People v. Bumpus

94 N.W.2d 854, 355 Mich. 374
CourtMichigan Supreme Court
DecidedFebruary 19, 1959
DocketDocket 60, Calendar 47,771
StatusPublished
Cited by40 cases

This text of 94 N.W.2d 854 (People v. Bumpus) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Michigan Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
People v. Bumpus, 94 N.W.2d 854, 355 Mich. 374 (Mich. 1959).

Opinion

Smith, J.

Upon leave granted we review the denial of the circuit court for the county of Lenawee of defendant’s delayed motion for a new trial. Appellant asserts that he was denied his constitutional safeguards in a criminal prosecution. He states that, without counsel, and after intimidation and promises of leniency, he pleaded guilty to a charge of robbery unarmed, not realizing the nature of the charge. The trial court, he urges, “was concerned only with the assumed guilt of the accused,” and not “with the requirements of due process of law.” In particular it is asserted that the trial court ignored the requirements of CL 1948, § 768.35 (Stat Ann §28.1058), and of Court Rule No 35A (1945) requiring in cases of felony as follows:

“See. 1. Arraignment. If the accused is not represented by counsel upon arraignment, before he is required to plead the court shall advise the accused that he is entitled to a trial by jury and to have counsel, and that in case he is financially unable to provide counsel the court will, if accused so requests, appoint counsel for him. If the accused states he will procure counsel or requests that counsel be appointed, a reasonable time thereafter shall be allowed for counsel to consult with the accused before his plea shall be taken.
*377 “Sec. 2. Imposing sentence. If the accused pleads guilty, after such plea and before sentence the court shall inform the accused of the nature of the accusation and the consequences of his plea; and regardless of whether he is represented by counsel, the court shall examine the accused, not necessarily under oath, and as a condition of accepting the plea of guilty and imposing sentence shall ascertain that the plea was freely, understandingly and voluntarily made, without undue influence, compulsion, or duress, and without promise of leniency. Unless the court determines that the plea of guilty was so made, it shall not be accepted.”

The record before us discloses that appellant was first brought before the court for arraignment upon February 27, 1956, at which time the following occurred:

“Mr. Bets [Prosecuting Attorney] : I am going to read this information to you. This is what you stand charged with here in court today, Mr. Bumpus.
(Thereupon, Mr. Betz proceeded to read aloud to the respondent the information filed in this cause.)
“The Court: How old are you, Mr. Bumpus?
“Respondent Bumpus: 21.
“The Court:. Have you ever been before any circuit court on a felony warrant before?
“Respondent Bumpus: No, sir.
“The Court: Do you understand under our statute you don’t have to say a word if you don’t want to?
“Respondent Bumpus: Yes, sir.
“The Court: Do you understand you have the right to have this matter tried by a jury if you want a jury trial?
“Respondent Bumpus: Yes, sir.
“The Court: You understand you have the right to have an attorney to represent you if you want counsel?
“Respondent Bumpus: Yes, sir.
“The Court: Do you understand if you don’t have-money that you should request the court for counsel *378 now and if yon don’t have money to pay for one it is the court’s duty to appoint one for you?
“jRespondent Bumpus: Yes, sir.
“The Court: You understand this charge?
“Respondent Bumpus: Yes.
“The Court: How do you plead to it?
“Respondent Bumpus: Stand mute.
“The Court: All right, the court will enter a plea of not guilty. You should get an attorney and be prepared for trial sometime the last part of March.”

Appellant was returned to the bar of the court on March 5, 1956, at which time the record discloses the following colloquy between court and appellant:

“The Court: This case is also on the calendar. I think we read the information to you, haven’t we, Mr. Bumpus ?
“Respondent Bumpus: Yes, sir.
“The Court: Do you want to have that information read to you again?
“RespondentBumpus: No, sir.
“The Court: As I understand, before you stood mute?
“Respondent Bumpus: Yes, sir.
“The Court: I think we explained to you your rights to an attorney and jury trial.?
“Respondent Bumpus: Yes, sir.
“The Court: You understand this charge ?
“Respondent Bumpus: Yes, sir.
“The Court: How do you plead to it ?
“Respondent Bumpus: Guilty.
“The Court: What did you do, Charles?
“Respondent Bumpus: You mean what did I?
“The Court: What did you do?
“Respondent Bumpus: Well, I helped plan the thing. I mean, before it happened, and I met Larry after it was over and went home with him.
“The Court: I don’t know a thing about this. What happened? I mean, you’re supposed to have stolen or taken some money from Bruce Osburn, not being armed, it says. Just what occurred?”

*379 The details of the crime, as then and later ascertained by the court, were as follows:

“Before this man was sentenced I talked to him at length in chambers on the day of sentence. At that time I found out more of the details of the offense as Mr. Bumpus related them to me.

“Actually they planned to ‘roll’ this man Osburn. Mr. Bumpus said he didn’t want to do the job or go in the car along with him because Mr. Osburn knew him too well and he figured he wouldn’t be able to get away with it. Mr. Hatt didn’t know him. Mr. Hatt could take him out on a certain back road and do it and get away with it.

“Mr.

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Bluebook (online)
94 N.W.2d 854, 355 Mich. 374, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/people-v-bumpus-mich-1959.