People v. Stanley

“The lion growled.”

The trial judge said no more continuances, “*** the court’s business requires it to proceed to trial.”

Trial in absentia.

Guilty.

We affirm.

Stanley was charged with theft with a prior conviction. He did not appear on his original trial date and his case was continued for one week. When Stanley again failed to appear, he was tried in absentia. The jury returned a guilty verdict; judgment was entered; and Stanley was sentenced — m absentia— to three years’ imprisonment.

On appeal, he contends: His identity as the accused was not proved beyond a reasonable doubt; trial in absentia…