Opinion ID: 413377
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Value of the Stolen Goods

Text: 34 Appellant's final argument is that the government failed to prove an essential element for conviction under 18 U.S.C. Secs. 2314 and 2315--namely that the stolen property had a value greater than $5,000. The government initially offered only Mrs. Ryan's testimony as to the value of her stolen property. Subsequently, when questions were raised as to the sufficiency of that evidence, the trial court at first found it to be sufficient, and would not allow the prosecutor to submit more evidence. The judge then reversed himself and allowed a jeweler's written appraisal to be introduced into the record. Appellant claims that Mrs. Ryan's testimony alone was insufficient and that the later appraisal could not be considered since it had been introduced at the sentencing hearing after the verdict had been rendered. 35 We find no basis to reverse the trial court on the issue of value. First, the Memorandum of Agreement for the Stipulated Non-Jury Trial 14 and the colloquy at the bench trial 15 clearly indicate that both parties as well as the judge assumed that the prosecutor would be able to supplement the record if the court had any questions. Second, the reopening of even jury trials is undoubtedly within the discretion of the trial court, limited only by an appellate court's later finding that defendant's rights were prejudiced in some way. Morgan v. United States, 294 F.2d 911, 913 (D.C.Cir.1961); see United States v. Webb, 533 F.2d 391, 395 (8th Cir.1976). Third, the trial court could reasonably have found that the testimony of Mrs. Ryan alone was sufficient. She testified that her stolen property was worth at least $12,000 and that one of the rings had been appraised in 1961 for a value of $3,000. While courts will not permit testimony on the mere subjective value to the individual of the property, the owner's testimony on the objective, market value of the property is relevant. United States v. Nall, 437 F.2d 1177, 1187 (5th Cir.1971). Finally, the appraisal itself does clearly establish that the jewelry found at the Royal Carpet alone was worth over $6,000. See United States v. Evans, 614 F.2d 1195 (8th Cir.1980) (jeweler's appraisal is more than adequate proof of value). In short, while the evidence was neither introduced nor considered in an orderly fashion, the District Court could reasonably have inferred that the stolen property had a value greater than $5,000. III CONCLUSION 36 For the above reasons, the judgment of the District Court is 37 Affirmed.