People v. Matthews

178 N.W.2d 94, 22 Mich. App. 619, 1970 Mich. App. LEXIS 2023
CourtMichigan Court of Appeals
DecidedMarch 25, 1970
DocketDocket 6,969
StatusPublished
Cited by28 cases

This text of 178 N.W.2d 94 (People v. Matthews) 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. Matthews, 178 N.W.2d 94, 22 Mich. App. 619, 1970 Mich. App. LEXIS 2023 (Mich. Ct. App. 1970).

Opinion

Danhoe, J.

Following a nonjury trial, defendant was convicted of robbery unarmed, CL 1948, § 750.530 (Stat Ann 1954 Rev § 28.798). On appeal defendant makes numerous allegations of error, the principal one being that he did not specifically waive his right to counsel prior to and during custodial interrogation.

*622 The prosecution accepted the statement of facts presented in the defendant’s brief as follows:

“On July 9,1967, at 8:15 a.m., defendant, who had been arrested the previous day for allegedly snatching a purse from Gladys Pritchard was allegedly informed of his constitutional rights by Detective James Harkness.
‘Q. What did you say to him?
‘A. That he had a right to remain silent; that anything he said may be used against him; and he didn’t have to answer any questions or make any statement; any statement he may make may be used against him in a court of law. I advised him that he had a right to an attorney present before he answered any questions or made any statement, and the attorney could be with him while he made any statement or answered any questions. I advised him that if he could not afford an attorney one would be appointed by the court prior to any questioning. I advised him that he can at any time exercise his rights and not make any statement or answer any questions.
‘Q. Did he sign any form at any time?
‘A. He did. He indicated that he did not wish to make any statement at that time, and he signed it * * * ’ (T. 62, 63.)
“At 3:45 p.m. on July 9, 1967, after defendant allegedly told the doorman at the precinct that he wished to see Detective Harkness, the detective allegedly again advised defendant of his constitutional rights, as follows:
CQ. After talking to the doorman, what did you do?
‘A. I again advised Larry Matthews of his constitutional rights at 3:45 p.m. I advised him of the same — do you want me to read it again?
“ ‘Q. No. Did you follow the same procedure in the same general language that you did the first time?
“‘A. I did.
*623 “ ‘Q. At that time was he asked to sign anything?
‘A. He was.
“‘Q. And did he sign?
‘A. He signed his name, yes.
‘Q. He signed his name on a form?
‘A. He did, indicating that he understood his constitutional rights, and further agreed that he wanted to make a statement. (T. 66.)
" ‘Q. The second time did you tell him that he had a right to have his counsel there, now that he is going to make a statement; “Do you want your lawyer here?” Did you put it that way?
“‘A. I read the following—
‘Q. Just answer my question, officer. Did you say to this defendant — •
‘A. I said he could have an attorney present when he made a statement.
‘Q. Did you do that the second time?
‘“A. I did.’ _ (T. 70.)
_ “Over the objection of defense counsel (T. 63, 67-69, 72), the court ruled that the statement was voluntary (T. 73).
“The statement allegedly made by defendant Matthews was then read into evidence (T. 73). It placed defendant at the scene of the purse snatching with the other defendant James Kent and placed the responsibility on James Kent. It conflicted with defendant Matthews’ testimony at trial at which he denied being present at all (T. 82-94).
“Defendant was found guilty of robbery unarmed and was sentenced to from 7 or 9 [sic] to 15 years in prison.
“At the time of sentencing, the following statements were made by the court:
“‘The Court: Oh, he has a terrible record. He’s seventeen years old now; and I imagine that his record goes back to 1960; and you know that must make him 10 years old; and he’s been involved in criminal activity since the age of 10; * * * ’ (Transcript of sentence, p 3.)
*624 “ ‘Now, let me just read you some of the offenses, Mr. Bledsoe, that this boy at the age of 17 has on his record: * * * ’ (Transcript of sentence, p 4.)
“ ‘So I would not tolerate one bit the notion that this boy hasn’t got a record as an adult; and I want to say that as far as I’m concerned he’s got a long-record; he’s as hardened a criminal as I’ve ever seen; and the only thing that happened to change the situation was that he had a birthday that made him 17, and he couldn’t even control that. But that carries him right up.’ ” (Transcript of sentence, p5.)
“Defendant’s motion for new trial was denied by the trial court.”

Defendant does not deny that he was advised of the warnings required by Miranda v. Arizona (1966), 384 US 436 (86 S Ct 1602; 16 L Ed 2d 694, 10 ALR3d 974). Rather, defendant asserts that his failure to specifically waive his right to counsel after being advised of his rights bars the admission at trial of any statements made by him during his custodial interrogation. Some of the language from the Miranda case tends to support defendant’s position. For example, at p 470 (86 S Ct at p 1626; 16 L Ed 2d at p 721, 10 ALR3d at p 1009 the Miranda opinion states,

“No effective waiver of the right to counsel during interrogation can be recognized unless specifically made after the warnings we here delineate have been given.”

At p 475 (86 S Ct at p 1628; 16 L Ed 2d at p 724, 10 ALR3d at p 1012) the Miranda court wrote,

“An express statement that the individual is willing to make a statement and does not want an attorney followed closely by a statement could constitute a waiver. But a valid waiver will not be presumed simply from the silence of the accused after warn *625 ings are given or simply from the fact that a confession was in fact eventually obtained.”

The people deny that Miranda

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
178 N.W.2d 94, 22 Mich. App. 619, 1970 Mich. App. LEXIS 2023, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/people-v-matthews-michctapp-1970.