People v. Simpson

Following a jury trial, defendant Larry L. Simpson was convicted of the first degree murder (720 ILCS 5/9—1(a)(1) (West 1992)) and aggravated criminal sexual assault (two counts) (720 ILCS 5/12—14(a)(2) (West 1992)) of five-year-old Amber Sutton. The court imposed consecutive sentences of natural life for murder and 60 years each for the Class X aggravated criminal sexual assaults (730 ILCS 5/5—8—2(a)(2), 5—5—3.2(b)(2), (b)(4)(i) (West 1992)).

The issues on appeal are whether the trial court erred in (1) denying defendant’s motion for a mistrial and (2) imposing extended-term sentences for the…