People v. Jones, Docket No. 14432

• Decision Date: 24 July 1973
• Docket Number: Docket No. 14432,No. 2,2
• Citation: 210 N.W.2d 497,48 Mich.App. 470
• Parties: PEOPLE of the State of Michigan, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Thomas Peter JONES, Defendant-Appellant
• Court: Court of Appeal of Michigan — District of US

Page 497

210 N.W.2d 497

48 Mich.App. 470

PEOPLE of the State of Michigan, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Thomas Peter JONES, Defendant-Appellant.

Docket No. 14432.

Court of Appeals of Michigan, Division No. 2.

July 24, 1973.

Released for Publication Oct. 2, 1973.

James R. Neuhard, State Appellate Defender, Detroit, for defendant-appellant.

Frank J. Kelley, Atty. Gen., Robert A. Derengoski, Sol. Gen., L. Brooks Patterson, Pros. Atty., for plaintiff-appellee.

Before T. M. BURNS, P.J., and McGREGOR and Van VALKENBURG, ^* JJ.

McGREGOR, Judge.

Defendant appeals a jury verdict of guilty on a charge of armed robbery, M.C.L.A. § 750.529; M.S.A. § 28.797, and the ensuing sentence of 4 to 14 years in prison.

At trial, the complaining witness testified that he had been drinking in a bar, that he had known this defendant since childhood, that he saw the defendant in the bar and offered to pay him a dollar for a ride home. A little later, the complaining witness and the defendant left the bar, together with a woman and another unidentified man. The complainant agreed to the defendant's suggestion that they stop at a house at 184 Hughes Street before taking the complainant home, but declined to accompany the others into the house, and after waiting in the car for a few minutes, he began to walk home. Complainant heard someone yell to him and, as he turned, was struck with a blunt instrument. Complainant testified that, after being struck, he was beaten by four persons, this defendant, the woman, and two unidentified men, and that while he was on the ground, his wallet was stolen with its contents of $80. The complainant also testified that when he arose, he saw one of the unidentified men holding a pistol.

Defendant did not testify at trial, but his testimony from the preliminary examination was introduced into evidence by the prosecution. Differing from complainant's in many respects, defendant testified that on the evening in question, complainant was drunk and offered to pay defendant's girl friend for sexual activity; that defendant agreed to take the complainant and the girl friend to the complainant's house; that on the way, they stopped at the house on Hughes Street where defendant hoped to collect some money owed to him by the occupant of the house. Defendant further alleged that after he had gone into the house, his girl friend entered and asked for ten dollars to make change for the complainant's twenty-dollar bill; she took the money out to the car, gave it to the complainant, who then jumped out of the car and ran away. The girl came back into the house, related what happened to the defendant, and defendant chased after the complainant; upon overtaking the complainant, the defendant began beating the complainant in an effort to get his money back. Defendant emphasized that he chased and beat the complainant alone, and that there was no gun involved.

Proofs introduced by the prosecution included photographs taken of the complainant on the day after the beating, for the purpose of proving the beating, although this fact had been admitted by both parties. ¹ In addition, the testimony taken from the defendant at the preliminary examination was introduced, which included a reference to defendant's prior criminal record. Defendant did not testify at trial. ²

The trial court instructed the jury that only two verdicts were possible: either guilty or not guilty of armed robbery. This instruction precluded the jury from considering a verdict as to any lesser included offenses.

Defendant first contends that it was error for the trial court to exclude lesser included offenses from the jury instructions.

There are several. It is established Michigan law that there is affirmative exclusion of lesser included offenses if (1) there is no request for instruction on lesser included offenses, (2) there is evidence on the record to support a conviction on a lesser offense so that, if requested, it would have been error to refuse to instruct on it, and (3) the court affirmatively excludes the jury from considering lesser offenses. Here, each of these factors was present and failure to so instruct the jury was error. See People v. Lemmons, 384 Mich. 1, 178 N.W.2d 496 (1970); People v. Roshinsky, 37 Mich.App. 754, 195 N.W.2d 282 (1972); People v. Olsen, 39 Mich.App. 1, 197 N.W.2d 87 (1972); People v. Bukoski, 41 Mich.App. 498, 200 N.W.2d 373 (1972).

This Court has defined 'no evidence tending to support such offenses' in People v. Stram, 40 Mich.App. 249, 254, 198 N.W.2d 753, 756 (1972):

'There is no evidence tending to support a lesser included offense unless a question of fact exists with regard to an element of the greater offense that is not an element of the included offense, People v. Loncar, 4 Mich.App. 281, 289, 290, 144 N.W.2d 801, 805 (1966).

'When does a question of fact exist? If there is conflicting evidence relating to the element of the greater offense that is not an element of the lesser offense, there is a question of fact as to that element. Conflicting evidence may arise from contradictory evidence, inconsistent evidence, or specific testimony that is impeached on cross-examination. Credibility of witnesses and proof beyond a reasonable doubt are not to be equated with conflicting evidence. These issues are present in every criminal trial and they relate to the question of whether or not an element of the crime has been proved at all. Credibility or reasonable doubt are bases for a jury finding of not guilty as charged even in the face of uncontradicted evidence. Neither furnishes any logical basis for an affirmative finding of guilt as to a lesser included offense.'

Defendant did not testify. His testimony, taken at the preliminary hearing, was read into evidence. His version of the assault was that the complainant had taken money from the defendant's girl friend, and that the defendant was fighting with the complainant in an effort to retrieve his money; he stressed the fact that he had no gun.

Unarmed robbery is a lesser included offense of armed robbery. Mullreed v. Kropp, 425 F.2d 1095 (CA 6, 1970). Assault with intent to rob, being armed, is also a lesser included offense. People v. Henderson, 22 Mich.App. 128, 177 N.W.2d 254 (1970). Also, larceny from a person is an included offense of armed robbery, People v. Williams, 14 Mich.App. 186, 165 N.W.2d 296 (1968), as is assault and battery, People v. Allie, 216 Mich. 133, 184 N.W. 423 (1921).

This issue refines itself to the question of whether there was sufficient evidence in the record for possible conviction of any of the lesser included offenses.

On a charge of a completed armed robbery, defendant testified that there was no weapon involved.

'The defendant was charged with armed robbery and interposed the defense of alibi. A defense of alibi, Per se, does not mean that a defendant may not be convicted of a lesser offense. A jury may disbelieve a defendant's alibi but nevertheless find that a disputed element of the principal charge was not proven.' People v. Membres, 34 Mich.App. 224, 232, fn. 7, 191 N.W.2d 66, 69, fn. 7 (1971).

Defendant in the instant case did not claim he was not at the scene of the crime, but argued that there was no robbery and no weapon. A jury has the right to reject...