People v. Harwell

Mr. PRESIDING JUSTICE STAMOS

delivered the opinion of the court:

After a bench trial defendant was convicted of battery.¹ The State’s evidence consisted of the testimony of complainant and two police officers. The evidence for the defense consisted of the testimony of defendant and a corroborating witness. After the finding of guilty defendant was released on probation for one year.

Defendant’s privately retained counsel filed a notice of appeal and now seeks to withdraw. In support of his motion counsel has filed a supporting brief pursuant to Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, and states that from a review of the record the only basis for an appeal would be whether defendant was proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Since the credibility of witnesses is an issue of fact to be determined by the trial court and findings of fact will not be set aside on appeal unless palpably contrary to the manifest weight of the evidence, defendant’s counsel has concluded that an appeal of this case would be frivolous and without merit.

After notification of his attorney’s opinion regarding the merit of an appeal, defendant indicated that he would seek other counsel. Defendant was also sent a letter by this court notifying him of the motion and giving him an opportunity to file any points he might choose in support of his appeal. Although his original counsel has obtained two extensions of time for filing a brief on appeal no response has been received from defendant or other counsel he may have retained.

We. have completely examined the record and conclude that there is no merit to this appeal. The motion of counsel to withdraw is allowed and the judgment is affirmed.

This opinion is filed in conformance with Supreme Court Rule 23. Ill. Rev. Stat., ch. 110A, par. 23, adopted, effective January 31, 1972.

Judgment affirmed.

SCHWARTZ and LEIGHTON, JJ., concur.

1 Ill. Rev. Stat. 1969, ch. 38, par. 12 — 3.