People v. Houston

On April 20, 1987, in the circuit court of Macon County, defendant David Houston was tried in absentia and found guilty by a jury of two counts of burglary in violation of section 19 — 1 of the Criminal Code of 1961 (Code) (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 38, par. 19 — 1). Defendant was sentenced in absentia to six years’ imprisonment and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $1,500. On September 15, 1987, defendant filed a motion pursuant to section 115 — 4.1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 38, par. 115 — 4.1) requesting a new trial, alleging his absence…