Opinion ID: 2494269
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Whether the evidence was sufficient to support the verdict.

Text: ¶ 8. The reviewing court must determine whether, when viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, any rational juror could have found that the State had proved each element of the crime charged beyond a reasonable doubt. [1] Mississippi Code Section 97-17-41 defines grand larceny: Every person who shall be convicted of taking and carrying away, feloniously, the personal property of another, of the value of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or more, shall be guilty of grand larceny, and shall be imprisoned in the Penitentiary for a term not exceeding ten (10) years. [2] ¶ 9. Though Gunn asserts he was not the man who stole the duffel bag, overwhelming evidence proves the contrary. King, an eyewitness, testified that he had seen Gunn remove the bag of tools from the victim's trunk and carry them away. And while Farmer did not see Gunn's face, his description of the incident matched King's, and both men agreed the perpetrator had worn a red shirt and khaki pants. Two days after the incident, King picked Gunn out of a photo line up with no hesitation. Also, two officers, including Goza, testified that Gunn had been carrying the black and gold bag of tools when approached on the street. Video footage from Goza's car clearly depicts Gunn carrying the black and gold bag on his shoulder. ¶ 10. While Gunn alleges he was not the man who carried away the duffel bag, most of his argument focuses on the proper valuation of the tools. The State is required to prove the stolen property was valued at $500 or more at the time of the theft in a grand-larceny case. This Court has held that the proper measure of the value of property is the market value of the property at the time and place of the larceny, rather than the original purchase price. [3] However, even considering the market price, the proper valuation is still greater than $500. ¶ 11. The tools taken include a DeWalt tool kit, various drills and saws, extra batteries, some tool bits, a set of specialty wirecutters, screwdrivers, and other miscellaneous items. Simpson paid $1,236.90 as the combined price for his tools six months before they were stolen. Although purchase price of the stolen tools is not direct proof of the market value at the time of the theft, it is circumstantial evidence of value. [4] Simpson testified that replacing the tools would cost him approximately the same price. ¶ 12. While Gunn claims that his conviction must be reversed because the price of the stolen tools was based on purchase price, a jury is allowed reasonably to infer the value of specific items based on purchase price and additional testimony. [5] Therefore, though Gunn correctly states the measure of value for the tools, we find that the evidence presented was sufficient for a reasonable juror to find that the value of the stolen tools was more than $500. This issue is without merit.