State of Louisiana Versus Shineda N. Taylor

STATE OF LOUISIANA NO. 20-KA-215

VERSUS FIFTH CIRCUIT

SHINEDA N. TAYLOR COURT OF APPEAL

STATE OF LOUISIANA

ON APPEAL FROM THE TWENTY-FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA
NO. 19-1692, DIVISION "N"
HONORABLE STEPHEN D. ENRIGHT, JR., JUDGE PRESIDING

April 28, 2021

FREDERICKA HOMBERG WICKER
JUDGE

Panel composed of Judges Fredericka Homberg Wicker,
Robert A. Chaisson, and John J. Molaison, Jr.

AFFIRMED
FHW
RAC
JJM

COUNSEL FOR PLAINTIFF/APPELLEE,
STATE OF LOUISIANA
Honorable Paul D. Connick, Jr.
Thomas J. Butler
Matthew R. Clauss
Lynn Schiffman
John Carr

COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANT/APPELLANT,
SHINEDA N. TAYLOR
Bruce G. Whittaker

WICKER, J.

Defendant, Shineda N. Taylor, appeals her conviction for unauthorized use of

a motor vehicle, a violation of La. R.S. 14:68.4.1 She assigns as error the

insufficiency of the evidence to convict her. For the reasons that follow, we affirm

Defendant’s conviction and sentence.

The Jefferson Parish District Attorney filed a bill of information on March 21,

2019, charging Ms. Taylor with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, in violation of

La. R.S. 14:68.4. Defendant was arraigned on March 26, 2019, and pled not guilty. 2

On January 13, 2020, the District Attorney filed a superseding bill of information

charging Defendant with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, in violation of La.

R.S. 14:68.4 (count one) and simple kidnapping, in violation of La. R.S. 14:45 (count

two). Defendant was arraigned on the superseding bill of information on January

27, 2020, and pled not guilty. Trial was held before a six-member jury on January

28, 2020.

The testimony at trial revealed the following. Ms. Saundra Katz has owned a

small auto dealership, Boomtown Auto Sales (“Boomtown”), for approximately

twenty years. Boomtown is located on Airline Drive in Kenner, Louisiana between

1
In her February 7, 2020 motion for appeal, Defendant sought appeal from the “final judgment entered by
this court on February 6, 2020,” which was the date of sentencing. Defendant did not specifically seek to
appeal her January 28, 2020 conviction. Nevertheless, Defendant’s sole assignment of error pertains to her
conviction and not her sentence. Appeals are favored in law, and appeals should not be dismissed on
hypertechnical interpretations of a statute which can be reasonably interpreted to preserve the appeal,
particularly in the absence of any claim of prejudice by the opposing party. State v. Armant, 02-907 (La
App. 5 Cir. 01/28/03), 839 So.2d 271, 274. Accordingly, Defendant’s assignment of error is addressed
herein, and a full error patent review will be performed. See State v. Luckey, 16-494 (La. App. 5 Cir.
2/8/17), 212 So.3d 1220, 1224, writs denied, 17-432 (La. 10/27/17), 228 So.3d 1225 and 17-617 (La.
10/27/17), 228 So.3d 1234 (Wherein the defendant filed a notice of appeal from the final judgment entered
on the date of the defendant’s sentencing. This Court, pointing out that although the defendant did not
explicitly seek review of his convictions in his notice of appeal, his sole counseled assignment of error and
his three pro se assignments or error pertained only to his convictions, not to his sentences. This Court,
therefore, addressed defendant’s assignments of error concerning his convictions and conducted a full errors
patent review); see also State v. Raymo, 81-3151 (La. 09/07/82), 419 So.2d 858, 861 (sufficiency of the
evidence should be considered, regardless of how the error is brought to the attention of the reviewing court,
and since the double jeopardy clause prevents retrial when a reversal is based on insufficiency of evidence
due to the State’s failure to prove an essential element of the offense, a judgment of acquittal must be
entered).
2
The State amended the bill of information on November 14, 2019, to add “AKA Shineda T. Diaz.”

20-KA-215 1

Fairway Street and Tyler Street.3 Ms. Katz testified that Ms. Paulette Elwood,

Boomtown’s secretary, and Ms. Barbara Tyler had worked with her for a “very long

time.” Ms. Tyler’s cousin also worked as a salesperson at Boomtown.4

As of May, 2018, Ms. Tyler had been working at Boomtown as a salesperson

for about seven or eight years. Her job duties included, inter alia, selling vehicles

and conducting test drives with potential customers. She testified that, when she

conducted test drives, she directed potential customers to follow a particular route.

The normal test drive route took the customer/driver “out up Airline, down Williams,

and back around up through Roosevelt.” Ms. Katz confirmed that Boomtown

maintains a designated route for test drives and that, for insurance and safety

purposes, the designated route does not involve entering onto the interstate. Ms.

Katz testified that she never had an issue with a potential customer demanding to

take a vehicle onto the interstate prior to this incident.

On the day in question, May 7, 2018, Ms. Tyler testified that she was taking

her lunch break in the back of the dealership when she received an overhead page

that there was a customer in need of assistance on the sales floor. Ms. Tyler

responded to the request and identified the customer as Defendant. Ms. Tyler

testified that Defendant had a positive demeanor when she first encountered her;

“nothing out of the order.” She testified that Defendant arrived with a purse and a

backpack.5 Ms. Tyler testified that, after Ms. Elwood made a photocopy of

Defendant’s license,6 she—Ms. Tyler—accompanied Defendant on a test drive of a

white, 2006 Lexus.7

3
Ms. Barbara Tyler testified that Boomtown was located off of Airline, and she identified its location on
a Google Earth Map.
4
The trial transcript refers to Ms. Tyler’s cousin both as Ramon Murray and Raymond Nunnery; it
remains unclear which name and/or spelling is correct.
5
Ms. Tyler testified that she did not know how Defendant arrived at Boomtown, nor did she know
whether, after the conclusion of the test drive, Ms. Tyler ever returned to Boomtown to pick up a vehicle.
6
Both Ms. Katz and Ms. Elwood respectively testified that a photocopy of Defendant’s license was made
on May 7, 2018, prior to the commencement of the test drive. A copy of Defendant’s license, which Ms.
Elwood identified as the copy she had made on May 7, 2018, was entered into evidence.
7
Images of the vehicle test driven, as identified by Ms. Tyler, were entered into evidence.

