People v. Girard

Michigan Court of Appeals

People v. Girard

171 N.W.2d 567, 18 Mich. App. 593

CourtMichigan Court of Appeals

DecidedSeptember 17, 1969

DocketDocket 6,118

StatusPublished

Cited by11 cases

This text of 171 N.W.2d 567 (People v. Girard) 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 v. Girard, 171 N.W.2d 567, 18 Mich. App. 593 (Mich. Ct. App. 1969).

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Opinion

Per Curiam.

This case is submitted on the People’s motion to dismiss or affirm. Defendant was convicted, on a plea of guilty, of the crime of second degree murder (MCLA § 750.317 [Stat Ann 1954 Rev § 28.549]), and on July 1, 1968, he was sentenced to serve 50 to 60 years in prison. On February 11, 1969, defendant’s motion to withdraw the plea of guilty and set aside the conviction was denied. Appellate counsel was requested and a timely appeal was filed alleging that the court failed to comply with GCR 1963, 785.3(2), and that the sentence was excessive, constituting cruel and unjust punishment.

A complete review of the transcript of the plea examination discloses that the court committed .no error in accepting the guilty plea, which was freely, understandingly and voluntarily made by the defendant after he had been examined by three psychiatrists and found to be legally sane. The court personally examined defendant on the record and was satisfied that a crime of second degree murder had been established and defendant had participated therein. This examination was consistent with MCLA § 768.35 (Stat Ann 1954 Rev § 28.1058), GCR 1963, 785.3(2), and People v. Barrows (1959), 358 *595 Mich 267. Since defendant was represented by-counsel, GCR 1963, 785.3(1) has no application. People v. La Roe (1969), 18 Mich App 262. There has been no miscarriage of justice. People v. Dunn (1968), 380 Mich 693, and People v. Winegar (1968), 380 Mich 719.

In addition, the transcript discloses the court fully complied with the guilty plea requirements set forth by the United States Supreme Court in Boykin v. Alabama (1969), 395 US 238 (89 S Ct 1709, 23 L Ed 2d 274); see also McCarthy v. United States (1969), 394 US 459 (89 S Ct 1166, 22 L Ed 2d 418).

Defendant’s assertion that the sentence of 50 to 60 years constitutes an abuse of discretion and cruel and unusual punishment will not ordinarily be reviewed by an appellate court when the sentence imposed falls within the statutory limits set by the legislature, as in this case which involves a maximum of life imprisonment. MCLA § 750.317 (Stat Ann 1954 Rev § 28.549). See People v. O’Den (1968), 15 Mich App 10, 11; People v. Tetts (1967), 6 Mich App 254, 259; People v. Pate (1965), 2 Mich App 66, 68; and see also People v. Krum (1965), 374 Mich 356, 362; and People v. Connor (1957), 348 Mich 456, 463. The case of People v. Murray (1888), 72 Mich 10, upon which defendant relies, is no longer applicable as it was decided when Michigan did not have an indeterminate sentence law and the defendant was required to serve whatever sentence was imposed unless pardoned. See People v. Earegood (1968), 12 Mich App 256, 274.

Motion to affirm is granted.

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Per Curiam.

This case is submitted on the People’s motion to dismiss or affirm. Defendant was convicted, on a plea of guilty, of the crime of second degree murder (MCLA § 750.317 [Stat Ann 1954 Rev § 28.549]), and on July 1, 1968, he was sentenced to serve 50 to 60 years in prison. On February 11, 1969, defendant’s motion to withdraw the plea of guilty and set aside the conviction was denied. Appellate counsel was requested and a timely appeal was filed alleging that the court failed to comply with GCR 1963, 785.3(2), and that the sentence was excessive, constituting cruel and unjust punishment.

A complete review of the transcript of the plea examination discloses that the court committed .no error in accepting the guilty plea, which was freely, understandingly and voluntarily made by the defendant after he had been examined by three psychiatrists and found to be legally sane. The court personally examined defendant on the record and was satisfied that a crime of second degree murder had been established and defendant had participated therein. This examination was consistent with MCLA § 768.35 (Stat Ann 1954 Rev § 28.1058), GCR 1963, 785.3(2), and People v. Barrows (1959), 358 *595 Mich 267. Since defendant was represented by-counsel, GCR 1963, 785.3(1) has no application. People v. La Roe (1969), 18 Mich App 262. There has been no miscarriage of justice. People v. Dunn (1968), 380 Mich 693, and People v. Winegar (1968), 380 Mich 719.

In addition, the transcript discloses the court fully complied with the guilty plea requirements set forth by the United States Supreme Court in Boykin v. Alabama (1969), 395 US 238 (89 S Ct 1709, 23 L Ed 2d 274); see also McCarthy v. United States (1969), 394 US 459 (89 S Ct 1166, 22 L Ed 2d 418).

Defendant’s assertion that the sentence of 50 to 60 years constitutes an abuse of discretion and cruel and unusual punishment will not ordinarily be reviewed by an appellate court when the sentence imposed falls within the statutory limits set by the legislature, as in this case which involves a maximum of life imprisonment. MCLA § 750.317 (Stat Ann 1954 Rev § 28.549). See People v. O’Den (1968), 15 Mich App 10, 11; People v. Tetts (1967), 6 Mich App 254, 259; People v. Pate (1965), 2 Mich App 66, 68; and see also People v. Krum (1965), 374 Mich 356, 362; and People v. Connor (1957), 348 Mich 456, 463. The case of People v. Murray (1888), 72 Mich 10, upon which defendant relies, is no longer applicable as it was decided when Michigan did not have an indeterminate sentence law and the defendant was required to serve whatever sentence was imposed unless pardoned. See People v. Earegood (1968), 12 Mich App 256, 274.

Motion to affirm is granted.

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Bluebook (online)

171 N.W.2d 567, 18 Mich. App. 593, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/people-v-girard-michctapp-1969.

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