People v. Ward

After a jury trial, defendant, Stephen Ward, was found guilty of aggravated battery on a corrections officer (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1989, ch. 38, par. 12 — 4(b)(6)) and sentenced to an extended term of 10 years in prison. On appeal, defendant argues that he was denied his sixth amendment right to conduct his own defense. We agree and reverse.

In October 1989, an indictment charged defendant with two counts of aggravated battery. On November 14, 1989, defendant, an inmate at Pontiac Correctional Center, appeared before the court for the first time on that indictment and was advised, inter alia, that…