People v. Hughes

165 N.W.2d 503, 14 Mich. App. 308, 1968 Mich. App. LEXIS 912

• Court: Michigan Court of Appeals
• Decided: November 27, 1968
• Docket: Docket Nos. 3,648, 3,584
• Status: Published

Opinion

Per Curiam.

After a jury trial conviction of armed robbery,

* defendants have each appealed which appeals have here been consolidated.

As to defendant Martin, two issues were raised. First, he claims a violation of his rights in that testimony of his line-up identification was received in evidence even though he was not represented by counsel. This is not a valid ground. The lineup took place in 1965 prior to United States v. Wade (1967), 388 US 218 (87 S Ct 1926, 18 L Ed 2d 1149) which was made applicable only to lineups occurring after June 12, 1967. Stovall v. Denno (1967), 388 (87 S Ct 1967, 18 L Ed 2d 1199). In addition there is absolutely no showing on this record of a denial of counsel at the lineup nor of any support for an assertion of other constitutional unfairness. And finally, no objection was made to the receipt of the line-up testimony resulting in the inability of defendant to assign the same as error on appeal. People v. Dobine (1963), 371 Mich 593; People v. Guise (1933), 262 Mich 72.

The only other claim of error on behalf of defendant Martin is that the court erred in receiving testimony, after he took the witness stand in his own behalf, that he had previously been convicted of “carnal knowledge of a female minor,” and that it was characterized by the assistant prosecutor as “rape.” Although the record is not clear, it appears from the sentencing that the previous conviction Avas for “indecent liberties.” Error cannot be predicated upon this confusion for it was of defendant Martin’s own making. If he had really been convicted of indecent liberties, his own characterization of the offense as “carnal knowledge of a female minor” was confusing and inaccurate and led to the subsequent confusion of the court, assistant prosecutor and even his own counsel. Again defendant saved no objection. Bobine, supra.

Defendant Hughes complains of the testimony of certain witnesses that they had been shown pictures by police from which they identified him. He objects also to the Avitness’ reference to looking at pictures from “the rack.” Defendant argues that this is equivalent to telling the jury that the defendant had a previous criminal record. This complaint likewise must be rejected for a number of reasons: 1). Hughes took the stand on his own behalf and admitted being on probation for larceny from a building; 2). no general objection was made to this testimony nor was any specific objection made as to tbe nse of the pictures or their characterization as from “the rack;” 3). the language of “the rack” was elicited upon cross-examination by defendant’s counsel; and 4). the language and procedure used neither required a finding nor hinted at a prior criminal conviction.

That improper procedure was used to refresh a witness’ recollection is also assigned by defendant Hughes as error. After starting out improperly, the proper procedure for refreshing a witness’ recollection was used. People v. Thomas (1960), 359 Mich 251. Any irregularity was thus cured and in any event, there is no' showing of prejudice. G-CR 1963, 529.1.

The final assignment of error by defendant Hughes is based upon evidence received concerning Hughes’ earlier assertion on direct examination that he had never robbed anyone. The testimony objected to dealt with that assertion and to establish the defendant’s knowledge of the east side of the city of Detroit where both the prior and the present offenses took place. The defendant had denied knowledge or familiarity with that area.

The testimony was properly received.

Affirmed.

T. G-. Kavanagh, P. J., and Levin and Newblatt, JJ., concurred.

CLS 1961, § 750.529 (Stat Ann 1968 Cum Supp § 28.797).