People v. Parsons

The defendant, John Parsons, was charged by indictment with aggravated arson for allegedly setting off an explosive device in the bathroom of a Chicago bar in violation of section 20 — 1.1(a) of the Illinois Criminal Code of 1961 (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1989, ch. 38, par. 20— 1.1(a) (now 720 ILCS 5/20 — 1.1(a) (West 1994))). After a jury trial, the defendant was found guilty of aggravated arson and was sentenced to a term of 15 years’ imprisonment. The defendant filed motions to reduce his sentence and for a new trial, which the trial court denied. The defendant appeals his conviction based on the…