People v. Reyna

The defendant, Freddy Reyna, was tried in absentia. Following a joint jury trial he was convicted of robbery (720 ILCS 5/18 — 1 (West 1994)) and aggravated battery (720 ILCS 5/12 — 4(b)(8) (West 1994)). He was sentenced in absentia to 28 years’ imprisonment.

The defendant appeals, arguing: (1) he is entitled to a new trial because his failure to appear at his original trial was not willful; (2) that prosecutorial misconduct denied him a fair trial; (3) that the trial court improperly considered victim impact statements prepared by the victim’s parents; and (4) his sentence was excessive and…