People v. Williams

57 Cal. 4th 776, 161 Cal. Rptr. 3d 81 (2013)

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People v. Williams

California Supreme Court
57 Cal. 4th 776, 161 Cal. Rptr. 3d 81 (2013)

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Facts

Demetrius Williams (defendant) bought gift cards from a Walmart store using credit cards that had been recoded with stolen information. When Williams tried to buy more gift cards, Walmart’s security guards confronted Williams. Williams tried unsuccessfully to talk himself out of the situation, then pushed through the guards in an attempt to flee. The guards wrestled Williams to the ground, arrested him, and recovered the stolen cards. The jury found Williams guilty of theft by false pretenses and robbery. Williams appealed the robbery conviction, arguing that he had committed only theft by pretenses, which could not be the basis of a robbery charge. The California Court of Appeal affirmed the robbery conviction. Williams appealed to the California Supreme Court.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Kennard, J.)

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