People of Michigan v. Roy Harris James Jr ( 2018 )

STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, UNPUBLISHED
January 18, 2018
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v No. 333547
Kalamazoo Circuit Court
ROY HARRIS JAMES, JR., LC No. 2015-001379-FH
Defendant-Appellant.
Before: MARKEY, P.J., and SHAPIRO and GADOLA, JJ.
PER CURIAM.
Defendant pleaded guilty to three counts of resisting and obstructing police, MCL
750.81d(1), and three counts of attempted resisting and obstructing police, MCL 750.92. After a
bench trial he was also convicted of carrying a firearm during the commission of a felony
(felony-firearm), MCL 750.227b, and felon in possession of a firearm (felon-in-possession),
MCL 750.224f. The trial court sentenced defendant as a fourth-offense habitual offender, MCL
769.12, to concurrent sentences of 48 months’ to 15 years’ imprisonment for the felon-in-
possession conviction and to two years’ imprisonment for his felony-firearm conviction.
Defendant appeals by right his bench-trial convictions. We affirm.
On October 1, 2015, John Stolsonburg, a police officer for the City of Kalamazoo, was
dispatched to 1518 Bank Street around 10:50 p.m. because a female called 911 concerning
someone walking through her driveway into her backyard. Officer Stolsonburg noticed that the
gate to the backyard was ajar and then observed a black male, wearing all black. When the light
from Officer Stolsonburg’s flashlight was on the man, he yelled, “Stop; police,” but the subject
took off running. By the time Officer Stolsonburg jumped the fence, he testified that he had lost
sight of the subject. According to Officer Stolsonburg, the subject appeared to be wearing a
“dark stocking cap, and some kind of dark-colored pants.”
After hearing a report about a suspicious person, Ashley Halcrow, a police officer for the
City of Kalamazoo, helped search for the subject. Officer Halcrow testified that while she was
walking down a street near the initial call, she heard rustling in some nearby bushes. When she
shined her flashlight on the bushes, a black male dressed in a black hoodie jumped out of a bush.
Officer Halcrow later identified this man as defendant. Officer Halcrow then yelled, “Stop;
police,” and defendant ran away. Officer Halcrow chased after defendant and was able to grab
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onto him. However, defendant “pushed [her] hands away, and [she] fell.” Ultimately, defendant
was able to get away.
Next, Sergeant Michael Ferguson, a public safety sergeant for the City of Kalamazoo,
was dispatched to 1518 Bank Street and testified that after a few minutes of patrolling the area he
heard Officer Halcrow call out over the radio that she was chasing after an individual near his
location. Since defendant was running in his direction, Sergeant Ferguson parked his patrol car,
exited the vehicle, and waited for the subject to show up. Once Sergeant Ferguson spotted
defendant, Sergeant Ferguson yelled, “Stop; police,” and defendant fled. Sergeant Ferguson
pursued defendant and found him hiding in a bush. Defendant then jumped up and started
running again, but Sergeant Ferguson was able to tackle defendant and take him into custody.
Sergeant Ferguson testified that when he cuffed defendant he noticed that defendant only had a
glove on his left hand.
After hearing that defendant was in custody, Officer Halcrow went back to the location
where she observed defendant jump out of the bush to see if anything was left behind. The area
of the bush where defendant emerged from was matted down, and she recovered a handgun, a
black hat, and a single black glove. The recovered items were on top of the matted area of the
bush lying next to each other, and Officer Halcrow testified that these items were dry and in
newer condition.
Officer Stolsonburg participated in the interview with defendant and testified that he gave
defendant his Miranda rights before conducting the interview. Defendant made statements
during this interview that confirmed he was the individual who came into contact with Officer
Stolsonburg and Officer Halcrow earlier in the evening. Officer Stolsonburg asked defendant
why he fled from police. Defendant responded that he had been out “looking to steal things from
people.” But once Officer Stolsonburg mentioned that a gun was located where defendant was
arrested, defendant refused to speak about the matter. Officer Stolsonburg then ceased asking
questions regarding the gun.
