People v. Abel

• Decision Date: 31 July 1974
• Docket Number: No. 74--20,74--20
• Citation: 21 Ill.App.3d 314,315 N.E.2d 136
• Parties: PEOPLE of the State of Illinois, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Randall K. ABEL, Defendant-Appellee.
• Court: United States Appellate Court of Illinois

Page 136

315 N.E.2d 136

21 Ill.App.3d 314

PEOPLE of the State of Illinois, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Randall K. ABEL, Defendant-Appellee.

No. 74--20.

Appellate Court of Illinois, Third District.

July 31, 1974.

Henry D. Sintzenich State's Atty., Macomb, for plaintiff-appellant.

Thomas W. Dye, Macomb, for defendant-appellee.

DIXON, Justice:

On Oct. 21, 1973, Defendant, Randall K. Abel was arrested by Officer Edward Wilson for Careless Driving and Resisting a Peace Officer. Officer Wilson was assisted in the arrest by Sgt. Galen Dorothy and Officer Gary Douglas. An information charging Resisting a Peace Officer was filed. Defendant plead Not Guilty and demanded a jury trial.

The case came on for trial setting and was set for trial on Monday, Jan. 14, 1974. Sgt. Dorothy was recovering from surgery and might not be able to testify, but he was not a necessary witness; Officers Wilson and Douglas were both necessary. Officer Douglas was taken ill on Sunday, Jan. 13, he was bedridden and no specific day was ascertainable when he would be able to testify. The only witness available was Officer Wilson who alone could not establish the People's case. The Assistant State's Attorney in charge of the case was notified early Monday morning and he notified the Court and defense attorney as soon as they were available.

Prior to the calling of the case the People filed a written motion for continuance on the above facts which motion was denied. Defense then made an oral motion for dismissal for 'want of prosecution.' Over objection of the People the trial judge granted the motion and dismissed the case for 'want of prosecution.' The People have appealed.

We quote from a similar case, People v. Hoover, 12 Ill.App.3d 25, 297 N.E.2d 400, 'The judgment of the trial court in discharging the defendant was improper. The only grounds authorizing the discharge of a defendant without trial are found in the Code of Criminal Procedure, Ill.Rev.Stat.1973, ch. 38, sec. 114--1. In a most similar case, People v. Barksdale (1969), 110 Ill.App.2d 163, 249 N.E.2d 165, the trial court dismissed the criminal case for want of prosecution upon the defendant's motion. In that case the witnesses were non-available and the court specifically held that the trial court has no power to dismiss the indictment except on the grounds set forth in the Code of Criminal Procedure * * *. In People v. Shick (1968) 101 Ill.App.2d 377, 243 N.E.2d 285, the court stated exactly the same thing. In a...