People v. Lewis

Defendant was convicted, after jury trial, of first degree murder, and sentenced to 60 years. Defendant did not raise issue of self-defense at trial and State was not obliged to disprove that affirmative defense. Trial court properly refused self-defense instructions based on insufficient evidence. Court did not err in allowing State to introduce evidence and present argument that Defendant was hiding from the police. A jury could validly infer from evidence that Defendant knew he was a suspect and that he consciously avoided the police. Court conducted a Krankel inquiry, permitting Defendant opportunity to present each point raised in his pro se motion claiming ineffective assistance of counsel, followed by brief discussion between court and defense counsel as to conduct, and concluding with court's observation of defense counsel's performance at trial. Court's finding of no ineffectiveness of counsel was not manifestly erroneous. (PALMER and McBRIDE, concurring.)