People v. Havey

Apr 3, 1968

Docket 2,291

Versions:160 N.W.2d 629

11 Mich. App. 69

1968 Mich. App. LEXIS 1254

Holbrook, J.

Defendant-appellant, Birney T. Plavey, was found guilty by a jury of armed robbery 1 and sentenced to a term of 10 to 25 years.

• The facts pertinent on appeal are as follows: On January 29, 1959, the L. E. Phillips Jewelry Store, located in the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was robbed by 2 men shortly after 8:30 a.m. During the course of the robbery, one of the men struck Curtis Koontz, the watchmaker and jeweler, across the face with a pistol breaking his glasses and cutting his face. The 2 men left the store with about $10,000 in jewelry and were observed making their getaway in a car driven by a third man.

On November 6, 1963, A-l/2 years after the robbery, a complaint charging defendant and Kenneth Raymond Midling with the armed robbery was sworn out. Previously Mr. Koontz had identified defendant from police mug shots as the man who struck him with a pistol. Following defendant’s arrest, a preliminary examination was held on March 12 and 13, 1964, and defendant was bound over for trial. In March of 1964, before trial, while free on bond, defendant left the State of Michigan. Defendant was tried on a burglary charge in Portland, Oregon, which resulted in an acquittal in December, 1964. The Michigan authorities extradited defendant successfully, with defendant’s return on November 1, 1965.

Trial of defendant and Midling for armed robbery commenced on December 6, 1965, but ended in a mistrial when Mr. Koontz collapsed and died on the witness stand. Trial commenced again on April 11 and continued until April 19, 1966, at which time the jury returned a verdict of guilty as charged against defendant, Birney T. Havey.

Restated, the questions raised by defendant will be dealt with in proper' order as follows:

1. Was the information void on its face?

Defendant asserts the information was void on its face because therein the prosecution claimed to come into court in the December term of 1963, but tbe return from tbe Grand Rapids police court was not filed until February 7, 1964. Tbe calendar of entries in tbe record shows tbe return filed February 7,1964; tbe next entry shows tbe information to have been filed on tbe same day.

We are not informed of tbe terms of tbe Kent county circuit court and the information may have been filed during tbe December term as stated in tbe information. However, OLS 1961, § 767.40 (Stat Ann 1968 Cum Supp § 28.980) does not require a statement of tbe term in which tbe information is filed. Tbe statute reads in part as follows:

“All informations shall be filed in tbe court having jurisdiction of tbe offense specified therein, after tbe proper return is filed by tbe examining magistrate, by tbe prosecuting attorney of the county as informant.”

In any event this matter was not raised and ruled upon in tbe trial court and cannot be raised for tbe first time on appeal. People v. Will (1966), 3 Mich App 330; People v. William L. Thomas (1965), 1 Mich App 118, 128, 129.

2. Did the trial court abuse its discretion in denying defendant’s pretrial motion for change of venue?

A motion for change of venue based on claimed prejudicial pretrial publicity was considered in tbe recent case of People v. Dailey (1967), 6 Mich App 99, 102, 103:

“One of tbe reasons alleged in tbe motion for change of venue was that defendant’s right to receive a fair and impartial trial bad been jeopardized by publication in local newspapers of articles concerning tbe offense and tbe guilty pleas by three of tbe participants in which tbe name of defendant was linked with tbe other three. Tbe trial court reserved decision on the motion until an attempt was made to obtain a fair and impartial jury. This is the approved procedure. People v. Swift (1912), 172 Mich 473. After extensive voir dire examination of two jury panels and some talesmen and on the basis of answers on the voir dire examination, the trial judge obtained what he believed to be a fair and impartial jury. He then denied the motion for change of venue and proceeded to trial.

“This motion was also addressed to the trial court’s discretion. CL 1948, § 762.7 (Stat Ann 1954 Rev§ 28.850). To establish error an abuse of discretion must be shown. People v. Swift, supra. The rule applicable to allegations such as are here raised by defendant is aptly stated in Swift, supra, p 480, in a quotation from 24 Cyc p 298 as follows:

“ ‘Newspaper reports are ordinarily regarded as too unreliable to influence a fair-minded man when called upon to pass upon the merits of a case in the light of evidence given under oath; and it is now a well-settled rule that a juror, although he may have formed an opinion from reading such reports, is competent if he. states that he is without prejudice and can try the case impartially according to the evidence and the court is satisfied that he will do so.’” (Footnote omitted.)

