People v. Doris White

Watts, J. Defendants, Doris White and Elizabeth Marshall, were convicted of larceny of $214 by trick in a nonjury trial in the recorder’s court of Detroit, both defendants having signed written waivers of trial by jury. Defendant White was sentenced to serve 2-1/2 to 5 years in the Detroit house of corréetion, and appeals. Defendant Marshall did not appeal. On July 15, 1964, a criminal complaint was filed by J. K. Winfrey, an 80-year-old woman, alleging defendants committed larceny of $214 by trick in violation of CLS 1961, § 750.356 (Stat Ann 1962 Rev § 28.588). Complainant Winfrey testified that while shopping in a downtown Detroit store she became ill and was offered assistance by defendant White. At the suggestion of defendant White, they left the store and later were met by defendant Marshall. Defendant Marshall told defendant White and the complainant that she had found a purse which contained approximately $3,000. The complainant and the two defendants went to a nearby park to talk about the “found” money. Defendant Marshall left the conversation on the pretext of reporting the “find” to her “boss” and later returned with the report that the money would be divided between the two defendants and the complainant. After the complainant was persuaded by the defendants to withdraw funds from a savings account in a downtown bank, she delivered to defendants White and Marshall $214 in cash. The complainant was told by the defend *106 ants to see a Mr. McBride for the return of the money. Mr. McBride was not located and the money was not returned. It is the contention of defendant White that the complainant, being a person 80 years of age and having been ill, was unable to identify defendant and that during the trial the complainant had many failures of memory. The issue in the instant case is whether or not the evidence presented by the prosecution is sufficient, if believed, to support a finding by the trier of the facts that the accused is guilty of the crime charged beyond a reasonable doubt. In cases tried without a jury, the trial judge is the trier of the facts and he may give such weight to the testimony as in his opinion it is entitled. This Court will not reverse the judgment of the trial court unless evidence clearly preponderates in a direction opposite to the finding of fact by the trial court. People v. Szymanski (1948), 321 Mich 248; People v. Geddes (1942), 301 Mich 258; People v. Chesbro (1942), 300 Mich 720. Affirmed. Lesinski, C. J., and Quinn, J., concurred.