People v. Lucas

Once again we are called on to determine the authority of a trial judge to impose lengthy prison sentences.

The defendant, Donald Lucas, was charged with committing a vicious sexual assault on a female victim. There was a bench trial. The judge found the defendant guilty of attempted first degree murder, aggravated criminal sexual assault, and aggravated kidnapping. The trial court, using extended-term and consecutive-sentence statutes, sentenced the defendant to a total of 120 years.

On appeal, the defendant relies on Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 147 L. Ed. 2d 435, 120 S. Ct. 2348…