People v. Sawyer

The defendant, Terrance Sawyer, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the stabbing of Garry D. Kennedy. On appeal, the defendant challenges both his conviction and his sentence.

The defendant was visiting Belinda Stevens in Macomb on September 20, 1983. Belinda was the mother of the defendant’s child. At approximately 10 p.m., the victim Kennedy came to Belinda’s residence. Stevens had also been dating Kennedy. The defendant, Belinda and Kennedy were each, at various times, students at Western Illinois University. After entering the house with Belinda’s permission, Kennedy asked Belinda…