State v. Davis

Apr 2, 1973
No. 38795
Reporters:
, ,
Before:
Langtry
LANGTRY, J.

Defendant appeals from conviction of first-degree theft. ORS 164.055. Defendant poses two questions: (1) whether the state should have been required to elect the manner in which it would attempt to prove how theft was committed under the indictment, and (2) whether it is necessary to allege requisite intent in the indictment under Oregon’s larceny statutes. The pertinent parts of the indictment are:

“The said MERTEN WADE DAVIS on or about the 16th day of January A.D. 1972, in the said County of Douglas and State of Oregon, then and there being, did knowingly commit theft of property, to-wit: one 1972 Jeep Universal, Identification No. J2F835TH03085, Oregon Dealer Plate. 351-A, of the total value of more than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00), the property of Roseburg Motor Company * *

The second question is adequately answered in our opinion in State v. Jim/White, 13 Or App 201, 508 P2d 462, Sup Ct review denied (1973).

With reference to the first question, the court did require.the state to elect which theory, that is, which subsection of ORS 164.015 it was proceeding under at the close of the state’s case. That decision had no effect upon the outcome of the case. The choice was between “appropriating” the jeep or’ “receiving” it. While1 the’ ruling of the trial court did not prejudice the appealing‘defendant, • we point out that it was erroneous- under’- our holding in State v. Jim/White, supra, that “theft” constitutes a single offense that *227may be committed by any one of several methods. State v. Reyes, 209 Or 595, 303 P2d 519, 304 P2d 446, 308 P2d 182 (1957), holds that in snch a situation there is nothing for the state to elect. The ease can go to the jury on either theory because there is only one crime for which the defendant can be convicted. State v. Reyes, supra, 209 Or at 622-33.

Affirmed.