20-KA-215 2

Ms. Tyler testified that after leaving Boomtown, they got onto Airline,

traveled down Williams, and headed in the direction of the interstate. As they neared

the interstate, Defendant asked Ms. Tyler if they could drive on the interstate. Ms.

Tyler testified that she explained that Defendant could not drive onto the interstate

because of insurance reasons. Ms. Tyler testified that after Defendant asked, “what

could [she] do,” she called her boss, Ms. Katz, who also told Defendant that they

could not get on the interstate because the insurance did not “go that far.” Ms. Tyler

testified that while Defendant was talking to Ms. Katz, Defendant turned away from

the interstate, onto Veterans Memorial Boulevard, seemingly headed back towards

Boomtown, as instructed by Ms. Katz, who remained on the phone. However, at

some point, as they were returning to Boomtown, Defendant made a turn, returning

them to Williams Boulevard, and again headed in the direction of the interstate.

According to Ms. Tyler, Defendant turned onto Veterans, headed towards

Roosevelt Boulevard, and then suddenly turned off Veterans and headed towards

Boomtown. She testified that she did not have the opportunity to jump out of the

vehicle because Defendant did not fully stop at stop signs and all of the lights were

green.8 Ms. Tyler testified that she was scared and asked to exit the vehicle multiple

times, but that Defendant refused to slow down or let her exit the vehicle. She

recalled Defendant bickering on the phone with Ms. Katz, some kind of escalation

concerning involving the police, stating that Defendant “thought that if she went

back, that we was [sic] going to have her arrested.” Ms. Tyler testified that once

Defendant became aware of the potential police involvement, “the situation just

became no better. She still wouldn’t go return me back.” Ms. Tyler testified that,

at this point, Defendant again made a U-turn and redirected the vehicle back towards

Veterans and the interstate.

8
On cross-examination, Ms. Tyler confirmed that she did not mention Defendant running through stop
signs in her written statement for the police, but reiterated that it did happen. Ms. Tyler’s statement was
marked for identification purposes as Defense Exhibit 1, it was not admitted into evidence.

20-KA-215 3

Ms. Tyler testified that, directly thereafter, Defendant drove the vehicle onto

the interstate. She re-iterated that all the lights on Veterans, leading up to the

interstate, were green so she could not have safely exited the vehicle, and that

Defendant repeatedly denied her requests to get out of the car. She testified that she

could not say exactly how many times she asked to get out of the car, but that she

had asked “plenty” and was just scared and “wanted to get out the car.” She

described incessant telephone bickering among her, Defendant, and the Boomtown

employees on the other end of the phone; “it just was going on and on.”9 She testified

that eventually she got the phone back from Defendant, but stayed on the call to keep

her coworkers apprised of her location and because she “felt like [her] life was in

danger.”

Ms. Tyler explained that she was panicked, believing that she would not make

it back home. She recalled Defendant entering the interstate at the Veterans on-ramp

near Lafreniere Park and “gunned the car.” Ms. Tyler testified that Defendant told

her that she wanted to drive the car to Gentilly, where Defendant would get out, and

then Ms. Tyler could drive the vehicle back to Boomtown. Ms. Tyler testified that

she told Defendant that she could not drive the car to Gentilly. She testified that she

knew that officers were en route and that she did not want to end up in a high-speed

chase. Therefore, as Defendant proceeded to “take off placing the Interstate,” Ms.

Tyler grabbed the steering wheel, pulled the vehicle to the side of the interstate, took

the keys out of the ignition, exited the vehicle, and began running. She explained

that Defendant then got out of the vehicle and began “hollering” at a “MAP driver”

nearby. Ms. Tyler testified that, at that point, while Defendant was out of the car,

she then ran back to the vehicle, got in, and drove back to Boomtown. She testified

that this was her first, safe opportunity to get away from Defendant. Upon returning

9
On cross-examination, Ms. Tyler testified that Defendant did not keep her from holding the phone or
speaking to her boss, Mrs. Katz, or colleagues at Boomtown.

20-KA-215 4

to Boomtown, where an officer was waiting for her, Ms. Tyler spoke to the officer

and provided a written statement. Ms. Tyler testified that, for some time after this

incident, she refused to conduct test drives because she was scared to get in the car

with someone for fear that a similar situation might occur.10

Ms. Katz testified that on May 7, 2018, she was working with Ms. Elwood

and Ms. Tyler at Boomtown. She confirmed that she called 9-1-1 because of an

incident involving a “customer” and Ms. Tyler while they were on a test drive. She

testified that she became aware there was a problem when she overheard Ms. Elwood

on the phone, saying, “you can’t do—go on the Interstate.” She stated that Ms.

Elwood then told her that she needed to take the call. Ms. Katz explained that she

was on speaker phone with Defendant and Ms. Tyler. She explicitly told Defendant

not to take the vehicle onto the interstate and to stay on the route designated for test

drives. She also told Defendant to return to Boomtown if she could not stay on the

designated route. Ms. Katz testified that Defendant refused to stay on the designated

route and also refused to return to Boomtown. She testified that Defendant, instead,

asked her about the amount of miles within the designated route. Ms. Katz told

Defendant that she did not know the exact mileage, but reiterated that Defendant

must keep to the designated route.

