People v. Lemons

Defendant, Terrance Lemons, was tried jointly with three codefendants in a jury trial in the circuit court of Cook County. Following trial, defendant was convicted of first degree murder (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, par. 9(a)(1)) and sentenced to a 50-year prison term. On appeal, defendant contends that (1) he was denied the right to confront his accuser and present evidence creating a reasonable doubt of guilt; (2) he should have been tried separately from his codefendants; (3) the prosecutor improperly shifted the burden of proof during closing arguments; (4) he was improperly precluded…