People v. Bates

This is an appeal from an order granting the State’s motion to dismiss defendant’s amended petition under the Post-Conviction Hearing Act (Act) (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, par. 122 — 1 et seq.).

After a jury trial in May 1979, defendant was found guilty of the offenses of attempt (murder), armed robbery, and aggravated battery. He was thereafter sentenced to consecutive terms of 30 years’ imprisonment for attempt (murder) and 15 years’ imprisonment for armed robbery.

In his direct appeal, defendant questioned the propriety of the prosecutor’s closing argument and the cross-examination of…