People v. Rodgers

• Decision Date: 17 February 1971
• Docket Number: Docket No. 8065,No. 3,3
• Citation: 186 N.W.2d 840,30 Mich.App. 582
• Parties: PEOPLE of the State of Michigan, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Vaughn Ray RODGERS, Defendant-Appellant
• Court: Court of Appeal of Michigan — District of US

Page 840

186 N.W.2d 840

30 Mich.App. 582

PEOPLE of the State of Michigan, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Vaughn Ray RODGERS, Defendant-Appellant.

Docket No. 8065.

Court of Appeals of Michigan, Division No. 3.

Feb. 17, 1971.

Released for Publication May 20, 1971.

Harry J. Creager, St. Joseph, for defendant-appellant.

Frank J. Kelley, Atty. Gen., Robert A. Derengoski, Sol. Gen., Ronald J. Taylor, Pros. Atty., for plaintiff-appellee.

Before HOLBROOK, P.J., and McGREGOR and T. M. BURNS, JJ.

T. M. BURNS, Judge.

The defendant pled guilty to a charge of second-degree murder. He was sentenced to serve a term of 99 to 100 years in the state prison. On appeal, defendant contends: (1) that he was not properly informed of the consequences of his guilty plea as required by GCR 1963, 785.3(2); (2) that a statute which allows a sentence of 'life or any term of years' does not authorize a sentence which is, in effect, greater than life; and (3) that his sentence of 99 to 100 years constitutes a cruel and unusual punishment.

(1) WAS DEFENDANT PROPERLY INFORMED OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF HIS GUILTY PLEA AS REQUIRED BY GCR 1963, 785.3(2)?

Specifically, defendant contends that because he was not informed that his plea of guilty could lead to a sentence of 99 to 100 years, he was not properly informed of the consequences of his plea.

In People v. Dunn (1968), 380 Mich. 693, 158 N.W.2d 404, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that the word 'consequences' as used in GCR 1963, 785.3(2) means that the defendant should be informed that he waives his right to trial by jury or trial without a jury by the court and that the defendant subjects himself to whatever penalty is prescribed by law. A review of the guilty plea transcript indicates that the defendant was represented by counsel at that proceeding and that the trial judge fully informed him of his rights in compliance with the Dunn decision. The record discloses that the trial judge did a very careful job of taking the defendant's guilty plea and no reversible error was committed in that proceeding.

(2) DOES A STATUTE WHICH ALLOWS A SENTENCE OF 'LIFE OR ANY TERM OF YEARS' AUTHORIZE A 99 TO 100 YEAR SENTENCE?

The defendant contends that the legislative provisions which provide for a sentence of 'life or any term of years' by implication indicates that the maximum sentence to be imposed is one of life and, therefore, any sentence greater than life is an improper sentence. The defendant cites no cases to support this contention, although he attempts to distinguish the case of People v. Williams (1969), 19 Mich.App. 544, 172 N.W.2d 897 where this court stated at p. 546, 172 N.W.2d at p. 898:

'Defendant also contends that the sentence imposed was illegal. The claim is made that the sentence is, in effect, harsher than a life sentence since a life sentence might result in earlier parole. We find the defendant's sentence was within the limits prescribed by C.L.1948 § 750.89 (Stat.Ann.1962 Rev. § 28.284). We find no reversible error in the punishment imposed.'

The implication of the holding in Williams is that 'any term of years' means exactly that. The trial judge may sentence a defendant to any term of years and the fact that the term of years may result in a sentence, which in terms of parole, is greater than life is irrelevant. We find that the sentence pronounced by the trial court is within the limits prescribed by M.C.L.A. § 750.317 (Stat.Ann.1954 Rev. § 28.549).

(3) IS A SENTENCE OF 99 TO 100 YEARS A CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT?

The defendant contends that the 99 to 100 year sentence pronounced by the trial judge constitutes a cruel and unusual punishment in that the defendant is sentenced to a term which in reality is greater than his life expectancy. In making this argument the...