People v. Pontillo

Defendant, Louis M. Pontillo, was convicted, in absentia, of delivering a controlled substance (see Ill. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch. 561/2, par. 1401(a)(2) (now codified, as amended, at 720 ILCS 570/401(a)(2)(A) (West 1992))) and sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment. On October 17,1986, judgment was entered on the jury verdict of guilty. Counsel’s motions for a new trial and in arrest of judgment were denied on November 24, 1986. No notice of appeal was filed at that stage.

Defendant was apprehended in Florida sometime prior to June 24, 1992. Following his return to Illinois, defendant moved for a new…