People v. Pollards

Following a jury trial, defendant Willie Pollards was convicted of possession of a stolen motor vehicle and sentenced to five years in prison.

On appeal, defendant contends the trial court erred in failing to instruct the jury on the definitions of stolen property and theft, in accord with Illinois Pattern Jury Instructions, Criminal, Nos. 13.33G and 13.01 (4th ed. 2000) (hereinafter IPI Criminal 4th). Alternatively, defendant contends his counsel was ineffective for failing to request the instructions. We reverse and remand.

FACTS

At trial, Harry Harrison testified he owned and drove a taxicab…