Ms. Katz testified that Defendant was not only upset that she could not take

the vehicle onto the interstate, but was also bothered by the fact that Boomtown had

taken a copy of her driver’s license. Ms. Katz informed Defendant it was standard

practice to make a copy of a potential customer’s driver’s license prior to a test drive,

but that she would be happy to return the copy of Defendant’s license to Defendant

upon the return of the vehicle. Ms. Katz testified that Defendant still did not return

to Boomtown at that time.

10
On cross-examination, Ms. Tyler testified that while Defendant did not have a weapon and did not
make any “threats of physical harm or otherwise,” “her actions showed it.”

20-KA-215 5

Ms. Katz testified that she continually pleaded with Defendant to safely return

Ms. Tyler to Boomtown, and that “at one point when [Defendant] was saying no, I

said, you are kidnapping her. We’re going to call the police. Bring her back.” She

testified that Ms. Tyler’s voice sounded terrified and that she asked for Defendant to

safely return Ms. Tyler “four, five, six times. I just kept saying bring us back Bea.”

Ms. Katz testified that Defendant just responded, “Well, you called the police.” Ms.

Katz explained to Defendant that she had not yet actually called the police, but that

she really would if Defendant did not return Ms. Tyler, “and she refused.”

Throughout the incident, Ms. Katz testified that she just kept thinking, “This

is terrible. This has never happened…They have your employee. They have your

friend, like a family member. Where is she going? What is she going to do? What—

this is—it’s terrible on our end because we don’t know what’s going on.” Ms. Katz

ultimately contacted the police and provided the officer with a written statement

upon his arrival to Boomtown. While she was providing her official statement, Ms.

Tyler contacted her.11 Ms. Katz testified that she handed the phone to the police

officer to speak to Ms. Tyler. Ms. Tyler was returning to Boomtown after getting

the vehicle back from Defendant. Ms. Katz testified that, when Ms. Tyler returned

to Boomtown, she was in shock, “she just sat there.”

Ms. Elwood testified that her job duties at Boomtown included GPS tracking,

answering phone calls, collections, and filing. Ms. Elwood recalled working on May

7, 2018, and making a photocopy of Defendant’s driver’s license. She testified that

Defendant took a 2006 Lexus, which was equipped with a GPS tracker, for a test

drive. She recalled receiving a phone call from Ms. Tyler, who sounded “panicked

and scared.” After giving the phone to Ms. Katz, who she testified also sounded

panicked and scared, Ms. Elwood began tracking the vehicle on a website,

11
On cross-examination Ms. Katz confirmed that at some point during the incident, the phone became
disconnected, she did not know by whom. When she later called back, Ms. Tyler answered the phone,
and they were able to speak.

20-KA-215 6

pinpointing the vehicle at several locations. She testified that it appeared the vehicle

was heading towards the interstate, and she eventually tracked it to the interstate.12

She testified that at 1:35 p.m., she was able to ping the vehicle between 2200-

2248 25th Street in Kenner and that the vehicle was in motion.13 At 1:36 p.m., she

was able to ping the vehicle at 2108 25th Street in Kenner and then, after two

unsuccessful attempts to locate the vehicle, she again located the vehicle driving

between 2200-2248 25th Street in Kenner at 1:40 p.m.14 The vehicle was next

located in motion on Veterans at 1:45 p.m. Ms. Elwood then testified that at 1:48

p.m., she was able to ping the vehicle on the interstate. She testified that it was

eventually stopped at this location on the interstate. The vehicle was next located as

driving on the interstate at 1:50 p.m. She testified that at 1:55 p.m., the vehicle was

on West Napoleon and traveling south towards Boomtown. She described Ms. Tyler

as “panicked and scared” when she returned to Boomtown.

Officer Brian Fogarty with the Kenner Police Department testified that on

May 7, 2018, he was dispatched to Boomtown regarding an incident, which involved

a vehicle and Defendant. Upon his arrival, he spoke with Ms. Katz and obtained a

written statement from her. He also obtained a written statement from Ms. Tyler

when she arrived. He described Ms. Tyler’s demeanor as “visibly upset” and that

“she looked like she had a lot of anxiety.” Officer Fogarty explained that he asked

to speak with Defendant when she called Boomtown later that day. He instructed

12
Ms. Elwood identified State’s Exhibit 5 as the detailed report for the Lexus that she printed out from
her server at Boomtown. She confirmed that it reflects all actual pings and attempted pings that she made
on the vehicle on May 7, 2018. State’s Exhibit 5 was entered into evidence and published to the jury.
13
Ms. Elwood explained that the GPS report stated that at 1:35 p.m. the vehicle was in “Drive” which is
how she knows it was in motion. The GPS report indicated that the second ping indicated “Response:
Locate,” not “Drive,” which meant that the vehicle was merely located; she testified that the vehicle
potentially could have been stopped at a stop sign or stop light. She confirmed that the vehicle was not
being driven at that moment.
14
Ms. Elwood recalled “going too fast” and being “panicked” while attempting to ping the vehicle’s
location, which led to moments during the test drive where she was unable to get the coordinates of the
vehicle. Ms. Elwood explained that “sometimes when you track—try to track down too many times, it
won’t locate right away.” On cross-examination, Ms. Elwood explained that an “attempt locate” meant
that the vehicle was not able to be located. She testified that this did not mean the program was
inoperable.

20-KA-215 7

Defendant to meet him at the Kenner Police Department. He testified that Defendant

did not tell him whether or not she would meet with him, and that she did not appear

at the department. Based on his investigation, Officer Fogarty applied for an arrest

warrant for Defendant.15 Officer Fogarty stated that he was later informed that

Defendant was “booked on that warrant.” He confirmed that his police report did

not state that Defendant prevented Ms. Tyler from using the phone or mention any

weapons and threats. He testified that the report did not mention anything about

running stop signs or speeding. Upon the conclusion of Officer Fogarty’s testimony,

the State rested its case. The defense then called Defendant to testify.

