People v. Cliffin CA2/6

FACTS

Solomon Robles owned a Chevy Silverado. Someone stole it on January 28, 2013. Robles did not give the key to the Silverado to anyone and it was locked before the theft. The police subsequently recovered the vehicle and returned it to Robles. Robles noticed there was damage to "the ignition and the steering wheel that hadn't been there before." The windows were broken. On February 2, 2013, Police Officer Christopher Brammer saw the stolen vehicle and stopped it. Cliffin was driving it. There were two screwdrivers "sitting on the seat." Brammer testified "something had been jammed into the ignition." Consequently, a key could not start the vehicle. There were no keys in the vehicle, and he did not find any keys when he searched Cliffin. Brammer said a screw driver could be used to start the vehicle. Police Officer David Weise testified Cliffin told him, "I don't have the key for the vehicle." Weise asked, "So did you steal the car?" Cliffin responded, "I will be honest. I saw it off of Artesia. I saw it was already open so I took it." Deadlocked Jury After closing arguments, the jury went to the jury room for deliberations. The jury subsequently sent the trial court…