People v. Crabtree

Decision Date01 February 1966
Docket NumberCr. 10863
Citation239 Cal.App.2d 789,49 Cal.Rptr. 285
CourtCalifornia Court of Appeals Court of Appeals
PartiesThe PEOPLE, Plaintiff and Respondent, v. Donald Albert CRABTREE, Defendant and Appellant.

James A. Wallace, Santa Monica, under appointment by the District Court of Appeal, for defendant and appellant.

Thomas C. Lynch, Atty. Gen., William E. James, Asst. Atty. Gen., and George J. Roth, Deputy Atty. Gen., for plaintiff and respondent.

FILES, Presiding Justice.

Defendant was charged by information with petty theft with a prior conviction of petty theft (Pen. Code § 666). He pleaded not guilty and admitted the prior conviction. Following a jury trial he was found guilty as charged and has appealed from the judgment.

On August 4, 1964, at about 12 noon, defendant entered a Food Giant market in Canoga Park. Joseph Muscarella, a security agent employed by the market, saw him walk to the meat department and pick up a package of meat. Next defendant walked over to the soup aisle and placed the meat under his shirt. Then he selected a quart of milk, proceeded to the checkstand and paid for the milk, but failed to pay or offer to pay for the meat concealed under his shirt.

As defendant left the market, Mr. Muscarella approached him, identified himself as a special agent for Food Giant, and informed defendant that he was placing him under arrest for theft. After a short scuffle, defendant dropped the milk and ran. While he was running he removed the meat from inside his shirt and threw it to the ground. Mr. Muscarella caught defendant and took him into an office in the rear of the market. Defendant was asked for some identification but stated that he had none. He was then asked to empty his pockets, whereupon he produced several dollar bills. Mr. Muscarella then asked why he had not paid for the meat, and defendant replied that he didn't want to spend his money, he wanted to save his money.

Defendant took the witness stand on his own behalf and testified that Mr. Muscarella had given him the meat inside the market, telling him that it was defective and that he would not have to pay for it.

Defendant's sole contention on appeal is that the introduction into evidence of the statement he made to Mr. Muscarella after he had been taken into custody was prejudicial error which entitled him to a reversal under Escobedo v. State of Illinois, 378 U.S. 478, 84 S.Ct. 1758, 12 L.Ed.2d 977, and ...

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10 cases
  • Deborah C., In re
    • United States
    • California Supreme Court
    • November 5, 1981
    ...as private citizens unaffected by Miranda. (People v. Payne (1969) 1 Cal.App.3d 361, 365, 81 Cal. Rptr. 635; Peoplev. Crabtree (1969) 239 Cal.App.2d 789, 790, 49 Cal.Rptr. 235; but cf. In re Victor F. (1980) 112 Cal.App.3d 673, 680-681, 169 Cal.Rptr. 455.) Police complicity in the usual sen......
  • People v. Brown
    • United States
    • California Court of Appeals Court of Appeals
    • September 11, 1975
    ...a Miranda warning are not within the Miranda rule (People v. Wright, 249 Cal.App.2d 692, 694-695, 57 Cal.Rptr. 781; People v. Crabtree, 239 Cal.App.2d 789, 49 Cal.Rptr. 285); (2) defendant's statements respecting his employment were the products of questions respecting his identity which, u......
  • State v. Boyd, CR
    • United States
    • Circuit Court of Connecticut. Connecticut Circuit Court, Appellate Division
    • July 18, 1969
    ...1602); and of 'authorities' (p. 472, 86 S.Ct. 1602). See also Yates v. United States, 5 Cir., 384 F.2d 586, 588; People v. Crabtree, 239 Cal.App.2d 789, 790, 49 Cal.Rptr. 285; State v. Master, 154 N.E.2d 133, 136 (Iowa); State v. Rodgers, 251 La. 953, 958, 207 So.2d 755; Schaumberg v. State......
  • United States v. Antonelli
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — Second Circuit
    • November 24, 1970
    ...See also People v. Wright, 249 Cal.App.2d 692, 693-695, 57 Cal.Rptr. 781 (Ct.App., 2d Dist. 1967); People v. Crabtree, 239 Cal.App.2d 789, 790, 49 Cal.Rptr. 285, 286 (Ct.App., 4th Dist. 1966) (pre-Miranda); State v. Boyd, 5 Conn.Cir. 648, 260 A.2d 618, 623 (Cir. Ct., App.Div.1969); State v.......
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