San Andreas Judicial Branch
Superior Court of San Andreas
"EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER LAW"
ISSUANCE OF VERDICT
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF SAN ANDREAS
State of San Andreas v. Arthur Green
#24-CM-0067
A decision was reached in the above case on the 27th day of October, 2024.
Trial Review
The court was tasked with reviewing the incident that occurred on the 6th of February, where the defendant was apprehended by law enforcement after a chase. The reason for the chase was the alleged relation of the vehicle to a previous vehicle seen near the location of a 9-1-1 call/crime scene. During the trial, the prosecution argued that the license plate, proximity to the ATM and 9-1-1 call, similar clothing, and direct evidence found on the defendant at the time of arrest (i.e., a crowbar and packed cash) indicated the defendant's guilt. The defense argues that similar clothing and a license plate scan alone are not sufficient to charge someone with the alleged crimes. The defense also argues that there was not enough probable cause established at the time of the trace to allow for a trace of the defendant.
Verdict
The court disagrees with the argument of the defense in regards to probable cause for a trace. The court finds that an individual’s license plate being seen near the crime scene, with no other vehicles in view, provides sufficient probable cause for a trace. The owner of the license plate would be lawfully investigated by law enforcement including the ability to trace the individual.
The court will uphold the precedent set in case #24-CM-0061,
State of San Andreas v. Cortez Rivera. We assert that some similar elements may not directly show guilt. However, in this specific case, the combination of all elements—packed cash, crowbar, vehicle proximity to the crime, license plate, trace of the defendant, and the defendant’s clothing—supports the same reasonable conclusion.
It is with the above considerations that I issue the following verdict:
- On the count of GM05 - Receiving Stolen Property, I find the defendant, Arthur Green, guilty.
- On the count of GM08 - Vandalism, I find the defendant, Arthur Green, guilty.
Note for the defendant: As the prosecution filed a Motion to Amend prior to trial, removing the charge GM06 - Petty Theft, the defendant may make their way to city hall whenever they are next available to collect the sum of
$5,000 and to have a note made on their record for the charge removal.
Superior Court Judge
Branch Administrator
San Andreas Judicial Branch
505-9925 —
[email protected]
