Court Opinion

ID: 9759827
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 00:28:52.658483+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:29:05.067486
License: Public Domain

VANCE, Justice.
These appeals arise from the conviction of each of the appellants who were indicted separately but were tried jointly. As to appellant Jackson, an appeal is taken from his conviction on three counts of burglary, ten counts of theft by unlawful taking, and ten counts of knowingly receiving stolen property. He was sentenced to life imprisonment on each of the burglary charges, the three life sentences to run concurrently. He was also sentenced to imprisonment for ten years on each of the ten counts of theft by unlawful taking and the ten counts of knowingly receiving stolen property. These sentences were directed to run consecutively with each other and with the life sentences.
As to the appellant Riggsbee, an appeal is taken from Riggsbee’s conviction on four counts of burglary, 13 counts of theft by unlawful taking, and 13 counts of knowingly receiving stolen property. He was sentenced as a persistent felony offender to life imprisonment on each of the burglary charges, the sentences to run concurrently. He was also sentenced to imprisonment for 20 years on each of the 13 counts of theft *830by unlawful taking and the 13 counts of knowingly receiving stolen property. These sentences were ordered to run consecutively to each other and to the life sentences.
As to the appellant Lemons, the appeal is from his conviction on one count of theft by unlawful taking and one count of knowingly receiving stolen property. He was sentenced as a persistent felony offender to imprisonment for 20 years on each count.
All of the charges resulted from the investigation of a series of burglaries in Warren County, Kentucky, and neighboring counties. The appellants Jackson and Riggsbee sold a number of guns and other items stolen from several of the burglarized homes to an undercover police agent. Appellants Lemons and Riggsbee sold three items which had been stolen from one of the burglarized homes to the same agent.
The separate indictments were tried together in the trial court, and the three separate appeals were consolidated for oral argument in this court. Each of the appeals will be disposed of in this opinion. Because the issues raised are numerous and because some of the appellants raise issues different from the others, we will discuss each appeal separately.
THE JACKSON APPEAL OF BURGLARY CONVICTIONS
Jackson has appealed his conviction of burglary in the first degree of the dwellings of William Sadler, Roger Stice, and Robert Moore. Each of these three individuals testified that their homes had been broken into, that a quantity of guns and other articles had been stolen and that no person had been given permission to enter their homes and take the articles which were stolen.
Some of the articles stolen from each home were sold by Jackson to a police undercover agent. This officer stated that Jackson told him the articles belonging to William Sadler were taken from a house “down the road” and that the articles taken from Roger Stice and Robert Moore were “hot.”
K.R.S. 511.020 provides that a person is guilty of burglary in the first degree when, with intent to commit a crime, he knowingly enters or unlawfully remains in a building, and when in effecting the entry or while in the building or in the immediate flight therefrom he, or another participant in the crime, is armed with explosives or a deadly weapon.
The appellant concedes the evidence is sufficient to show his knowledge that the merchandise disposed of by him was stolen, but he maintains that it was simply a flight of the imagination to infer from the evidence that he unlawfully entered a building or was armed with a deadly weapon.
One who steals a deadly weapon during the course of a burglary is armed within the meaning of K.R.S. 511.020. Meadows v. Commonwealth, Ky.App., 551 S.W.2d 253 (1977); Daugherty v. Commonwealth, Ky., 572 S.W.2d 861 (1978).
The possession of stolen property is prima facie evidence of guilt of theft of the property. Wheeler v. Commonwealth, 295 Ky. 28, 173 S.W.2d 817 (1943); Martin v. Commonwealth, Ky., 276 S.W.2d 19 (1955). Where there is a breaking and entering and property taken from a dwelling and the property is found in possession of the accused, such showing makes a sub-missible case for the jury on a charge of burglary. Wahl v. Commonwealth, Ky., 490 S.W.2d 769 (1972). Because the evidence is sufficient to support a conviction that appellant stole the property which was taken in a break-in, it follows that the evidence supports a jury finding that said appellant committed the burglary in which the property was stolen.
