People State Illinois v. Germaine Jones

JUSTICE GIANNIS delivered the opinion of the court: Following a jury trial, defendant was convicted of attempted first degree murder and of armed robbery. After a hearing in
aggravation and in mitigation, defendant was sentenced to consecutive terms of 28 years for the armed robbery conviction and
20 years for the attempted murder conviction. Defendant challenges his convictions and sentences, claiming (1) he was deprived
of the right to a fair trial by improper closing argument by the prosecutor, (2) the trial court abused its discretion in
imposing consecutive sentences for the attempted murder and armed robbery convictions, and (3) he was deprived of his right
to a public trial by the trial court's order that a deputy sheriff seize a spectator's notes during the hearing on defendant's
motion to quash his arrest.