People v. Smith

The issue common to these consolidated appeals is whether the record in each case evinces a valid waiver by the defendant of his right to a jury trial. Following a bench trial in the circuit court of La Salle County, the defendant in cause No. 59851, John K. Smith, was convicted of reckless conduct and sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment. The appellate court reversed that judgment and remanded the cause for a new trial (121 Ill. App. 3d 542), and we allowed the State’s petition for leave to appeal (94 Ill. 2d R. 315(a)). In cause No. 59911, the defendant, Green Flowers, was convicted in a…