The appellant contends that the rule in Kentucky which allows possession of stolen property to create a prima facie case of guilt of the theft thereof has been declared unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court in In Re Winship, 397 U.S. 358, 90 S.Ct. 1068, 25 L.Ed.2d 368 *831(1970); County Court of Ulster County, New York v. Allen, 442 U.S. 140, 99 S.Ct. 2213, 60 L.Ed.2d 777 (1979); Mullaney v. Wilbur, 421 U.S. 684, 95 S.Ct. 1881, 44 L.Ed.2d 508 (1975); and Patterson v. New York, 432 U.S. 197, 97 S.Ct. 2319, 53 L.Ed.2d 281 (1977).
These cases clearly hold that the state is required to prove every element of a criminal offense beyond a reasonable doubt and that the burden of proof cannot be shifted to an accused by a presumption which requires him to prove his innocence. It is a long leap from this thesis to the conclusion that the rule followed in Kentucky shifts the burden of proof to the accused.
County Court of Ulster County New York v. Allen, supra; Mullaney v. Wilbur, supra; and Patterson v. New York, supra; each were cases where an instruction of the court placed a burden of proof upon the accused. In this case there was no instruction to the jury which shifted any burden to the accused. The burden of proof rested with the Commonwealth throughout the trial. Historically, it has been the law in this state that it is not unreasonable for a juror to believe that one found in possession of stolen property is guilty of the theft. The jury is not instructed to find such a person guilty unless he proves that his possession is innocent and no burden of proof is ever placed upon the accused. Indeed, if possession of stolen property is the only proof of theft, the jury may well find the accused not guilty, but because human experience has shown such a strong connection between the possession of stolen property and the theft thereof, a jury is authorized upon a showing of possession to convict of theft. This is not such a shifting of the burden of proof as is condemned in the eases cited by Jackson.
THE CHARGES OF THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING
Jackson was convicted of ten counts of theft by unlawful taking. He contends that three of the thefts occurred in counties other than Warren County in which the case was tried, and therefore the trial in Warren County was improper. The venue of criminal prosecutions is the county or city in which the offense was committed. K.R.S. 452.510. Improper venue may be waived. RCr 8.26 provides that a defendant may move for a transfer of a prosecution to the proper venue if it appears that the offense was committed in a county other than that in which the prosecution is being conducted. K.R.S. 452.650 provides that the venue of a prosecution may be waived and that failure to make a timely motion to transfer the prosecution to the proper county shall be deemed a waiver of the prosecution. There was no motion here for a transfer of the prosecution to the county in which the theft occurred.
Jackson did move for a directed verdict on the ground that the offenses were not committed in Warren County. K.R.S. 452.-580 provides:
“Where a person obtains property by larceny, robbery, false pretenses, or embezzlement in one county and brings the property so obtained into or through any other county, he may be tried in the county in which he obtains the property or in any other county into or through which he brings it.”
Because the stolen property was brought into Warren County by appellant, Warren County was a proper venue for the prosecution and the motion for directed verdict was properly overruled.
Although objection to venue is waived by failure to move for a transfer of the prosecution, when the instructions require the jury to find, as they did here, that the offense occurred in the county of prosecution, the Commonwealth cannot contend the jury was not bound by the instructions. Chancellor v. Commonwealth, Ky., 438 S.W.2d 783 (1969); Hodges v. Commonwealth, Ky.App., 614 S.W.2d 702 (1981).
The motion for directed verdict did not raise this issue because, as we have seen, the motion for directed verdict was properly overruled. The question of whether the evidence was sufficient could only be raised *832as to this aspect of the case by an objection to the giving of an instruction which authorized the jury to find that the offense was committed in Warren County, Kentucky. Kimbrough v. Commonwealth, Ky., 550 S.W.2d 525 (1977). We do not find any such objection to the instruction and appellant, in his brief, does not point out such an objection.
Jackson contends that one felony conviction of theft by unlawful taking of a radio scanner must be reversed because there was no proof of value of the scanner. This issue is not preserved for review by a motion for directed verdict on that ground. It appears, however, that appellant is entitled to have the conviction on this charge set aside on another ground, namely, that appellant was convicted of the theft of guns from the residence of Roger Stice under count 13 of the indictment, and the theft of the scanner from the Stice residence under count 25 of the indictment. The guns and the scanner were stolen from the same residence at the same time, and therefore constitute only one theft. Nichols v. Commonwealth, 78 Ky. 180 (1879); Jacobs v. Commonwealth, 260 Ky. 142, 84 S.W.2d 1 (1935). The question of double jeopardy was not raised in the trial court; nevertheless, it can be raised on appeal. Sherley v. Commonwealth, Ky., 558 S.W.2d 615 (1977).
