Case Name: STATE of Maine v. Daniel VAN SICKLE
Court: Maine Supreme Judicial Court
Jurisdiction: Maine
Decision Date: 1986-09-24
Citations: 515 A.2d 743
Docket Number: 
Parties: STATE of Maine v. Daniel VAN SICKLE.
Judges: Before McKUSICK, C.J., and NICHOLS, ROBERTS, WATHEN, GLASSMAN and SCOLNIK, JJ.
Reporter: West's Atlantic Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 515
Pages: 743–744

Head Matter:
STATE of Maine v. Daniel VAN SICKLE.
Supreme Judicial Court of Maine.
Argued Sept. 2, 1986.
Decided Sept. 24, 1986.
David S. Crook, Dist. Atty. Pamela Ames (orally), Asst. Dist. Atty., Augusta, for plaintiff.
Andrea Najarían (orally), Pierce, Atwood, Scribner, Allen, Smith & Lancaster, Augusta, for defendant.
Before McKUSICK, C.J., and NICHOLS, ROBERTS, WATHEN, GLASSMAN and SCOLNIK, JJ.

Opinion:
MEMORANDUM OF DECISION.
Daniel Van Sickle appeals his conviction of operating a motor vehicle after suspension, 29 M.R.S.A. § 2184 (Supp. 1985-1986), and after revocation as an habitual offender, 29 M.R.S.A. § 2292 (Supp. 1985-1986), entered after a jury trial in the Superior Court (Kennebec County). Contrary to his first contention, it was not obvious error to allow the prosecutor to refer to the defendant as "a convicted thief" during argument, because the evidence showed that the defendant had been convicted for the theft offense of receiving stolen property, 17-A M.R.S.A. § 351, 359. See State v. Hinds, 485 A.2d 231, 237 (Me.1984). Nor was it obvious error to allow the defendant, at the prosecutor's request, to stand next to a witness before the jury. The comparison was relevant and not unduly prejudicial. M.R.Evid. 403; see State v. Johnson 472 A.2d 1367, 1372 (Me.1984).
The entry is:
Judgment affirmed.
All concurring.