Court Opinion

ID: 9652328
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 17:22:20.697192+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:12:50.320981
License: Public Domain

MANDERINO, Justice,
dissenting.
The majority correctly states that to convict an accused of possession of instruments of crime, the prosecution must prove not only possession but also must prove intent to use the tools for some criminal purpose. Intent cannot be inferred from mere possession, otherwise there would be no need for a separate intent requirement. In this case, the prosecution may have proved possession but proved nothing more, hence appellant’s conviction should be reversed.
The prosecution’s evidence, which sought to establish that a tin-plate is used to open safes, went solely to the first element of the crime charged — possession of instruments of crime. Whereas the evidence might establish that a tinplate is such an instrument, it certainly does not establish intent to use it criminally. Appellant was in no way acting in a furtive or clandestine manner, was demonstrating the instrument in plain view of anyone interested, and was not acting in any way to indicate that a property crime was imminent. Every citizen who transports tools in a city at night, tools that conceivably could be used to gain entrance *482to another person’s private property, cannot be convicted of a crime. The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the individual intended to use those tools for a criminal purpose. I think the prosecution’s evidence in this case fails to meet that standard of proof. I therefore dissent.