People v. Fulton

386 N.E.2d 605, 68 Ill. App. 3d 915, 25 Ill. Dec. 334, 1979 Ill. App. LEXIS 2111
CourtAppellate Court of Illinois
DecidedFebruary 6, 1979
Docket77-1347
StatusPublished
Cited by30 cases

This text of 386 N.E.2d 605 (People v. Fulton) 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. Fulton, 386 N.E.2d 605, 68 Ill. App. 3d 915, 25 Ill. Dec. 334, 1979 Ill. App. LEXIS 2111 (Ill. Ct. App. 1979).

Opinion

Mr. JUSTICE PERLIN

delivered the opinion of the court:

Defendant was found guilty after a jury trial of murder, attempt murder, aggravated battery and armed robbery. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1975, ch. 38, pars. 9 — 1, 8 — 4, 12 — 4 and 18 — 2.) Defendant was sentenced to concurrent prison terms of 100 to 300 years for murder, 25 to 100 years for attempt murder, and 10 to 40 years for armed robbery. Defendant appeals presenting the following issues for review: (1) whether the trial court erred in denying defendant’s motion to quash his arrest and to suppress evidence; (2) whether the State was collaterally estopped from attempting to prove defendant’s guilt on the theory of accountability because in a civil forfeiture proceeding the State did not present sufficient evidence to prove defendant’s automobile had been used in commission of the offense; (3) whether the trial court erred in giving a jury instruction regarding accountability; (4) whether the trial court erred in giving a jury instruction regarding admissions; (5) whether the prosecution’s closing argument improperly referred to defendant’s failure to testify; and (6) whether defendant was proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of murder, armed robbery and attempt murder.

We affirm in part and reverse in part.

On March 19,1975, a robbery took place at 123 North Wacker Drive during which Bernard DiMeo was shot, and Thomas Dolce was shot and killed. Defendant, Larry Fulton, was arrested on April 17, 1975, and charged with murder, attempt murder, aggravated battery and armed robbery. Prior to trial defendant filed motions to quash his arrest, to suppress evidence, and to suppress a statement. The following testimony was adduced at the preliminary hearing on the motions.

Defendant testified that on April 17, 1975, at approximately 10:30 p.m., he was driving his 1968 green and black Cutlass in the area of 90th and Ellis in Chicago when two officers in plain clothes and driving an unmarked car stopped him. Defendant testified that he had pulled the car over and was about to get out and go to a friend’s house when the police shined a light on him, pulled up behind him and told him to get out of the car. Defendant had committed no traffic violations, and the officers did not have a warrant. The officers flashed a badge but did not identify themselves. They told defendant he was under arrest, handcuffed him and took him to the police station at 91st and Cottage Grove. Defendant was then transferred to the station at 51st and Wentworth where he was fingerprinted and placed in a lineup.

Officer Francis Kehoe testified that he and his partner, John Kennedy, were investigating a robbery and shooting which had occurred on March 19,1975, at the Gunthorp-Warren Corporation at 123 North Wacker Drive in Chicago. On April 16,1975, the officers were working in plain clothes, in an unmarked car, and had under surveillance a house at 8917 South Greenwood, which was the home of Donald Howard. The officers had information that Howard, an employee of Gunthorp-Warren, was seen talking to two of the suspects involved in the incident, that a green and black 1968 Cutlass was used as the getaway vehicle, that Howard had access to a 1968 Cutlass through his girl friend, and that the owner of the Cutlass was named Larry.

Officer Kehoe testified that at approximately 11 p.m. he and his partner observed a 1968 green and black Cutlass driving north about one block from Howard’s home. They followed the car for a few blocks and then the driver stopped the automobile and got out. The officers approached the driver, whom Officer Kehoe identified in court as defendant. They identified themselves and asked defendant’s name. Defendant replied and stated that he owned the car and was going to his girl friend’s house, but he would not say exactly where she lived. The officers told defendant they were investigating a murder in which a car matching that of defendant’s was used. Defendant denied any knowledge but agreed to accompany the officers to the police station. Officer Kehoe stated that they did not have their guns drawn, that he read defendant his rights and defendant stated that he understood and that defendant sat in the back seat of the squad car but was not handcuffed. When they arrived at Area Two Headquarters at 91st and Cottage Grove, they went to the interview room and Officer Kennedy again advised defendant of his rights, and defendant stated that he understood. Defendant first denied any involvement in the crime, but he then gave an oral statement. Defendant was transferred to Area One Headquarters where Officer Kennedy took a written statement from defendant in which defendant stated that he drove his car but did not know anything about the crime. Officer Kehoe testified that defendant was not charged with murder after he gave the statement, but rather defendant was considered as a witness. While at Area One the officers initiated a name check on defendant and learned that there was an outstanding bond forfeiture warrant on defendant. Defendant was then arrested and placed in a lineup. After the lineup, defendant was charged with murder.

Officer Kehoe testified that defendant was first approached on the street approximately 11 miles from the scene of the crime. The officers did not see any traffic violations, did not know who was in the car and were not looking specifically for defendant, and they did not have a license plate number or registration for the vehicle. Defendant’s car was left on the street and was later towed by police.

Officer Kennedy’s testimony was substantially the same as that of Officer Kehoe.

The court denied defendant’s motions to quash the arrest and to suppress evidence. The court held that given all the knowledge acquired during their investigation and given the description of the car and the proximity of the car to the address, the police acted reasonably in approaching defendant and making initial inquiries. The court found that a question existed as to when the arrest occurred but that probable cause for arrest did exist.

The following testimony was adduced at trial: Bernard DiMeo testified that he was employed at Gunthor p-W arr en at 123 North Wacker Drive for approximately 23 years. On March 19,1975, he started work at noon. Shortly after noon he left the building and went to the Hartford Plaza Bank to cash some checks for his fellow employees. DiMeo was in the habit for the past two years of cashing paychecks for employees on pay day, which was Wednesday. As DiMeo left the building on March 19, 1975, he met Thomas Dolce, and Dolce accompanied him to the bank. DiMeo cashed the checks and put the money, approximately *5500 in coin and currency, in a blue envelope. DiMeo and Dolce went back to 123 Wacker, got on an elevator and went to the second floor. As DiMeo stepped off the elevator a person, whom he identified in court as defendant, confronted him with a small pistol, put his hand on DiMeo’s chest and said, “I’ll take that.” Defendant grabbed the envelope, and as he did, DiMeo’s right arm came up and hit defendant’s hand which held the gun. DiMeo testified that defendant then started firing the gun and wounded DiMeo’s right forearm. At this time Dolce, who was in the hallway, stated, “What’s happening?” and defendant turned and fired five shots at Dolce. DiMeo then “ducked,” and he heard footsteps going down the stairs.

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Bluebook (online)
386 N.E.2d 605, 68 Ill. App. 3d 915, 25 Ill. Dec. 334, 1979 Ill. App. LEXIS 2111, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/people-v-fulton-illappct-1979.