Defendant testified that she first saw the vehicle on April 9, 2018, and that she

contacted Boomtown the following day. She had three communications with the

dealership that month—once on April 10, 2018, and twice on April 12, 2018. On

May 7, 2018, she contacted Boomtown around 12:15 p.m. to determine if she could

test drive the vehicle. She also asked if there would be enough time for her to return

to school for an exam at 3:00 p.m. When she arrived, Defendant looked at the

vehicle, and then Ms. Tyler came out and introduced herself. Defendant recalled

answering a phone call at 12:38 p.m. which lasted about thirty-five minutes. After

the phone call, Defendant asked if there was anything that she needed to sign or be

aware of before taking the vehicle for a test drive.

Defendant testified that she handed in her “driver’s license and a picture of it

was taken with the cell phone.” She testified that she “said the copy machine is right

there. You really need to take a picture on my cell phone?”16 Defendant then

testified that she asked Ms. Tyler to drive the vehicle off of the lot because the

parking lot was difficult to maneuver. She testified that once she took over driving,

15
Officer Fogarty’s arrest warrant was marked as State’s Exhibit 6 and entered into evidence for record
purposes only.
16
On cross-examination, Defendant testified that Ms. Katz told her she would make a copy of the license,
but what she actually observed was Ms. Katz taking a picture of the license on her personal cellphone.

20-KA-215 8

Ms. Tyler began providing her with directions via hand signals. Defendant stated

that Ms. Tyler did not discuss the route with her prior to getting in the car and that

Ms. Tyler was directing them “around in circles.”

Defendant testified that she was confused as to whether the vehicle was a 2004

or a 2006 Lexus and that Ms. Tyler did not know. Nevertheless, she liked the

vehicle, and said, “Let’s bring this baby on the Interstate, like let’s see how it rides.”

She testified that Ms. Tyler responded that they could not take the vehicle onto the

interstate because it did not have enough gas. Defendant asked if they could stop

for gas. Ms. Tyler told her that she did not have any money; Defendant testified that

she then offered to pay for the gas. Defendant testified that Ms. Tyler responded,

“Well, you got to call the boss lady,” which is why they called the dealership.

Defendant testified that she initially spoke with a man17 about the vehicle’s

actual make, model, and mileage because it did not match with the buyer’s guide on

their website. She asked for permission to stop and get gas in order to take the

vehicle on the interstate to drive to “Louisa” and travel back to Boomtown, which

was her normal route for school.18 Defendant testified that the man put her on hold

for four minutes and then came back and told her to call again later because Ms.

Katz was unavailable.

Defendant testified that she called back after a few minutes and spoke to Ms.

Katz about the vehicle’s make and model. She testified that while at a red light she

told Ms. Katz that she wanted to take the vehicle onto the interstate to drive to

Louisa, but would need to stop for gas. Defendant informed Ms. Katz that they were

approaching a gas station, and she asked for permission to stop for gas. She stated

that Ms. Katz told her that Boomtown’s insurance would only provide for a limited

number of miles per test drive, but that Ms. Katz could not tell her exactly how many

17
She testified it was the same white male who had been in the dealership with her.
18
On cross-examination, Defendant clarified that Louisa is the exit for her school in Gentilly. She
confirmed that she wanted to test drive the vehicle from Kenner to Gentilly.

20-KA-215 9

miles were allowed. She testified that she asked Ms. Katz for an estimated number

of miles, and told Ms. Katz that she did not have to go on the interstate and could

take a different route within the allotted mileage.

Defendant testified that she ultimately chose not to get gas because she was

“going back and forth” with Ms. Katz. She testified that she began “picking up that

something’s not right” because Ms. Katz was “not telling [her] the miles.” She

testified that she could not understand why she was not provided this information

prior to Boomtown taking a photo of her license. She then asked Ms. Katz to delete

the picture of her driver’s license from the cell phone on which it was taken because

she was afraid that her information would be shared. Defendant testified that she

“had to get on the interstate” because she was in the far right lane for gas, but then

later, on cross-examination, agreed that it was by her own volition that she took the

vehicle on the interstate.19

Defendant testified that she informed Ms. Katz that she was approaching the

interstate, and Ms. Katz said that she was “calling the cops” and hung up the phone.

Defendant testified that she told Ms. Tyler about her conversation with Ms. Katz and

that Ms. Tyler asked, “Why is she going to call the police?” Defendant testified that

as she was preparing to exit the interstate, Ms. Tyler asked, “What are you doing?”

Defendant testified that when she explained that she was turning around to delete

the photograph of her driver’s license, Ms. Tyler started punching the dashboard of

the vehicle, cursing, and saying that she “can’t deal with the police.” Defendant

testified that Ms. Tyler was “practically crying” and repeatedly told her to keep

driving. Defendant testified that Ms. Tyler offered to bring Defendant to school and

said that she would “deal with [Ms. Katz]” after she returned to Boomtown.

19
Defendant testified that while Ms. Tyler did not direct her onto the interstate, she never actually told
Defendant not to go on the interstate.

20-KA-215 10

Defendant testified that Ms. Tyler received several short phone calls, stating

that the calls were from her cousin. Defendant stated that Ms. Tyler refused to

answer when asked if it was actually Ms. Katz calling her cell phone. Defendant

asked Ms. Tyler to call Ms. Katz and let her know that she was bringing Defendant

to school, but Ms. Tyler refused. Defendant testified that she told Ms. Tyler that she

was going to bring the car back to Boomtown and call the police. She testified that

Ms. Tyler began hysterically screaming and shaking. Defendant explained that Ms.

