People v. Sims

Following a jury trial, defendant was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to 50 years’ imprisonment. Defendant raises the following contentions on appeal: (1) he cannot obtain meaningful appellate review of his conviction and sentence where, through no fault of his own, the record on appeal is incomplete; (2) he has been denied his right to a speedy appeal; (3) the State made improper prejudicial remarks in closing argument; (4) the trial court relied on an improper factor in aggravation when it referred to the offense as “gang-related” and as an “execution”; and (5) the trial…