People v. Norwood

Defendant was convicted, after bench trial, of 2 counts of armed violence. Police were executing a search warrant on Defendant's home. A defendant must be personally armed or have immediate access to or timely control over a weapon to be proven guilty of offense of armed violence. State established beyond a reasonable doubt that rifle was immediately accessible to Defendant during the period between officers entering the home and opening the bedroom door. (KNECHT and DeARMOND, concurring.)