People v. McElroy

401 N.E.2d 1069, 81 Ill. App. 3d 1067, 36 Ill. Dec. 931, 1980 Ill. App. LEXIS 2484
CourtAppellate Court of Illinois
DecidedFebruary 11, 1980
Docket78-1243
StatusPublished
Cited by15 cases

This text of 401 N.E.2d 1069 (People v. McElroy) 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. McElroy, 401 N.E.2d 1069, 81 Ill. App. 3d 1067, 36 Ill. Dec. 931, 1980 Ill. App. LEXIS 2484 (Ill. Ct. App. 1980).

Opinion

Mr. JUSTICE O’CONNOR

delivered the opinion of the court:

Defendant, Adolphus McElroy, was charged by indictment with aggravated battery. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1973, ch. 38, par. 12 — 4.) Following a jury trial, defendant was found guilty and sentenced to three to nine years’ imprisonment. Defendant appeals his conviction and sentence, contending (1) that he was not proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt; (2) that he was not allowed to confront and cross-examine the victim concerning his alleged bias toward defendant; (3) that the State’s closing argument deprived him of a fair trial; and (4) that he is entitled to a new sentencing hearing because the trial court erroneously believed a prior misdemeanor conviction was a felony conviction.

We affirm.

Frank Allen, the victim, testified for the State. On August 2,1975, at about 10 p.m., he was standing on the porch of a Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) building watching a dice game. Allen saw defendant standing next to a hallway door about 10 or 15 feet away. Defendant pointed a gun toward Allen and shot him in the right shoulder. Allen charged defendant and began a scuffle, causing defendant to drop the gun. When defendant regained possession of the gun, Allen fled around the corner of the building. In the midst of his flight, Allen stumbled over a small boy. While Allen paused to pick up the child, he was shot by defendant again. The second shot grazed Allen’s back. He got up and ran again, this time to 35th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue, where he flagged down a patrol car. The police transported Allen to Michael Reese Hospital, where he received treatment.

Allen had known defendant for 10 to 15 years, but could identify him only as “Dolphus.”

On cross-examination, Allen testified that he had previously lived about one block from the scene of the shooting. While living in that neighborhood, he had attended Doolittle Grammar School. Allen had three brothers. Allen further testified that on June 12, 1972, one of his brothers was murdered. Luella Harris was charged with the murder. Allen did not know what relationship “Lou” Harris had with defendant and had never seen them in each other’s company. Allen knew another member of the Harris family nicknamed “Shine” but no longer associated with that family.

Allen explained that although he knew defendant from the neighborhood and Doolittle School, they did not associate with each other and were not friends. Allen further testified that after his brother was shot by Lou Harris, he had no particular feelings toward defendant. Allen stated that he never saw defendant in the company of Lou or Myron Harris. However, upon further questioning, Allen amended his answer stating that defendant, “Shine” and Myron Harris were “associates” and together on many occasions.

On further cross-examination, Allen related his whereabouts and activities on the day of the incident. Among his activities that day, Allen visited a friend named Glen. At Glen’s home Allen drank rum with about five other people. Immediately prior to the incident, Allen visited Janet Coleman, his girlfriend, and played with his daughter. He then returned downstairs where he witnessed the dice game, was confronted by defendant and a companion called “Erdie.” According to Allen, defendant said “I got you, fool nigger” and fired a gun.

Allen denied ever fighting with defendant between the time his brother was shot and he was shot.

On redirect examination, Allen testified that he told the officers he flagged down that Adolphus shot him. He also stated that while he was outside of Glen’s home he had a fight with Adolphus. The fight lasted a few minutes and was broken up by a third person.

On re-cross-examination, Allen explained that he had testified that he never had an altercation with defendant because he thought defense counsel’s question pertained to the time before his brother was killed.

Earl Townsend testified for the State that on August 2,1975, he was present with about 15 other people at a dice game in front of a CHA building. Townsend heard a shot and saw Allen and defendant scuffling in the doorway. Allen knocked the gun to the ground and ran when defendant picked it up. Townsend saw Allen stumble over a small child and pick the child up. At this point, there was another shot. Defendant was holding the weapon.

On cross-examination, Townsend described his relationship with Allen as friendly. Townsend testified that he never told any police officer or law enforcement official about the shooting. Townsend had not seen defendant since the shooting, but had seen Allen almost every day. Townsend did not discuss the shooting with Allen, other than to refuse Allen’s request that he be a witness.

The parties subsequently stipulated that Townsend testified pursuant to subpoena.

Officer Alan Davis of the Chicago police department testified that on December 19,1976, he was on duty with his partner in the vicinity of Mr. Ricky’s nightclub. Davis observed Allen, the defendant and a security guard engaged in a minor disturbance. Davis noticed that Allen and defendant were “getting loud” and investigated. According to Davis, Allen waved the officers over to the scene. Officer Davis apprehended defendant as he was walking away and subsequently placed him under arrest.

Officer Donald Watkins of the Chicago police department testified that on August 2, 1975, Allen ran up to his squad car “hollering and screaming and full of blood.” Allen told the officer he had been shot. During transportation to the hospital, Allen told Watkins that “Dawfus” had shot him. Allen did not know Dawfus’ last name or where he lived.

The defense rested without presenting any evidence. The defendant was found guilty of aggravated battery and appeals.

Defendant contends that he was not proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Specifically, he asserts that the testimony of the State’s witnesses was unconvincing, contrary to human experience and unworthy of belief. We disagree.

Allen was shot on August 2, 1975, and on December 19,1976, about 16 months later, defendant was arrested. During this 16-month period, no complaint or arrest warrant was lodged against defendant. Defendant asserts that Allen’s failure to direct the police to defendant, whom he had known for years, casts considerable doubt on his testimony.

However, Allen stated that he did not know defendant’s last name. Allen could identify defendant only as “Dolphus” and did not know where he lived. Officer Watkins corroborated this testimony.

Furthermore, Allen and Townsend were both eyewitnesses whose testimony about the incident was consistent. Both identified defendant as the shooter. The credible identification testimony of one witness is sufficient to support a finding of guilt. People v. Jones (1975), 60 Ill. 2d 300, 325 N.E.2d 601.

Finally, defendant points out some inconsistencies in the State’s case. In our view, these inconsistencies are minor in nature.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

People v. Averhart
724 N.E.2d 154 (Appellate Court of Illinois, 1999)
People v. Prevo
Appellate Court of Illinois, 1999
People v. Galvan
614 N.E.2d 391 (Appellate Court of Illinois, 1993)
People v. Boshears
592 N.E.2d 1187 (Appellate Court of Illinois, 1992)
People v. Williams
475 N.E.2d 1082 (Appellate Court of Illinois, 1985)
People v. Miller
457 N.E.2d 1373 (Appellate Court of Illinois, 1983)
People v. Visgar
457 N.E.2d 1343 (Appellate Court of Illinois, 1983)
People v. Baylor
443 N.E.2d 1137 (Appellate Court of Illinois, 1982)
People v. Speed
436 N.E.2d 712 (Appellate Court of Illinois, 1982)
People v. Olbrot
435 N.E.2d 1242 (Appellate Court of Illinois, 1982)
People v. Dixon
434 N.E.2d 369 (Appellate Court of Illinois, 1982)
People v. Smylie
431 N.E.2d 1130 (Appellate Court of Illinois, 1981)
People v. Bianchi
420 N.E.2d 1187 (Appellate Court of Illinois, 1981)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
401 N.E.2d 1069, 81 Ill. App. 3d 1067, 36 Ill. Dec. 931, 1980 Ill. App. LEXIS 2484, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/people-v-mcelroy-illappct-1980.