People v. Shlimon

Following a jury trial, defendant, John Shlimon, was found guilty of murder and was sentenced to a 50-year term of imprisonment. Defendant appeals, contending that: (1) he was not proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt; (2) the State’s repeated references to gang membership, symbols and signs were unduly prejudicial to defendant; (3) the State’s closing argument emphasizing defendant’s gang membership pandered to the jury’s fear of gangs; (4) defendant was denied effective assistance of counsel; (5) the trial court improperly considered at sentencing defendant’s involvement in a gang-related…