Defendant was convicted of criminal sexual assault of a child and sexual exploitation of a child and was sentenced to consecutive prison terms of 15 years and four years. Defendant appealed, arguing that he was denied a fair trial because of the improper admission of other criminal conduct or bad acts, that he was denied a fair trial as a result of testimony vouching for the credibility of the victim, and that he was prejudiced by the State’s improper comments during closing argument. The appellate court affirmed, finding that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in the admission of evidence and that the prosecutor’s statements during closing argument were proper comments on the credibility of a witness. (DeARMOND and ZENOFF, concurring)
Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Evidence