Kennon v. State
| Decision Date | 07 May 1998 |
| Docket Number | No. A98A0518.,A98A0518. |
| Citation | 232 Ga. App. 494,502 S.E.2d 330 |
| Parties | KENNON v. The STATE. |
| Court | Georgia Court of Appeals |
OPINION TEXT STARTS HERE
Joseph A. Grimsley, Americus, for appellant.
John R. Parks, District Attorney, Richard E. Nettum, Assistant District Attorney, for appellee
HAROLD R. BANKE, Senior Appellate Judge.
Eugene Kennon was convicted of theft by receiving stolen property, possession of tools for commission of crime, loitering, driving under the influence, habitual violator, attempting to elude, and speeding. On appeal, Kennon contests only his convictions for theft, possession of tools, and driving under the influence.
The evidence, when viewed in a light most favorable to the verdict, showed that at about 11:00 p.m., Deputy Lyle Mathis observed a pick-up truck lurking behind a furniture warehouse that is not open to the public at any time. When Mathis turned his marked patrol cruiser around to investigate, Kennon moved his truck behind an adjacent business that was also closed. After Mathis turned on his "take-down" lights, a high-speed chase ensued. Despite colliding with a parked vehicle and a tree, Kennon proceeded and the chase did not conclude until Kennon struck another parked vehicle. Having observed noticeable signs of intoxication, the arresting officer requested a urine test to which Kennon refused to consent.
Inside the truck, police discovered a crowbar, sledgehammer, bolt cutters, wire cutters, ax, flashlight, and a pair of rubbergloves. Investigators determined that this pick-up truck had been stolen from a used car dealership less than 24 hours earlier. The manager of the dealership testified that Kennon had test driven the same truck a few days earlier. He testified that none of the tools found had been in the truck when he cleaned it. Held:
1. Kennon claims that he was entitled to a directed verdict on the charge of driving under the influence of alcohol because the indictment was defective in that it failed to notify him that he could be convicted of driving under the influence to the extent that it was less safe to drive. We disagree. By failing to attack the indictment prior to trial, Kennon waived his right to a perfect indictment. Bowman v. State, 227 Ga.App. 598, 599(1), 490 S.E.2d 163 (1997); Bentley v. State, 210 Ga.App. 862(1), 438 S.E.2d 110 (1993).
Even assuming the issue was not waived, it lacks merit. The indictment charged Kennon with "[d]riving under the influence of alcohol ... did then and there unlawfully drive a moving vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, so that it was less safe for the defendant to drive, there being not less than .10 percent by weight of alcohol in his blood...." These facts were sufficient to notify Kennon as to the two ways he could be convicted of DUI. See OCGA § 40-6-391(a)(1) and (5). See Jones v. State, 226 Ga.App. 619, 622(3), 487 S.E.2d 371 (1997). Compare Kevinezz v. State, 265 Ga. 78, 83(2)(d), 454 S.E.2d 441 (1995).
Where a crime, as here, can be committed in a variety of ways, an indictment must charge the ways in the conjunctive. Vann v. State, 153 Ga.App. 710, 711(2), 266 S.E.2d 349 (1980). We find no error.
2. Kennon contends that he was entitled to a directed verdict on the charge of theft by receiving because venue was only proper in Dougherty County. We disagree. Venue for certain theft offenses, including this offense, is appropriate "in any county in which the accused exercised control over the property which was the subject of the theft." OCGA § 16-8-11. The evidence, without question, shows that Kennon exercised control over the stolen vehicle in Lee County where he was prosecuted for that offense.
3. Kennon contests the sufficiency of the evidence as to his conviction for possession of tools for the commission of a crime. The essential elements of that offense are: (1) possession of tools and implements commonly used in the commission of burglary, theft or other crime; (2) intent to use those in the commission of a crime. OCGA § 16-7-20(a). Hogan v. Atkins, 224 Ga. 358, 359, 162 S.E.2d 395 (1968)....
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Sutton v. State
...possession, such as the sledgehammer and gloves, are items commonly used in the commission of burglary. See Kennon v. State , 232 Ga.App. 494, 496, 502 S.E.2d 330 (1998). And as to the other items that Sutton was charged with possessing (i.e. , pry bars, saws, a grinder, and dark knit hat),......
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Kelly v. State
...for the jury to find that the tools in question were "commonly" used in the commission of a crime. See Kennon v. State , 232 Ga. App. 494, 496 (3), 502 S.E.2d 330 (1998) (sledgehammer, ax, bolt cutters, crowbar, wire cutters, and gloves are commonly used in the commission of burglary, theft......
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Williams v. State
...Ga. App. 458, 459 (1), 559 S.E.2d 516 (2002) (defendant "wore a dreadlock wig" during armed robbery); see also Kennon v. State , 232 Ga. App. 494, 496 (3), 502 S.E.2d 330 (1998) (finding that "sledgehammer, ax, bolt cutters, crowbar, wire cutters, and the pair of gloves shown in evidence sa......
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Bryant v. State, A12A2204.
...a crime, such possession may become a crime when there is an intent to use the instrument to commit a crime. See Kennon v. State, 232 Ga.App. 494, 496(3), 502 S.E.2d 330 (1998) (possession and intent are essential elements of offense of possession of instrumentalities of commission of crime......