People v. Swearington

• Decision Date: 08 February 1978
• Docket Number: Docket No. 29707
• Citation: 84 Mich.App. 372,269 N.W.2d 467
• Parties: PEOPLE of the State of Michigan, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Lawrence SWEARINGTON, Defendant-Appellant.
• Court: Court of Appeal of Michigan — District of US

Page 467

269 N.W.2d 467

84 Mich.App. 372

PEOPLE of the State of Michigan, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Lawrence SWEARINGTON, Defendant-Appellant.

Docket No. 29707.

Court of Appeals of Michigan.

Feb. 8, 1978.

Released for Publication Sept. 18, 1978.

Frank L. McNelis, Mount Clemens, for defendant-appellant.

Frank J. Kelley, Atty. Gen., Robert A. Derengoski, Sol. Gen., George N. Parris, Pros. Atty., Alice F. Sage, Asst. Pros. Atty., for plaintiff-appellee.

Before BRONSON, P. J., and R. B. BURNS and BOYLE, ^* JJ.

PER CURIAM.

Defendant was convicted by a jury of breaking and entering with intent to commit a larceny, M.C.L. § 750.110; M.S.A. § 28.305, and first-degree criminal sexual conduct, M.C.L. § 750.520b(1); M.S.A. § 28.788(2)(1), and appeals.

Defendant first argues that the criminal sexual conduct act is unconstitutional on the grounds of overbreadth and vagueness. We need go no further than to note that defendant lacks standing to raise a constitutional challenge to the language of M.C.L. § 750.520a(h); M.S.A. § 28.788(1)(h). Defendant was not charged with "any other intrusion"; rather, the evidence at trial showed that defendant had required the complainant to perform an act of fellatio. Since defendant's conviction rests on the more specific language of the statute, he lacks standing to challenge the more general language on vagueness or overbreadth grounds. See People v. Thompson, 76 Mich.App. 705, 710, 257 N.W.2d 268, 271 (1977); State ex rel. Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney v. Bernstein, 57 Mich.App. 204, 207, 226 N.W.2d 56, 58 (1974), Lv. granted, 393 Mich. 793 (1975).

Defendant next argues that he was prejudiced by having the jury exposed to proposed exhibits of latent fingerprints that were not admitted into evidence. Ultimately, a State Police Crime Lab technician was called by the prosecutor and testified that the prints could not be identified as those of defendant nor anyone else because of the lack of adequate ridge structure. In light of this testimony, we do not find that defendant was prejudiced such that retrial is required. People v. Hunt, 77 Mich.App. 590, 596-597, 259 N.W.2d 147, 150 (1977); People v. Miller, 28 Mich.App. 161, 165, 184 N.W.2d 286, 288 (1970), Lv. den. 384 Mich. 826 (1971).

Defendant next argues that the absence of repeal of the gross indecency statute, M.C.L. § 750.338b; M.S.A. § 28.570(2), somehow entitles him to dismissal of the criminal sexual conduct charge or substitution of the gross indecency charge. Defendant fails, however, to raise a valid constitutional challenge to the criminal sexual conduct act. The prosecutor has broad discretion in selecting the appropriate charge where several statutes are arguably applicable. Genesee Prosecutor v. Genesee Circuit Judge, 386 Mich. 672, 683, 194 N.W.2d 693, 698 (1972).

Defendant next argues that reversible error was committed when the trial judge gave a further instruction on an element omitted in the original instructions to the jury two hours after the jury had commenced deliberation. The instruction was readily understandable, and did not place undue emphasis on the element, which was not, in any event, a controverted issue in the case.

The breaking and entering was an essential element of the offense of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in the instant case....