People v. Loya

This is an appeal from defendant Esteban Loya’s conviction, after a jury trial, of the crimes of aggravated battery and armed violence. Defendant received a six-year sentence in the Department of Corrections plus an additional three years’ mandatory parole time.

The issues presented for review are: (1) whether the identity of the defendant as the perpetrator was proven beyond a reasonable doubt; (2) whether the trial court erred in excluding a defense witness, who exercised his rights regarding self-incrimination; (3) whether the prosecutor improperly made prejudicial comments to the jury…