Tyler threw the car into neutral, reached over, twisted Defendant’s wrists, and

propelled the vehicle from the middle lane toward the shoulder of the road.

Defendant explained that during this melee she tried to keep them both safe,

managing to get the vehicle on the shoulder of the interstate while Ms. Tyler held

both of her hands. After the vehicle stopped, Ms. Tyler placed the vehicle in park

and grabbed the keys. Ms. Tyler then ran out of the vehicle and locked the doors.

Defendant at that point exited the vehicle and saw a “MAP driver” nearby.20 She

ran to his vehicle and tried to explain to him what had occurred.21 Defendant testified

that, through his mirror, the MAP driver watched Ms. Tyler re-enter the vehicle and

drive away.

Defendant testified that she later called the dealership and that the call was on

speakerphone. She asked, “Who is it that you had in the car with me? Who is this

person? Do you know what she just did?” Defendant testified that “they” began

laughing at her because “they knew that [Ms. Tyler] had put [her] out on the

interstate.” She informed them that she would call the police after taking her exam.

Defendant explained that she saw a state trooper on her way home from school, and

she told him everything that had happened. She testified that she tried to call the

20
Defendant testified that she attempted to exit the vehicle from the passenger side but that because it was
locked she was forced to exit from the driver’s side.
21
Defendant testified that she screamed and cried when she told the driver what had occurred. She said
that the driver was shocked and scared.

20-KA-215 11

police three times when she returned home around 7:00 p.m. Defendant testified

that she tried to make a report and wrote to various agencies for about two weeks,

but that no one would take her report. She stated that her last attempt to call a state

trooper occurred on either May 13 or 14. Defendant testified that she never spoke

with Officer Fogarty and that she did not speak to any officer who instructed her to

go to a police station.

At the conclusion of trial, on January 28, 2020, the jury unanimously found

Defendant guilty on count one, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and not guilty

on count two, simple kidnapping of Ms. Tyler. 22 On February 5, 2020, Defendant

filed a motion for new trial, which the trial court denied the following day.

Immediately following the denial of Defendant’s motion for new trial on February

6, 2020, the trial court sentenced Defendant to imprisonment at hard labor for one

year. The trial court then suspended Defendant’s sentence and placed her on active

probation for a term of two years. On February 7, 2020, Defendant timely filed a

motion for appeal, which was granted on February 13, 2020.

Law and Discussion

The question of sufficiency of the evidence is properly raised by a motion for

post-verdict judgment of acquittal pursuant to La. C.Cr.P. art. 821. State v. Eliis,

18-463 (La. App. 5 Cir. 07/15/19), 276 So.3d 633, 642. Here, Defendant did not file

a post-verdict judgment of acquittal. On February 5, 2020, Defendant filed a motion

for new trial. Nevertheless, the failure to file a post-verdict judgment of acquittal

does not preclude appellate review of the sufficiency of the evidence. State v.

Thomas, 08-813 (La. App. 5 Cir. 04/28/09), 13 So.3d 603, 606 n.3, writ denied, 09-

1294 (La. 04/05/10), 31 So.3d 361 (citing State v. Washington, 82-74 (La. 10/29/82),

421 So.2d 887, 889).

22
The jury unanimously found Defendant not guilty as to count two, simple kidnapping.

20-KA-215 12

The standard of review for sufficiency of the evidence challenges is whether,

after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational

trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable

doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979).

Under the Jackson standard, a review of a criminal conviction record for sufficiency

of evidence does not require the court to ask whether it believes that the evidence at

trial established guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. It is not the function of the

appellate court to assess credibility or reweigh the evidence; rather, a reviewing

court must consider the whole record and determine whether a rational trier of fact

would have found guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Thompson, 18-273 (La.

App. 5 Cir. 11/28/18), 259 So.3d 1257, 1266, writ denied, 18-2077 (La. 09/06/19),

278 So.3d 372 (citing State v. Williams, 98-1146 (La. App. 5 Cir. 06/01/99), 738

So.2d 640, 648, writ denied, 99-1984 (La. 01/07/00), 752 So.2d 176; State v. Juluke,

98-341 (La. 01/08/99), 725 So.2d 1291).

In making this determination, a reviewing court will not re-evaluate the

credibility of witnesses or re-weigh the evidence. State v. Caffrey, 08-717 (La. App.

5 Cir. 05/12/09), 15 So.3d 198, 202, writ denied, 09-1305 (La. 02/05/10), 27 So.3d

297. Indeed, the resolution of conflicting testimony rests solely with the trier of fact,

who may accept or reject, in whole or in part, the testimony of any witness. See

State v. Bailey, 04-85 (La. App. 5 Cir. 05/26/04), 875 So.2d 949, 955, writ denied,

04-1605 (La. 11/15/04), 887 So.2d 476, cert. denied, 546 U.S. 981, 126 S.Ct. 554,

163 L.Ed.2d 468 (2005). In cases relying on circumstantial evidence to prove one

or more elements of the crime, when the fact-finder reasonably rejects the hypothesis

of innocence advanced by the defendant at trial, that hypothesis fails, and the verdict

stands unless the evidence suggests an alternative hypothesis sufficiently reasonable

that rational jurors could not find proof of the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable

doubt. State v. White, 07-831 (La. App. 5 Cir. 3/11/08), 982 So.2d 843, 846, writ

20-KA-215 13

denied, 08-0846 (La. 10/31/08), 994 So.2d 534. Thus, in the absence of internal

contradiction or irreconcilable conflicts with physical evidence, the testimony of one

witness, if believed by the trier of fact, is sufficient to support a conviction. State v.

Dixon, 07-915 (La. App. 5 Cir. 3/11/08), 982 So.2d 146, 153, writ denied, 08-987

(La. 1/30/09), 999 So.2d 745.

