People v. Edgecombe

Following a jury trial, defendant Xavier Edgecombe was convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to a six-year prison term. On appeal, defendant contends that he was denied a fair trial because the State engaged in improper argument and the trial court improperly admitted hearsay evidence of flight. We reverse and remand for a new trial.

Briefly stated, the State’s evidence established that DeShon Thompson was the victim of an armed robbery at approximately 1 a.m. on January 15, 1998, near the intersection of Thorn and Hickory Streets in Chicago Heights. Three individuals, including defendant,…