People v. Jones

PRESIDING JUSTICE REID

delivered the opinion of the court:

Following a jury trial, Melvin Jones was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to a term of 65 years in prison. This is the direct appeal from that conviction and sentence. On appeal he argues that the 25-year sentence enhancement should not have been applied to him because it was based on the murder victim’s death. He argues the sentence enhancement should only apply to an injury or death of a person other than the victim. Jones also argues the additional 25 years constitutes an improper double enhancement and is, therefore,…