Opinion ID: 2035760
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 15

Heading: Possible Penalties

Text: Defendant next asserts that he was denied a fair sentencing hearing when the prosecutor improperly argued to the sentencing jury that, if the death penalty was not imposed, defendant could receive a sentence of 20 years in prison. During rebuttal, the prosecutor made the following remarks: Twenty years. That [is] the low end of the sentencing alternative that Mr. Byrne did not tell you. If you don't impose the sentence of death, 20 years. That is the minimum sentence he can get, and he can get anywhere between 20 on the low end, all the way up to natural life, without parole. He can also get 20 years. Defendant contends that the comment improperly suggested to the jury that defendant might later be released on parole if he was not sentenced to death. Defendant notes that this court has previously condemned prosecutorial arguments suggesting that a sentence of death is warranted because of the possibility of a defendant's later parole. People v. Walker (1982), 91 Ill.2d 502, 515, 64 Ill.Dec. 531, 440 N.E.2d 83; People v. Szabo (1983), 94 Ill.2d 327, 365-67, 68 Ill.Dec. 935, 447 N.E.2d 193. We agree with the State, however, that the prosecutor's comment was invited by defense counsel's closing argument. Defense counsel told the jurors that, if they did not sentence defendant to death, the judge could sentence defendant to natural life in prison without parole. This remark suggested to the jurors that defendant, if not sentenced to death, automatically would be sentenced to life imprisonment. The prosecutor responded to this remark by pointing out that natural life imprisonment was not the only alternative to a sentence of death. The judge also had the discretion to sentence defendant to 20 years' imprisonment, which includes the possibility of parole. (Ill.Rev.Stat.1983, ch. 38, pars. 100581(a)(1), 100333.) The prosecutor's reference to parole, which was made in response to defendant's argument, did not prejudice defendant. (See People v. Howard (1991), 147 Ill.2d 103, 167, 167 Ill.Dec. 914, 588 N.E.2d 1044.) Accordingly, we conclude that defendant was not denied a fair sentencing hearing.