Michigan Court of Appeals, 1970

People v. Willis

People v. Willis
Michigan Court of Appeals · Decided August 28, 1970 · Burns, Fitzgerald, Holbrook
26 Mich. App. 366; 182 N.W.2d 608; 1970 Mich. App. LEXIS 1461

People v. Willis

Opinion of the Court

Per Curiam.

On July 23, 1967, defendant-appellant Melvin Willis was arrested in Detroit, Michigan, *367and subsequently charged with entering without breaking a business place with intent to commit larceny, MCLA § 750.111 (Stat Ann 1970 Cum Supp § 28.306). At a non-jury trial, the court found defendant guilty as charged.

At the trial on April 19,1968, testimony was taken to the effect that defendant was seen entering a market on Twelfth Street in Detroit. The officer who observed defendant at the time and place in question testified that defendant removed merchandise from the store. Following the description sent in by the surveiling officer, two other police officers arrested defendant.

On appeal, defendant contends that the prosecution failed to establish the requisite intent to commit larceny necessary for a conviction of the charged crime. While there was never any direct evidence showing intent antedating the entering, the facts and circumstances were sufficient to infer intent, People v. Gollman (1966), 3 Mich App 463, 466.

There was sufficient evidence, if believed by the court, to find defendant guilty of the charged crime. People v. Doris White (1965), 2 Mich App 104, 106; People v. Beck (1969), 17 Mich App 659, 660.

Affirmed.

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.