Opinion
Docket No. 126350.
Decided December 7, 1992, at 9:25 A.M.
Frank J. Kelley, Attorney General, Thomas L. Casey, Solicitor General, John D. O'Hair, Prosecuting Attorney, Timothy A. Baughman, Chief of Research, Training, and Appeals, and Rita H. Lewis, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for the people.
Sean M. Taylor, for the defendant on appeal.
Before: MICHAEL J. KELLY, P.J., and MacKENZIE and BRENNAN, JJ.
Following a jury trial, defendant Anthony Littlejohn was convicted of two counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, MCL 750.84; MSA 28.279, and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, MCL 750.227b; MSA 28.424(2). Defendant was sentenced to five to ten years for the two assault convictions and to the mandatory two-year consecutive sentence for the felony-firearm conviction. He appeals as of right. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand for further proceedings.
Defendant first argues that his conviction should be reversed and remanded to the trial court for a Walker hearing because the court allegedly denied defense counsel's pretrial request to hold such a hearing. Denial of a pretrial motion for a Walker hearing constitutes error. People v Leonard, 81 Mich. App. 86, 89; 264 N.W.2d 130 (1978). In the present case, the trial court did hold a Walker hearing and suppressed a portion of defendant's first statement because the police did not scrupulously honor defendant's invocation of his right to remain silent. However, the court terminated the hearing without addressing the voluntariness of a second statement made by defendant, finding that defense counsel was "fishing" and had abandoned the issue by refusing to state the grounds for the motion. A pretrial motion must state with particularity the grounds and authority on which it is based. MCR 2.119(A)(1)(b).
People v Walker (On Rehearing), 374 Mich. 331, 338; 132 N.W.2d 87 (1965).
After reviewing the transcript of the October 11 pretrial hearing during which the trial court heard defense counsel's arguments in support of the motion for a Walker hearing to determine the voluntariness of defendant's second statement, we find that counsel did not offer any facts to support the challenge of voluntariness, nor did she accept the court's suggestion to have defendant testify. The court concluded that "by any logic it's an abandonment of the question at this point," and thereafter terminated the hearing. We find that the trial court erred in failing to accord defendant a full Walker hearing, but that the error does not require reversal. The record clearly indicates appropriate conduct by the police. The record indicates that defendant's second statement was taken after defendant independently initiated contact with Officer Blackburn and asked to talk to detectives. Detective Anchor, who took the statement, reminded defendant that he had been given his rights and asked whether he still understood them. Defendant answered in the affirmative. He also asserted that he was making the statement of his own free will. Although at trial defendant testified that he confessed because Tony Doris told him to do so, he did not contest making the statement, nor does he dispute its voluntariness. We find no evidence in the record of illegal conduct by the police. The police are not required to read Miranda rights every time a defendant is questioned. People v Godboldo, 158 Mich. App. 603, 605; 405 N.W.2d 114 (1986). We hold that although the trial court erred in denying the pretrial motion for a full Walker hearing, the confession that was challenged was voluntarily given, and therefore, the error does not require reversal.
Miranda v Arizona, 384 U.S. 436; 86 S Ct 1602; 76 L Ed 2d 644 (1966).
Defendant next claims that because felony-fire-arm is not one of the crimes enumerated in MCL 600.606; MSA 27A.606, the automatic waiver of the probate court's jurisdiction was invalid and the circuit court had no jurisdiction over him with respect to that offense. We are bound by the holding of People v Deans, 192 Mich. App. 327, 330-331; 480 N.W.2d 334 (1991). Accordingly, we vacate the defendant's conviction and sentence for felony-firearm.
Finally, defendant contends that his sentence of five to ten years is excessive because the guidelines recommended twelve to thirty-six months in prison. Because this sentence was handed down before the Supreme Court's decision in People v Milbourn, 435 Mich. 630; 461 N.W.2d 1 (1990), the defendant should have the opportunity to address the trial court with regard to Milbourn proportionality considerations. This is particularly so with regard to a sentencing wherein the trial court's participation could be interpreted as critical. The justification for departure announced by the trial court seemed to hinge on the type of weapon and the fact that the victims were police officers. No account was taken of defendant's lack of a prior record. Because we do not determine that the sentence is invalid, we remand to the circuit court to determine, after consideration in light of Milbourn, whether resentencing is appropriate. If the trial court determines that resentencing is appropriate it shall then obtain the defendant's presence for that purpose. If it determines that resentencing is not appropriate, its order shall reflect its consideration of the Milbourn factors, particularly defendant's lack of a criminal record. Milbourn, supra at 668. The authority for this remand is contained in People v Martin, 440 Mich. 868; ___ N.W.2d ___ (1992), and People v Herron, 440 Mich. 868; ___ N.W.2d ___ (1992).
Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded for proceedings in accordance herewith. We retain jurisdiction.