Sharpe v. State

It frequently happens, upon the investigation of a criminal charge, that the possession of stolen goods by the accused is a circumstance tending to show criminality. Instances of this kind often occur in prosecutions for larceny, burglary and arson, sometimes in cases of homicide, and also in trials for other offenses. Whenever evidence of such possession is offered, the time which elapsed between the commission of the offense and the possession by the accused of the stolen goods is a *589material matter for consideration by the jury, to which the judge, by appropriate instructions, should call…