People v. Crawford

(Perlin, P. J., Stamos, J., Downing, J., and Hartman, J-):

On our own motion we have consolidated these cases because they present a common issue concerning whether a conviction for armed violence is appropriate when the crime which forms the basis for such offense is punishable to the same extent as armed violence. In cause No. 79-1827, the defendant Ronald Crawford was convicted of armed robbery and armed violence after a bench trial. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1977, ch. 38, pars. 18 — 2(a) and 33A — 2.) He was sentenced to concurrent terms of 8 years each. In cause No. 79-2161, the defendant Link…