People v. Selwa

543 N.W.2d 321, 214 Mich. App. 451

• Court: Michigan Court of Appeals
• Decided: December 1, 1995
• Docket: Docket 166663
• Status: Published

Opinions

Markman, J.

The prosecutor appeals an order granting defendant’s motion to quash the information charging her with negligent operation of a vehicle causing homicide. MCL 750.324; MSA 28.556. We reverse.

The charges brought in this case resulted from an automobile accident that occurred on December 27, 1990, in the City of Royal Oak. In moderately snowy conditions, defendant’s vehicle hit Heide Mielke’s vehicle head-on while making a left turn. Although wearing a safety belt, Mielke was thrown against the steering wheel. At the time of the accident, Mielke was 6V2 months’ pregnant. Upon Mielke’s arrival at the hospital, a fetal heart monitor was able to detect the baby’s heart rate at one hundred beats a minute. Because a heart rate under 120 is considered abnormal for a fetus, an emergency Caesarean section was performed to deliver the child.

At the preliminary hearing, Doctor Matthew Allswede testified that the baby was removed from the womb at approximately 11:00 p.m. The doctor testified that the child had virtually no muscle tone and that, in the brief time he was with the baby, it did not make any respiratory effort. He did not attempt to detect a heart rate. Doctor Allswede was unable to say whether there was any spontaneous respiration, heart rate, or brain-wave activity at the time the child was removed from the womb.

Doctor David DeWitte, the treating neonatologist, testified regarding the "Apgar” score used by delivery room personnel to assess the status of the child shortly after birth and to determine whether a child is in need of resuscitation. He stated that at one, five, and ten minutes following birth, the baby’s Apgar score was zero, indicating that the baby’s heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability, and color were virtually nonexistent. At fifteen minutes, however, the baby’s heart rate was detected to be greater than zero but under one hundred beats a minute. The Apgar score at that point was one. At twenty minutes, the baby had an Apgar score of two, with a heart rate greater than one hundred. The doctor further testified that at twenty-five minutes after delivery, the baby made two or three gasping respirations.

Doctor DeWitte further testified that when the baby arrived at the neonatal unit it was connected to a manually operated respirator. After arriving at the neonatal unit, the baby was placed on a mechanical respirator. The baby’s heart rate was 119. Doctor DeWitte testified that a heart rate above one hundred does not call for further measures to raise the heartbeat. The child was removed from the respirator at 1:30 a.m., 2V% hours after delivery. The death note prepared by the physician stated that the baby died at that time. A certificate of live birth and a death certificate were both issued.

On the basis of the testimony at the preliminary hearing, the district court bound defendant over for trial on the negligent homicide charge. Defendant brought a motion in the circuit court to quash the information. Defendant argued, citing People v Guthrie, 97 Mich App 226; 293 NW2d 775 (1980), that the baby was stillborn and could not be considered a "person” for the purposes of the statute. The circuit court agreed, stating that the child was "born dead.”

The prosecutor argues that the district court did not abuse its discretion in binding over defendant for trial on a negligent homicide charge and that the circuit court thereby erred in quashing the information. The prosecutor claims that there was sufficient evidence presented at the preliminary examination that the child was "born alive” and that, having presented evidence regarding all elements of the statute, defendant was properly bound over. We agree.

In reviewing a district court’s decision to bind over a defendant for trial, the circuit court may not substitute its judgment for that of the district court and may reverse only if it appears on the record that the district court abused its discretion. People v Brannon, 194 Mich App 121, 124; 486 NW2d 83 (1992). This Court generally applies the same standard on review as applied by the circuit court in reviewing a district court’s decision to bind over a defendant. People v Neal, 201 Mich App 650, 654; 506 NW2d 618 (1993).

