Court Opinion

ID: 9521245
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 02:01:10.289891+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:45:44.708387
License: Public Domain

SHIELDS, Judge,
dissenting.
I dissent.
I agree with Gaddie that the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction of theft of the stereo radio. Contrary to the majority's position, Gaddie's possession of the stolen property does not fall within the "exclusive possession of recently stolen property" inference. His possession of the radio was not exclusive, nor is there any evidence of a conspiracy, confederacy or concerted action between Gaddie and Marshall since the time of the theft to support a joint exclusive possession. Guilt may not be inferred from mere possession of recently stolen property.
Nor do I believe the evidence linking Gaddie and Marshall to the location of the stripped vehicle soon after its discovery sufficiently incriminating as to permit a reasonable inference by the factfinder that Gaddie had knowing control and the intent to deprive. Strode v. State (2d Dist.1980) Ind.App., 400 N.E.2d 183. After all, Gad-die and Marshall were merely observed in and out of Gaddie's vehicle parked approximately forty or fifty feet from Darnell's stripped vehicle a day after the vehicle was stolen. The majority must assume the stereo radio was removed from Darnell's car at that time and place because joint exclusive possession could then be found. If there were any evidence of that, I would agree with the majority. However, there is not and I must dissent.