In her sole assignment of error, Defendant asserts that the evidence was

insufficient to support her conviction of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Defendant contends that the state failed to meet its burden of proving beyond a

reasonable doubt that she possessed the mens rea or evil intent necessary under the

law. Rather, she asserts, that the evidence was clear that she possessed a motor

vehicle belonging to another and that her only crime was steering the vehicle onto

the interstate “for a few minutes of travel.” Defendant argues that her actions of

refusing to abide by the owner’s commands “hardly evidenced criminal intent.”

In its response, the State argues that the fraudulent intent requirement is to

“prevent the unwarranted encroachment of criminal sanctions into new areas

traditionally handled between the parties themselves.” The State asserts that the

Louisiana Legislature has made it clear that intentional use of a motor vehicle

without consent is a crime.23 The State contends that Ms. Tyler and Ms. Katz both

told Defendant that she could not drive the Lexus on the interstate, but Defendant

deliberately “did what she had been repeatedly told she could not do.” The State

asserts that Defendant’s actions satisfied the statutory requirements of unauthorized

use of a motor vehicle, that Louisiana law has recognized any intentional use of the

vehicle without consent as a crime, and that La. R.S. 14:68.4 does not require that

23
The State asserts that the Defendant’s initial permission to possess the Lexus did not immunize her
from criminal prosecution. See discussion on limited consent, infra.

20-KA-215 14

the unauthorized use “persist for any particular period of time or involve any

particular distance.”

Under La. R.S. 14:68.4, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle is defined as the

intentional taking or use of a motor vehicle which belongs to another, either without

the other’s consent, or by means of fraudulent conduct, practices, or representations,

but without any intention to deprive the other of the motor vehicle permanently. This

Court has repeatedly found State v. Bias, 400 So.2d 650, 652-53 (La. 06/22/81), a

case involving a virtually identical statute— La. R.S. 14:68,24 unauthorized use of a

movable—instructive in interpreting the statute at issue in the instant case—La. R.S.

14:68.4, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. See White, 982 So.2d at 846; State v.

Joseph, 05-368 (La. App. 5 Cir. 1/17/06), 921 So.2d 1060, 1063; State v. Varnado,

01-367 (La. App. 5 Cir. 9/13/01), 798 So.2d 191, 193; State v. Spencer, 97-811 (La.

App. 5 Cir. 1/27/98), 707 So.2d 119, 120. The Bias Court expressly found that the

“statute proscribing the unauthorized use of a movable requir[es] a showing of mens

rea or criminal intent, since the ‘evil’ state of mind of the actor normally

distinguishes criminal acts (punishable by the state alone) from mere civil wrongs

(actionable by private individuals against one another).” Bias, 400 So.2d at 652-53.

Likewise, this Court has consistently construed the present statute proscribing

unauthorized use of a vehicle as also requiring a showing of mens rea or criminal

intent. See White, 982 So.2d at 846; Joseph, 921 So.2d at 1063; Varnado, 798 So.2d

at 193; Spencer, 707 So.2d at 120. Then, in State in Int. of C.T., 16-939 (La.

10/18/17), 236 So.3d 1210, 1212-13,25 the Louisiana Supreme Court clarified that

24
La. R.S. 14:68 provides the following: “Unauthorized use of a movable is the intentional taking or use
of a movable which belongs to another, either without the other’s consent, or by means of fraudulent
conduct, practices, or representations, but without any intention to deprive the other of the movable
permanently.”
25
In a juvenile delinquency proceeding, the State’s burden of proof is the same as in a criminal
proceeding against an adult—to prove beyond a reasonable doubt every element of the act alleged, in this
case unauthorized use of a motor vehicle pursuant to La R.S. 14:48.4. State in Int. of C.T., 236 So.3d at
1211.

20-KA-215 15

the State need only prove a vehicle was knowingly used without the consent of the

owner to sufficiently establish the element of criminal intent under La. R.S. 14:68.4.

In the instant matter, we find that the State sufficiently proved that Defendant

had the requisite criminal intent to commit the crime of unauthorized use of a motor

vehicle where it clearly established that Defendant committed an intentional taking

without the owner’s consent. Defendant asserts that, because she was a “permitted

possessor” of the Lexus for the duration of the incident, “having first provided to the

owner [of the vehicle] a copy of her valid drivers’ [sic] license, and during the entire

drive was accompanied by the owner’s employee,” her actions of driving on the

interstate—though against the owner’s commands—did not demonstrate criminal

intent. However, Louisiana jurisprudence clearly establishes that consent may be

limited and that any use of a motor vehicle surpassing the limited consent provided

may constitute a violation of La. R.S. 14:68.4.

In Spencer, 707 So.2d at 121-22, this Court found sufficient evidence to

uphold the defendant’s conviction for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle when he

took a vehicle from a car dealership for a test drive, with the dealership’s consent,

but failed to return the vehicle within a 24-hour period. Id. The defendant argued

there was insufficient evidence to prove he had the requisite criminal intent to

commit the crime of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle where “his actions were

within the normal scope of a person interested in purchasing a new vehicle.” Id. at

121. Citing the salesman’s testimony that he did not give the defendant permission

to keep the car for 24 hours, this Court found that a rational jury could have found

the requisite criminal intent beyond a reasonable doubt. Id.

Likewise, in State v. Colbert, 04-538 (La. App. 5 Cir. 11/30/04), 889 So.2d

1128, 1133, this Court affirmed the defendant’s conviction for unauthorized use of

a motor vehicle, finding that a rational trier of fact could have reasonably found that

20-KA-215 16

the defendant possessed the requisite criminal intent based on his failure to respond

after being asked to return the vehicle. Then in Varnado, 798 So.2d at 193-94, this

Court upheld a conviction of an employee who used the employer’s vehicle during

the weekend without consent. There was testimony in that case that employees were

never permitted to take company cars home for the weekend. This Court concluded,

among other things, that a rational juror could have reasonably found that the

defendant possessed the requisite criminal intent to support a conviction for

unauthorized use of motor vehicle where he took the company vehicle over the

weekend and acted beyond the limited consent his employer provided him.

