People v. Williams

In the circuit court of Macon County, a-jury found defendant Paul B. Williams guilty of first degree murder. 720 ILCS 5/9- — 1(a)(1) (West 1994). The trial court sentenced defendant to natural life imprisonment. On appeal, the issues are whether (1) the trial court committed an abuse of discretion in admitting evidence of defendant’s prior convictions, (2) defense trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance of counsel by offering evidence of defendant’s past convictions, (3) the trial court committed an abuse of discretion by allowing the State to cross-examine defendant about prior…