People v. Gavin

Defendant was found guilty of first-degree murder and armed robbery and sentenced to 85 years. Defendant appealed the sentence and the trial court’s evidentiary rulings, including that the trial court committed reversible error when it allowed the jury to receive testimony regarding defendant’s refusal to provide a DNA sample, when it precluded the jury from receiving testimony from a defense witness, and when it allowed the jury to view defendant’s “booking photo” during closing argument. The appellate court affirmed, finding that the defendant did not establish that the trial court’s decisions regarding the evidence presented at trial or the sentence imposed were reversible error. (TURNER and BRIDGES, concurring)