In State v. White, 07-831 (La. App. 5 Cir. 03/11/08), 982 So.2d 843, writ

denied, 08-846 (La. 10/31/08), 994 So.2d 534, this Court found sufficient evidence

to uphold a conviction for the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. In that case, the

defendant, a vehicle dealership employee, was given limited consent to drive the

dealership vehicles when he was accompanied by either the dealership’s owner or

manager. On the day in question, the defendant took a vehicle from a dealership

without the accompaniment of the dealership’s owner or manager. According to the

police officer’s testimony, the defendant stated he was worried that he was not going

to get paid because he took the car. This Court stated that the defendant’s statement

indicated guilty knowledge such that a rational juror could have concluded that the

defendant took the dealership vehicle without consent. Id. at 847.

Additionally, other Circuit Courts have similarly found sufficient evidence to

support a conviction for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in cases where the

defendant used a motor vehicle in a manner that deviates from the limited consent

provided to him or her. In State v. Coleman, 02-1487 (La. App. 4 Cir. 10/09/02),

830 So.2d 341, the Fourth Circuit held that the evidence was sufficient to support a

conviction for attempted unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. In that case, the

20-KA-215 17

defendant was an employee authorized to use a company van for a certain period of

time along a specific route. The defendant argued that the State needed to prove that

he “harbored fraudulent intent.” Id. at 343. However, the Fourth Circuit stated that

La. R.S. 14:68.4 provides that the State may either prove an intentional taking

without the owner’s consent or an intentional taking by means of fraudulent conduct,

and held that once the defendant deviated from the route and schedule, he violated

the statute. Id. Similarly, in State v. LaCombe, 09-544 (La. App. 3 Cir. 12/09/09),

25 So.3d 1002, 1003, the Third Circuit found that the defendant had the requisite

criminal intent beyond a reasonable doubt in a scenario in which he was hired as a

truck driver and directed to drive the company’s eighteen-wheeler along a

designated route and he went beyond that route.

In the present case, Defendant initially had permission to take the vehicle for

a test drive, but she was limited to a designated route, and Defendant knowingly

disregarded the limited consent provided to her by intentionally driving the

dealership vehicle beyond the designated route onto the interstate. Boomtown’s

owner, Ms. Katz, revoked her consent of Defendant’s use of the vehicle during her

phone conversation with Defendant on May 7, 2018, when she explicitly told

Defendant to return to Boomtown if she could not stay on the designated route. Ms.

Tyler likewise testified that Defendant was denied permission to drive the car on the

interstate because of insurance limitations and Defendant confirmed that Ms. Katz

informed her that she could not take the vehicle on the interstate. Defendant

admitted that she, of her own volition, nevertheless chose to disobey the interstate

limitation.

A reasonable jury could have concluded that once Defendant deviated from

the designated route, she knew her use of the vehicle was unauthorized.

Alternatively, and of equal weight, a rational jury could have found that Defendant

20-KA-215 18

possessed the requisite criminal intent based on her failure to return the vehicle to

Boomtown after being asked to do so. See Colbert, 889 So.2d at 1133. Also, a

rational jury could have concluded that the Defendant’s requests to be dropped off

in Gentilly and have Ms. Tyler return the vehicle, as well as her failure to return to

Boomtown or the Kenner Police Department, indicated an awareness of wrongdoing

and/or guilty knowledge because she had taken the vehicle onto the interstate

without consent. See White, 982 So.2d at 847. In any event, Defendant’s admittedly

intentional taking of the vehicle onto the interstate undoubtedly surpassed the limited

consent Boomtown provided to her.

We recognize that Defendant claims that the corroborating testimony of Ms.

Tyler, Ms. Katz, Ms. Elwood, and Officer Fogarty is all untruthful; however, the

jury chose to accept their testimony over Defendant’s and this Court will not second-

guess the jury’s credibility determinations.26 See State v. Norman, 20-142 (La. App.

5 Cir. 12/30/20), 310 So.3d 287, 295 (“It is the role of the fact-finder to weigh the

credibility of the witnesses, and a reviewing court will not second-guess the

credibility determinations of the trier of fact beyond the sufficiency evaluation under

the Jackson standard of review.”); see also White, 982 So.2d at 847.

Based on our review of the testimony, and considering all of the evidence, we

find that, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, a

rational trier of fact could have found, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Defendant

committed the crime of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, in violation of La. R.S.

26
We further point out that Defendant’s testimony contradicts itself. She first testified that she tried to
call various police stations and agencies to report the incident between May 7, 2018 and May 14, 2018,
but no one would take her report. Defendant then acknowledged that her prior testimony that no police
officer would listen to her or take her report was an inaccurate description of the truth. She also testified
that she did not contact the Better Business Bureau, Used Motor Vehicle Commission, “among other
places” where she intended to report the incident, until weeks before trial.

20-KA-215 19

14:68.4. We find that sufficient evidence was introduced at trial to establish all

elements of the offense.

Errors Patent

This Court routinely reviews the record on appeal for errors patent regardless

of whether the defendant makes such a request. La. C.Cr.P. art. 92027; State v.

Williams, 20-46 (La. App. 5 Cir. 12/30/20) 308 So.3d 791, 839; State v. Oliveaux,

312 So.2d 337 (La. 03/17/75); State v. Weiland, 89-584 (La. App. 5 Cir. 01/17/90)

556 So.2d 175. The review reveals two errors in this case.

Error No. 1:

The trial court sentenced Defendant immediately after denying her motion for

new trial. La. C.Cr.P. art. 873 requires a twenty-four-hour delay in sentencing after

denial of a motion for new trial or in arrest of judgment, unless the defendant waives

the delay. In this case, Defendant did not expressly waive the delay.

