State v. McCullough
State v. McCullough
Opinion of the Court
The sole issue presented for review is whether the trial court erred by submitting as a possible verdict guilty of unauthorized use of a motor conveyance. Defendant argues that unauthorized use of a motor vehicle is not a lesser included offense of common law robbery; and, therefore, that he was convicted of a crime for which he had not been indicted. We agree, and reverse defendant’s conviction.
The test for determining whether one crime is a lesser included offense of another was set forth by our Supreme Court in State v. Weaver, 306 N.C. 629, 295 S.E. 2d 375 (1982). In Weaver the Court stated:
We do not agree with the proposition that the facts of a particular case should determine whether one crime is a lesser included offense of another. Rather, the definitions accorded the crimes determine whether one offense is a lesser included offense of another crime. State v. Banks, 295 N.C. 399, 415-416, 245 S.E. 2d 743, 754 (1978). In other words, all of the essential elements of the lesser crime must also be essential elements included in the greater crime. If the lesser crime has an essential element which is not completely covered by the greater crime, it is not a lesser included offense. The determination is made on a definitional, not a factual basis. (Emphasis in original.)
306 N.C. at 635, 295 S.E. 2d at 378-379. The definition of common law robbery is the felonious taking of money or goods of any value from the person of another or in his presence against his will by violence or by putting him in fear. State v. Black, 286 N.C. 191, 209 S.E. 2d 458 (1974). A person is guilty of the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle if he takes or operates a motor-propelled conveyance of another without the express or implied consent of the owner or the person in lawful possession of the conveyance. See G.S. 14-72.2(a).
For the above stated reasons we hold that defendant’s conviction must be, and hereby is,
Reversed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.