People v. Cole

Mr. PRESIDING JUSTICE McNAMARA

delivered the opinion of the court:

Defendants, Melvin and Lucretia Cole, were charged with robbery and burglary. The jury found them guilty of both charges, and they each were sentenced to seven to fifteen years on both charges, the sentences to run concurrently. On appeal they contend that remarks made by the prosecutor and judge during defense counsel’s closing argument improperly shifted the burden of proof to defendants. They also maintain that the charge of burglary as set forth in the indictment was not sustained by the proof.

The complaining witness, Norman…