People v. Hagar
| Decision Date | 02 February 1977 |
| Docket Number | Docket No. 22000 |
| Citation | 252 N.W.2d 484,73 Mich.App. 536 |
| Parties | PEOPLE of the State of Michigan, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Charles HAGAR, Defendant-Appellant. |
| Court | Court of Appeal of Michigan — District of US |
State Appellate Defender James R. Neuhard by John B. Phelps, Asst. State Appellate Defender, Detroit, for defendant-appellant.
Frank J. Kelley, Atty. Gen., Robert A. Derengoski, Sol. Gen., William L. Cahalan, Pros. Atty., Edward R. Wilson, Appellate Chief, by Robert A. Reuther, Asst. Pros. Atty., for plaintiff-appellee.
Before V. J. BRENNAN, P. J., and BRONSON and BASHARA, JJ.
The appellant was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder, MCLA 750.316; MSA 28.548, and appeals.
The appellant was originally charged with felony murder. After a preliminary examination before a Highland Park municipal judge, the information was quashed and the appellant was discharged.
On February 14, 1974, the appellee filed a civil action in circuit court against the examining magistrate. The appellee sought an order for superintending control requiring the magistrate to bind the appellant over on either the charge of felony murder, or first- or second-degree murder.
A hearing was held and the circuit judge found that the appellant should have been bound over for trial on a first-degree murder charge. The court set aside the order of the magistrate quashing the information, and ordered the magistrate to bind the appellant over for trial.
The appellant raises a number of issues relating to the superintending control action. No appeal was ever taken from what appellant claims was a denial of a motion to intervene in that action. At this time it appears that the appellant is attempting to collaterally attack the judgment in the superintending control action. This is impermissible. Cf. People v. Pickett,391 Mich. 305, 215 N.W.2d 695 (1974); State ex rel. Ingham County Prosecutor v. American Amusement Co., Inc., 71 Mich.App. 130, 246 N.W.2d 684 (1976). We discuss these issues further in reference to the companion published opinion in People v. Lane, 73 Mich.App. 457, 252 N.W.2d 481 (1977).
The first issue raised by the appellant in his exceedingly prolix brief is that due process requires he be allowed to intervene as a matter of right in the superintending control action. In People v. Lane, supra, we have recognized such a right pursuant to GCR 1963, 209. However, appellant made no motion to intervene in accordance with the procedure set forth in GCR 1963, 209.3. See Kolar v. Hudson, 55 Mich.App. 114, 222 N.W.2d 53 (1974), lv. den. 393 Mich. 811 (1975). Consequently, we find no error. See People v. Lane, supra.
Appellant further contends that he was denied due process of law because counsel was not appointed to represent him at the superintending control action. He asserts that his court appointed attorney was advised by two circuit court judges that the obligation to defend the appellant terminated upon dismissal of the charges.
There is no record support for the appellant's allegations. We have obtained the court file in the superintending control action, and have discovered that the hearing was not transcribed. No affidavits have been filed by the appellant or his original court appointed attorney to support the allegations contained in the brief.
To the extent the appellant claims he was denied assistance of counsel, it is incumbent upon him to make a testimonial record at the trial level. People v. Ginther, 390 Mich. 436, 443, 212 N.W.2d 922 (1973). Without record evidence we have no basis for considering such claims.
The appellant's remaining issues pertaining to the superintending control action will not be considered for they are not properly before us on this appeal.
The appellant further argues that the examining magistrate erroneously considered the preliminary examination transcript of a co-defendant in determining whether there was probable cause. Errors relating to irregularities occurring at the preliminary examination may not be raised for the first time on appeal. People v. Boyd, 49 Mich.App. 388, 402, n.5, 212 N.W.2d 333 (1973), lv. den. 394 Mich. 809 (1975).
The next issue raised by the appellant is that prior to trial a motion was made before a circuit court judge to quash the information because no premeditation was shown at the preliminary examination. By an order dated June 24, 1974, the judge denied the motion to quash stating:
"It is hereby ordered that the Motion to Quash the Information be, and the same is hereby denied, for the reason that the matter has already been decided on Judge Joseph A. Sullivan's Writ of Superintending Control to Judge David Golden."
The appellant contends that the circuit judge erred in failing to exercise his discretion. We agree. The superintending control action was directed towards the examining magistrate, not the circuit judge. The circuit judge was not bound by the superintending control order, and should have made an independent determination.
We are of the opinion that the error was harmless. Sufficient evidence of premeditation was presented. 1
The testimony at the original preliminary exam reveals the appellant and three other people went to the apartment of Linda Horsely looking for Harry Simpson. One of the individuals had given Simpson narcotics and this citizens group was seeking either compensation or a return of the narcotics.
As they entered the apartment the appellant had a gun drawn. The appellant hit Horsely with the gun. He told her to sit down and be quiet, and that she was going to tell where to find Simpson.
Two of the individuals attacked Timothy Hinton, who was at the apartment. They repeatedly hit Hinton over the head with a statue. One of the individuals discovered a switchblade in the apartment and stabbed Hinton a number of times. Another told Horsely that she could stop the violence...
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People v. Smith
...Michigan. We also cannot agree that the trial court's decision was harmless error under the facts of this case. In People v. Hagar, 73 Mich.App. 536, 252 N.W.2d 484 (1977), cited by the dissent, the defendant chose to testify and was impeached by several convictions, all but one apparently ......