State v. Steward

613 S.W.2d 150, 1981 Mo. App. LEXIS 3312
CourtMissouri Court of Appeals
DecidedFebruary 2, 1981
DocketNo. WD 31602
StatusPublished

This text of 613 S.W.2d 150 (State v. Steward) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Missouri Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Steward, 613 S.W.2d 150, 1981 Mo. App. LEXIS 3312 (Mo. Ct. App. 1981).

Opinion

MANFORD, Presiding Judge.

This is a direct appeal from a jury conviction for burglary, second degree and felonious stealing. Pursuant to the persistent offender statute, a sentence of seven years was imposed on each conviction. Execution of both sentences was suspended and appellant was placed on five years probation. The judgment is affirmed.

Three points are presented on appeal, which allege the trial court erred in (1) failing to grant a mistrial because of an alleged threat by respondent toward a witness for appellant; (2) in giving the verdict directing instruction on the offense of burglary because said instruction omitted a finding that appellant intentionally participated in the crime of robbery and (3) in giving the verdict directing instruction on the offense of felonious stealing because said instruction omitted a finding that appellant intentionally participated in the crime of felonious assault.

The sufficiency of the evidence is not challenged, and a summary of the pertinent facts suffices. During the mid-morning hours of February 15, 1979, an apartment on East 33rd Street was burglarized. Several items of personal property were stolen. About noon the same day, appellant and one Louis Anthony were stopped by the police as they walked along a public way near the location of the burglarized apartment. Appellant and Anthony had the sto[152]*152len goods in their possession when stopped by the police. Appellant advised the police that the property was his and he was in the process of moving it to a new residence.

At the local police station, appellant could not identify the property and it was held by authorities for later possible identification. Later the same day, the owner of the property identified the property.

Upon trial of this cause, Louis Anthony appeared as a witness for appellant. Anthony testified that appellant did not know of the burglary, did not participate in the burglary, and that appellant did not know the property was stolen. Anthony further testified that he persuaded appellant to tell the police the property was his (appellant’s) because he (Anthony) knew he was going to be arrested upon an outstanding traffic warrant and he did not want to lose the property to the police.

Anthony had previously pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of stealing, in lieu of charges of burglary and felonious stealing, before a local associate circuit judge. Anthony had completed his sentence on the lesser charge before the instant proceedings ever commenced.

On the morning of the second day of trial, counsel for respondent, out of the hearing of the jury, advised the court it was evident from appellant’s opening statement that Louis Anthony would testify for appellant and he (Anthony) would admit to the burglary and stealing. Counsel further advised the court that the reduced charge of stealing was not a lesser and included offense of burglary, and that there existed a legal argument that Anthony might still be charged with burglary. Counsel expressed doubts that such a charge could be filed under the circumstances, but felt the court should be advised. The trial judge then summoned counsel who had represented Anthony in the earlier proceedings. This attorney was directed and did confer with Anthony concerning his rights. After Anthony was advised of his rights, but before it was known whether or not Anthony would testify, appellant’s counsel objected to the actions of the prosecutor and moved for a mistrial. The motion was denied.

It is upon the foregoing that appellant predicates his first alleged error. Appellant argues that the actions of the prosecutor amounted to a veiled threat, and counsel for respondent had violated his duty to avoid an appearance of impropriety. Appellant concludes he was denied a constitutionally guaranteed right to a fair trial as a result of the foregoing events.

Respondent argues that appellant’s objection was untimely and hence preserved nothing for review. The record dispels the merit of respondent’s position. The record shows objection was made the mid-morning of the second trial date and although other witnesses had testified prior to making an objection, there still remained time for the trial judge to take remedial action if he deemed such was necessary.

The disposition of appellant’s first point turns upon an analysis of the prosecutor’s actions, and whether the trial court abused its discretion in refusing to grant a mistrial.

In the first instance, the prosecutor merely called to the court’s attention a possible legal argument that Anthony could be subsequently charged again with burglary. The prosecutor evidenced belief that such action was neither possible nor likely. The record does not show any remarks made directly to or toward witness Anthony. The trial court then secured Anthony’s counsel and Anthony was advised of his rights. Over and above all of this, Anthony elected to testify as expected on appellant’s behalf. Anthony did testify that he, and not appellant, had committed the burglary and that appellant did not know the property was stolen.

The nature of the prosecutor’s statement did not amount to any threat. In addition, Anthony did testify on appellant’s behalf just as expected. The instant case is somewhat analogous to State v. Richards, 467 S.W.2d 33 (Mo.1971) where the court found no improper influence by the state. The witness in Richards had been jointly indicted with the accused, and the witness had previously pleaded guilty as an accessory. [153]*153The witness was produced and he was advised of his rights prior to his being permitted to testify. After being apprised of his rights, the witness declined to testify. In the instant case (in addition to the total lack of any showing of any threat against Anthony), appellant received the benefit of all exculpatory statements by Anthony on appellant’s behalf and cannot be heard to complain of such benefit on this appeal.

The remaining issue is whether the trial court abused its discretion in denying a mistrial. Mistrial is a drastic remedy which should be granted only with great caution and wherein extraordinary circumstances warrant the granting of such. The propriety of invoking such a remedy lies within the discretion of the trial court, and such will not be set aside unless there is an abuse thereof, see State v. Morgan, 592 S.W.2d 796, 808 (Mo. banc 1980).

The prosecutor advised the court of a possible legal argument concerning the subsequent charge of burglary being filed against witness Anthony. The court, on its own initiative, undertook to protect the rights of witness Anthony. It cannot be said that the prosecutor’s statement was tantamount to a threat, nor was it in any way an abuse of responsibility amounting to an avoidance of any appearance of impropriety.

The trial court insured Anthony of his. rights. This action did not amount to any enhancement of threat or avoidance of appearance of impropriety.

Appellant was the benefactor of Anthony’s testimony and in no way suffered any prejudice as a result of the trial court’s action.

The trial court, being apprised of all the factors involved and then proceeding to insure Anthony’s rights were protected, exercised sound discretion in the matter. It was not an abuse of discretion to have denied appellant’s motion for a mistrial.

Point one is ruled against appellant.

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Related

State v. Morgan
592 S.W.2d 796 (Supreme Court of Missouri, 1980)
State v. Richards
467 S.W.2d 33 (Supreme Court of Missouri, 1971)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
613 S.W.2d 150, 1981 Mo. App. LEXIS 3312, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-steward-moctapp-1981.