State v. Halyard

Littlejohn, Justice:

Appellant Howard D. Halyard was convicted of armed robbery and possession of a sawed-off shotgun. Appellant now asserts the trial judge erred in denying his motion for a directed verdict of acquittal on the charge of possession of a sawed-off shotgun. We affirm.

On the evening of May 31, 1978, a clothing store in Charleston was robbed by two armed black males carrying an automatic pistol and a sawed-off shotgun. The two men entered the store, forced the persons inside to lie on the floor at gunpoint, and proceeded to steal several hundred dollars in cash and numerous…