Officer Stolsonburg testified that during defendant’s ride to jail in the backseat of Officer
Stolsonburg’s vehicle, defendant made unsolicited comments about how much time he was
going to have to serve for catching a gun charge. Defendant stated that “he was going to have to
spend X amount of years in prison for getting a gun charge.” No one else was present in Officer
Stolsonburg’s vehicle when defendant made his statement.
Terry Thomas, a police officer with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, testified
that on the night of the incident he reported to the booking room at police headquarters, made
contact with defendant, and obtained defendant’s clothing. Officer Thomas testified that he
collected defendant’s pants, shirt, jacket, and glove(s). The gloves were a source of confusion in
this case. Officer Halcrow testified that she recovered one glove from the bush that defendant
was seen leaving, and Sergeant Ferguson testified that he saw only one left-handed glove on
defendant at the time of the arrest. However, Officer Thomas indicated in his report that he
collected two gloves from defendant and that Officer Halcrow submitted neither of the gloves
into evidence. The trial court asked the prosecutor for a reasonable explanation regarding the
gloves. The prosecutor could only speculate that someone did not follow protocol when logging
the glove or gloves into evidence. The trial court ultimately found other evidence instructive in
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determining possession of the firearm. No DNA analysis was conducted on the hat or either of
the gloves.
Before trial, defendant stipulated to several issues. Defendant stipulated that he was a
convicted felon and that he was not eligible to possess a firearm because of a previous felony
conviction. Defendant also stipulated that the semiautomatic handgun, together with the
magazine and cartridges, amounted to an operable firearm as required by the firearm charges.
Therefore, defense counsel and the prosecutor only disputed possession of the firearm.
Defendant first argues that he received ineffective assistance of counsel. We disagree.
When a defendant alleges ineffective assistance of counsel, this Court reviews for clear
error the trial court’s factual findings and reviews de novo constitutional determinations. People
v Johnson, 293 Mich. App. 79, 90; 808 NW2d 815 (2011). In this case, because defendant did not
create a record in the trial court and his motion to remand was denied, our review “is limited to
mistakes apparent on the record.” People v Payne, 285 Mich. App. 181, 188; 774 NW2d 714
(2009).
To demonstrate ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must (1) “show that
counsel’s performance was deficient” and (2) “show that the deficient performance prejudiced
the defense.” People v Carbin, 463 Mich. 590, 600; 623 NW2d 884 (2001), quoting Strickland v
Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 688; 104 S. Ct. 2052; 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984) (quotation marks omitted).
In order to find ineffective assistance of counsel, defendant must show that counsel’s
performance fell below an “objective standard of reasonableness” People v Pickens, 446 Mich.
298, 338; 521 NW2d 797 (1994). Defense counsel is given broad discretion in matters of trial
strategy, and defendant must overcome “a strong presumption of effective counsel when it comes
to issues of trial strategy.” People v Odom, 276 Mich. App. 407, 415; 740 NW2d 557 (2007).
Further, the failure to call witnesses only constitutes ineffective assistance of counsel where “the
failure to do so deprives the defendant of a substantial defense” that would have an effect on the
outcome of the trial. People v Hoyt, 185 Mich. App. 531, 537-538; 462 NW2d 793 (1990);
People v Kelly, 186 Mich. App. 524, 526; 465 NW2d 569 (1990). “Failing to advance a meritless
argument or raise a futile objection does not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel.” People
v Ericksen, 288 Mich. App. 192, 201; 793 NW2d 120 (2010). If a defendant shows that defense
counsel’s performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness, defendant must then
“show the existence of a reasonable probability” that, but for this deficient performance, “the
result of the proceeding would have been different.” Carbin, 463 Mich. at 600.
