State v. Ellsworth

The appellant was convicted of the crime of grand larceny. His act consisted in the taking of a purse containing $16 from the person of the complaining witness.

The statute under which appellant was tried is RCW 9.54.090. It defines one method of committing grand larceny as follows:

“Every person who steals . . .

“ (1) Property of any value by taking the same from the person of another ...”

It was the contention of appellant at the trial, and it is now urged in this court, that inasmuch as the value of the property stolen was less than $25 he .could be convicted of no offense greater than petit…