Opinion ID: 2332101
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The indictment alleged:

Text: [Appellant] did commit theft by obtaining or exercising unauthorized control over the property of Photios Hasiotis, namely, one six-pack of Budweiser beer, with the intent to deprive him thereof by using physical force against the said Photios Hasiotis with the intent to prevent or overcome resistance to the retention of the property immediately after the taking and by intentionally inflicting bodily injury on the said Photios Hasiotis at the time of the theft. [1] Appellant seasonably filed motions for judgment of acquittal or, alternatively, for a new trial, both premised on the ground that the evidence was insufficient to show that appellant used force against the owner with the intent to retain the beer, since appellant had already dropped it and had made no attempt to recover it after striking Mr. Hasiotis. When reviewing the denials of such motions, the appellate court must view the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution. State v. Blier, Me., 371 A.2d 1091, 1092 (1977). It is clear in this case that the jury could have reasonably inferred from the evidence that the appellant struck Mr. Hasiotis with the intent to prevent him from recovering the stolen beer. Despite the appellant's argument to the contrary, a jury question was thus generated.