In the present case, defendant first argues that he received ineffective assistance of
counsel because of defense counsel’s failure to request that the black stocking cap and glove
found in the bush near the gun be tested for DNA. “The failure to make an adequate
investigation is ineffective assistance of counsel if it undermines confidence in the trial’s
outcome.” People v Grant, 470 Mich. 477, 493; 684 NW2d 686 (2004). Here, defense counsel’s
failure to request DNA testing did not undermine confidence in the outcome of trial. Officer
Stolsonburg testified that he observed defendant wearing a dark stocking cap. Additionally,
Officer Halcrow recovered the black stocking cap, glove, and gun from the same bush from
which defendant had been seen emerging, and all of these items were in close proximity to each
other. Also, Sergeant Ferguson noticed that defendant was only wearing one glove at the time of
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his arrest. Further, the gun did not contain any identifiable prints, and the gloves recovered did
not match in color or design. Thus, defendant has failed to demonstrate that it was not a sound
trial strategy for defense counsel to forego requesting DNA testing of the recovered items.
“Decisions regarding what evidence to present and whether to call or question witnesses
are presumed to be matters of trial strategy. This Court will not substitute its judgment for that
of counsel regarding matters of trial strategy, nor will it assess counsel’s competence with the
benefit of hindsight.” People v Rockey, 237 Mich. App. 74, 76-77; 601 NW2d 887 (1999)
(citations omitted). Defense counsel could have been employing a trial strategy that reasonable
doubt stemmed from the prosecution’s failure to test the black stocking cap and glove for DNA,
implying that the prosecution failed to do so because the results may have been unfavorable to its
case against defendant. Further, there was a clear risk that DNA testing would have linked
defendant to those items and that would have made it difficult for defense counsel to minimize
the damaging effect of the evidence. Moreover, defense counsel’s failure to request the DNA
testing of the black stocking cap and glove was not prejudicial because the trial court properly
weighed all the other cumulative evidence. Defendant admitted that he was the subject pursued
by police and that he bumped into Officer Halcrow. Defendant also stated that he was
attempting to steal things from people and asked how much time he would have to serve for a
gun charge. Accordingly, because defendant has not overcome the presumption that defense
counsel made a strategic decision not to request DNA testing of this evidence, defendant’s claim
of ineffective assistance of counsel fails. Id.; Odom, 276 Mich. App. at 415.
Defendant also argues that defense counsel was ineffective for failing to inform him of
his right under the Due Process Clause to testify. See People v Simmons, 140 Mich. App. 681,
684; 364 NW2d 783 (1985). “If the accused expresses a wish to testify at trial, the trial court
must grant the request, even over counsel’s objection.” Id. at 685. Further, if a defendant
“decides not to testify or acquiesces in his attorney’s decision that he not testify, the right will be
deemed waived.” Id. (quotation marks and citation omitted).
Since this Court’s review is limited to the record, there is no support for defendant’s
argument that counsel failed to advise him of his right to testify. On February 5, 2016, defendant
pleaded guilty to six of the eight counts for which he was charged. He then proceeded to a bench
trial on the other two counts and was represented by the same attorney. During the plea
proceeding, defendant stated that he was aware of his right to a jury trial and all the rights that go
along with having a trial. One of these rights was defendant’s right to testify at a trial. Defense
counsel also presented a signed Advice of Rights form to the trial court. Based on this portion of
the record, defendant was aware of his right to testify at trial because of the Advice of Rights
form that he signed as well as his admissions to the trial court during the plea proceeding. Thus,
defendant waived his right to testify by deciding not to testify or failing to object to his counsel’s
decision that he not testify. See Simmons, 140 Mich. App. at 684-685.
The defendant also argues that defense counsel was ineffective for failing to move to
suppress defendant’s statement regarding the gun charge as a violation of defendant’s Miranda
rights. In this case, Officer Stolsonburg testified that he gave defendant his Miranda warnings
before conducting the interview, and nothing in the record indicates that this was not the case.
