People v. Funches

The defendant, Norvell Bobby Funches, was indicted on four counts of theft in the circuit court of Winnebago County. After a jury trial on one count, defendant was found guilty and sentenced to a term of three to nine years in the penitentiary. Defendant appeals.

The sole issue on appeal is whether the trial court erred in determining that evidence of defendant’s other car thefts was admissible, over defendant’s objection, because its probative value in establishing his intent and modus operandi outweighed its prejudicial effect on the jury.

Briefly summarized, the State’s case consisted of the…