People v. Chandler

Defendant, Brian Chandler, pleaded guilty to arson (720 ILCS 5/20—1(a) (West 1998)) and aggravated battery (720 ILCS 5/12—4(a) (West 1998)). The court sentenced him to consecutive six- and three-year terms of imprisonment. Defendant appeals, contending that the court abused its discretion by (1) imposing a six-year sentence for arson and (2) making the sentences consecutive. In a supplemental brief, defendant argues that the consecutive sentences were improper under Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 147 L. Ed. 2d 435, 120 S. Ct. 2348 (2000).

Defendant pleaded guilty to a series of offenses…