People v. Pritchard CA5

INTRODUCTION

Steven Luke Pritchard and his codefendant wife were found sleeping in their sport utility vehicle (SUV). Inside the SUV were controlled substances and numerous pieces of stolen property. Defendant was ultimately convicted of burglary, receiving stolen property, and possession of methamphetamine. On appeal, defendant maintains there is insufficient evidence to establish the required corroboration for the accomplice evidence of the codefendant and, as a result, reversal is required. Defendant also argues there is insufficient evidence to support his burglary conviction and the evidence “failed to establish every essential element of the crime of burglary” in violation of his rights to a fair trial and due process. We will affirm.

RELEVANT BACKGROUND1

The burglary On February 11, 2013, Jan Blesener left her home on Fall River Place in Bakersfield between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. All the windows and doors were locked. When she returned about four hours later, her garage door was open. Inside her home, in the master bedroom and bathroom, numerous items were missing. For example, drawers had been removed from a jewelry chest, and jewelry was also missing. Noticing a…