People v. ElyPeople v. Ely
- Reporters:
- , ,
- Before:
- Burns
Having been charged with second-degree murder, MOLA § 750.317 (Stat Ann 1954 Bev § 28.549), defendant was convicted upon a jury verdict of manslaughter,
First, defendant claims error in the admission of the testimony of the Wayne County Medical Examiner, who related the results of an autopsy which he had not attended. Defendant admits that no objection was ever made to this testimony and that, in fact, defense counsel proceeded to cross-examine the medical examiner. Although the admission of some hearsay testimony to establish the cause of death may be error, this was harmless error, since no real dispute existed as to the cause of death. People v. Hall (1970), 24 Mich App 509, 512.
Second, defendant asserts that plaintiff abridged his right to remain silent by cross-examining him on his failure to tell the police where he had disposed of the murder weapon. However, no objection was voiced at trial and no motion to strike was made. In the absence of manifest injustice, we decline review. People v. Ramsey (1970), 25 Mich App 576, 578; People v. Willis (1965), 1 Mich App 428.
Third, we find no prejudice in the prosecutor’s remarks which would require reversal.
*392 Fourth, defendant contends now, for the first time, that lack of clarity in the trial court’s instructions on the issue of self-defense gives rise to reversible prejudice even in the absence of contemporaneous objection.
It is well established that, in the absence of otherwise essential objection or request,
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we correct only miscarriages of justice.
The defendant having demonstrated no error requiring reversal, the trial court is affirmed.
Notes
GCE 1963, 516.2; People v. Lewis (1970), 26 Mich App 290; People v. Allar (1969), 19 Mich App 675.