People v. Langley CA1/3

BACKGROUND

Stephen Price’s wife, Margaret Price, passed away in March 2020. At the time of her death, she held title to a 2012 Ford Escape. She never

1 transferred title to Stephen,1 nor did he attempt to transfer title after she passed. In 2021, Stephen hired Langley to clear and mill trees on his property. He paid Langley approximately $25 per hour — totaling $5,100 — and allowed Langley to keep some wood. He also allowed Langley to use the Ford Escape while working on the property to transport equipment up the half- mile gravel driveway. But Stephen rejected Langley’s request to obtain the car in exchange for his services. Langley later stopped working for Stephen, but he continued to use the car despite Stephen’s many requests for its return. Stephen warned Langley that if the car was not returned, he would report it as stolen. Langley did not return the car, and Stephen contacted the police. The investigating officer determined that the car was registered to Langley, not Margaret. A DMV review of the ownership registration certificate — identifying the legal owner of a vehicle — showed Langley owned the Ford Escape. The certificate of title — the document, completed under…