People v. Hietschold

Following a jury trial conducted in absentia, defendant was convicted of aggravated battery in a public place of accommodation. The Illinois Supreme Court considered with whether the trial court substantially complied with the admonishment requirement for trials in absentia contained in section 113-4(e) of the Code of Criminal Procedure where the trial court informed defendant that his failure to appear could result in a trial without him, but did not advise defendant that his absence would also waive his right to confront the witnesses against him. The supreme court concluded that the trial court’s admonishments substantially complied with the statute and reversed a contrary judgment of the appellate court. (NEVILLE, THEIS, OVERSTREET, HOLDER WHITE, CUNNINGHAM, and O’BRIEN, concurring)