People v. Allen

In February 2000, the State charged defendant, Mark S. Allen, with aggravated unlawful restraint (720 ILCS 5/10 — 3.1(a) (West 2000)) and aggravated kidnaping (720 ILCS 5/10 — 2(a)(5) (West 2000)). After a July 2000 trial, the jury found defendant guilty of both charges. At a joint hearing in September 2001, the trial court denied defendant’s posttrial motion and sentenced him as a habitual criminal under section 33B — 1 of the Criminal Code of 1961 (Code) (720 ILCS 5/33B — 1 (West 2000)) on the aggravated kidnaping conviction to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Defendant…