Edmonds v. State

• Decision Date: 09 November 1894
• Citation: 42 Neb. 684,60 N.W. 957
• Parties: EDMONDS v. STATE.
• Court: Nebraska Supreme Court

42 Neb. 684

60 N.W. 957

EDMONDS

v.STATE.

Supreme Court of Nebraska.

Nov. 9, 1894.

Syllabus by the Court.

In a prosecution for grand larceny, proof of the value of the property stolen must be made by at least one witness affirmatively shown to possess knowledge of the value concerning which he is called upon to give evidence. Brooks v. State, 44 N. W. 436, 28 Neb. 389, followed.

Error to district court, Otoe county; Chapman, Judge.

James Edmonds was convicted of larceny, and brings error. Reversed.John A. Rooney, for plaintiff in error.

Geo. H. Hastings, Atty. Gen., for the State.

RYAN, C.

Plaintiff in error was convicted of larceny in the district court of Otoe county. His sentence was imprisonment in the penitentiary for the period of one year. There is but one question to which it is necessary that attention be given, and that pertains to the proof made of the value of the bicycle charged to have been stolen; that is, as to whether it was at least equal to $35. On this point there was no evidence except that of Roy Robinson, the owner of the aforesaid bicycle, who, over proper objections, testified as follows: “Q. What was the value of the wheel? A. I know what its value was when I bought it. Q. How long have you owned the bicycle? A. Two months. Q. What was its value when you bought it? A. It was worth, when it was new, $150. * * * Q. Do you know what the value of the wheel was when it was taken? A. No, sir; I do not. * * * Q. Is the bicycle in the same condition now as it was at the time it was stolen? A. Yes, sir; with the exception of a brake what was on it then. Q. A brake to stop the wheel? A. Yes, sir. * * * Q. I will ask you to state whether or not you have purchased bicycles before this last one which you purchased. A. I have had two wheels. Q. I will ask you to state what was the fair market value of the bicycle which was stolen by Edmonds at the time it was stolen. A. I do not know any price. Q. Have you an opinion what its fair market value was at the time it was stolen? A. I do not know any price. Q. Have you an opinion what its fair market value was at the time it was stolen? A. I do not know whether it was worth five dollars or a hundred dollars. Q. It was worth fifty dollars, anyway? A. Yes, sir.” The above evidence was given partly when the witness was originally called, and partly when he was recalled. On the latter occasion occurred the examination which began with the question as to whether or not the witness...