People v. Kostatinovich

Defendant was convicted after a bench trial of theft of property of over $150 in value and was sentenced to a two-year term of imprisonment in the Illinois State Penitentiary.

On appeal, the defendant raises three issues: (1) whether the evidence was sufficient to establish defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt; (2) whether there was a valid jury waiver by the defendant; and (3) whether the defendant was denied a fair trial when the trial court stated at the close of the State’s case, and in response to the defendant’s motion for a directed verdict, that the defendant was guilty. We hold…