People v. Simmons

Following a jury trial defendant was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and armed violence (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1979, ch. 38, pars. 9 — 3 and 33A — 2). He was sentenced to concurrent terms of 5 years and 12 years respectively. On appeal, in his initial brief it is argued that: (1) defendant was denied a fair trial by the State’s improper prejudicial statements in closing arguments; (2) the trial court improperly limited defense counsel’s cross-examination of defendant’s wife; (3) defendant was improperly sentenced for both involuntary manslaughter and armed violence based upon the conviction…