Illinois Appellate Court

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE, ATTORNEYS -After a fatal car accident, the widowgave her mother-in-lawkeys to her house in order tofeed her cats. The widow's brother-in-law thenused the keys to steal coins and an antique ring from the widow's house. At trial, thejudge urged the brother-in-law to avoid taking the stand, thus violatinghisattorney-client relationship. People v. Peden

At the beginning of the trial, defendant agreed with counsel's strategy that defendant should testify that he had entered the widow's home without any intention to commit theft. But after the trial court's repeated discussions with defense counsel, and warnings of the ramifications of defendant's potential testimony, defendant changed his mind. Reversed.

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