People v. Scott

A jury found defendant Francis Scott guilty of escape, and he was sentenced to an extended term of 12 years in custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections. Defendant appeals and raises as issues whether (1) the circuit court improperly precluded him from raising the affirmative defense of necessity; (2) the introduction of and reference to evidence of other crimes denied him a fair trial; (3) certain prosecutorial comments made during closing argument were improper; (4) he was denied effective assistance of counsel; and, alternatively, (5) his sentence was improper.

In June of 1980,…