SPRINGFIELD, Ill., May 8 -- The Illinois Courts Office issued the following opinion on April 10:
1. Held: Circuit court's judgment affirmed where defendant failed to preserve the issues for review and no clear or obvious error occurred, as the State's remarks in rebuttal closing argument were invited by defense counsel and did not substantially prejudice defendant.
2. Following a jury trial, defendant Martez Staples was found guilty of aggravated battery with a firearm (720 ILCS 5/12-3.05(e)(1) (West 2012)) and sentenced to 35 years in prison. On appeal, defendant contends that the prosecution made improper remarks during rebuttal closing argument, and defense counsel was ineffective for failing to preserve the issues for appellate review...