People v. Sandham

Following a bench trial conducted in the circuit court of Livingston County, defendant John Sandham was found guilty of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. (720 ILCS 5/12 — 16(c)(l)(i) (West 1992).) Defendant was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment, with credit for 344 days previously served.

The issues are whether (1) defendant is entitled to a new trial because the trial court failed to secure his signed, written waiver of jury trial or, in the alternative, because defendant did not knowingly and voluntarily waive his right to a jury trial; (2) reversible error occurred when the trial court…