People v. Johnson, s. 58313
| Decision Date | 23 November 1976 |
| Docket Number | Nos. 58313,58314,s. 58313 |
| Parties | PEOPLE of the State of Michigan, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. Rayford JOHNSON and Cicero Love, Jr., Defendants-Appellees. |
| Court | Michigan Supreme Court |
Timothy A. Baughman, Detroit, for plaintiff.
William B. Daniel, Detroit, for Rayford Johnson.
Neal Bush, Detroit, for Cicero Love, Jr.
This case presents the question whether a trial judge has the power to dismiss a case because he disbelieves witnesses. After a guilty verdict against defendants Johnson and Love had been returned by the jury, the judge granted a new trial because he did not believe the testimony of crucial prosecution witnesses. Our earlier order in this case recognizes that a trial judge may grant a new trial because he disbelieves the testimony of witnesses for the prevailing party. A trial judge may grant a new trial when '* * * justice has not been done * * *'. M.C.L.A. § 770.1; M.S.A. § 28.1098. 391 Mich. 834, 218 N.W.2d 378 (1974).
Following a remand for new trial, the judge granted motions to dismiss by both defendants. In affirming, the Court of Appeals held that dismissal without a new trial was proper because otherwise there could be an endless number of retrials following successive grants of motions for new trial. The Court reasoned that if it cannot prevent a retrial, it cannot prevent a dismissal. 68 Mich.App. 54, 242 N.W.2d 35 (1976). We disagree.
The issue presented in a motion to dismiss is whether sufficient evidence has been produced to support a conviction. In this case, there is more than sufficient evidence to convict the defendants of first-degree murder. As the trier of fact, the jury is the final judge of credibility. People v. Dobine, 371 Mich. 593, 598, 124 N.W.2d 795 (1963). The question of the sufficiency of the evidence is one for the jury unless there is no evidence at all upon a material point. People v. Abernathy, 253 Mich. 583, 587, 235 N.W. 261 (1931). The people are entitled to another trial pursuant to the judge's order granting a new trial and our order of May 23, 1974, confirming his power to enter that order.
In lieu of leave to appeal, pursuant to GCR 1963, 853.2(4), we reverse the judgment of the Court of Appeals and remand to Recorder's Court for trial.
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