People v. Lovett

238 N.W.2d 44, 396 Mich. 101, 1976 Mich. LEXIS 237

• Court: Michigan Supreme Court
• Decided: January 29, 1976
• Docket: Docket 57413
• Status: Published

Opinion

Per Curiam.

Defendant’s conviction must be reversed because the trial judge failed to instruct on the lesser included offense of attempted armed robbery despite defense counsel’s request. People v Henry, 395 Mich 367, 370; 236 NW2d 489 (1975); People v Ora Jones, 395 Mich 379, 390; 236 NW2d 461 (1975).

Defendant was charged with armed robbery. The trial judge instructed on the lesser included offenses of unarmed robbery and larceny from the person. She denied defense counsel’s request for an instruction on attempted armed robbery because she found "no evidence” to support that verdict. The jury convicted the defendant of larceny from the person. The Court of Appeals affirmed the failure to instruct on the lesser included offense of attempted armed robbery because "[tjhere was no evidence of anything but a complete crime”. 63 Mich App 656, 665; 234 NW2d 749 (1975).

In Jones, supra, we said: "If the lesser offense is one that is necessarily included within the greater, the evidence will always support the lesser if it supports the greater.” 395 Mich 390. Attempted armed robbery is "necessarily included” within the offense of armed robbery. People v Bradovich, 305 Mich 329, 332; 9 NW2d 560 (1943). The jury may have found the defendant guilty of the attempt although the evidence showed a completed offense. MCLA 768.32; MSA 28.1055; People v Baxter, 245 Mich 229, 232; 222 NW 149 (1928).

In lieu of leave to appeal, we reverse defendant’s conviction and remand the cause to Recorder’s Court for a new trial. GCR 1963, 853.2(4).

Kavanagh, C. J., and Williams, .Levin, Coleman, Fitzgerald, Lindemer, and Ryan, JJ., concurred.