Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Severance
Defendant was convicted of unlawful delivery of less than one gram of heroin, and attempted unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. Defendant was arrested after delivering heroin to undercover officer in exchange for a firearm and ammunition. Proximity in time and location, identity of evidence linking offenses, and common method in offenses rendered severance of charges inappropriate. Counsel's decision to refuse stipulation to Defendant's felon status, and decision not to seek stipulation and modification of pattern instruction for IPI 18.07 were matters of trial strategy. (McLAREN and BIRKETT, concurring.)