People v. Lester

Defendant was tried and convicted in absentia of aggravated battery to a police officer in violation of section 12—4(b)(6) of the Criminal Code of 1961 (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 38, par. 12—4(b)(6)) and sentenced to 24 months in the penitentiary. On appeal defendant contends the trial court was without authority to try him in absentia because it failed to orally admonish him of that possibility under section 113—4(e) of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 (Code) (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 38, par. 113—4(e)). We agree and reverse.

Section 113 — 4(e) provides:

“If a defendant pleads not…