Opinion ID: 1821031
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: was the proof insufficient to establish intent to steal?

Text: Appellant points out that two essential elements of a burglary must be proven: An unlawful breaking and entering and an intent to commit some crime inside the subject building. Taylor v. State, 214 Miss. 263, 58 So.2d 664 (1952). It is conceded that we have frequently held that the existence of intent to steal may be presumed from proof of breaking and entering. Moseley v. State, 92 Miss. 250, 45 So. 833 (1908); Nichols v. State, 207 Miss. 291, 42 So.2d 201 (1949); Dixon v. State, 240 So.2d 289 (Miss. 1970). But Gillum asserts that it is unconstitutional for intent to steal to be presumed from proof of breaking and entering because the state has the burden of proof throughout to prove each element of the crime charged, not the defendant. Patterson v. New York, 432 U.S. 197, 215, 97 S.Ct. 2319, 2329, 53 L.Ed.2d 281 (1977); Mullaney v. Wilbur, 421 U.S. 684, 95 S.Ct. 1881, 44 L.Ed.2d 508 (1975); In Re Winship, 397 U.S. 358, 90 S.Ct. 1068, 25 L.Ed.2d 368 (1970). In Dixon v. State, supra , the defendant was apprehended by the owner of a store after he broke and entered a window at the rear of the building at night. Dixon contended that the state failed to prove intent to commit larceny. This Court said the Mississippi rule was set out in Nichols v. State, supra : Some presumptions are to be indulged in against one who enters a building unbidden, at a late hour of night, else the burglar caught without boot might escape the penalties of the law... . People are not accustomed, in the nighttime, to enter homes of others, when asleep, with innocent purposes. The usual object is theft, and this is the inference ordinarily to be drawn in the absence of explanation from breaking and entering at night, accompanied by flight when discovered, even though nothing has been taken. This Court also quoted Newburn v. State, 205 So.2d 260 (Miss. 1967): The state seldom has direct and positive testimony expressly showing the specific intent of an intruder at the time he unlawfully breaks into a dwelling house; however, such testimony is not essential to establish the intent to commit a crime. Intent is an emotional operation of the mind, and it is usually shown by acts and declarations of the defendant coupled with facts and circumstances surrounding him at the time. Defendant's intention is manifested largely by the things he does. 205 So.2d at 265. 240 So.2d at 290. The Court sustained Dixon's burglary conviction on the ground that he broke and entered a window at the rear of the building at night, though he testified that he entered the building to get warm. Id. Appellant contends that his burglary conviction rests solely upon proof of unlawful entry, and that the record is devoid of any other facts and circumstances from which an intent to steal could be inferred. Appellant contends that in the absence of any such facts, a legal presumption shifting the burden of proof to him would be unconstitutional. Appellant's argument overlooks several factors. People are no more accustomed in the daytime than at night to enter the homes of others when unoccupied through a door with a broken lock with innocent purposes. Further there are a number of facts and circumstances connecting Gillum with the burglary of the Highstreets' home. The owners found a partially frozen carton of ice cream and some ground beef thawing in the kitchen when they entered at 11:00 a.m. They also discovered a number of items of property were missing. Finally, the owners found their deadbolt lock on the back door had been forced open. These facts, coupled with Gillum's entry through the back door of the house several hours after the Highstreets' arrival, form a substantial basis for the jury to infer that Gillum had been surprised by the Highstreets and fled, leaving the frozen food out, and returning after the Highstreets had departed, only to be arrested by Officer James. There was ample proof for the jury to infer that Gillum entered the Waveland home with the intent to steal. We do not deal here with the issue of presumption. Rather, the issue is one of inferences legitimately drawn from the proof. There is sufficient proof to support the jury's inference that Gillum had previously broken into the Highstreets' home, had taken some appliances, and was returning with a larcenous intent when he was arrested. This assignment of error is without merit.