People v. Mahone
| Decision Date | 19 March 1980 |
| Docket Number | Docket No. 78-2205 |
| Citation | 293 N.W.2d 618,97 Mich.App. 192 |
| Parties | PEOPLE of the State of Michigan, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Alyna MAHONE, Defendant-Appellant. 97 Mich.App. 192, 293 N.W.2d 618 |
| Court | Court of Appeal of Michigan — District of US |
[97 MICHAPP 193] Milton R. Henry, Detroit, for defendant-appellant.
Frank J. Kelley, Atty. Gen., Robert A. Derengoski, Sol. Gen., William L. Cahalan, Pros. Atty., E. Reilly Wilson, App. Chief Pros. Atty., Michael D. Lehto, Asst. Pros. Atty., for plaintiff-appellee.
Before BRONSON, P. J., and BEASLEY and RILEY, JJ.
Defendant, Alyna Mahone, was charged with first-degree murder, in violation of M.C.L. § 750.316; M.S.A. § 28.548, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, specifically, first-degree murder, in violation of M.C.L. § 750.227b; M.S.A. § 28.424(2).
At the preliminary examination, defendant was bound over on second-degree murder, M.C.L. § 750.317; M.S.A. § 28.549, and felony-firearm. After a bench trial, defendant was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and felony-firearm. He was sentenced to five years probation, the first six months to be served in the Wayne County jail, on count one and the mandatory two years imprisonment on count two. Defendant now appeals as of right, raising four issues.
[97 MICHAPP 194] Defendant first argues that, since the trial court found that he did not possess a gun prior to shooting the victim, he cannot be found guilty of felony-firearm. We find this argument to be without merit.
In this case, the defendant chased the victim with a rake. The victim drew a gun, which defendant wrestled from him, pointed and fired, killing him. Defendant reasons that since he did not embark upon this crime with a gun in his possession, he cannot be guilty of felony-firearm. We do not agree.
The felony-firearm statute 1 provides:
"(1) A person who carries or has in his possession a firearm at the time he commits or attempts to commit a felony, except the violation of section 227 or section 227a, is guilty of a felony, and shall be imprisoned for 2 years."
A plain reading of this statute leads to the conclusion that anyone who has in his possession a firearm at the time he commits or attempts to commit a felony shall be guilty of felony-firearm. The statute does not state, and we do not interpret it to state, that a defendant must possess a firearm prior to the commission of a felony.
In this case, it is clear that at the time that defendant shot his victim, he possessed a firearm. Accordingly, the defendant's argument on this issue is without merit.
Defendant next argues that the trial court erred in allowing the prosecutor to amend the information after the trial court found the defendant guilty of both involuntary manslaughter and felony-firearm. We do not agree. In this case, the [97 MICHAPP 195] information charged defendant with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, specifically, first-degree murder. Defendant was bound over for trial on second-degree murder and felony-firearm, however, the information was not corrected. After the trial court found defendant guilty of involuntary manslaughter and felony-firearm, defendant's attorney moved to dismiss the felony-firearm charge on the ground that the information specified the underlying felony as first-degree murder, which had not been proven. The trial court rejected this argument and allowed the amendment.
The general rule is that a trial court may allow the amendment of an information at any time before, during, or after trial. This Court will not reverse such a decision unless it finds that the defendant was prejudiced in his defense or that a failure of justice resulted. 2
A defendant is not prejudiced by an amendment to the information to cure a defect in the offense charged when the original information was sufficient to inform the defendant and the court of the nature of the charge. 3 In this case, we find that the original information was sufficient to inform the defendant of the charge. Accordingly, we find no prejudice to defendant and no reversible error.
Defendant next argues that his convictions of both involuntary manslaughter and felony-firearm violate...
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People v. Adams
...We note that defendant acquired a second firearm here, but only after both felonies were complete; compare People v. Mahone, 97 Mich.App. 192, 194, 293 N.W.2d 618 (1980). We so hold in view of the Legislature's use of the phrase "the time he commits or attempts to commit a felony" in the fe......
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People v. McGill
... ... den. 406 Mich. 938 (1979); People v. Fuzi, 46 Mich.App. 204, 209-210, 208 N.W.2d 47 (1973). The defect could easily have been cured at trial had a timely objection been made. People v. Willett, 110 Mich.App. 337, 343, 313 N.W.2d 117 (1981); People v. Mahone, 97 Mich.App. 192, 195, 293 N.W.2d 618 (1980) ... Finally, defendant argues that fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct is not a felony for purposes of the habitual offender statute since it is designated a misdemeanor by its own terms. We disagree. Although the conduct punished ... ...
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People v. Covington, Docket No. 63206
...where the original information was sufficient to inform the defendant and the court of the nature of the charge. People v. Mahone, 97 Mich.App. 192, 195, 293 N.W.2d 618 (1980); People v. Corbeil, 77 Mich.App. 691, 259 N.W.2d 193 (1977). Here the information, containing a general averment th......
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People v. Willett
...Generally, amendment of the information is permitted at any time so long as the defendant is not prejudiced. People v. Mahone, 97 Mich.App. 192, 195, 293 N.W.2d 618 (1980). Where the original information adequately informed the defendant of the nature of the charge, this Court has permitted......