People v. Pearson

William Pearson, defendant, appeals his conviction for murder, three counts of armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, unlawful use of weapons, and armed violence.1 Defendant was sentenced to concurrent terms of imprisonment of 40 years for murder, 20 years for each armed robbery, 10 years for attempted armed robbery, and 5 years for unlawful use of weapons. No sentence was imposed on the armed violence conviction.

Defendant, along with a number of other persons, was drinking and gambling at an “after hours” bar located on South Loomis in Chicago. He announced a hold-up, brandished a sawed-off…