People v. McKay

Following a jury trial, defendant Alfred McKay, a/k/a Howard Beecham, 1 was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to 50 years’ imprisonment. Defendant appeals his conviction and sentence, contending that the trial court (1) erred in admitting evidence of defendant’s prior conviction for aggravated battery; (2) erred in admitting into evidence a life photograph of the victim; (3) erred in permitting improper comments by the State during closing argument; and (4) abused its discretion in sentencing defendant to 50 years’ imprisonment. For the reasons stated below, we affirm.

At trial,…