People v. Kinsman

175 N.W.2d 304 | Mich. Ct. App. | 1970

21 Mich. App. 242 (1970)
175 N.W.2d 304

PEOPLE
v.
KINSMAN

Docket No. 7,412.

Michigan Court of Appeals.

Decided January 29, 1970.

Frank J. Kelley, Attorney General, Robert A. Derengoski, Solicitor General, William L. Cahalan, Prosecuting Attorney, Samuel J. Torina, Chief Appellate Lawyer, and Barbara Hackett, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for the people.

Peter R. Barbara, for defendant.

*243 Before: DANHOF, P.J., and FITZGERALD and McGREGOR, JJ.

PER CURIAM.

Defendant was arrested for the crime of larceny by conversion, CL 1948 § 750.362 (Stat Ann 1954 Rev § 28.594), to which he pleaded not guilty. He later withdrew this plea and entered a plea of guilty to an added lesser count of attempted larceny in a building. After a sentence of 1-1/2 to 2 years, the defendant filed a motion for stay of execution, from a denial of which defendant appeals.

The defendant contends that the lower court erred in failing to follow the procedures enunciated in People v. Taylor (1968), 9 Mich App 333. In particular, the defendant contends that the trial judge failed to inquire sua sponte whether the plea, preceded by a confession, was freely made or if he was induced to make written admissions by the prosecutor's unkept promises, thereby forcing his guilty plea.

Our opinion in People v. Taylor, supra, relied upon by defendant herein, is not authority for the procedures to be employed in guilty plea proceedings. See People v. Taylor (1968), 380 Mich 754. Presently, there is no requirement in guilty plea proceedings that the trial judge sua sponte inquire whether a defendant had previously given an out-of-court confession. The trial judge must comply with GCR 1963, 785.3. He did so here. See People v. Bartlett (1969), 17 Mich App 205, and People v. Barrows (1959), 358 Mich 267.

Defendant now, for the first time, and by way of a bare affidavit, alleges that he was coerced into making written admissions, which induced his plea. Defendant does not protest his innocence, but, in effect, only that his sentence is too harsh.

*244 Defendant's arguments are inappropriate. If, in fact, he did make written admissions in reliance upon the prosecutor's unkept promises, he has not persuaded us that he suffered any detriment. The Court finds that the trial judge was unaware of any statements made by defendant, either at the acceptance of the plea or at sentencing. The record does not support defendant's contention that he was influenced to plead guilty by the prospect or fear that these statements would be used against him at trial. See People v. Scruggs (1968), 14 Mich App 47, 49; People v. Mayfield (1969), 16 Mich App 680, 681.

Affirmed.