People v. WAKENIGHT

Following a bench trial, defendant, Patricia C. Wakenight, was convicted of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a church (720 ILCS 570/407(b)(l) (West 2000)). Defendant did not attend the second day of the trial and the sentencing hearing, after she left the courtroom to use the restroom and never returned. Defendant appeals, contending that (1) this court should exercise its discretion to hear her appeal despite her “probable” status as a fugitive; (2) although she initially received proper admonishments that she could be tried in absentia, the…