Cook v. State
Cook v. State
Opinion
Melvyn Cook was indicted for the offense of robbery in the first degree in violation of §
Section
Section
"(11) DEADLY WEAPON. A firearm or anything manifestly designed, made or adapted for the purposes of inflicting death or serious physical injury, and such term includes, but is not limited to, a pistol, rifle or shotgun; or a switch-blade knife, gravity knife, stiletto, sword or dagger; or any billy, black-jack, bludgeon or metal knuckles."
In Thatch v. State,
In the case sub judice, Cook was armed with a steak knife, which, though not specifically designed for "the purposes of inflicting death or serious physical injury," is clearly capable of inflicting such injury if adapted for that purpose. The cashier at the convenience store testified that Cook carried the knife with the handle in his hand and the blade partially up his sleeve when Cook demanded that the cashier give Cook all the money in the store's cash register. The cashier further testified that Cook used the knife to put the cashier in fear of his life or serious injury to attempt to effectuate the robbery, because each time the cashier moved toward the cash drawer, Cook made a move with his arm, and the cashier was in fear that he might be stabbed or killed.
It is clear under the facts of this case that the steak knife, as used by Cook in committing this offense, was a deadly weapon within the purview of §§
To prove the offense of robbery in the first degree as codified at §
Section
The State clearly made out a prima facie case of first degree robbery. Although Cook testified that he did not intend to rob the convenience store, the cashier's testimony that Cook told the cashier to "give me all your damn money" and that Cook had the steak knife in his hand and partially up his sleeve during the robbery provides sufficient evidence of Cook's intent to commit a robbery. The cashier's testimony that he was in fear that he might be stabbed and killed by the knife hidden under Cook's coat provides sufficient evidence that Cook used threats or imminent force in committing the robbery. The trial court properly denied Cook's motion for judgment of acquittal.
The foregoing opinion was prepared by the Honorable JAMES H. FAULKNER, a Retired Supreme Court Justice, and his opinion is adopted as that of the court.
The judgment of the circuit court is affirmed.
AFFIRMED.
All the Judges concur.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Melvyn Cook v. State.
- Cited By
- 9 cases
- Status
- Published