Robinson v. State
Robinson v. State
Opinion of the Court
We do not believe the testimony as exhibited in this record is sufficient to sustain the conviction of this appellant. With regard to the other two parties implicated in the theft of the hogs the evidence may be sufficient, amply sufficient, to establish the charge. But as to this appellant the case as made is simply one of recent possession and nothing more.
What is the rule with regard to recent possession alone as evidence of theft? It is fully laid down in Lehman v. The State, 18 Texas Court of Appeals, 174, as follows, viz: “But, to warrant
Two essential requisites are wanting in this case, to wit: The "exclusive possession ” and “a distinct and conscious assertion of property by the defendant.”' We will not repeat the facts, as they will be fully reported.
Because the evidence is wholly insufficient the judgment is reversed and the cause remanded.
jReversed and remanded.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Sandy Robinson v. State
- Cited By
- 3 cases
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- Published
- Syllabus
- 1. Theft—Possession of Recently Stolen Property, when alone relied upon as evidence of theft, is subject to the following rule: “To warrant an inference or presumption of guilt from the circumstance alone of possession, such possession must be personal, must be recent, must be unexplained, and must involve a distinct and conscious assertion of property by the defendant.” The rule is otherwise stated in general terms as follows: “If a party in whose exclusive possession goods recently stolen are found fails reasonably to account for his possession when called upon to explain, or when the facts are such as to require an explanation of him, the presumption of guilt arising from recent loss and possession will warrant a conviction without the necessity of farther proof.” 2. Same—Pact Gase.—See the statement of the case for evidence held insufficient to support a conviction for theft, because, relying solely upon recent possession, the State failed to establish “exclusive possession” and a “ distinct and conscious assertion of property ” by the defendant.