People v. Gray

Following a jury trial, defendant, Jessie Gray, was convicted of aggravated robbery (720 ILCS 5/18 — 5(a) (West 2002)). He was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment. He appeals, arguing that the trial court erred in answering the jury’s request for clarification of a phrase in the issues instruction for aggravated robbery (Illinois Pattern Jury Instructions, Criminal, No. 14.20 (4th ed. 2000)). We determine that the court properly answered the jury’s request, and thus we affirm.

We begin by presenting the evidence that is relevant to the issues on appeal. On April 30, 2002, about 8 p.m., Joseph…