People v. Siverson

PRESIDING JUSTICE LYTTON

delivered the opinion of the court:

The defendant, Charles M. Siverson, was charged with theft by obtaining unauthorized control over property (720 ILCS 5/16 — 1(a)(1) (West 2000)). On the witness stand, he confessed to theft by receiving stolen property (720 ILCS 5/16 — 1(a)(4) (West 2000)). The trial judge instructed the jury on both forms of theft. The jury returned a general verdict that the defendant was guilty of theft. He was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment. On appeal, the defendant argues that his due process rights were violated when the judge instmcted…