People v. Alston

Defendant, Steven C. Alston, was convicted of the unlawful use of weapons (720 ILCS 5/24—1(a)(4) (West 1994)) and sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment. He appeals, contending that (1) the trial court erred by permitting the State to amend the information on the day of trial; (2) the evidence was insufficient to prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt; and (3) the court erred by giving the State’s tendered jury instruction on constructive possession.

Freeport police officer Craig Wainman testified that on the evening of September 8, 1995, he received reports that a patrol officer had seen an…