People v. Jura

Defendant was convicted of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon after a jury trial and sentenced to eight years in prison. On appeal defendant contends that because the jury heard hearsay testimony from three police officers, which was relied upon by the State in opening statement and closing argument, he was denied a fair trial. He also argues he was denied a fair trial because the trial court failed to properly instruct the jury, allowing the jury unlimited use of evidence of his prior conviction. Finally, defendant argues his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the…