Jury acquits man in 99-cent hot dog theft in Cheney, WA

[uppityperson]

Good grief. We don't have time for this silliness.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014888495_hotdog27m.html

A man has been cleared of a theft charge after a bemused jury in Washington state found him not guilty of stealing a 99-cent hot dog.

John Richardson got the sausage from the self-serve counter of a Cheney — grocery store in December. He ate it while he shopped but forgot to include it when he paid for his groceries. Store managers confronted Richardson and called police.

It took jurors about five minutes to reach their verdict in the February trial. Juror Patrick Reeves tells The Spokesman-Review someone would "have to be an idiot" not to realize Richardson simply forgot to pay.

Prosecutor Julie McKay didn't buy that. She says Richardson refused a deal to pay a $200 civil penalty and have the charge dropped.

[KamaAina]

1. And how much did the state of Washington pay to try the Hot Dog Bandito?

Quite a bit more than 99 cents, I'd wager.

[sharp_stick]

2. A Jury!?

Man I would be some pissed off to have to take time off of work for this idiotic thing.

I wonder when they will appeal to the SCOTUS, this menace to society must be stopped. Pretty soon everyone will be helping themselves to overcooked wieners at grocery stores.

[Renew Deal]

7. I love that the prosecutor is pissed he didn't pay the fine and went to trial.

:rofl:

And now I'm sure she's pretty embarrassed.

[flamingdem]

3. I believe he is guilty!

A re-trial is needed immediately ;)

[lib2DaBone]

4. Steal a 99 cent hot dog ...and you will do hard time...

Steal Billions $$$$ from Medicare and you get elected Gov of FLorida. Or, better yet.. steal Billions and give it to Halliburton and Blackwater.. and you will retire in luxury while you write your "memoirs"... like 'lil George W.

[Renew Deal]

5. Did he offer to pay on the spot?

I'm sure he did, but the store isn't wise.

[XemaSab]

9. That was my reaction

I bet the store loses way more than a dollar a day from people bin grifting gummy bears.

[Renew Deal]

10. lol

So true :rofl:

[leftstreet]

6. If he hadn't been shopping, he'd have been charged with theft

It went to intent, but still...

Maybe grocers need posted policies about eating/drinking while shopping?

[Renew Deal]

8. A hot dog isn't the same as a bag of potato chips.

If he eat a bag of chips while shopping, you have the bag to remind you. Not so with a weiner. This story is funny.

[Celebration]

11. silliest thing I ever heard

The store permanantly lost a paying customer. :crazy:

[Poll_Blind]

12. Jury trials are not cheap, what a waste to prosecute him.

Especially if it was a full 12-person jury, I don't know what the requirements in that state are.

PB

[elocs]

13. Here's a K&R for the one who posted the story first here today. n/t