Opinion ID: 1773733
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Unexplained Possession of Recently Stolen Property as Evidence of Scienter

Text: In determining whether the state met its burden of proof on these issues, it is important to keep in mind that in Missouri, unlike in some other states, mere unexplained possession of recently stolen property does not give rise to an inference that the possessor is guilty of receiving stolen property. State v. Gardner, 741 S.W.2d 1, 9 (Mo. banc 1987). Compare cases discussed in Annotation,  Possession of recently stolen goods by one charged with receiving them as evidence on question of guilty knowledge,  68 A.L.R. 187-93 (1930); Annotation,  What constitutes `recently' stolen property within rule inferring guilt from unexplained possession of such property,  89 A.L.R.3d 1202-42 (1979). This does not mean that such evidence is irrelevant. Rather, while unexplained possession of recently stolen property may not be sufficient in itself to give rise to an inference of guilt, it is a circumstance that the jury is entitled to consider together with the other facts and circumstances in the case. Gardner, 741 S.W.2d at 9. Accord, State v. Lindsey, 868 S.W.2d 114, 117 (Mo.App. W.D.1993). Indeed, because direct evidence that a defendant knew or believed property was stolen is seldom available, the state normally is forced to rely on such circumstantial evidence to prove defendant's criminal intent. See State v. Morgan, 861 S.W.2d 221, 222 (Mo.App. E.D.1993). Prior cases have identified numerous types of other facts and circumstances that, together with unexplained possession of recently stolen property, have been found sufficient to make a submissible case of the scienter requirement for proving receipt or retention of stolen property. State v. Shigemura, 768 S.W.2d 620, 624 (Mo.App. E.D.1989), stated, the giving of false, evasive or contradictory statements by the defendant, such as his denial that the car had been used on the day of the robbery and his statement that no one was in his home, are matters which may be considered in establishing knowledge. Similarly, the courts will consider suspicious conduct and deceptive behavior, evidence that the property was altered, such as by having serial numbers obliterated or filed off, or evidence that it was sold for less than its reasonable value. See e.g., Morgan, 861 S.W.2d at 222 (Mo.App. E.D. 1993) (inadequate price and serial numbers pried off); State v. Applewhite, 682 S.W.2d 185, 187-88 (Mo.App. 1984) (deceptive behavior and false statements); State v. Richardson, 797 S.W.2d 755, 757 (Mo.App. E.D.1990) (receiving goods at a price far below its reasonable market value, ... declarations or conduct inconsistent with a claim of innocence, and false, evasive or contradictory statements about the possession are circumstances from which knowledge or belief can be inferred); State v. Sours, 633 S.W.2d 255, 258-59 (Mo.App. S.D.1982) (suspicious, deceptive behavior); and State v. Taylor, 691 S.W.2d 379, 382 (Mo.App. E.D.1985) (same plus evasive and contradictory statements and similar conduct inconsistent with innocence).