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People v. Wells

Michigan Court of Appeals
Mar 7, 1974
52 Mich. App. 162 (Mich. Ct. App. 1974)

Opinion

Docket No. 17638.

Decided March 7, 1974.

Appeal from Jackson, John C. Dalton, J. Submitted Division 2 February 5, 1974, at Grand Rapids. (Docket No. 17638.) Decided March 7, 1974.

Arthur Wells was convicted, on his plea of guilty, of breaking and entering with intent to commit larceny. Defendant appeals. Affirmed.

Frank J. Kelley, Attorney General, Robert A. Derengoski, Solicitor General, Bruce A. Barton, Prosecuting Attorney, and James M. Justin, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for the people.

Joseph B. Szeremet, Assistant State Appellate Defender, for defendant.

Before: ALLEN, P.J., and R.B. BURNS and HOLBROOK, JJ.


Defendant pled guilty to a charge of breaking and entering with intent to commit larceny. MCLA 750.110; MSA 28.305. He was sentenced to a term of two to ten years in prison, and his motion for a new trial and to vacate sentence was denied. Defendant appeals, and the people have filed a motion to affirm. GCR 1963, 817.5(3).

Relying upon People v D'Argis, 44 Mich. App. 186; 205 N.W.2d 19 (1972); and People v Purdy, 46 Mich. App. 630; 208 N.W.2d 581 (1973), defendant argues that his guilty plea was not understandingly made because the trial court failed to adequately advise him of his constitutional right to confront his accusers.

The advice at issue is set forth below:

"In the event there was a trial, why each of you would be entitled to be confronted by the person or persons who have made this accusation against you and the other people or prosecution witnesses against you."

According to People v Butler, 387 Mich. 1, 8; 195 N.W.2d 268 (1972), "a defendant must be substantially advised of each of his rights". Contrary to the situations presented in D'Argis, supra and Purdy, supra, the trial court substantially advised defendant of his right to confront his accusers. People v Jaworski, 387 Mich. 21; 194 N.W.2d 868 (1972), was followed and defendant's argument on this point is without merit.

Defendant's argument that the sentencing court considered allegedly involuntary and unreliable admissions regarding another crime made by defendant while in custody awaiting the disposition of the instant case is also without merit, particularly in view of defendant's subsequent admission of participation in that crime before sentence was imposed. Defendant's arguments are so unsubstantial as to need no argument or formal submission.

Motion to affirm granted.


Summaries of

People v. Wells

Michigan Court of Appeals
Mar 7, 1974
52 Mich. App. 162 (Mich. Ct. App. 1974)
Case details for

People v. Wells

Case Details

Full title:PEOPLE v WELLS

Court:Michigan Court of Appeals

Date published: Mar 7, 1974

Citations

52 Mich. App. 162 (Mich. Ct. App. 1974)
216 N.W.2d 588