People v. Pigg

MOORE, P. J. Appellant was accused under two counts of having committed burglary and of a prior conviction of robbery. He was convicted of burglary in the second degree. He appeals from the judgment.

While Chester Blevins was present at the apartment of Dale Evan Thomas, the latter telephoned to Patrick Rush concerning the stealing of some property. Immediately Rush and the appellant Pigg visited Thomas and engaged him in conversation with respect to a plan stealthily to enter the offices of the Jenmac Corporation in Gardena in order to obtain its check protector and typewriter. Blevins offered to convey them in his automobile. He entertained a secret purpose; he had a stepdaughter, aged 16 and married, but who had for some time occupied an apartment with Dale Thomas. He planned that if Thomas were arrested, the stepdaughter would return to her mother’s care or go back to her husband’s home.

After appellant and Rush had procured a paper automobile license and Blevins had pasted it on his car, they drove to Gardena and to the plant of the Jenmac Corporation. Appellant, Rush and Thomas left the automobile and Blevins drove up and down the avenue. The three men broke into the back door, took the typewriter and check protector and returned with them to Mr. Blevin’s automobile. Thereupon, the four men proceeded to the Weibel Auto Works on Paramount Boulevard in Long Beach. Having worked there, Thomas knew he could find blank checks to suit their purpose. [739]After Blevins parked in the rear lot, the other men went to the front where Rush and appellant walked up and down while Thomas broke the window, entered, took the checks and made his exit.

On the following evening, April 21, 1956, Blevins observed a radio car on Valley Boulevard and told its operator, Deputy Sheriff Sergeant LeBerthon that he feared the outcome of certain unlawful acts in which he had participated and he “was anxious over his involvement.” After describing the burglaries and his associates and the houses burglarized, he stated that his motive was to protect his stepdaughter; that he considered Thomas a menace to her welfare, and that he feared him for the remainder of his family at home. The officer accompanied Blevins and his wife to the investigators at the sheriff’s Temple City station. He had not heard of either of the burglaries and Mrs. Blevins had, to this point, prevailed upon her husband not to report the crimes.

We are thus faced with the duty of determining whether the trial court was correct in holding that Blevins was a feigned, and not an actual accomplice, and whether his testimony was a sufficient corroboration of defendant Rush. The latter had been accused; the accusation had been dismissed and he testified to the facts on behalf of the People. The problem arises out of section 1111 of the Penal Code which provides that a conviction cannot be had upon the testimony of an accomplice unless it be corroborated by such other evidence as shall tend to connect the defendant with the commission of the crime charged. He is an accomplice who is liable to prosecution for the identical offense charged against the person on trial. Now, Blevins did not suggest a burglary. It was a scheme of Thomas who telephoned Rush of the plan to steal the property. Blevins was merely present when Thomas used the telephone. Immediately Rush and Pigg entered and the four men conversed concerning the proposed burglary. They discussed whether it would be wise for Blevins to accompany them. He drove them to the Gardena plant of the Jenmac Corporation and back to the Weibel Auto Works. At the trial, he testified that his purpose in accompanying the men was to protect his stepdaughter against Thomas and that he reported the events to the deputy sheriff on the following day.