People v. Mays

Mr. PRESIDING JUSTICE LINN

delivered the opinion of the court:

At the conclusion of a bench trial before the circuit court of Cook County, defendant, Elwood Mays, was convicted of three counts of aggravated battery. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1975, ch. 38, pars. 12 — 4(a), 12 — 4(a), 12 — 4(b)(1).) Defendant was sentenced to a prison term of one to three years on each count, the sentences to run concurrently.

On appeal, defendant contends: (1) he was denied a fair trial as a consequence of the State’s improper closing argument; (2) the State failed to prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt; and (3) it…