Stephans v. State

OPINION

By the Court,

Pickering, J.:

To establish grand larceny in this felony shoplifting case, the State needed to prove that the stolen goods had a value of $250 or more. Here, the only proof of value came from the department store’s loss prevention officer. He testified, over the defense’s foundation, hearsay, and best evidence objections, that the stolen goods he recovered bore price tags adding up to $477. Neither the price tags nor duplicates of them were offered or admitted.

The defense objections to this testimony should have been sustained. While there are several ways to establish…