Opinion ID: 2230049
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Prosecution's Rebuttal Closing

Text: The defendant also argues that the trial court improperly allowed the prosecution to present both an initial and a rebuttal closing argument at the aggravation-mitigation phase. This was improper, the defendant contends, because the State bears no burden of proof at this stage of a death sentencing hearing. This court has repeatedly rejected the argument that it is improper for the prosecution to present rebuttal argument at the aggravation-mitigation phase of a death sentencing hearing. People v. Williams, 161 Ill.2d 1, 56, 204 Ill.Dec. 72, 641 N.E.2d 296 (1994); People v. Kitchen, 159 Ill.2d 1, 47, 201 Ill.Dec. 1, 636 N.E.2d 433 (1994); People v. Fair, 159 Ill.2d 51, 94, 201 Ill.Dec. 23, 636 N.E.2d 455 (1994). The defendant presents no persuasive basis for reconsideration of those decisions.