A defendant must be bound over for trial on the prosecutor’s information if the evidence presented at the preliminary examination establishes that a felony has been committed and there is probable cause to believe that the defendant was the perpetrator. MCL 766.13; MSA 28.931; People v Woods, 200 Mich App 283, 287; 504 NW2d 24 (1993). The prosecutor is not required to prove each element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. at 288. However, there must be evidence regarding each element of the crime charged or evidence from which the elements may be inferred. Brannon, supra at 124. If the evidence conflicts or raises a reasonable doubt, the defendant should be bound over for resolution of the issue by the trier of fact. People v Cotton, 191 Mich App 377, 384; 478 NW2d 681 (1991); Neal, supra at 655.

Defendant was charged with negligent operation of a vehicle causing homicide, MCL 750.324; MSA 28.556. The statute reads:

Any person who, by the operation of any vehicle upon any highway or upon any other property, public or private, at an immoderate rate of speed or in a careless, reckless or negligent manner, but not wilfully or wantonly, shall cause the death of another, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison not more than 2 years or by a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

The issue before us is whether sufficient evidence was presented to bind over defendant for trial on a charge of negligent homicide, more particularly whether there was sufficient evidence of the "death of another.” The word "another” refers back to the word "person.” Guthrie, supra at 229. Thus, we first address what constitutes being a "person” under the negligent homicide statute.

The statutory offense of negligent homicide is included in the Penal Code. The statutory rule of construction provided in the Penal Code, MCL 750.2; MSA 28.192, states as follows:

The rule that a penal statute is to be strictly construed shall, not apply to this act or any of the provisions thereof. All provisions of this act shall be construed according to the fair import of their terms, to promote justice and to effect the objects of the law.

In Guthrie, supra, this Court determined that the negligent homicide statute, requiring the "death of another,” could not be interpreted as including unborn viable fetuses as persons without usurping the traditional power of the Legislature to define criminal acts. This Court stated:

The common-law rule, in effect when the statute was adopted in 1921, was that there could be no homicide without a living human being the victim. The killing of an unborn child was not a homicide at common law for the reason that the fetus was not considered a "person” or "a reasonable creature in being” before its birth. It was necessary that the child be "born alive” and exist independently of its mother’s body before it could be considered a "person.” [Id. at 229.]

This Court expressed its displeasure with the "born alive” rule but nevertheless found it controlling. Id.1 We therefore apply the "born alive” rule in determining whether defendant should have been bound over for trial on a charge of negligent homicide, which requires the death of a "person.”

The Legislature has defined both "live birth” and "death.” "Live birth” is defined under MCL 333.2804(3); MSA 14.15(2804X3) as follows:

"Live birth” means a term defined by departmental rule which shall conform as closely as possible to the definition of live birth recommended by the federal agency responsible for vital statistics.

The state’s Office of Vital and Health Statistics has provided the following definition under 1981 AACS, R 325.3201(l)(d):

"Live birth” means the complete expulsion or extraction from a pregnant woman of a product of human conception which, after such expulsion or extraction, shows any evidence of life, whether or not the umbilical cord has been cut or the placenta is attached.

At the time the incident occurred in the present case, the Legislature had defined "death” in the Determination of Death Act, MCL 333.1021 et seq.; MSA 14.15(1021) et seq., which, as quoted in In re Rosebush, 195 Mich App 675, 690-691; 491 NW2d 633 (1992),² provided in pertinent part:

"A person will be considered dead if in the announced opinion of a physician, based on ordinary standards of medical practice in the community, there is the irreversible cessation of spontaneous respiratory and circulatory functions. If artificial means of support preclude a determination that these functions have ceased, a person will be considered dead if in the announced opinion of a physician, based on ordinary standards of medical practice in the community, there is the irreversible cessation of spontaneous brain functions. Death will have occurred at the time when the relevant functions ceased. [MCL 333.1021; MSA 14.15(1021).]

"Death is to be pronounced before artificial means of supporting respiratory and circulatory functions are terminated. [MCL 333.1022; MSA 14.15(1022).]

"The means of determining death in section 1 shall be used for all purposes in this state, including the trials of civil and criminal cases. [MCL 333.1023; MSA 14.15(1023).]”

