People v. Lewis

Defendant-appellant Rodney Lewis (Lewis) was found guilty of aggravated battery after a jury trial and sentenced to a nine-year term of imprisonment. On appeal, Lewis argues that (1) the prosecutor’s misstatements of law, references to his aliases and other improper remarks deprived him of a fair trial; and (2) the trial court abused its discretion when it imposed the nine-year sentence.

The events which led to the aggravated battery conviction occurred on July 17, 1985. Defendant testified that the victim, Humphrey, approached him and began arguing. Defendant withdrew from the encounter and…