The appellant further contends that the convictions for theft by unlawful taking must be reversed because there is no evidence that he stole the property. The conviction is based upon his possession of the stolen property and is sustainable upon the same grounds that the convictions for burglary were sustained at an earlier point in this opinion.
All of the convictions for theft by unlawful taking are affirmed except the conviction for theft of the scanner radio from Roger Stice. That conviction is reversed, and the sentence thereon vacated.
THE CONVICTION FOR KNOWINGLY RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY
Jackson was convicted of ten counts of knowingly receiving stolen property. These convictions involved identically the same property for which he was convicted on ten counts of theft by unlawful taking. The question is whether two separate crimes were committed, or only one.
There is no question that a theft by unlawful taking occurred. The evidence was sufficient to sustain a finding that appellant took and exercised control over movable property of another with intent to deprive him thereof. K.R.S. 514.030(l)(a). The evidence was also sufficient to show that appellant received, retained, and disposed of movable property of another knowing it had been stolen without any intent to return it to the owner. K.R.S. 514.110(1).
In our view, the act of taking the property necessary to convict of theft, also constituted a receiving of the property; the exercise of control over the property under the theft statute is the same act as the act of retaining the property under the knowingly receiving statute. A conviction can be had under K.R.S. 514.110 upon proof of disposition of property known to be stolen, but in this case the accused’s guilt under K.R.S. 514.110 was shown by his receipt of the property, and his retention of the property. These were the same acts which rendered him guilty under the theft statute.
K.R.S. 514.110 requires proof of knowledge that the property was stolen, but one who steals must also necessarily have knowledge that the property he steals is in fact stolen property.
K.R.S. 514.030 requires proof of intent to deprive the owner of his property while K.R.S. 514.110 requires proof that the property be knowingly received without an intent to return it to the owner.' This is simply two ways of saying the same thing.
We conclude that K.R.S. 514.110 does not require proof of any fact not required by K.R.S. 514.030, and while K.R.S. 514.030 does require proof of taking, the very act of taking is also a receiving of the property. Thus, although a person may be convicted of knowingly receiv*833ing stolen property on less proof than is necessary for a conviction for theft, a conviction for theft precludes a separate conviction for knowingly receiving the same property. Blockburger v. United States, 284 U.S. 299, 52 S.Ct. 180, 76 L.Ed. 306 (1932).
The Commonwealth contends that Sutton v. Commonwealth, Ky., 623 S.W.2d 879 (1981) holds that a prosecution may be maintained both for the theft of property and for knowingly receiving that property. In Sutton it was stated:
“Our conclusion is that one who steals property and is later found to be in possession of it may be convicted both of the theft itself (in the county in which it was committed) and the retention (in the county in which he is proved to have been in possession of the stolen goods).”
Prior to the enactment of K.R.S. 514.110 it was consistently held in this state that one who actually stole property could not be convicted of knowingly receiving it. K.R.S. 514.110 enlarged the scope of the offense to include not only receiving, but also retention and disposition. It is, of course, possible to retain stolen property in a different county from that in which it was stolen, and the only question presented by Sutton, supra, was whether a person who has committed a theft in one county can be prosecuted under K.R.S. 514.110 of the offense of knowingly receiving stolen property in another county in which he was found in possession of the property.
There was no attempt to prosecute in Sutton for both the theft and knowingly receiving the stolen property.
The above-quoted language from Sutton was unnecessary to the discussion of the case and is therefore dictum. We have concluded that it is erroneous and to the extent that Sutton v. Commonwealth, supra, indicates that a person may be prosecuted both for theft and knowingly receiving the same stolen article, it is overruled.
We must vacate the sentences imposed upon Jackson for knowingly receiving stolen property, not because the evidence does not sustain the conviction, but because the offenses charged were merged into the charges against appellant for theft by unlawful taking. If the convictions for theft by unlawful taking should later be reversed by further appeal, the judgment for knowingly receiving stolen property may be reinstated.
Jackson’s contention that his aggregate consecutive sentences could not exceed the maximum sentence authorized for the highest class of crime for which any sentence was imposed was decided against him by James v. Commonwealth, Ky., 647 S.W.2d 794 (1983); Devore v. Commonwealth, Ky., 662 S.W.2d 829 (1984).