While both parties cite and do not appear to dispute the applicability of the definition of "death,” they do not rely on the statutory definition of "death” at the time of the incident, but, instead, rely on the definition provided in the subsequently enacted Determination of Death Act at MCL 333.1033; MSA 14.15(1033).³ MCL 333.1033; MSA 14.15(1033) provides in pertinent part:

(1) An individual who has sustained either of the following is dead:

(a) Irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions.

(b) Irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem.

While we believe that the statutory definition in effect at the time of the incident is more appropriately applied, In re Fultz, 211 Mich App 299, 309; 535 NW2d 590 (1995), we find that for purposes of what constitutes death, both versions clearly regard the irreversible cessation of either respiratory and circulatory functions or brain functions as the benchmark for determining death. Thus, in the instant case, our analysis holds true with respect to both versions.⁴

Because it is axiomatic that one who is not dead is alive and vice versa, we find that the definition of "death” becomes as equally helpful as the definition of "live birth” in determining whether a child was "born alive” and hence is a "person.”⁵ If one is not born dead, one is born alive and vice versa. Although the definitions of "death” and its counterpart "life” do not include the term "birth,” i.e., the extraction or expulsion of the fetus, Guthrie has held that an unborn fetus is not a person under the negligent homicide statute. Thus, it is really the word "alive” that is the immediate subject of controversy.

Because we have two statutory definitions that may guide us in applying the "born alive” rule, or, in other words, in determining what constitutes a "person” under the negligent homicide statute, it becomes necessary to look more closely at the two definitions.

The definition of "live birth” promulgated by the state’s Office of Vital and Health Statistics, and incorporated by reference in the statutory definition of "live birth” under MCL 333.2804(3); MSA 14.15(2804X3), first requires "the complete expulsion or extraction from a pregnant woman of a product of human conception,” in other words, "birth.” It then requires that, "after such expulsion of extraction, [the product of human conception] shows any evidence, of life.” Thus, applying this definition to the "born alive” rule, an infant, following birth, would have to show "some evidence of life” in order to be found to be "born alive” or a "person.” However, to conclude that one is "alive” if there is present "some evidence of life” is a tautology and begs the question of what constitutes "life” or being "alive.” Such a circular definition provides utterly no legal guidance to this Court.

We further note that the Legislature has provided for a relatively specific realm of application for the statutory definition of "live birth.” The statutory definition of "live birth” is set forth in that part of the Public Health Code addressing vital records.

MCL 333.2801; MSA 14.15(2801) provides as follows:

(1) For purposes of this part [vital records], the words and phrases defined in sections 2803 to 2805 [MCL 333.2803-333.2805; MSA 14.15(2803)-14.15(2805)] have the meanings ascribed to them in those sections.

(2) In addition, article 1 [MCL 333.1101 et seq.; MSA 14.15(1101) et seq.] contains general definitions and principles of construction applicable to all articles in this code.

The definition of "live birth” is contained in MCL 333.2804(3); 14.15(2804X3).

It thus becomes necessary to look further to determine what constitutes being "alive” under the "born alive” rule. The statutory definition of "death” provides that guidance. As we previously stated, if one is not "dead,” one is "alive.” Thus, the definition of "life” that logically flows from the definition of "death” requires the absence of an irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions or brain functions.

The Determination of Death Act provides no express limitation or, as with the definition of "live birth,” any specific application expressly intended for the definition of "death.” In fact, in the former Determination of Death Act, MCL 333.1021 et seq.; MSA 14.15(1021) et seq., the Legislature provided that "[t]he means of determining death in section 1 shall be used for all purposes in this state, including the trials of civil and criminal cases.” MCL 333.1023; MSA 14.15(1023).⁶

Given that the statutory definition of "live birth” provides virtually no guidance in the application of the "born alive” rule in a criminal context, and in light of the Legislature’s specifically limited scope of application of the term "live birth,” we find it appropriate and necessary to apply the definition of "life” logically flowing from the statutory definition of "death” in determining what constitutes a "person” under the negligent homicide statute.⁷ Accordingly, a child is "born alive” and thus a "person” under the negligent homicide statute if, following expulsion or extraction from the mother, there is lacking an irreversible cessation of respiratory and circulatory functions or brain functions.