Now it is true that the trial court in the instant case did not reserve decision on the motion until after an attempt was made to obtain a fair and, impartial jury. However, the same result was obtained as in People v. Dailey, supra, by reason of the court being able to impanel a jury that was satisfactory to both prosecution and defense counsel. Defendant has failed to show where the denial of change of venue was prejudicial. No abuse of discretion has been shown.

3. Did the trial court commit error in refusing to question the jurors on the first day of trial as to whether they had heard a certain radio newscastf

The jury was selected, and impaneled on April 11, 1966, after which time a recess was taken. ■ On the following day, April 12, when actual trial commenced, counsel for codefendant Midling requested out of the presence of the jury that the trial court inquire whether the jurors had heard any radio newscasts. 2 Defendant’s trial counsel joined in the request. The trial court first determined that the request was limited to an inquiry of radio newscasts on WLAY, and then refused to question the jury as requested. Defendant claims the denial, of the request to be an abuse of discretion by the trial court and prejudicial error. ■ ■

A request to interrogate or poll the jury during trial as to their listening to radio newscasts puts in question the fairness and impartiality of the trial. Thus, like motions for mistrial or new trial, there is an appeal to the sound discretion of the court. See People v. Schram (1965), 1 Mich App 279 (affirmed, [1966], 378 Mich 145).

The statements (see footnote 2) of co-defendant Midling’s counsel in making the request contained merely the probability or supposition that some of the jurors may have heard the claimed radio newscasts. We conclude that this was- not sufficient and the trial court’s refusal did not constitute an abuse of discretion under present authorities. People v. Green (1948), 323 Mich 128, 132, 133; People v. Fleish (1948), 321 Mich 443, 456, 457; 15 ALR2d 1152, 1153.

4. Was it prejudicial error for defendant to be seen in handcuffs by jurors?

On the third day of trial defendant’s trial counsel made a motion for mistrial on the ground that jury members had opportunity on 2 occasions to observe defendant in handcuffs outside the courtroom during recesses. Specifically, defendant was led from the courtroom by a police officer, and upon entering the adjoining corridors, defendant was handcuffed to either codefendant Midling or witness Moreland and taken to a police car. The procedure was carried out while jury members were in the corridors entering or leaving the courtroom.

"We find no error in the trial court’s denial of this motion for mistrial. Defendant’s previous record indicates that he did not merit trust and confidence by the police officers. The close security measures taken were justified and cannot be said to have constituted prejudicial error. See, by way of comparison, People v. William L. Thomas, supra, p 126.

5. Was the testimony of Curtis Koontz, taken upon preliminary examination, properly admitted into evidence under CL 1948, § 768.26 (Stat Ann 1954 Rev §28.1049), where the witness was not available by reason of death?

The trial court allowed the prosecution to put in evidence witness Koontz’ testimony appearing in the transcript of defendant’s preliminary examination. Defendant’s trial counsel’s objection was overruled on the basis of CL 1948, § 768.26 (Stat Ann 1954 Rev § 28.1049), which provides as follows:

“Testimony taken at an examination, preliminary hearing, or at a former trial of the case, or taken by deposition at the instance of the defendant, may be used by the prosecution whenever the witness giving such testimony can not, for any reason, be produced at the trial, or whenever the witness has, since giving such testimony become insane or otherwise mentally incapacitated to testify.”

The constitutionality of this statute was upheld in People v. Pickett (1954), 339 Mich 294 (certiorari denied) 349 US 937 (75 S Ct 781, 99 L Ed 1266). Also, see People v. Dover spike (1966), 5 Mich App 181, 190.

Defendant asserts in his brief that “on April 6, 1965, the United States Supreme Court in the case of Pointer v. Texas (1965), 380 US 400 (85 S Ct 1065, 13 L Ed 2d 923) handed down an opinion which changed the then existing Michigan law.” We do not read the Pointer Case as changing “existing Michigan law”. In Pointer, the United States Supreme Court held the “Sixth Amendment’s guarantee of a defendant’s right ‘to be confronted with the witnesses against him,’ which has been held to include the right to cross-examine those witnesses, is * * * applicable to the States by the Fourteenth Amendment.” Pointer specifically decided that “the Sixth Amendment’s guarantee of confrontation and cross-examination [at the Texas “examining trial”] was unquestionably denied petitioner [Pointer].”