When the defendant challenges the penalty imposed and the imposed sentence

is not mandatory, the failure to observe the twenty-four-hour delay mandated in La.

C.Cr.P. art. 873 cannot be considered harmless error. State v. Augustine, 88-1297

(La. 02/05/90), 555 So.2d 1331; State v. Colbert, 04-538 (La. App. 5 Cir. 11/30/04),

889 So.2d 1128, 1135. As a general rule, when a defendant challenges a non-

mandatory sentence, and the delay is not waived, the defendant’s sentence must be

vacated and the matter remanded for resentencing. State v. Sims, 02-1244 (La. App.

5 Cir. 04/29/03), 845 So.2d 1116, 1123, writ denied, 03-2189 (La. 08/20/04), 882

So.2d 570.

In the instant case, defendant’s sentence on her underlying conviction was

non-mandatory. See La. C.Cr.P. art. 14:68.4. However, Defendant is not

challenging her sentence on appeal.

27
La. C.Cr.P. art. 920(2) states that an error patent is “[a]n error that is discoverable by an inspection of
the pleadings and proceedings and without inspection of the evidence.”

20-KA-215 20

In State v. Strickland, 11-715 (La. App. 5 Cir. 03/27/12), 91 So.3d 411, 418-

19, this Court found that the defendant tacitly waived the statutory delay provided

in La. C.Cr.P. art. 873. We further found that the record suggested that the defendant

knew he would be sentenced at the time of his sentencing hearing and came prepared

with three witnesses to testify on his behalf. This Court stated that because the

defendant did not raise the issue on appeal and had not shown that he suffered any

prejudice as a result of the trial court error, “remand would be a useless formality.”

Id; see also State v. Bibbins, 13-875 (La. App. 5 Cir. 04/09/14), 140 So.3d 153, 169-

70, writ denied, 14-0994 (La. 12/08/14), 153 So.3d 439, and writ denied, 14-1015

(La. 12/08/14), 153 So.3d 440.

Here, the record likewise indicates that Defendant knew she would be

sentenced at the time of her sentencing hearing; she came prepared with two

witnesses to testify on her behalf even though the judge found it unnecessary at that

time. Absent a showing of prejudice from the failure to afford the statutory delay,

reversal of a prematurely-imposed sentence is not required. Bibbins, 140 So.3d at

170 (citing State v. Seals, 95-0305, (La. 11/25/96), 684 So.2d 368, 380, cert. denied,

520 U.S. 1199, 117 S.Ct. 1558, 137 L.Ed.2d 705 (1997)). Accordingly, even if

Defendant did not expressly waive the delay here, we find that she was not

prejudiced by the trial court’s failure to observe the delays and that it is unnecessary

to remand this matter for resentencing.

Based on the foregoing, we find that corrective action on this error is not

necessary.

Error No. 2:

Although the sentencing minute entry reflects that Defendant was given the

advisal of the time period for seeking post-conviction relief as required by La.

20-KA-215 21

C.Cr.P. art. 930.828, the transcript indicates that the trial court failed to actually

provide that advisal.29 The transcript prevails when there is a discrepancy between

the commitment and the transcript. State v. Lynch, 82-859 (La. 11/28/83), 441 So.2d

732, 734; State v. Montero, 18-397 (La. App. 5 Cir. 12/19/18), 263 So.3d 899, 909.

It is well settled that if a trial court fails to advise, or provides an incomplete advisal,

pursuant to La. C.Cr.P. art. 930.8, the appellate court may correct this error by

informing the defendant of the applicable prescriptive period for post-conviction

relief by means of its opinion. See State v. Perez, 17-119 (La. App. 5 Cir. 08/30/17),

227 So.3d 864; Bibbins, 140 So.3d at 171; State v. Taylor, 12-25 (La. App. 5 Cir.

06/28/12), 97 So.3d 522, 538; State v. Jacobs, 07-887 (La. App. 5 Cir. 05/24/11), 67

So.3d 535, writ denied, 11-1753 (La. 02/10/12), 80 So.3d 468; State v. Neely, 08-

707 (La. App. 5 Cir. 12/16/08), 3 So.3d 532, 538, writ denied, 09-248 (La. 10/30/09),

21 So.3d 272.

Accordingly, we now advise Defendant by way of this Opinion that no

application for post-conviction relief, including applications that seek an out-of-time

appeal, shall be considered if filed more than two years after the judgment of

conviction and sentence has become final under the provisions of La. C.Cr.P. arts.

914 or 922.

Conclusion

For the foregoing reasons, we affirm Defendant’s conviction and sentence.

AFFIRMED

28
La. C.Cr.P. art. 930.8 provides that a defendant shall have two years after the judgment of conviction
and sentence has become final to seek post-conviction relief.
29
According to the transcript, the trial court stated, “And ma’am you do have two have [sic] after the
judgment of conviction, the sentence become final to file for post-conviction relief, alright.”

20-KA-215 22

SUSAN M. CHEHARDY CURTIS B. PURSELL

CHIEF JUDGE CLERK OF COURT

NANCY F. VEGA
FREDERICKA H. WICKER
CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK
JUDE G. GRAVOIS
MARC E. JOHNSON
ROBERT A. CHAISSON SUSAN BUCHHOLZ
STEPHEN J. WINDHORST
FIRST DEPUTY CLERK
HANS J. LILJEBERG
JOHN J. MOLAISON, JR. FIFTH CIRCUIT
MELISSA C. LEDET
JUDGES 101 DERBIGNY STREET (70053)
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APRIL 28, 2021 TO THE TRIAL JUDGE, CLERK OF COURT, COUNSEL OF RECORD AND ALL PARTIES NOT
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20-KA-215
E-NOTIFIED
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