People v. Ramos

PRESIDING JUSTICE TOOMIN

delivered the opinion of the court:

In this appeal, we determine whether the trial court’s impromptu comments to the jury served to encourage superficial deliberations, minimize the State’s burden of proof, or hasten the jury’s verdict. Alfredo Ramos was convicted of two counts of first degree murder and sentenced to a term of natural life in prison. On appeal, defendant contends the State’s closing argument as well as the trial judge’s comments to the jury denied him a fair trial. He does not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence or the sentence imposed. For the…