People v. Nelson

PRESIDING JUSTICE LaPORTA

delivered the opinion of the court:

Following a bench trial the defendant, James Nelson, was convicted of murder (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, par. 9—1(a)(1)) and sentenced to natural life imprisonment. On appeal he contends (1) that the trial court erred in finding that his conduct was exceptionally brutal or heinous as defined under section 5—8—1 of the Unified Code of Corrections (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, par. 1005—8—1(a)(1)(b)); (2) that the trial court abused its discretion in sentencing him to natural life imprisonment; and (3) that he was denied his right…