People v. Brown

After a bench trial the defendant, James Brown, was convicted of attempted murder, aggravated battery and aggravated battery of a child. The convictions were based on acts committed by the defendant against Natasha Gibbs (Natasha) beginning in November 1984 and continuing through January 1985. The judge merged the aggravated battery convictions with the attempted murder conviction and, after finding the defendant eligible for an extended-term sentence, sentenced the defendant to 60 years’ imprisonment and to three years’ mandatory supervised release.

The defendant first contends that the…