Opinion ID: 2309090
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: the motion for judgment of acquittal on the charge of burglary

Text: The defendant argues the the trial justice erred in denying his motion for judgment of acquittal on the charge of burglary because the state failed to prove that the breaking and entering was committed in the nighttime as required for a charge of burglary. This court has held repeatedly that the crime of burglary as forbidden by G.L. 1956 (1981 Reenactment) § 11-8-1 is an offense that has been defined at common law as the breaking and entering the dwelling-house of another in the night time with the intent to commit a felony therein, whether the felony be actually committed or not. State v. Hudson, 53 R.I. 229, 230, 165 A. 649, 650 (1933); accord State v. O'Rourke, 121 R.I. 434, 399 A.2d 1237 (1979), and State v. Mollicone, 95 R.I. 59, 182 A.2d 612 (1962). The question presented by this case is whether the evidence was sufficient to establish that the breaking and entering took place during the nighttime. The general rule is set forth in 2 Wharton's Criminal Law and Procedure § 431 at 54 (Anderson 1957): In the absence of statute, the determination of night is not the setting and rising of the sun. Instead, it is deemed day although the sun has not yet risen or after it has set, if it is sufficiently light to discern a person's face. That is, visibility by daylight determines the existence of day. In the case at bar Martel testified that when she became aware of defendant's presence, it was dark outside but she was able to see in her bedroom from the light cast by a street lamp that was located directly in front of the house and shone into her bedroom. All evidence concerning time was approximate. The trial justice took judicial notice that the time of sunrise on the day in question was 5:13 a.m. This court in State v. Mollicone , in determining whether an offense had been committed in the nighttime, used as an aid G.L. 1956 § 31-24-1, which required that vehicle lights shall be displayed from one-half hour after sunset until one-half hour before sunrise. 95 R.I. at 61, 182 A.2d at 614. Applying this aid to the determination of the ability to discern a person's face, we are of the opinion that the state's evidence was sufficient to survive a motion for judgment of acquittal. Our role in respect to reviewing the denial of a judgment of acquittal is well settled. In passing on a motion for judgment of acquittal, the trial justice must view the evidence in the light most favorable to the state and must draw all reasonable favorable inferences that are consistent with the defendant's guilt. He or she may not consider the weight of the evidence or the credibility of the witnesses. State v. Lamoureaux, 573 A.2d 1176, 1181 (R.I. 1990); State v. Henshaw, 557 A.2d 1204, 1206 (R.I. 1989). In reviewing the trial justice's ruling on the motion, we must apply the same criteria. In the case at bar Martel testified that when she became aware of defendant's presence, it was dark outside. She stated that this encounter could have begun as early as 4:30 a.m. After defendant had threatened her, muffled her cries with a sock and a pillow, tied her hands, and cut the telephone wires, he departed, taking Martel's money. It was necessary for Martel to go to a neighbor's apartment to make a telephone call. This call was made no later than 5 a.m. Indeed, it may well have been earlier, because Officer Galvin testified that he arrived at 141 Hendricks Street at approximately 5 a.m. The trial justice was entitled to infer from the evidence in the case that defendant had forced a window open in the dwelling prior to 4:30 a.m., had then equipped himself with a kitchen knife, and had gone to Martel's bedroom where he placed his hand over her mouth at or shortly after 4:30 a.m. This activity would have taken place well before the one-half hour prior to sunrise. When the evidence is viewed in the light most favorable to the prosecution and all reasonable inferences consistent with the guilt of the accused are drawn, the evidence was sufficient to justify the denial of a motion for judgment of acquittal.