P. v. King CA4/3
Defendant was convicted of burglary. The People’s theory was that he entered a mobile home, while a person was present, with the intent to commit larceny. However, the evidence of defendant’s intent at the time of entry was slight. According to both defendant (who testified) and the victim, defendant entered the mobile home, announced himself, and when confronted by the victim, said he was looking for a friend. That claim was lent plausibility by the uncontroverted testimony that defendant’s friend did live in a nearby mobile home park, and defendant had spent the day working for that friend. After the victim confronted defendant with a bat, some awkward conversation followed, but ultimately defendant left without taking anything. At trial, the People introduced evidence — over defendant’s objection — that defendant had pled guilty to petty theft three months prior.
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