The dissent takes a different approach, looking only to judicial (or common) law for guidance in defining "person” under the negligent homicide statute. The dissent, relying on dicta in Guthrie, supra at 229, finds that "[t]o be a 'person’ within the protection of the statute, it is necessary that a fetus be 'born alive’ and 'exist independently of its mother’s body.’ ” Post at 471. The dissent then adopts the discussion of the "born alive” rule in Guthrie as the prevailing common law.

The dissent is correct in its statement that absent any further pronouncement from the Legislature regarding this statutory term, we must look to common law for guidance. However, the Legislature has, in fact, addressed this issue. The primary goal of statutory interpretation is to ascertain and give effect to the intent of the Legislature. Farrington v Total Petroleum, Inc, 442 Mich 201, 212; 501 NW2d 76 (1993). Although not contained in a glossary of definitions directly within the Penal Code, legislative direction is provided, as we have noted, in other applicable statutes that must be read in accord with the negligent homicide statute. Feld v Robert & Charles Beauty Salon, 174 Mich App 309, 317; 435 NW2d 474 (1989); Crawford Co v Secretary of State, 160 Mich App 88, 95; 408 NW2d 112 (1987).

The dissent disagrees that there is applicable statutory language. First, the dissent finds the definition of "live birth” to be inapplicable. While we have noted that the Legislature’s definition of "death” is to be strongly preferred to its definition of "live birth” for purposes of the negligent homicide statute, we do not necessarily find the latter definition to be "inapplicable.”

The dissent then dispenses with the statutory definition of "death,” finding it to be "wholly unhelpful given that a person must be alive before the person can die.” Post at 473. However, while the dissent’s philosophical observation here concerning life and death is meritorious, it misses the point of why we have applied this definition in the first place. We are attempting to determine whether the infant, after being extracted or expelled, hence "born,” was "alive.” Thus, it is appropriate to apply the definition provided in the Determination of Death Act to determine if an infant was born alive, in other words, not born dead. Given this direction by the Legislature, we believe it is inappropriate for this Court to turn exclusively to common law in interpreting the term "person” under the negligent homicide statute.

The dissent would require us to apply the "born alive” rule as discussed in Guthrie, finding the panel’s exposition to be the prevailing common-law doctrine. In Guthrie, this Court- held that an unborn viable fetus was not a "person” for purposes of the negligent homicide statute. The infant in Guthrie was indisputably stillborn; in other words, born dead. Thus, the question before the Court simply was whether a fetus that was viable before birth constituted a "person” under the negligent homicide statute. The Court relied on the existence of the "born alive” rule for its decision. The mere requirement that an infant be "born alive,” whatever the specific definition of that term, alone answered the question before the Court. It was unnecessary for the panel specifically to address what constitutes being "born alive.”

As a result, it is not surprising that Guthrie did not set forth any substantive discussion or analysis of the "born alive” rule.⁸ The panel did not consider any statutory definitions of "life” or "death” to interpret the "born alive” rule. This makes sense only when it is considered that it was wholly unnecessary for Guthrie to determine what would satisfy the "born alive” rule. The language relied upon by the dissent therefore is dicta in the purest sense, both because it was logically unnecessary to the Court’s decision and because the basis for the language was given virtually no independent consideration by the Court.

We further find difficulty in the application of the standard adopted by the dissent. It is unclear what it means to exhibit an "independent and separate existence” from the mother. We believe that its vagueness is susceptible to an interpretation — as indeed is accorded by the dissent in this case — that an infant was not "born alive” when in fact the Legislature would direct that it was. Accordingly, given the legislative direction regarding this issue and given our concerns with relying on the dicta contained in Guthrie, we decline to adopt the standard that the dissent believes was set forth in Guthrie._

In this opinion, we have looked for legislative guidance in interpreting what constitutes a "person” under the negligent homicide statute or, in Guthrie’s terms, what constitutes being "born alive.” The Legislature expressly provides that direction by defining "death.” Unlike the dissent, we decline to stray from such legislative direction. In doing so, we give fair import to the term "person” under the negligent homicide statute and effect the objects of the law. MCL 750.2; MSA 28.192.

