Dutton v. State

• Decision Date: 26 July 1978
• Docket Number: No. 9886,9886
• Citation: 94 Nev. 461,581 P.2d 856
• Parties: Kimble DUTTON, Appellant, v. The STATE of Nevada, Respondent.
• Court: Nevada Supreme Court

Page 856

581 P.2d 856

94 Nev. 461

Kimble DUTTON, Appellant, v. The STATE of Nevada, Respondent.

No. 9886.

Supreme Court of Nevada.

July 26, 1978.

Eric L. Zubel, Las Vegas, for appellant.

Robert List, Atty. Gen., Carson City, George Holt, Dist. Atty., Las Vegas, for respondent.

OPINION

PER CURIAM:

Kimble Dutton appeals from a conviction for possession of stolen property (NRS 205.275), contending the district court erred by admitting certain evidence, and instructing the jury. Dutton also claims the evidence was insufficient to sustain the conviction. Finding no reversible error, we affirm.

In 1976, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, in conjunction with the federal government, established an undercover "fencing" operation code-named "Operation Switch." Under the fictitious name of Acme Imports, undercover police officers purchased stolen merchandise. On September 27, 1976, Dutton and his friend Russell Murray entered the store. Murray carried a wooden attache case and a paper bag; Dutton, another wooden case. Upon examination, the undercover officer discovered bronzeware in the attache cases, a Nicromat camera inside the paper bag, and two pistols. The officer subsequently purchased the goods.

At trial the owner of the camera and bronzeware testified that the items were stolen from his home the day before Dutton and Murray sold them to Acme. Testimony also indicated that Dutton pariticpated in price negotiations over the bronzeware, but not with respect to the camera.

1. Dutton was indicted solely for possession of the stolen camera. He therefore claims it was impermissible to admit evidence dealing with his possession of the bronzeware, because it was not charged in the indictment. ¹ Courts "have long adhered to the rule that all the facts . . . necessary to prove the crime charged in the in(dictment), when linked to the chain of events which support that crime, are admissible." People v. Anderson, 184 Colo. 32, 518 P.2d 828, 830 (1974). "The state is entitled to present a full and accurate account of the circumstances of the commission of the crime, and if such an account also implicates the defendant or defendants in the commission of other crimes for which they have not been charged, the evidence is nevertheless admissible." State v. Izatt, 96 Idaho 667, 534 P.2d 1107, 1110 (1975); see also Allan v. State, 92 Nev. 318, 549 P.2d 1402 (1976); State v. Sikes, 247 Or. 249, 427 P.2d 756 (1967). Moreover, under our evidence code, "(e)vidence of other crimes, . . . may . . . be admissible (to show) proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, or absence of mistake or accident." NRS 48.045; Elsbury v. State, 90 Nev. 50, 518 P.2d 599 (1974); Naster v. State, 75 Nev. 41, 334 P.2d 524 (1959). Here Dutton claimed he did not personally possess the stolen camera, and did not have specific knowledge that it was stolen. See Staab v. State, 90 Nev. 347, 526 P.2d 338 (1974). We therefore perceive no error by the district court in admitting the evidence to show both the circumstances surrounding the transaction, and Dutton's knowledge of the stolen character of the goods.

2. Dutton next claims the evidence was insufficient to sustain the conviction, because the State failed to prove he knew the camera was stolen, or that he personally had possession. In order to sustain a conviction for possession of stolen property the State must show: (1) the property was in fact stolen, (2) the property was possessed by the accused with knowledge that it was stolen at the time of possession, and (3) the property was possessed by him with the felonious intent of depriving the true owner of the property. Staab, cited above. "Knowledge that property was stolen can seldom be proved by direct evidence and resort must often be made to circumstantial evidence. However, no distinction is made between direct and circumstantial evidence in the degree of proof required. (Citation omitted.) 'Possession of recently stolen property is so incriminating that to warrant conviction there need only be, in addition to possession, slight corroboration in the form of statements or conduct of the defendant tending to show his guilt.' (Citation omitted.)" People v. Vann, 12 Cal.3d 220, 115 Cal.Rptr. 352, 355, 524 P.2d 824, 827 (1974). There is abundant corroboration in the instant case: the camera was sold at a grossly inadequate price; Dutton engaged in furtive conduct in negotiating with the undercover officer; he knew the dealer was a fence; and conflicts were...