In the instant case, defendant was given the constitutional right of confrontation including cross-examination of witness Curtis Koontz. The use of the preliminary examination transcript at trial did not deny defendant any opportunity to have the benefit of counsel’s cross-examination of the principal witness against him as the use of the Texas “examining trial” transcript did defendant Pointer in the Pointer Case: Defendant Havey was repre sented by- counsel, defendant Pointer was not; defendant Havey’s counsel was given a complete and adequate opportunity to cross-examine Curtis Kóontz and in fact cross-examined the witness at length. People v. Chapman (1968), 380 Mich 74.

People v. Wilcox (1942), 303 Mich 287, 295 sets forth as one of the purposes for having preliminary examinations the desire of the State “to perpetuate the testimony in the event that a witness shall disappear or die before the trial.” What is required by Pointer, supra, is explained by Mr. Justice Black’s opinion at p 407:

“The case before us would be quite a different one had [witness] Phillips’ statement been taken at a full-fledged hearing at which petitioner [Pointer] had been represented by counsel who had been given a complete and adequate opportunity to cross-examine.” (Emphasis supplied.)

We conclude that defendant Havey’s preliminary examination under the Michigan statute 3 was “a full-fledged hearing,” 4 and the admitting at trial of the preliminary examination transcript of the testimony of witness Curtis Koontz did not result in a denial of defendant Havey’s constitutional right of confrontation.

6. Did the trial court commit prejudicial error in limiting defense counsel’s questioning of witness Moreland as to the reason for his change in testimony between the preliminary examination and trial?

At the preliminary examination, people’s witness John Moreland testified that defendant Havey and codefendant Midling were his accomplices in the armed robbery. However, at trial, Moreland testified that he, Moreland,' John Criswold, and “Slim” Plendo were the 3 persons' who robbed the jewelry store. The prosecutor, on receiving inconsistent testimony from Moreland, utilized Moreland’s preliminary examination testimony for impeachment purposes. Also, the prosecutor cross-examined More-land following the trial court’s determination that he was a hostile witness.

Following the prosecution’s examination of More-land, counsel stated: “I wish to refrain from questioning the witness at this time.” Then, at a later time, defense counsel called Moreland as a witness - on behalf of defendant Havey. In direct examination of Moreland he attempted to elicit from the witness the reason for his change in testimony between the preliminary examination and trial. These attempts were objected to by the prosecution and •the objections were sustained by the trial court.

Defendant cites People v. Babcock (1942), 301 Mich 518; People v. Prevost (1922), 219 Mich 233, and People v. Payne (1902), 131 Mich 474, for the proposition that an impeached witness has the right to “explain away” prior inconsistent testimony, and a further rig’ht to relate the circumstances, and what was said by himself and others in so doing; he contends that because the trial court restricted witness Moreland’s exercise of these rights, prejudicial error was committed.

The trial court’s restriction went only to More-land’s testifying of what others told him and not to his disclosing the reason for changing his preliminary examination testimony at trial. The reason for the inconsistent statements was eventually elicited within the bounds set by the trial court.

(By defense counsel)

“Q. The objectionable thing here, Mr. Moreland, is you are testifying today as to what other people told you on some other occasion; is that clear?

“A. Yes.

“Q. All right. Now, you were able to tell us why you named Midling as your accomplice when you have told us it wasn’t the truth, isn’t that right?

" “A. Yes.

“Q. And you have given us that reason without relying upon what anybody else told you? You didn’t have to quote somebody else for you to tell us why you named Midling, isn’t that correct?

“A. Yes.

“Q. Can you do the same thing insofar as Mr. Havey is concerned?

“A. The consensus of opinion was the same with Havey as it was with Midling.

“Q. And what was that, sir?

“A. That they thought that because I was associated with them, that they in turn were associated with me in my criminal activities.

“Q. And how did this benefit you, if it did, by naming these people?

“A. It was about 95 per cent of my getting probation.

“Q. Now, this is one question I have not asked you, Mr. Moreland. "Why are you now telling us in this trial that Mr. Havey was not with you, which you claim to be the truth of the matter?

“A. Because I don’t want it on my hands if he’s found guilty. This has to come out. The truth has to come out.”

This leaves for consideration a narrower question: Did the trial court commit prejudicial error in preventing Moreland from testifying as to what others told him? People v. Prevost, supra, and People v. Babcock, supra, would sustain the admissibility of explanatory testimony by an impeachéd witness of statements made by third parties. 5 In the instant case, however, no prejudicial error resulted to defendant Havey; the circumstances which led the witness naming Havey, including the persons involved, were disclosed at trial. The inducement or influence (“It was about 95 per cent of my getting probation”) which brought about Moreland’s preliminary examination testimony implicating defendants Havey and Midling was placed before the jury and it was not without a fair basis for determining which of Moreland’s inconsistent stories, if either, was a true one.

