Opinion ID: 2112402
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Counts of Grand Theft

Text: As stated previously, determining if there were separate independent takings or one general scheme is a question of fact based on the particular circumstances of each case. In the absence of any evidence from which it could reasonably be inferred that Johnston had 19 separate intents and plans, the only reasonable conclusion supported by the record is that Johnston had a single continuing plan or scheme for stealing certain cattle from Scott Shoun. See, Annot., supra, 53 A.L.R.3d at pp. 402-403, 409-415. We believe Johnston should have been convicted of only a single grand theft. As an example, we examine State v. Akers, 106 Mont. 105, 76 P.2d 638 (1938). In Akers, the defendant was charged with the theft of two horses in two separate counts. The court submitted the question whether there was, in fact, more than one taking to the jury under instructions to this effect: if the theft of the two animals were at different times and at different places, each would be a separate offense, whereas, if the theft of both were parts of one act of stealing, they would constitute but one crime. The defendant was convicted on both counts. On appeal, the Montana Supreme Court upheld his conviction. The Montana Supreme Court reasoned that each of the two animals was in a different group and was on a different part of the range, making it impossible for the actual control over the animals to be simultaneous. There was evidence of record that each horse was in a separate group. A witness testified that he took actual control of the first group, drove them a distance, then left them. He then proceeded to get a second group started and then finally the third group was rounded up. The evidence showed that the two horses were not ranging together and were only brought together by the unlawful act of the defendant. In the present case, the animals were not in different herds. Scott Shoun testified that in 1988 the cows were short on water and the cows were hanging down on the river ... From this testimony, it is reasonable to conclude that the animals were part of one group. In the Montana case, a witness testified as to his role in the horse stealing. That, of course, helped the jury conclude that these horses were taken at separate times from separate areas  hence with separate intents. In the present case, there is not a witness similar to the Montana case, to aid in obtaining a conviction. State failed to produce a witness who could say that Johnston stole the cattle at separate times with separate intents. Nor can we find circumstantial evidence in the record to support separate times of separate intents. In short, no evidence existed to establish that Johnston had 19 separate intents and plans. In finding that any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, we hold, however, that the evidence is sufficient to support Johnston's conviction as to one count of grand larceny and we reverse and set aside the remaining grand larceny convictions.