People v. Murrell

These consolidated appeals concern the continued viability of our decision in People v. Sailor, 43 Ill.2d 256, where this court held, inter alia, that where defense counsel waives the defendant’s right to a trial by jury in the defendant’s presence, the defendant is deemed to have acquiesced in, and is bound by, his attorney’s action.

In cause No. 46849, the defendant, Eddie Murrell, was found guilty, in a bench trial, of battery and theft of property valued at less than $150. The record shows that the defendant was arrested, tried, convicted, sentenced, and filed his notice of appeal all on…