The Family Jewelry

The Defendant was the brother-in-law of the victim, who owned valuable jewelry including a 3.5 carat heart-shaped diamond ring and a sapphire ring, together worth over $100,000. The first robber and the second robber, the Defendant's friends, drove from Oakland to Redding and robbed the victim at her home. The second robber gained entry by presenting himself as a poll taker; when the victim asked for identification, he forced her into the hallway. The first robber, wearing a ski mask, followed. They subdued the victim, taped her mouth and eyes, tied her to a bathroom fixture, and ransacked the house. They cut the telephone wires and took the jewelry, silverware, and other valuables before leaving. The Defendant was not present during the robbery. The Prosecution alleged he had helped plan it — that he described the victim's jewelry and the diamond ring, provided a floor plan of her home, described the family cars, and agreed to sell stolen goods for a percentage of the proceeds. The two robbers, who pleaded guilty to robbery, testified against the Defendant and confirmed his involvement. The Defendant testified he had mentioned the jewelry casually in conversation without criminal intent, had told the second robber multiple times he wanted no part of any robbery, and had later helped Police locate the two robbers.