People v. Banks

183 N.W.2d 429 | Mich. Ct. App. | 1970

27 Mich. App. 331 (1970)
183 N.W.2d 429

PEOPLE
v.
BANKS

Docket No. 7,661.

Michigan Court of Appeals.

Decided October 26, 1970.

Frank J. Kelley, Attorney General, Robert A. Derengoski, Solicitor General, Ronald J. Taylor, Prosecuting Attorney, and Wilbur Schillinger, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for the people.

Henry W. Gleiss, for defendant on appeal.

*332 Before: HOLBROOK, P.J., and R.B. BURNS and J.J. KELLEY, JR.,[*] JJ.

PER CURIAM.

Defendant was convicted by a jury of uttering and publishing a forged instrument. (MCLA § 750.249 [Stat Ann 1962 Rev § 28.446]). He appeals, claiming three errors.

The first error alleged is the failure of the trial court to require the indorsement of two persons as res gestae witnesses. The prosecutor is required by statute to indorse on the information "all witnesses known to him at the time of filing." MCLA § 767.40 (Stat Ann 1970 Cum Supp § 28.980). While the statute states that "all witnesses" must be indorsed, the actual scope of this duty has been judicially defined as requiring indorsement only as to res gestae witnesses. People v. Kayne (1934), 268 Mich 186; People v. Dickinson (1966), 2 Mich App 646. The question in this case is whether the two persons could give testimony that would constitute a part of the res gestae or whole transaction of the offense for which defendant was convicted. This question must be answered in the negative. There is uncontroverted evidence that the crime was accomplished by a single person. There is no clear evidence that would place either of the two alleged res gestae witnesses even near the scene of the crime. The whole argument for their indorsement is based on the vague wording in a statement given by one Reimers that two were involved with defendant in cashing the stolen checks. However, the portion of the statement which relates to the check involved in this case names defendant as the one who cashed the check and no mention is made of anyone else. The ruling of the trial court was entirely proper and *333 it was not error for the two persons not to be indorsed or called.

Secondly, defendant alleges error on the part of the trial court in the giving of the instructions to the jury. No objection was made to the instructions, which fairly stated the issues. Not having made such timely objection, defendant is precluded from claiming error on appeal. GCR 1963, 516.2; People v. Bradshaw (1969), 16 Mich App 348.

Defendant's contentions as to the insufficiencies of the information filed against him are without merit.

Affirmed.

NOTES

[*] Circuit judge, sitting on the Court of Appeals by assignment.

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