People v. Benitez

Defendant, Gavino Benitez, was convicted of first degree murder and aggravated battery following a bench trial in the circuit court of Cook County. The appellate court affirmed his convictions. (269 Ill. App. 3d 182.) We granted defendant’s petition for leave to appeal (145 Ill. 2d R. 315) to address his claim that the circuit court lacked jurisdiction over him because he was never properly charged with any offense. Specifically, defendant asserts that the grand jury never returned an indictment against him for the charged offenses.

FACTS

On October 30, 1991, an assistant State’s Attorney…