Additionally, the trial court concluded that defendant’s statement was volunteered, not the result
of custodial interrogation. Defendant made his statement regarding the gun charge after his
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interview was conducted but before reaching the jail. Officer Stolsonburg testified that he
immediately stopped questioning defendant concerning the gun as soon as defendant indicated he
did not want to speak on that matter. Defendant’s subsequent statement was unsolicited and
unprovoked, and there is no evidence of police misconduct or coercion. Consequently, Miranda
warnings are not relevant to admissibility of the statement. See People v Raper, 222 Mich. App.
475, 479-480 ; 563 NW2d 709 (1997) (Voluntary statements made by a person in custody that
are not in response to interrogation do not fall within the purview of Miranda.). Thus,
defendant’s statement was admissible, as his statement was not elicited in violation of his
constitutional rights. Accordingly, defense counsel’s failure to move to suppress defendant’s
statement did not constitute ineffective assistance because failing to advance a meritless
argument or raise a futile objection does not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel. See
Ericksen, 288 Mich. App. at 201.
Next, defendant argues that his convictions for felon-in-possession and felony-firearm
were against the great weight of the evidence, and the evidence was insufficient to convict
defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. We review a great-weight claim to determine “whether
the evidence preponderates so heavily against the verdict that it would be a miscarriage of justice
to allow the verdict to stand.” People v Musser, 259 Mich. App. 215, 218-219; 673 NW2d 800
(2003). Conflicts in the testimony or the credibility of witnesses are generally insufficient
grounds for granting a new trial. People v Lemmon, 456 Mich. 625, 643; 576 NW2d 129 (1998).
Even if this Court disagrees with the verdict, we only disturb the lower court’s decision if there is
“a real concern that an innocent person may have been convicted or that it would be a manifest
injustice to allow the guilty verdict to stand.” Id. at 644 (quotation marks and citation omitted).
Additionally, this Court reviews de novo a defendant’s challenge to the sufficiency of the
evidence. People v Meissner, 294 Mich. App. 438, 452; 812 NW2d 37 (2011). This Court views
the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution and determines whether a rational trier
of fact could find that the essential elements of the crime were proven beyond a reasonable
doubt. People v Nowack, 462 Mich. 392, 399-400; 614 NW2d 78 (2000).
To convict defendant of felony firearm, MCL 750.227b, the prosecutor must establish
“that the defendant possessed a firearm during the commission of, or the attempt to commit, a
felony.” People v Avant, 235 Mich. App. 499, 505; 597 NW2d 864 (1999).
Moreover, to establish a violation of MCL 750.224f, felon in possession of a firearm, the
prosecution must establish that a defendant, who has been convicted of a specified felony,
possessed a firearm. Possession of a firearm can be actual or constructive, joint or exclusive, and
may be proved by direct or circumstantial evidence. Johnson, 293 Mich. App. at 83. A defendant
constructively possesses a firearm when he knows the location of the weapon, and it is
reasonably accessible to him. Id.
The test to determine whether a verdict is against the great weight of the evidence is
whether “the evidence preponderates heavily against the verdict so that it would be a miscarriage
of justice to allow the verdict to stand.” Lemmon, 456 Mich. at 627. “A verdict may be vacated
only when it ‘does not find reasonable support in the evidence, but is more likely to be attributed
to causes outside the record such as passion, prejudice, sympathy, or some extraneous
influence.’ ” People v DeLisle, 202 Mich. App. 658, 661; 509 NW2d 885 (1993) (citation
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omitted). When evaluating a great weight of the evidence claim, a reviewing court may not act
as a “thirteenth juror” or attempt to resolve credibility questions anew. Lemmon, 456 Mich. at
636, 647.
First, defendant argues that his convictions were against the great weight of the evidence.
Defendant contends that there is no evidence indicating that defendant possessed the firearm.
