People v. Lawrence

Defendant, Thomas Lawrence, was found guilty by a jury of aggravated criminal sexual assault (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1989, ch. 38, par. 12 — 14(a)(2) (now 720 ILCS 5/12 — 14(a)(2) (West 1992))) and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment. Defendant appeals, contending: (1) that the prosecutor’s closing argument, wherein he referred to defendant’s failure to call potential alibi witnesses, substantially prejudiced defendant and denied him a fair trial; (2) that the prosecutor’s post-trial reference to a polygraph test prejudiced the trial court’s consideration of defendant’s post-trial motions; and (3)…