People v. Stapleton

PRESIDING JUSTICE BARRY

delivered the opinion of the court:

Following a jury trial in the circuit court of Peoria County, the defendant, Michael Stapleton, was convicted of attempt (murder) and the felony offense of unlawful use of weapons. He was sentenced to concurrent terms of 27 years of imprisonment on the attempt (murder) conviction and four years on unlawful use of weapons (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 38, pars. 8 — 4(a), 9 — 1(a), 24 — l(a)(10)(b)). Prior to trial defendant filed a motion to sever the charges, alleging that he would be prejudiced on the attempt murder because the jury…