People v. De Filippo

Following a jury trial, defendant, Charles De Filippo, was convicted of two counts of forgery (720 ILCS 5/17 — 3(a)(1) (West 1998); 720 ILCS 5/17 — 3(a)(1) (West 2002)) and sentenced to two years’ probation. On appeal, defendant argues that: (1) he was not proven guilty of forgery beyond a reasonable doubt; (2) the trial court improperly instructed the deadlocked jury to continue to deliberate, instead of declaring a mistrial; and (3) one of his convictions must be vacated because he is alleged to have committed only one act of forgery. We reverse.

I. BACKGROUND

A. Indictment

Defendant and a…