Michigan prosecutors lose again in perfume theft case

SOUTHFIELD — The Michigan Supreme Court says a lower court made the right call in overturning the conviction of a woman accused of stealing a bottle of perfume at a Detroit-area store.

A jury convicted Chandra Smith-Anthony of larceny from a person. That person in the jury’s view was a Macy’s detective who caught her at a Southfield store in 2010.

But the Supreme Court says the store detective didn’t possess the $58 perfume or have it in her immediate presence. The 4-3 decision affirms a similar decision by the state appeals court.

In dissent, Justice Mary Beth Kelly says the Supreme Court has unfortunately set a tighter standard for larceny from a person.