People v. Thompson

A jury found defendant, Jessie Thompson, also known as Otis Williams, guilty of robbery. (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1977, eh. 38, par. 18 — 1.) He was thereafter sentenced to a term of 4 years. On appeal defendant asks this court to consider (1) whether the trial court abused its discretion when it denied defendant’s motion for a continuance to secure privately retained counsel, (2) whether the trial court erred when it limited defendant’s cross-examination of a witness, and (3) whether testimony regarding defendant’s absence from trial was erroneously admitted.

On August 4, 1979, defendant was arrested…