People v. Lawler

Defendant was charged with one count of aggravated criminal sexual assault. (III. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, par. 12 — 14(b)(1).) The defendant was 25 years old at the time of the incident and the victim was 12 years old. After a jury trial, the defendant was convicted and sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment. Defendant appeals, alleging the trial judge abused his discretion in finding the complaining witness competent to testify. Defendant also appeals the trial court’s order assessing costs of a transcript on appeal against his bond proceeds.

The complaining witness, D.Y., was a mildly mentally…