People v. McCullough

Defendant was convicted, after bench trial in 2012, of of 1957 kidnapping and murder of seven-year-old girl, when Defendant was age 18. Exclusion of FBI reports did not violate Defendant's right to present a defense, as rule of evidence prohibiting their admission is not arbitrary, and reports do not tend to exonerate Defendant. Court properly excluded testimony of witness that facts of a 1951 Pennsylvania murder "closely matched" this case, as only speculation linked the two cases. Harmless error in admitting deathbed statement of Defendant's mother that "John did it", as other evidence was sufficient to allow rational trier of fact to find that elements of offenses had been proved beyond a reasonable doubt. Sentences for kidnaping and abduction vacated, as State did not adduce any proof that would toll 3-year limitations periods, and Defendant was sentenced to natural life for murder.(SCHOSTOK and BURKE, concurring.)