People v. King

23 Mich. App. 16 | Mich. Ct. App. | 1970

Per Curiam.

Following a nonjury trial defendant was convicted of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder¹ and sentenced to 9-1/2 to 10 years in prison.

At the beginning of trial the trial judge gave the following answer to the prosecutor’s request for the transcript of the preliminary examination testimony: “Yes as soon as I finish it.” Although no claim of error was raised below, the defendant now argues that the trial judge’s answer indicated he was reading the transcript and that such an act is reversible error. Assuming, arguendo, that it is error for a trier of fact to sua sponte, read the preliminary examination transcript before its introduction into evidence, and that the trial judge below, in fact, read the transcript, we fail to see how the defendant was prejudiced. A review of both the preliminary examination transcript and the trial transcript reveals that no testimony was given at the former hearing that was not repeated at the trial.²

The assault in this case occurred when defendant shot the complaining witness, Emmett Williams, during a barroom brawl. It appears that a fight between defendant and Williams’ stepbrother led to the shooting of the stepbrother by defendant. After the shooting defendant and others continued to accost and beat the stepbrother in the rear of the bar. Complainant, who was in the front of the bar, ran to the area of the fight, grabbed defendant and threw him back in an attempt to protect his stepbrother. Defendant then shot Williams in the face and the shoulder. Defendant testified that he was just “looking out for [his] interest” when he shot Emmett Williams. Defendant did not testify that Williams did anything but pull him off and throw him to the ground.

Defendant’s second claim of error concerns the plaintiff’s alleged failure to indorse on the information³ three res gestae witnesses. The sister of one of the missing witnesses testified that the witness, Caroline Wiley, had given her name and address to the investigating officers. However, the officer in charge of the case explained her absence in this manner:

“Det. Day: We don’t have her name on our report, your Honor, from the original report.

“I called the bar prior — after this incident happened to inquire about other witnesses to speak to and nobody had — nobody knows anything about any other witnesses, other than the people that stepped forward and volunteered their names.”

In addition, Caroline Wiley’s sister testified that Miss Wiley ran from the bar as soon as the brawl began. Under these facts there is no indication that Caroline Wiley could have added any new evidence concerning the assault on the complaining witness. There was no reversible error. People v. Kayne (1934), 268 Mich 186, 194.

The two other missing witnesses were the barmaid or barmaids⁴ apparently on duty the night of this fight. Although there was no testimony that the barmaids actually saw the brawl⁵ involving the complaining witness, the defendant argues that their testimony was essential. We disagree. The details of the disturbance, testified to by the two victims, the complaining witness and his stepbrother, were substantially corroborated by the defendant’s own testimony. The fact of the shooting was admitted by the defendant. There is no evidence that Williams posed any threat to defendant. Further, ready means of escape were available to defendant after he was thrown back.

Affirmed.

1 MCLA § 750.84 (Stat Ann 1962 Rev §28.279).

2 The prosecutor pointed out, in his brief and on oral argument, that at a hearing on the motion for new trial, the trial judge denied reading the preliminary examination transcript. The defendant admitted the accuracy of the prosecutor’s statement on oral argument.

3 MCLA § 767.40 (Stat Ann 1969 Cum Supp § 28.980).

4 One of defendant’s witnesses testified that there was a barmaid present. Defense counsel, during argument, indicated that his investigation revealed two barmaids on duty. Although the bar owner, who was on duty himself, testified during the trial, no further testimony as to other employees was elicited.

5 Although one of defendant’s witnesses testified that she “guessed” that one of the barmaids called police to report a fight, the bar owner testified that, in fact, he called the police.