People of Michigan v. Beth Ann Stamat

CourtMichigan Court of Appeals
DecidedApril 25, 2019
Docket340560
StatusUnpublished

This text of People of Michigan v. Beth Ann Stamat (People of Michigan v. Beth Ann Stamat) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Michigan Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
People of Michigan v. Beth Ann Stamat, (Mich. Ct. App. 2019).

Opinion

If this opinion indicates that it is “FOR PUBLICATION,” it is subject to revision until final publication in the Michigan Appeals Reports.

STATE OF MICHIGAN

COURT OF APPEALS

PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, UNPUBLISHED April 25, 2019 Plaintiff-Appellee,

v No. 340560 Macomb Circuit Court BETH ANN STAMAT, LC No. 2016-003958-FH

Defendant-Appellant.

Before: MURRAY, C.J., and SAWYER and REDFORD, JJ.

PER CURIAM.

Defendant appeals as of right her jury trial convictions of first-degree home invasion, MCL 750.110a(2), and aggravated stalking, MCL 750.411i(2).1 The trial court sentenced defendant to five years’ probation, with the first year to be served in jail, for each conviction. We affirm.

I. FACTS

In May 2016, defendant’s husband, George Stamat, was diagnosed with “Lou Gehrig’s disease,” i.e., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In July 2016, George began “steadily” living with his parents, Daniel and Domenica, at their house because he was “separated” from defendant, he had filed for a divorce, and they “had an open domestic violence case.” George clarified that particular case pertained to his alleged conduct against defendant, and that he was ultimately acquitted.

At approximately the end of July 2016, George’s mother obtained a personal protection order (PPO) against defendant because, although defendant “was told multiple times to stay

1 The jury acquitted defendant of one count of domestic violence, second offense, MCL 750.81(2).

-1- away from” the house, she “came multiple times” to the house. Domenica explained that defendant would call her names, swear at her, and say negative things about George to her.

On one morning, toward the end of August 2016, only George and his father were at home. At some point, Daniel noticed defendant outside, and he woke up George to inform him that defendant had arrived at the house to see him. George got out of bed and walked to the house’s front porch. Eventually, George and defendant engaged in a conversation, and after their conversation “escalat[ed],” George walked to the house’s back door. However, defendant “hooked” George’s arm as he “stepped into the house” and “yanked” George “back outside.” Defendant then spoke to George again, which culminated in defendant “rip[ping] off her jewelry” and throwing it at George as she was “walking towards the gate to leave.”

Defendant left through the backyard gate, and George “walk[ed] over to the gate” to secure its latch while defendant was “going on and on.” However, as George approached the gate, defendant “storm[ed]” past George, “pushed” him “out of the way,” and “went into the house.” He confirmed that when defendant entered the house, the house’s door had “been closed completely before she walked in[.]” George then secured the latch and entered the house. He noticed that defendant “was in the bathroom,” where he “believe[d]” that she “was wiping . . . her tears” and “getting herself cleaned up.” Defendant then “stormed” past George “into the hallway,” and she “went into the kitchen,” where she “yelled” at George “some more” until “she left out the backdoor.” After defendant left, George went into his bedroom, where he noticed that his license, debit card, a couple of credit cards, and his cellular phone were missing. During trial, George clarified that defendant returned the missing items approximately one week later, except for his cellular phone, which she returned at “a later date.”

II. SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE

Defendant first argues that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence during trial to support her conviction of first-degree home invasion because there was no evidence that defendant “broke” into the house. Defendant, who assumes that there was insufficient evidence to support her conviction, also argues that any finding that there was sufficient evidence to support her conviction under an alternative theory of “entry without permission” would violate her right to a properly instructed jury.

A defendant may raise a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence on appeal without preserving the issue below. People v Williams, 294 Mich App 461, 471; 811 NW2d 88 (2011). Generally, an issue is preserved for appellate review when it is raised before and addressed and decided by a trial court. People v Metamora Water Serv, Inc, 276 Mich App 376, 382; 741 NW2d 61 (2007). Under MCR 2.512(C),

[a] party may assign as error the giving of or the failure to give an instruction only if the party objects on the record before the jury retires to consider the verdict (or, in the case of instructions given after deliberations have begun, before the jury resumes deliberations), stating specifically the matter to which the party objects and the grounds for the objection. Opportunity must be given to make the objection out of the hearing of the jury.

-2- However, “[a]n objection based on one ground is usually considered insufficient to preserve an appellate attack based on a different ground.” People v Kimble, 470 Mich 305, 309; 684 NW2d 669 (2004).

During trial, defendant did not object to the jury instructions, and defense counsel expressed satisfaction with the jury instructions as provided to the jury. Therefore, defendant’s argument relating to the jury instructions is not preserved for appellate review and, as discussed in greater detail below, defendant has waived her challenge relating to the jury instructions.

A challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence is reviewed de novo. People v Harrison, 283 Mich App 374, 377-378; 768 NW2d 98 (2009). The evidence must be viewed “in the light most favorable to the prosecution in order to determine whether a rational trier of fact could have found that the prosecution proved the elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” People v Levigne, 297 Mich App 278, 281-282; 823 NW2d 429 (2012). It is the role of the trier of fact to determine the weight of the evidence and evaluate the credibility of witnesses. People v Kanaan, 278 Mich App 594, 619; 751 NW2d 57 (2008).

“Claims of instructional error are generally reviewed de novo by this Court, but the trial court’s determination that a jury instruction is applicable to the facts of the case is reviewed for an abuse of discretion.” People v Henderson, 306 Mich App 1, 3; 854 NW2d 234 (2014). An abuse of discretion occurs when the outcome chosen by the trial court falls outside the range of principled outcomes. People v Babcock, 469 Mich 247, 269; 666 NW2d 231 (2003).

“The defendant bears the burden of establishing that the asserted instructional error resulted in a miscarriage of justice.” People v Dupree, 486 Mich 693, 702; 788 NW2d 399 (2010). A miscarriage of justice occurs when “it is more probable than not that a different outcome would have resulted without the error.” People v Lukity, 460 Mich 484, 495; 596 NW2d 607 (1999).

However, because defendant’s claim is not preserved, defendant must demonstrate that an error occurred, the error was plain, and the plain error affected substantial rights to avoid forfeiture under the plain error rule. People v Buie, 285 Mich App 401, 407; 775 NW2d 817 (2009). “The third prong requires a showing of prejudice, which occurs when the error affected the outcome of the lower court proceedings.” People v Putman, 309 Mich App 240, 243; 870 NW2d 593 (2015).

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Bluebook (online)
People of Michigan v. Beth Ann Stamat, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/people-of-michigan-v-beth-ann-stamat-michctapp-2019.