People v. Lucas Modified Upon Denial of Rehearing - replaces opinion filed 3/26/03

THIRD DIVISION

July 16, 2003

No. 1-99-2623

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, ) Appeal from the) Circuit Court of

Plaintiff-Appellee, ) Cook County.)

v. ))

DONALD LUCAS, ) Honorable) Stuart E. Palmer,

Defendant-Appellant. ) Judge Presiding.

Modified Upon Denial of Rehearing

Once again we are called on to determine the authority of a trial judge to impose lengthy prison sentences. (footnote: 1)

The defendant, Donald Lucas, was charged with committing a vicious sexual assault on a female victim. There was a bench trial. The judge found the defendant guilty of attempted first degree murder, aggravated…