People v. Garland

James Garland was indicted on three counts of armed robbery and three counts of aggravated unlawful restraint. Codefendants Armele Scroggs and Henry Holmes were also indicted on the same charges. Following a jury trial, defendant was found guilty of two counts of armed robbery and sentenced to life imprisonment as a habitual criminal. A timely notice of appeal was filed.

In requesting that this court reverse his conviction, defendant makes three arguments: (1) the trial court improperly omitted a mental state from the jury instructions for armed robbery; (2) the Habitual Criminal Act (the Act)…