Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District / Jan 22, 2019
STATE OF MISSOURI, Respondent vs. JAMES AARON LOWE, Appellant
James Lowe appealed his conviction for gas-pump drive-off stealing. The State requested the appeal be dismissed under the escape rule because Lowe absconded after conviction and was apprehended in Texas. The appellate court declined to apply the escape rule, finding Lowe's appeal plainly lacked merit. The court affirmed the conviction, holding that the record contained sufficient evidence to support the finding that Lowe took the gas without consent and with the intent to deprive the owner.