7. Did, the trial court commit error in correcting defendant’s sentence pursuant to a motion filed under PA 1927, No 175, ch 9, § lib, as added by PA 1965, No 73 (MCLA § 769.11b, Stat Ann 1968 Cum Supp § 28.1083 \2]), effective March 31, 1966?

The above act provides:

“Whenever any person is hereafter convicted of any crime within this state and has served any time in jail prior to sentencing because of being denied or unable to furnish bond for the offense of which he is convicted, the trial court in imposing sentence shall specifically grant credit against the sentence for such time served in jail prior to sentencing.”

On May 17, 1966, the trial court corrected defendant’s 10-to-25 year sentence, crediting defendant with 50 days (November 1, 1965, to December 20, 1965) of time served prior to sentencing pursuant to the statute. It is defendant’s contention that the trial court committed error because credit was not allowed which would reflect the time served in Oregon while he was awaiting extradition to Michigan. 6

The record discloses that defendant was detained on a fugitive complaint on December 10, 1964, and released to Michigan authorities on November 1, 1965.

Helpful in determining whether PA 1965, No 73 should- be construed as requiring credit for time served in another jurisdiction is the following statement of law from 24B CJS, Criminal Law, § 1995 (4), p 641:

“Statutes relating to the computation of time served under a sentence, and the allowance of credit thereon for time served under particular circum-' stances, were designed to confer a benefit on the person lawfully detained, and may not be interpreted to his detriment.”

Directly aiding our determination, 24B CJS, Criminal Law, § 1995 (5), p 645, states:

“The right to credit under the statute is not limited to the time spent in prison or jail in a jurisdiction, but also includes the time spent in jail in another jurisdiction, in which he was apprehended, preliminary to being sent back for trial.”

A proper, unrestrictive interpretation of PA 1965, No 73 would result in a further credit against de fendant’s sentence for time served in Oregon from December 10, 1964, to November 1, 1965.

Affirmed as modified and remanded for correction of defendant’s sentence in accord with this opinion.

Lesinski, C. J., and Burns, J., concurred.

Notes

CLS 1961, § 750.529 (Stat Ann 1968 Cum Supp § 28.797).

“Your Honor, this morning X would move that your Honor inquire of the jurors as to whether they have heard any of the broadcasts that have been prevalent since this trial has started in which it was referred to — at least by WLAV — to the fact that both Mr. Midling and Mr. Havey were brought here from other — from prison where they were doing time for other crimes, to be tried here in Kent county. And we feel that at least some of the jurors if they had the radios on at all during the noon hour or during the hours when there are noon broadcasts, certainly have heard that, and we would also like to — well, that’s our motion. * * *

“I heard three broadcasts, and they went something like this, and these were from WLAV. The last one I heard was this morning at 8:30, or whatever it is, on the way down here, that Mr. — the trial of Mr. Havey and Mr. Midling would continue this morning, that Mr. Havey had been continued on three bonds and he was brought here from serving time in another prison.”

OL 1948, § 766.1 (Stat Ann 1954 Rev § 28.919).

“Michigan requires the holding of a preliminary examination with rights of confrontation and cross-examination.” People v. Blessing (1966), 378 Mich 51, 66.

“Mrs. Jelsone completely reversed her testimony on an important point in the case. When this appeared, the average juror would be curious to know how and when and under what circumstances she changed her version of the affair. It was, therefore, competent to place before the jury all of her conflicting stories and the attendant circumstances under which they were made. When it appeared that the witness for the first time told a different story in the offiee of the prosecutor, it was competent to lay before the jury how she came to go to the prosecutor’s office, what was said to her and by whom said, and what she said bearing on the change in her testimony; It was only by showing these things and showing the inducements or influences, sinister or otherwise, by which she was led to make the change, that the jury would have a fair basis for determining whether she was to be believed at all, and, if so, which of her stories was entitled to credit.” People v. Prevost, 219 Mich 233, 241, 242,

Oregon and Michigan have enacted the uniform criminal extradition aet. See OES 1963, § 147.010 et seq.) CL 1948, § 780.1 et seq. (Stat Ann 1954 Eev § 28.1285[1] et seq.).