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High court rules in Model A case

Wednesday, April 18, 2001 | 11:09 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

In a 2-1 decision today the Nevada Supreme Court ruled that an inoperable 1929 Model A Ford, which is rusted, rotting and missing crucial parts, is still a motor vehicle under the state's theft laws.

The court, in an opinion signed by Justices Miriam Shearing and Deborah Agosti, said the law does not require that a car be in driving condition or even be motorized to qualify as a vehicle. And the state of disrepair does not make it any less of a vehicle, said the court.

The court upheld a gross misdemeanor conviction of car theft against Michael Macedo of Winnemucca. Macedo was sentenced to six months in jail.

Justice Bob Rose dissented. "I do not believe the 1929 Model A. Ford that sat for 20 years is in a non-operational condition qualifies as a vehicle," he said. Rose said it would cost "an astronomical amount of money" to get the car running. He said it does not come under the law which defines a motor vehicle as a "device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public highway."

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