People v. Russell

A jury found defendant, Robert Charles Russell, guilty of aggravated criminal sexual assault (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 38, par. 12—14), and he was sentenced to a term of eight years’ imprisonment. On appeal, defendant makes claims of evidentiary and procedural error at both his trial and the sentencing hearing and also contends that he was not proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. We reverse and remand for a new trial.

Defendant was charged with knowingly committing an act of sexual penetration of complainant by the use of force and that in so doing he displayed a dangerous weapon. At…