Massey v. United States
District of Columbia Court of Appeals
320 A.2d 296 (1974)
- Written by Rich Walter, JD
Facts
The United States government (plaintiff) prosecuted Roy Massey (defendant) for burglary. Trial evidence established that Massey frequented a bar in a building that also contained upstairs apartments. The bar's storeroom contained clothes being stored for a tailor. Late on the night in question, a woman who lived across the street saw someone matching Massey's description force the door and enter the bar. The neighbor reported the break-in, and when the police investigated, they saw an intruder fleeing from the storeroom. Shortly thereafter, the police found Massey, only partially clad, upstairs. The police later found the rest of Massey's clothes in the storeroom. Massey said that upstairs residents admitted him to the building. The residents and the bar's owner all emphatically denied admitting Massey or giving him permission to be in the building. The jury convicted Massey, who appealed to the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. Massey contended that the government failed to prove that he entered the building with an intent to steal.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Gallagher, J.)
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