People v. Weathers

A jury in the circuit court of Cook County found the defendant, Carl Weathers, guilty of armed robbery, and he was sentenced to imprisonment for not less than three nor more than nine years. The appellate court affirmed (23 Ill. App. 3d 907), and we granted leave to appeal.

The only issue in this court is whether the many grossly improper statements made to the jury by the Assistant State’s Attorney in his rebuttal argument so impaired the fairness of the trial that the. conviction must be reversed. A full statement of the evidence before the jury is essential for determination of this issue.

Th…