People v. Dye

Defendants Stephen Dye and Carl D. Prater were found guilty of armed robbery after a jury trial and each sentenced to 10-30 years in the penitentiary. Defendants contend on appeal that the court erred in allowing evidence of Prater’s prior conviction by reading from an unauthenticated court file; and erred in instructing the jury as to the effect of prior convictions over defendants’ objections. Alternatively, they contend that their sentences are excessive and should be reduced.

The charges against defendants arose from the robbery of a jewelry store on May 30, 1972, at 11 A.M. Both employees…