People v. Willis

After a jury trial, defendant Priest Willis was convicted of delivery of less than one gram of heroin within 1,000 feet of a school. The trial court sentenced defendant, based on prior criminal history, as a Class X offender to eight years’ imprisonment. On appeal, defendant does not contest the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain his conviction, but contends that: (1) the trial court’s failure to strictly comply with Illinois Supreme Court Rule 431(b) (eff. May 1, 2007), requires reversal and remand for a new trial; (2) he was prejudiced by the State’s allegedly improper comments during…