People v. Bond

Defendant, Vincent Bond, was charged with the theft of over $300 (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1989, ch. 38, par. 16 — 1(a)(1) (now 720 ILCS 5/16— 1(a)(1) (West 1992))). After the trial court denied defendant’s motion to suppress statements, defendant agreed to a stipulated bench trial. The trial court found defendant guilty and sentenced defendant to five years’ imprisonment. On appeal, defendant argues that the stipulated bench trial violated his right to due process. Specifically, he argues that, because his attorney stipulated that defendant was guilty of the charge, the bench trial was tantamount to…