People v. Sandifer

Defendant was convicted, after jury trial, of murder, but acquitted him of charges of sexual assault of the victim. It was not improper for State, during closing argument, to remind jury that even though victim was a drug addict, she was a human being and her murder called for justice. Evidence against Defendant was overwhelming such that outcome of trial would not have been different absent State's remarks. Court properly allowed introduction of Defendant's partially redacted videotaped interview with police. Even though interviewing officer repeatedly stated that Defendant's DNA was on file in DNA database, officer did not state that it was on file because of prior criminal conviction. (ELLIS and McBRIDE, concurring.)