We find no merit in the remaining allegations of error.
Jackson’s conviction for theft by unlawful taking of a radio scanner from Roger Stice is reversed, and all of the judgments of conviction of Jackson for knowingly receiving stolen property are vacated. In all other respects the judgment as to appellant Jackson is affirmed.
THE RIGGSBEE APPEAL
Appellant Riggsbee participated with the appellant Jackson in the sale of the various items of property stolen from several homes. The evidence adduced against Jackson, for the most part, also incriminates Riggsbee. Riggsbee raises only one issue on appeal different from the issues raised by Jackson. That issue involves Riggsbee’s conviction for the theft of a radio scanner from the home of Roger Stice. The radio scanner was recovered from Jackson’s trailer, and Riggsbee contends there was no evidence to connect him with the theft.
There was evidence that the radio scanner was taken in the same burglary in which several guns were also stolen. Riggsbee and Jackson sold the guns to an undercover police agent. We have held this to be sufficient evidence to sustain a conviction for theft of the guns and also a conviction for burglary of the premises. Since the scanner was taken from the same premises and at the same time, the evi*834dence supports the conviction of Riggsbee for the theft of the scanner.
The appellant Riggsbee was convicted of the theft of other property from the home of Roger Stice taken at the same time the scanner was stolen. The different items stolen from the same place at the same time constitute only one theft as we held in our discussion of the Jackson appeal. Riggsbee’s conviction for theft of the scanner must be vacated.
Likewise, his conviction of the theft of items from the home of Carl Lindsey as charged in count eight of the indictment must be vacated because he was convicted of the theft of other property from Carl Lindsey taken at the same time and place.
All of Riggsbee’s convictions for knowingly receiving stolen property must be vacated for the reasons stated in the Jackson appeal. In all other respects the judgment as to appellant Riggsbee is affirmed.
THE LEMONS APPEAL
Lemons was convicted of one count of theft by unlawful taking, one count of knowingly receiving stolen property, and one count of persistent felony offender in the first degree. The jury recommended a five year sentence on each charge which was enhanced to 20 years on each charge as a result of the persistent felony offender conviction. The two 20-year sentences were ordered to run consecutively. He was tried jointly with appellants Jackson and Riggsbee.
The charges against Lemons involved the theft of three guns which were taken from the home of Carl Lindsey. Larry Riggsbee was indicted separately for the theft of the same three guns. Lemons was not accused of participating in the theft of any of the other numerous items of which Riggsbee was accused of stealing and was not accused of participating in the theft of any of the items of which Jackson was accused of stealing.
Appellant contends he should have been granted a separate trial from Jackson and Riggsbee. We agree.
The indictments did not charge a conspiracy. They related to a multitude of separate thefts by two of the defendants. Lemons was not shown to have the slightest connection with the other thefts. He was connected by the evidence with only one of the other defendants in one of the thefts.
The volumes of testimony and the veritable arsenal of weapons introduced to prove a ring of thefts by Jackson and Riggsbee with which appellant was not charged could not help but be prejudicial to appellant in his attempt to defend himself on the one charge against him. The prejudice here is much greater than that in Hardin v. Commonwealth, Ky., 437 S.W.2d 931 (1968), wherein we held that the trial of one charged as an habitual criminal with one charged with offenses of lesser magnitude is inherently prejudicial.
RCr 6.20 permits joinder of defendants for trial if they are alleged to have participated in the same act or transaction or in the same series of acts or transactions constituting an offense or offenses. It is not authority for joinder of the trial of two or more defendants who are charged with the commission of separate acts or transactions constituting separate offenses.
There was no error occasioned by the indictment before the holding of a preliminary hearing. On retrial the appellant Lemons cannot be convicted of both theft by unlawful taking and knowingly receiving stolen property where the charges relate to the same items of property.
Other errors alleged by appellant Lemons are unlikely to recur on retrial.
The judgment as to appellant Lemons is reversed for further proceedings in conformity with this opinion.
STEPHENS, C.J., and VANCE, GANT and STEPHENSON, JJ., concur.
LEIBSON, J., concurs by separate opinion in which AKER, J., joins.
WINTERSHEIMER, J., dissents by separate opinion.