Defendant argues that there is no DNA evidence tying him to the gun and no testimony
indicating that defendant brandished a gun.; however, considering the evidence as a whole, the
circumstantial evidence of defendant’s possession of the gun was such that the evidence did not
heavily preponderate against the verdict. See Lemmon, 456 Mich. at 627. Possession of a
firearm can be constructive, and it was reasonable for the trial court to determine that defendant
had possession of the firearm since he had both close physical proximity to it and he indicated in
an unsolicited statement that he would have to do a certain amount of time for the gun charge.
See Johnson, 293 Mich. App. at 83. Officer Halcrow observed defendant in the bush where the
gun, black stocking cap, and glove were found. Defendant admitted to being out that evening for
the specific purpose of committing larceny, and the hat found in the bush matched the
description of the hat that defendant had been wearing a few minutes earlier. The trial court
viewed the officers’ testimony as credible despite the inconsistencies regarding the police
evidence log. See Lemmon, 456 Mich. at 636, 647. Thus, defendant’s convictions were not
against the great weight of the evidence, and it was not a miscarriage of justice to allow the
verdict to stand. Id. at 627; Musser, 259 Mich. App. at 218-219.
Defendant also argues that the prosecutor failed to present sufficient evidence that he
possessed the gun at issue to support his convictions. Here, viewing the evidence in the light
most favorable to the prosecution, it is clear there was sufficient evidence to support defendant’s
convictions. Although the prosecutor presented mainly circumstantial evidence of defendant’s
identity as the possessor of the gun, circumstantial evidence and reasonable inferences arising
from the evidence can constitute satisfactory proof of the elements of the crime. See People v
Carines, 460 Mich. 750, 757; 597 NW2d 130 (1999); Johnson, 293 Mich. App. at 83.
Other evidence also supplied reasonable inferences that defendant was the possessor of
the gun. Defendant admitted that he fled from multiple officers and attempted to hide from them
in two separate bushes. He stated that he had seen and fled from Officer Stolsonburg and had
contact with Officer Halcrow. Officer Halcrow testified that the gun was found next to a black
stocking cap and glove in the same area where defendant exited the bush and that the items
appeared dry and in newer condition. The black stocking cap matched the description of the hat
that Officer Stolsonburg testified defendant had been wearing. Further, when defendant was
arrested, Sergeant Ferguson testified that defendant was wearing a single glove. Thus, this
evidence is sufficient to enable the trial court to rationally find that defendant was aware of the
gun and that it was reasonably accessible to him. See Nowack, 462 Mich. at 399-400.
Accordingly, there was sufficient evidence that defendant constructively possessed the gun that
evening to support a felony-firearm conviction as well as a felon-in-possession conviction. See
Johnson, 293 Mich. App. at 83.
Moreover, the parties stipulated that defendant was a previously convicted felon who was
not allowed to possess a firearm under the felon-in-possession statute. Thus, if the evidence
presented established that defendant “possessed” the firearm in question, a rational trier of fact
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could find beyond a reasonable doubt that the elements of the charged crimes were met. See
Avant, 235 Mich. App. at 505. As stated above, the prosecutor established that the firearm was
found in the bush that Officer Halcrow testified defendant emerged from the evening of the
incident. No one else was present in the neighborhood or near that bush that night. The
prosecutor established that the gun was loaded and easily accessible to defendant when he was in
that bush and in the nearby area. Defendant also admitted that he had attempted to commit a
felony by trying to commit larceny. Therefore, a rational trier of fact could have inferred that
defendant knew of the location of the firearm and could have found beyond a reasonable doubt
that the elements of the charged crimes were met. Accordingly, there was sufficient evidence to
support the trial court’s conclusion in regard to defendant’s convictions and reversal is
unwarranted. See Nowack, 462 Mich. at 399-400.
We affirm.
/s/ Jane E. Markey
/s/ Douglas B. Shapiro
/s/ Michael F. Gadola
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