People v. Rivera

Following a jury trial in the circuit court of Winnebago County, defendant, Angel M. Rivera, was convicted of aggravated arson (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1989, ch. 38, par. 20 — 1.1(a)(1) (now 720 ILCS 5/20 — 1.1(a)(1) (West 1992))) and was sentenced to a 30-year term of imprisonment. On appeal defendant raises the following issues: (1) whether the trial court erred in refusing to give the jury a lesser included offense instruction on criminal damage to property; (2) whether improper remarks by the prosecutor during closing argument require a new trial; and (3) whether his sentence was excessive when…