People v. Shorty

Via indictment, the State charged defendant, Lloyd Shorty, with unlawful possession of heroin and possession with intent to deliver heroin in violation of sections 402(c) and 401(c)(1) of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. 720 ILCS 570/401(c)(l), 402(c) (West 2006). A jury found defendant guilty of both charges and the circuit court of Peoria County sentenced him to 19 years’ incarceration. Defendant appeals, claiming he was denied a fair trial by the introduction of improper hearsay evidence and the trial court’s failure to properly ask the potential jurors if they understood and…