People v. Norwood

A jury found defendant Kelvin Norwood guilty of aggravated arson and first degree murder committed in an exceptionally brutal or heinous manner indicative of wanton cruelty. The trial court sentenced him to an extended term of 100 years for first degree murder and a consecutive term of 20 years for aggravated arson. On appeal, defendant argues that (1) the trial court improperly admitted evidence of defendant’s other crimes and bad acts; (2) the State minimized its burden of proof during closing argument; and (3) the trial court improperly denied defendant’s motion to waive a jury…