We now address the evidence presented at the preliminary examination to determine if sufficient evidence was presented to bind defendant over for trial.

Evidence presented at the preliminary examination revealed that after being removed from the womb, although not immediately following such removal, the baby had a heart rate and later made "gasping respirations.” Dr. DeWitte testified that these gasping respirations or breaths were, in fact, something that the infant did on its own. Furthermore, although, according to Dr. DeWitte’s testimony, an electroencephalograph (eeg) was not performed, it may be inferred from the evidence that there was some brain activity.⁹ This evidence of spontaneous breathing and heartbeat coupled with an inference of brain activity could negate a finding of "death” as statutorily defined. While the neonatologist agreed that, at least for the first ten minutes after delivery, the child could have been considered stillborn, he later stated that at the point that the child had a normal heartbeat and had made spontaneous breaths, it was alive. Certificates of live birth and death were in fact both issued.

The dissent concludes that the child did not exhibit an "independent and separate existence” from its mother. However, we believe that, even under the standard adopted by the dissent, sufficient evidence was presented. The dissent concludes that the baby’s heartbeat as well as the spontaneous respirations were "artificially induced and mechanically sustained.” Post at 477. However, this is in part inconsistent with Dr. De-Witte’s testimony that revealed that the spontaneous respirations were something that the infant did on her own. Furthermore, although the baby required mechanical assistance, that does not render a finding per se that no circulatory function existed.

We further note that the circuit court granted the motion to quash the information after determining the child was born dead and that, absent medical intervention, it would never have been revived. However, the statutory definition of death provides for "irreversible cessation” of bodily functions. The necessity of medical intervention to revive or bring one to life does not preclude a finding that a person is born alive. Otherwise, the use of the word "irreversible” becomes meaningless.

We acknowledge the extreme difficulty in the present case in deciding whether the defendant should have been bound over for trial. Of course, at trial, the prosecutor will be required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the child was born alive and was thus a "person” under the negligent homicide statute. However, at this stage in the proceedings, that is not required. It is unnecessary for us to articulate exactly what evidence suffices to demonstrate that one has been "born alive.” Evidence has been presented to support the position of both parties. It is not the function of the district court to discharge the accused when the evidence is conflicting or raises a reasonable doubt with regard to guilt. Such questions are for the trier of fact. People v Flowers, 191 Mich App 169, 179; 477 NW2d 473 (1991); People v Hill, 433 Mich 464, 469; 446 NW2d 140 (1989). The prosecutor has shown some reasonable evidence supporting the element of "death of another [person].” Thus, the district court did not abuse its discretion in binding defendant over for trial, and the circuit court erred in quashing the information.¹⁰

The establishment of elements for statutory criminal offenses is a decision for the Legislature. However, we note the arguable anomalies with the "born alive” rule in cases like this one. A person whtí is responsible for harm sufficient to cause the death of a fetus before its expulsion fares better than one who is responsible for what may be considered a lesser harm where such harm allows for the live birth of the fetus before its death.

Reversed and remanded for reinstatement of the charge of negligent operation of a vehicle causing homicide. We do not retain jurisdiction.

Gribbs, P.J., concurred.

1 The Court in Guthrie concluded that the rule was "outmoded, archaic and no longer serves a useful purpose” in light of modern medical practices, id. at 232, but that " 'whatever elasticity there may be in civil matters, it is a safe and necessary rule that criminal law should not be tampered with except by legislation.’ ” Id. at 233, quoting In re Lamphere, 61 Mich 105, 108; 27 NW 882 (1886). The applicability of Guthrie’s holding, that in order to be a "person” under the negligent homicide statute one must be "born alive,” is not contested by the parties and is not before this Court. However, we do share the concerns expressed in Guthrie about the rule.

