People v. Williams

Following a jury trial in absentia, Williams was convicted of retail theft in excess of $150 (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 38, par. 16A — 3) and sentenced to a two-year term of imprisonment. He appeals, asserting (1) the court’s failure to timely honor a request for a substitution of Judge Scott rendered void a subsequent order of Judge Scott that he be tried in absentia; (2) he was improperly tried in absentia because (a) the decision to try him in absentia was made at an ex parte hearing, (b) notice of his trial date was not sent to him by certified mail, and (c) the State did not establish by…