. on September 19, 1974, three men entered the offices of the Rockford Mercantile Exchange and ordered the six female employees into a back room where their hands were tied and they were forced to lie down on the floor. At least one of the men was carrying a handgun, and after emptying the cash drawer, the safe, and the employees’ purses, the three men left, instructing the women not to move or call the police for at least 20 minutes. At approximately 12:45 p.m. on the same afternoon, Jack Lunnon, whose offices were in the same building, boarded an elevator with three men who had just come from the offices of the Rockford Mercantile Exchange. He rode to the first floor with these men and watched as they disappeared into a nearby alley.

On October 11, 1974, the defendant was arrested and taken to the police station where he voluntarily participated in a lineup and was identified as one of the robbers by Mr. Lunnon and two of the employees. He was charged with armed robbery and brought to trial before a jury on March 24, 1975. At trial, three witnesses positively identified the defendant as one of the robbers. The defendant, however, denied any involvement in the crime and testified that at the time of the robbery he was at his mother’s beauty salon having his hair shampooed and set. This alibi was corroborated by his mother and sister who both testified on his behalf, as well as by a Mrs. Vaughn. Despite this alibi testimony, the jury found the defendant guilty as charged.

The defendant first contends on appeal that he was denied the speedy trial guaranteed under Illinois law by the Fourth Term Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1973, ch. 38, par. 103—5). Under that Act, unless he occasions a delay, a defendant in custody must either be tried within 120 days of his arrest, or be released without further prosecution. It is undisputed that the defendant’s trial on March 24, 1975, was more than 120 days after his arrest on October 11, 1974. On February 14, 1975, the 126th day, the defendant moved for dismissal under the Fourth Term Act, and his-motion was denied.

The only issue in dispute is whether or not a continuance granted on January 15, 1975, is one chargeable to the defendant and therefore one which tolls the running of the 120-day period. On January 15, 1975, the 96th day after the defendant’s arrest, the defendant’s appointed counsel petitioned the court for leave to withdraw. At that time he informed the judge that “I have discussed with Mr. Eason the problems I have in being able to fairly represent the interest of both of my clients. It is an impossible situation, and there is no way I feel I can continue to represent Mr. Eason.” The judge then asked the defendant if he had any objection to defense counsel withdrawing from the case and the defendant responded: “Will whoever you-appoint be given the time to be familiar with my case? The 27th [date set for trial] is only a couple weeks away.” The judge assured the defendant that his new counsel would be given adequate time to prepare and the motion was continued one week so that a new attorney could be appointed at the time of the first attorney’s withdrawal.

At defendant’s hearing on his motion for dismissal, the trial judge cited this January 15 motion to withdraw as one chargeable to the defendant and, accordingly, he denied the motion.

Under Illinois law it is clear that a delay occasioned by the withdrawal of counsel, to which the defendant agrees or acquiesces, may be chargeable to the defendant and toll the running of the 120-day period. People v. Ford (1975), 34 Ill. App. 3d 79, 82-83, 339 N.E.2d 293, 296-97; People v. Thomas (1975), 25 Ill. App. 3d 88, 90, 322 N.E.2d 597, 599; People v. Behning (1970), 130 Ill. App. 2d 536, 540, 263 N.E.2d 607, 610; People v. Jenkins (1968), 101 Ill. App. 2d 414, 418, 243 N.E.2d 259, 262.

A similar situation arose in People v. Johnson (1970), 45 Ill. 2d 38, 41-42, 257 N.E.2d 3, 6, where our Supreme Court stated:

9 # after defendant’s private counsel withdrew he had no attorney and he was not ready for trial. He mentioned a preference for a bar association attorney, but he did not object nor remonstrate in any way when the court appointed the Public Defender who was already familiar with the pending indictments. It is not error for a court on its own motion to appoint an attorney for one accused with a crime unless it is done over his objection and some exception is taken to the court’s action at the time. (People v. Ephraim, 411 Ill. 118.) Nor did defendant object to the continuance which was granted on his behalf and which he would have needed whether a bar association attorney or the Public Defender had been appointed. It was not until August 14, after the running of the four-month period, that defendant for the first time made any disclaimer as to the continuance granted for his benefit on July 22. We hold that defendant both accepted the appointment of the Public Defender at the time it was made and also consented to and acquiesced in the request of his said attorney for a continuance.”

In the instant case the delay caused by the withdrawal of counsel and the subsequent appointment of new counsel, with the knowledge and acquiescence of the defendant, constitutes a delay chargeable to the defendant, and the trial court properly tolled the running of the 120-day period at the time the motion for withdrawal was made.

The defendant next contends that in light of his alibi testimony the evidence was insufficient to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The defendant was positively identified at trial by two eyewitnesses to the robbery and one witness who observed the robbers leave the office and ride the elevator to the first floor. All three had an opportunity to observe the defendant at close range under well-lighted conditions. The defendant argues, however, that because he produced alibi testimony the State has not met its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Illinois courts have consistently held that a positive identification by a single witness with ample opportunity to observe is sufficient to support a conviction. People v. Williams (1975), 60 Ill. 2d 1, 12, 322 N.E.2d 819, 825; People v. Clarke (1971), 50 Ill.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
357 N.E.2d 1191, 44 Ill. App. 3d 308, 2 Ill. Dec. 748, 1976 Ill. App. LEXIS 3485, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/people-v-eason-illappct-1976.