2 In Rosebush, supra, this Court discussed the Determination of Death Act, MCL 333.1021 et seq.; MSA 14.15(1021) et seq., in the context of the removal of life-support. The panel held that the act was not intended to prevent the removal of life-support until a patient had been declared brain dead but was intended only to determine when a person receiving life-sustaining treatment has died.

3 1992 PA 90, which became effective June 4, 1992, both repealed MCL 333.1021-333.1024; MSA 14.15(1021)-14.15(1024) and enacted the subsequent Determination of Death Act, MCL 333.1031 et seq.; MSA 14.15(1031) et seq.

4 We point out that we look to the statutory definition of "death” for guidance in interpreting and applying the "born alive” rule. The repeal of the former Determination of Death Act and enactment of the new Determination of Death Act did not involve any express change in the statutory offense of negligent operation of a vehicle causing homicide, MCL 750.324; MSA 28.556, nor a change in any term used in that statute.

5 The dissent alleges that this axiom "may be relevant to the vast majority of questions regarding life and death” but is "inapposite to this case”. Post at 461. We see no reason why this case should present so extraordinary an exception.

6 This language was not repeated in the subsequent Determination of Death Act. MCL 333.1031 et seq.; MSA 14.15(1031) et seq. However, the Legislature did not in any way limit the application of this statutory definition in the new act either. While there may be a number of reasons for the later exclusion of this provision, there is no affirmative indication of legislative intent to preclude application of this definition in a criminal context, or, as in the context of the definition of "live birth,” to limit such application. In any event, we continue to believe that the original Determination of Death Act, which contained the broad application provisiqns, is controlling in the present case.

7 The Court of Appeals of Wisconsin similarly applied a "live birth” and "death” dichotomy in State v Cornelius, 152 Wis App 2d 272; 448 NW2d 434 (1989). The court, id. at 277, n 1, noted that it must assume the legislature was aware of the effect of the statutory definition of "death” on a large number of laws dealing with death.

8 The Court instead noted in pertinent part:

"In the United States the 'born alive’ requirement has come to mean that the fetus be fully brought forth and establish an 'independent circulation’ before it can be considered a human being. . . . 'Independent circulation’ can be established by evidence of the fetus having breathed, but such proof usually is not conclusive in the absence of the evidence of life, such as crying.” [Guthrie, supra at 230, quoting LaFave & Scott, Criminal Law, § 67, pp 530-531.]

9 In Cornelius, supra at 278-279, the court stated:

We therefore turn to the second portion of the statute that states that cessation of brain activity is also an indicator of death. The medical testimony indicates that the infant’s behavior, especially his attempt at respiration, are indicative of brain stem activity. Cornelius conceded this point at oral argument and instead took the position that the criteria for determining whether a child was born alive should include higher level brain functioning measurable by an eeg. As stated earlier, the legislature has made the determination that brain stem activity is sufficient to indicate "life” and, based on the uncontroverted medical testimony that brain stem activity existed, it was error to find the infant "brain dead” under sec. 146.71.

Doctor Allswede testified that he did not know whether an eeg was conducted and he was not able to testify regarding whether there was any "spontaneous brain wave activity.” Doctor DeWitte testified that an eeg was not conducted. Despite any further testimony by the doctors regarding brain functions, we believe, on the basis of the evidence presented, an inference of brain activity is proper in reviewing whether defendant was properly bound over for trial. Obviously, at trial, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the child was "born alive.”

10 The dissent finds our decision "untenable, reusing serious procedural due process questions,” post at 477, because it is grounded upon the death of a person whose life was only brought into being through "herculean” resuscitative efforts. We do not quarrel with the dissent’s characterization of what arguably occurred. However, where "herculean” efforts have, in fact, succeeded and thereby arguably brought into being a "person” for purposes of the negligent homicide statute, we believe that a magistrate must bind over the defendant. That doctors will engage in "herculean” efforts to preserve human life, and occasionally succeed in these efforts, is simply a risk that is undertaken by potential defendants in negligent homicide cases. The dissent provides utterly no authority for "procedural due process questions” arising from the present holding.