People v. Mattingly

On March 29, 1988, defendant George W. Mattingly was tried in absentia before a jury in the circuit court of Macon County and was convicted of committing the offense of forgery, in violation of section 17 — 3 of the Criminal Code of 1961 (111. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, par. 17 — 3). He was sentenced in absentia to four years’ imprisonment. Defendant now appeals, alleging the jury was misinstructed as to the elements of the offense and he was improperly sentenced. We affirm.

The evidence at trial established defendant resided with Jeff Montgomery for two weeks in September 1986. On October 10,…