LEMUEL SHARP, APPELLANT,
v.
STATE OF FLORIDA, APPELLEE
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The court held that it was prejudicial error to exclude the defendant's proffered evidence of similar acts when the state introduced similar evidence to prove fraudulent intent.
The defendant was convicted of grand larceny for purchasing items and charging them to the City, failing to reimburse the City for over two years. The…
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Appellant Sharp, by this appeal, contends that his conviction of grand larceny should be set aside. Eleven points on appeal are urged by him for reversal.
Appellant’s point 1 questions the constitutionality of Section 811.021, Florida *218Statutes, F.S.A.; point 2 questions the sufficiency of the bill of particulars; and point 3 urges that the State should have elected at the close of its case as to which part of the statute it was relying upon. These three points are grouped into one argument by appellant in his brief. We will not unduly belabor the arguments directed to these points and observe that the indictment together with the detailed bill of particulars fully apprised the defendant of what charges he was called upon to defend within the purview of the State and Federal constitutional provisions.
Point 4 is directed to defendant’s duties or connection with respect to bringing the alleged offense within the statute of limitations by reason of the defendant’s official position with the City.1 Points 5 and 6 are directed to the question of whether the alleged offense was connected with the discharge of defendant’s duties. The State submitted competent evidence “connecting” defendant’s duties as a councilman with the alleged offense.2 Point 7 pertains to defendant’s motion to release members of the grand jury from their oaths of secrecy. We adopt the trial court’s finding on this point, viz.: “ * * * the court herein finds that such a request is based on pure surmise and speculation and that no proper showing is made in said motion entitling the defendant to the release of said oaths of secrecy. See Minton v. State [Fla.], 113 So.2d 361, and State v. Lampp [Fla.App.], 155 So.2d 10”.
Point 8 reads, viz.: “Where the State must prove the defendant’s fraudulent intent when he purchased an item by the use of the name, and with the consent, of another, is evidence of other similar acts involved in the same transaction, admissible to rebut the fraudulent intent charged against him ? ” presents what we determine to be reversible error. As a mine detector is moved across a battlefield seeking a mine, the inquiry here continuously scanned the defendant’s transactions searching for the one essential object of scienter. The entire trial- was focused upon Lemuel Sharp’s subjective intent. It was proven by the State, without contradiction, that Sharp bought the subject doors, charged them to the City and did not attempt to reimburse the City until an investigation was launched some two and a half years later. The only conflicting evidence related to the element of intent. Sharp’s defense was that he had no- intent to defraud or steal from the City, and his failure to pay for the doors was an oversight on his part. As evidence of intent and to show a common scheme, the State pursuant to Williams v. State,3 introduced similar factual evidence to the effect that during renovation of his building Sharp purchased door pull handles (about $9.00), plate glass ($129.94) and seven blinds (about $125.00), charged them to the City and failed to pay for same. As a part of his defense, Sharp proffered testimony pertaining to the renovation of the subject building to show that: (a) awnings for the City-owned building and his building were ordered together, charged to the City, and he had paid his prorated share; (b) he had ordered an air conditioner for his building, requested the supplier to bill same to the City, and paid for the air conditioner; and (c) he had ordered approximately $350.00 worth of lumber and paneling from a lumber company, requested that the company bill the City, and he paid for it. The State’s objections to these proffers were sustained by the trial court.
We emphasize: the State introduced similar factual evidence pertaining to *219other purchases made and charged to the City during the renovation of the two buildings; the defendant’s proffer was restricted to the same subject matter and the same period of time. Fair play and common sense dictates that what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. The State opened the door and then attempted tó lock same to defendant. Under these circumstances, we hold that it was prejudicial error to deprive the jury of the evidence proffered by defendant.4
We have carefully considered the remaining points on appeal and find them to be without merit.
Reversed with directions to grant defendant a new trial.
WIGGINTON, C. J., and CARROLL, DONALD K., J., concur.
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Hidalgo v. Citizens Prop. Ins. Corp., 46 Fla. L. Weekly D324 (Fla. 3d DCA 2021)…exorably places the insurer on unequal footing with the plaintiff without conferring any corresponding benefit. This should raise concern in the minds of those committed to the adage “sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander,” Sharp v. State, 221 So. 2d 217, 219 (Fla. 1st DCA 1969), as any unsound disadvantage in litigation threatens the integrity of the truth-seeking process.…
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Glimmert Beckham v. State, 339 So. 2d 221 (Fla. 3d DCA 1976)…a. 3d DCA 1964); Quesada v. State, 321 So. 2d 442 (Fla. 3d DCA 1975). Further, mishandling of a trial with regards to matters falling within the judgment or strategy of counsel does not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel. Solloa v. State, 221 So. 2d 217 (Fla. 3d DCA 1969). At most Beckham is claiming that counsel exercised bad judgment in pursuing the defense of insanity and withdrawing the negotiated guilty plea and five year sentence and this is not proper grounds for a collateral attack. Affir…
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Tahan v. Munoz, 44 Fla. L. Weekly D2458 (Fla. 3d DCA 2020)…ate Ins. Co. v. Boechner, 733 So. 2d 993, 998 (Fla. 1999). “Fair play and common sense dictates that what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander,” thus, the continuing viability of Worley should give us pause for reflection. Sharp v. State, 221 So. 2d 217, 219 (Fla. 1st DCA 1969); see also Younkin v. Blackwelder, 44 Fla. L. Weekly at D549.…
Previewing 3 of 4 citing cases — full citator treatment, depth of discussion, and citing context are member features.
Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceAuthorities Cited
- Williams v. State, 110 So. 2d 654 (Fla. 1959)
- United States v. Shavin, 287 F.2d 647 (7th Cir. 1961)
- Minton v. State, 113 So. 2d 361 (Fla. 1959)
- State v. Lampp, 155 So. 2d 10 (Fla. 2d DCA 1963)
- McBrayer v. State, 112 Fla. 415 (Fla. 1933)