Jury Acquits Man of Stealing 99-cent Hot Dog

[The Straight Story]

A jury in Washington has dismissed theft charges against a man accused of stealing, wait for it, a 99-cent hot dog. Reading the details, it sounds like an honest mistake: The guy was shopping at the grocery store when he fixed himself a hot dog at a self-serve counter. He paid for $28 in groceries but forgot to pay for his snack. When confronted by the store’s owners, he offered to pay for the hot dog but they elected to call the cops instead. The Spokane Spokesman-Review says it took about five minutes for the “baffled jury” to come to their decision. Figuring in the cost of a trial, that hot dog turned out to cost taxpayers a whole lot more than just a dollar. Hope it was good.

http://www.patspapers.com/story_stack/item/jury_acquits_man_of_stealing_99-cent_hot_dog/

[Terra Alta]

1. the store's owners should have to pay court costs.

It was an honest mistake, and he offered to pay when he realized his mistake.. the store's owners would have done better to take him up on that offer, instead of using taxpayer's money for a bogus trial.

[Logical]

2. I cannot believe the store owner was such an ass. What a joke our criminal justice system is. n-t

[WhiteTara]

10. The system worked. He was acquited. n/t

[Logical]

12. Really? Worked? Time and lawyers fees not matter to you?

[WhiteTara]

15. Well, that part sucks, of course.

I would think that a lawsuit involving the store would help pay that bill. I think it would stick. And, vote the DA out of office.

[Logical]

17. But you are correct, at least the jury was smart enough to see through it. n-t

[kestrel91316]

3. The prosecutor in that case needs to be fired and disbarred.

[GKirk]

4. I would put more blame on the prosecutor too...

...the store owner could ask to bring charges but it would have to be the prosecutor to actually proceed.

[jmowreader]

18. True, but not necessarily for this case...

Steve Tucker, the Spokane County district attorney-for-life, is about as worthless as tits on a tomcat, sad to say.

(Edit: Having said that, which is true--Steve Tucker is a useless fuck who leaves cases sitting uncharged until the court throws them out for laziness on the part of the prosecutor's office--it appears we are dealing with a hard-charging young lady assistant prosecutor who needs to convict lots and lots of people so she can someday run for higher office. If they fire her she'll have to move to Spokane and start chasing ambulances--and we have too many of those now! Perhaps charging her for the costs of the trial, but allowing her to work it off by cleaning grease traps for minimum wage, would be better.)

[rurallib]

5. he ate it while he shopped - Why didn't they ask him about it

when he checked out? They watched him eat it in the store. Seems like they wanted to nail him. Why? Maybe to set an example? They could have saved a lot of time and money and bad publicity by simply asking him about it at check out.

[dmr]

7. Common sense & the right thing to do.

Bet they lose customers, I know I wouldn't shop there anymore.
:hi:

[indepat]

29. Bet that store lost this customer in perpetuity

:patriot:

[Dappleganger]

6. Straining at gnats and swallowing camels.

[ZombieHorde]

8. If I was on a jury, I would never convict a poor person of stealing food

or taking drugs.

[jmowreader]

20. This isn't a case of a poor person stealing food

This guy went into the store, got a German sausage (not a hot dog) off the roller grill, then went into the main part of the store to do his shopping. When he got to the register, he had eaten the sausage and forgot to pay for it.

I bet there's a new sign up in the store tonight: Grill Items Must Be Paid For Before You Start Shopping!

[ZombieHorde]

24. "Forgot to pay" and "stealing" are pretty similar.

I know the guy offered to pay after he was caught, but even accidental theft is still theft.

[jmowreader]

26. Washington requires intent for it to be charged as theft

2009 Washington Code
Title 9A - Washington criminal code
Chapter 9A.56 - Theft and robbery.
9A.56.020 - Theft -- Definition, defense.
Share|
Theft — Definition, defense.
(1) "Theft" means:

(a) To wrongfully obtain or exert unauthorized control over the property or services of another or the value thereof, with intent to deprive him or her of such property or services; or

(b) By color or aid of deception to obtain control over the property or services of another or the value thereof, with intent to deprive him or her of such property or services; or

(c) To appropriate lost or misdelivered property or services of another, or the value thereof, with intent to deprive him or her of such property or services.

(2) In any prosecution for theft, it shall be a sufficient defense that:

(a) The property or service was appropriated openly and avowedly under a claim of title made in good faith, even though the claim be untenable; or

(b) The property was merchandise pallets that were received by a pallet recycler or repairer in the ordinary course of its business.
<2004 c 122 § 1; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 38 § 9; 1975 1st ex.s. c 260 § 9A.56.020.>
Notes: Effective date -- Severability -- 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 38: See notes following RCW 9A.08.020.
Civil action for shoplifting by adults, minors: RCW 4.24.230.

Because he didn't intend to leave without paying for it, it's not theft. The statute on shoplifting also requires intent.

Since this guy didn't intend to rip the store off, he's not criminally liable ACCORDING TO THE LAWS OF THE STATE HE WAS IN, WHICH IS WASHINGTON. Yes, he might be totally guilty in Maryland or Alabama, but Washington isn't either of those places.

[ZombieHorde]

28. Nice! nt

[Renew Deal]

22. Then you will likely never be on a jury

But it's a better route than this person... Judge Reportedly Sentences New York Woman to Indefinite Jury Duty After Racist Remarks

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/04/06/judge-reportedly-sentences-new-york-woman-indefinite-jury-duty-racist-remarks

[ZombieHorde]

23. I remember that story.

Then you will likely never be on a jury

I wouldn't offer that info if I wanted to be on a jury.

[elocs]

9. Yeah, I read about that here earlier today:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x971355

[Ikonoklast]

11. They didn't take his money when offered?

Fools.

Unless the guy came into the store every day and ate a free lunch, this was just plain stupid to prosecute.

[housewolf]

13. Better Washington tha California with it's 3 Strikes and it's life laws

n/t

[ManiacJoe]

16. Washington has those, too.

[BrightKnight]

14. All of those people had jury duty for that?

It was a huge waste of time and money. The prosecutor should be fired.

[Renew Deal]

19. The prosecutor should be fired

For wasting the counties money.

[AsahinaKimi]

21. O.o"

[TheKentuckian]

25. What an especially fuckwitted Prosecutor in a land of awful DA's.

[Lucian]

27. But...but...but...he stole!

He's scum!

:sarcasm:

:eyes: