People v. Palmer

This appeal is taken from rulings in two cases which were consolidated for purposes of this appeal. Defendants were charged with unlawful use of weapons within five years of a prior felony conviction (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 38, pars. 24 — l(a)(10), 24 — 1(b)) and each sought to exclude evidence of his prior felony convictions from consideration by the jury. Defendant Hollins offered to stipulate to his prior conviction outside the presence of the jury, and the trial court excluded evidence of that conviction from the jury. Defendant Palmer did not so stipulate and the trial court ordered a…