Court Opinion

ID: 9693475
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 16:43:57.788807+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:19:47.429104
License: Public Domain

Bogdanski, J.
(dissenting in part). I agree with the majority opinion with regard to the convictions on two counts of burglary but not with regard to the larceny convictions. It is well settled that the jurors are the triers of the facts. In resolving *401what the facts are, the jury are guided by the law as enunciated by the court. See State v. LaFountain, 140 Conn. 613, 621, 103 A.2d 138 (1954). It is therefore incumbent upon the court to give all necessary instructions so that the jury may decide the case.
In the crime of larceny, value is an essential element so far as the degree of larceny is concerned. State v. Jacquith, 272 N.W.2d 90, 92 (S.D. 1978). Failure to prove value, if we assume that all the other elements are proven, results in a finding of larceny in the fourth degree.1 The difference, as determined by proof of value, is that between a class C misdemeanor and a class B felony. Its proof determines whether the defendant will be sentenced to years or to months.
Since value plays such a significant role in the prosecution of larceny crimes it is essential that the jury be given some guidelines by which they can make their determination. The guidelines to be used are mandated by the legislature in General Statutes § 53a-12'l (a) (1). Value is to be proven by the market value at the time and place of the taking. If that cannot be satisfactorily ascertained, then replacement value may be used. The word “shall” connotes that the obligation is mandatory, as opposed to permissive. Sullivan v. Liberty Mutual Fire Ins. Co., 174 Conn. 229, 233, 384 A.2d 384 (1978). The trier of fact must follow the guidelines of the statute.
*402Market value has been defined as the price a well-informed buyer would pay to a well-informed seller, where neither is obliged to enter into the transaction. See Bridgeport Hydraulic Co. v. Town of Stratford, 139 Conn. 388, 397, 94 A.2d 1 (1953).
An examination of the trial court’s charge reveals that it failed to charge as to value as mandated by § 53a-121 (a) (1); that the jury were not told that they were to examine market value or that, if they failed to find market value, they should entertain replacement value. Indeed, they were not told what market value, or replacement value meant, or the difference between them.
The state is obligated to prove each and every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. In re Winship, 397 U.S. 358, 90 S. Ct. 1068, 25 L. Ed. 2d 368 (1970). To convict the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt, it is imperative that the court inform the jury of the elements of the crime charged consistent with the law. Without any instructions, the statutory standards set forth in § 53a-121 leads to the conclusion that the jury engaged in speculation as to the element of value. “ ‘[Instructions to the jury . . . must be accurate in law, adapted to the issues and adequate to guide the jury in reaching a correct verdict.’ Berniere v. Kripps, 157 Conn. 356, 358, 254 A.2d 496 (1969).” State v. Crowe, 174 Conn. 129, 134-35, 384 A.2d 340 (1977).
Failure to instruct the jury as to the standard set forth in § 53a-121 resulted in the removal from the jury’s consideration of an essential element of the crime.

 Section 53a-121 (a) (3) of the General Statutes provides that “[w]hen the value of property . . . cannot be satisfactorily ascertained pursuant to the standards set forth in this section, its value shall be deemed to be an amount less than fifty dollars.” (Emphasis added.)