Opinion ID: 1112800
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: and, by the terms of Article 596,

Text: Double jeopardy exists in a second trial only when the charge in that trial is: (1) Identical with or a different grade of the same offense for which the defendant was in jeopardy in the first trial, whether or not a responsive verdict could have been rendered in the first trial as to the charge in the second trial; or (2) Based on a part of a continuous offense for which offense the defendant was in jeopardy in the first trial. Louisiana applies the same evidence test in determining if a second trial constitutes double jeopardy. This test holds that offenses are the same if the elements required to support conviction upon one of the offenses would have been sufficient to warrant conviction upon another. That is to say, where the gravamen of the second offense is essentially included within the offense for which first tried the second prosecution is barred because of former jeopardy. State v. Cotton, 341 So.2d 362 (La.1976); State v. Smith, 323 So.2d 797 (La.1975); City of Baton Rouge v. Jackson, 310 So.2d 596 (La.1975); State ex rel. Wikberg v. Henderson, 292 So.2d 505 (La.1974). The same evidence rule is not intended to indicate that an offender, who goes on a crime spree and violates more than one criminal statute within a short time span, cannot be prosecuted for more than one offense without violating the prohibition against double jeopardy. State ex rel. Wikberg v. Henderson, supra . Examples of valid prosecutions for multiple crimes committed within a narrow time span may be found in this Court's decisions. E.g. State v. Cotton, 341 So.2d 362 (La. 1976); State v. Fettle, 286 So.2d 625 (La. 1973); State v. Richmond, 284 So.2d 317 (La.1973); State v. Ysasi, 222 La. 902, 64 So.2d 213 (1953); State v. Cannon, 185 La. 395, 169 So. 446 (1936). In the case at bar two separate sales of marijuana were made by defendant at different times. While the transactions were markedly similar and essentially the same evidence was used in both prosecutions, they were indeed separate, both in time and with respect to the object of the salea separate and distinct package of marijuana. Although the time span separating these sales or offenses was narrow it was sufficient to isolate them and set them apart. There is no merit to this Assignment.