People v. Sutton

Following a stipulated bench trial in the circuit court of Macon County, defendant was convicted of first degree murder (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1989, ch. 38, par. 9 — 1) and sentenced to 40 years’ imprisonment. No direct appeal was taken, and defendant’s petition for leave to file a late notice of appeal was denied. A pro se petition for post-conviction relief was denied following an evidentiary hearing. This appeal followed.

Defendant contends:(1) the stipulated trial was tantamount to a guilty plea and should be reversed because Supreme Court Rule 402 (134 Ill. 2d R. 402) admonishments were not…