State v. Lara

Don’s Food Center in Laurel, Montana, was robbed at 1:19 p.m. on August 20, 1977. Mrs. Nelson, wife of the owner, was working alone in the store at the time of the robbery. She testified she did not see the robber as he entered the store because she was busy with a customer. The robber after a few minutes moved behind a cigarette rack where he was partially hidden from Mrs. Nelson’s view. During this time Mrs. Nelson was working at the cash register with her head down.

The robber then walked over and stopped in front of Mrs. Nelson approximately three feet away. As Mrs. Nelson looked up, the…