People v. Crane

After a jury trial, defendant Anthony Crane was found guilty of aggravated arson and first-degree murder and sentenced to natural life imprisonment. On appeal, we consider: (1) whether there was probable cause to arrest defendant; (2) whether the trial court properly instructed the jury; (3) whether the prosecutor made improper comments during closing argument which denied defendant a fair trial; and (4) whether the trial court abused its discretion when it sentenced defendant to natural life imprisonment.

The evidence at trial revealed that on October 15, 1989, defendant and his friend Jim…