Case ID: sw_239/html/0948-02.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "LATTIMORE, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

HILL v. STATE.
    (No. 6818.)
    (Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas.
    April 5, 1922.)
    Larceny ⅞=»55 — Evidence held insufficient to support conviction.
    In a prosecution for larceny of automobile tools, evidence held insufficient to support a conviction.
    Appeal from McLennan County Court; Giles P. Lester, Judge.
    Tom Hill was convicted of misdemeanor theft and he appeals.
    Reversed and remanded.
    R. O. Stotter, of Waco, for appellant.
    R. 'G., ¡storey, Asst. Atty. Gen., for the State.
   LATTIMORE, J.

Appellant was convicted in the county court of McLennan county of misdemeanor theft, and' his punishment fixed at a fine of $25 and one hour in jail.

Appellant was the owner of a garage in Waco. Ed Justice worked for him. Justice decided to quit. A friend who owned an automobile came to appellant’s garage with Justice to get the latter’s tool box. It was taken out and placed on the running board of the car. Appellant said he wanted to look in said tool box and see if any of his tools were in there, and took the tool box from the running board of said car and carried it just inside of his garage and opened it. While he was searching through its contents Justice got in the car with his friend and went to the county attorney’s office, and filed a complaint against appellant for theft of said tools. Appellant found in said tool box three wrenches belonging to him. After completing his search through the tool box and removing therefrom his wrenches, said tool box was closed and placed against the wall of the garage, where it remained apparently undisturbed until the day of this trial. It was brought into the courtroom and shown to Justice, who examined same and stated to the jury that all of his tools were in said box. We are unable to perceive the establishment of a single element of theft by this evidence. It is to be regretted that cases having so little support are permitted to come to appellate courts upon appeal.

The judgment of the trial court will be reversed, and the cause remanded. 
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