People v. Lonetta Williams

Thirty-sixth District Court Judge William J. Hathaway tried defendant in absentia for second-degree retail fraud, MCL 750.356d; MSA 28.588(4), ruling that she was not entitled to a continuance after failing to appear for her trial. Detroit Recorder’s Court Judge Michael F. Sapala reversed the district court’s decision. The prosecution appeals by leave granted, and we affirm.

On August 13, 1989, a Sunday, defendant was arrested for allegedly stealing a shirt and two pairs of shorts from the Fashion Bug Boutique in Detroit. Detroit police held her overnight. At 8:45 a.m. on August 14, a police…