People v. Wilson

Defendant, under the name of Michael L. Wilson, was charged with the offense of theft. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1969, ch. 38, par. 16 — 1(a)(1).) He was convicted by a judge sitting without a jury and sentenced for six months to the House of Correction. On appeal, defendant contends the complaint was fatally defective because it failed to allege the requisite mental state of “knowledge."

The complaint, signed by Frank O. Hampton, charged the defendant, Michael L. Wilson, with theft, “in that he did obtain unauthorized control over property, to-wit: $75.00 to $80.00 United States Currency of the value…