Loggins v. People, 24696

• Decision Date: 12 June 1972
• Docket Number: No. 24696,24696
• Citation: 498 P.2d 1146,178 Colo. 439
• Parties: William Leon LOGGINS, Plaintiff in Error, v. The PEOPLE of the State of Colorado, Defendant in Error.
• Court: Colorado Supreme Court

Page 1146

498 P.2d 1146

178 Colo. 439

William Leon LOGGINS, Plaintiff in Error, v. The PEOPLE of the State of Colorado, Defendant in Error.

No. 24696.

Supreme Court of Colorado, In Department.

June 12, 1972.

Rollie R. Rogers, State Public Defender, J. D. MacFarlane, Chief Deputy State Public Defender, Denver, J. Noel Lohn, Don L. Nelson, Deputy State Public Defenders, Fort Collins, for plaintiff in error.

Duke W. Dunbar, Atty. Gen., John P. Moore, Deputy Atty. Gen., E. Ronald Beeks, Asst. Atty. Gen., Denver, for defendant in error.

LEE, Justice.

Plaintiff in error, William Leon Loggins, was convicted by a jury in the district court of Larimer County of the crime of attempted burglary. We affirm the judgment of conviction.

The record of proceedings shows that on July 18, 1969, between 9:00 and 9:30 p.m., the defendant and two confederates were apprehended after a citizen's call to the police, advising that an attempted burglary was in progress of the men's clothing store in Fort Collins, Colorado, known as Morris Alpert, Inc. The citizen-informant observed a man at the back door of the clothing store, attempting to break open the door. Another man was seen acting as a lookout in the alley behind the premises. It was shown that Loggins was the person attempting to break into the store. He was arrested near the back door. A tire iron was found at the base of the door which had extensive damage from the attempt to break it open.

Two allegations of error are asserted as grounds for reversal: First, that the information failed to set forth the essential ingredients or elements of the crime charged and failed to acquaint the accused of what he must meet at trial; second, that the trial court abused its discretion by allowing the jurors to take notes during the trial. We find neither assignment meritorious.

The information was captioned INFORMATION ATTEMPTED BURGLARY and charged the defendant in the following words:

'That on or about the 18th day of July, A.D., 1969, in the County of Larimer and State of Colorado JOSEPH RAY FISHER, LEE WOOD GROVE, JR., and WILLIAM LEON LOGGINS did then and there unlawfully and wilfully, feloniously and maliciously attempt to break and enter and without force enter, the building of MORRIS ALPERT, INC., 150 College Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado, said building not the property of defendants, with intent then and there to commit the crime of theft from MORRIS ALPERT, INC.; contrary to the form of the Statute in such case made and provided, and against the peace and dignity of the same People of the State of Colorado.'

Objection to the sufficiency of the information was not raised by defendant until the conclusion of the People's evidence. No showing whatsoever was made by Loggings that he did not understand the charge against him or that he was hindered in the preparation of ths defense by reason of the alleged insufficiency of the information.

Crim.P. 7(c) provides that the indictment or information shall be a plain, concise and definite written statement of the essential facts constituting the offense charged. C.R.S.1963, 39--4--4, requires that the offense charged be set forth '* * * with such degree of certainty that the court may pronounce judgment upon a conviction * * *.' In Gallegos v. People, 166 Colo. 409, 444 P.2d 267, where this problem was considered, it was stated:

'* * * An information is sufficient if it advises a defendant of the charge he is facing so that he can adequately defend against it. Ciccarelli v. People, 147 Colo. 413, 364 P.2d 368. This court...