20220929_C355482_61_355482.Opn.Pdf ( 2022 )

If this opinion indicates that it is “FOR PUBLICATION,” it is subject to
revision until final publication in the Michigan Appeals Reports.
STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, UNPUBLISHED
September 29, 2022
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v No. 355482
Genesee Circuit Court
WILLIAM JOSEPH TURNER, LC No. 18-043837-FH
Defendant-Appellant.
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v No. 355497
Genesee Circuit Court
WILLIAM JOSEPH TURNER, LC No. 18-043838-FC
Defendant-Appellant.
Before: K. F. KELLY, P.J., and LETICA and RICK, JJ.
PER CURIAM.
In Docket No. 355482, defendant appeals as of right his jury trial convictions of resisting
or obstructing a police officer, MCL 750.81d(1), breaking and entering, MCL 750.115(1), and
assault and battery, MCL 750.81(1), for which he was sentenced as a fourth-offense habitual
offender, MCL 769.12, to 120 to 180 months’ imprisonment for the resisting or obstructing a
police officer conviction, 90 days’ jailtime for his breaking and entering conviction, and 93 days’
jailtime for his assault and battery conviction. In Docket No. 355497, defendant appeals as of right
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his jury trial convictions1 of first-degree premeditated murder, MCL 750.316(1)(a), and first-
degree home invasion, MCL 750.110a(2), for which he was sentenced to life without the
possibility of parole and 320 to 600 months’ imprisonment, respectively. We affirm.
I. BASIC FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
These cases arose out of altercations between defendant, Barbara Zrakovi, Ronald
Chadwell, and the police, on the night of May 29, 2018, and during the early morning hours of
June 3, 2018. Zrakovi and Chadwell lived together in a home (“the Zrakovi house”) on the same
street defendant lived. On May 29, 2018, defendant was at the Zrakovi house when an altercation
occurred. Zrakovi became upset with defendant when he started throwing his cell phone around
the house, and it struck the cage of her pet rabbit. Zrakovi ordered defendant out of her home,
which caused defendant to become upset. He responded by throwing a mostly full beer can at
Zrakovi, which struck her face, and kicking in the front door to the Zrakovi house. Chadwell
interrupted the fight by telling defendant to leave their property while holding a baseball bat;
Zrakovi called 911. Defendant returned home.
The police responded to Zrakovi’s 911 call, and she directed them to defendant’s home.
The police could see defendant inside his home where he was observed breaking a mirror with his
hand. Defendant refused to answer the door. The police remained at the scene as they prepared a
report. Eventually, defendant appeared on his driveway with a sandwich. He refused to respond
to police commands, became aggressive and threatening toward the police, and ultimately had to
be subdued by use of a taser. Defendant suffered an injury when his head struck the driveway
after being tased. Despite incurring a wound, defendant continued to resist and assault police
officers by kicking, spitting, and biting those officers who came close to him. Defendant
eventually had to be sedated at the hospital to receive care for his injuries.
Defendant was released from jail on bond on June 1, 2018, after being arraigned on the
charges arising from the incident that occurred at the Zrakovi home as well as the contacts with
the police. After learning of his release, Zrakovi and Chadwell were afraid because of defendant’s
penchant for anger and history of retaliatory violence.
On the evening of June 2, 2018, defendant began a rampage through the neighborhood.
Neighbor Christopher Wiseley, who lived with his father, Doug Wiseley, near the Zrakovi home,
described how his house was twice vandalized by defendant when Christopher refused to open the
front door for him. Eventually, after midnight now on June 3, 2018, defendant went to the gas
station where Zrakovi worked. She testified defendant initially attempted to apologize, but she
1
Although the crimes occurred on different dates, they were jointly tried before one jury. For
efficiency purposes, defendant’s appeals were consolidated. People v Turner, unpublished order
of the Court of Appeals, entered November 24, 2020 (Docket Nos. 355482 and 355497).
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rebuffed the attempt. Defendant became angry, punched some glass, and told Zrakovi he was
going to give Chadwell “a new way of living.”2
Zrakovi called to warn Chadwell of defendant’s presence in the neighborhood and
threatening behavior. Chadwell agreed to take extra precautions to protect himself. When Zrakovi
tried to contact Chadwell again later in the morning, Chadwell did not answer his cell phone.
Growing concerned, Zrakovi called Christopher and asked him to go check on Chadwell.
Christopher agreed and brought a baseball bat for protection. When he arrived, the Zrakovi house
was completely dark, and no one answered the front door. Christopher walked to the back and
found the sliding-glass, patio door broken out. Christopher fled the scene, told Zrakovi to call 911,
and began walking home. When he saw police in the neighborhood, Christopher tossed his
baseball bat into some high grass in an abandoned lot because he was anxious.3
When police eventually arrived at the Zrakovi residence, they found Chadwell had been
killed. Police described the scene as incredibly bloody. Chadwell’s head had been smashed with
a blunt force object to the point where his brain matter was visible. Police also found a metal
sewer cap in the home, which they suspected had been used by the intruder to break the patio door,
and several weapons, which were collected as evidence. None of the weapons found inside the
home contained defendant’s DNA, but Zrakovi testified the baseball bat Chadwell had used on
May 29, 2018, was missing. Police believed this baseball bat likely was the murder weapon and
had been disposed of in some manner because it was never found. The sewer cap had defendant’s
DNA on it. A small safe was missing from the Zrakovi house, and defendant was one of only four
people who knew of its location in the home. The medical examiner later confirmed Chadwell
had been killed by blunt force trauma to the head, which could have been caused by a baseball bat.
Importantly, Chadwell had a hair in his hand when his body was found, which was collected as
evidence.
Police immediately identified defendant as a suspect and began searching for him. Further,
because his bond conditions required him to have no contact with Zrakovi, a bench warrant was
issued for his arrest. Defendant was arrested on June 8, 2018, and participated in a police interview
on June 9, 2018. At some point later, the police searched the home of Harold Rappley, where
defendant sometimes stayed, and found a pair of shoes belonging to defendant. Chadwell’s blood
was found on the outside of the shoes, while defendant’s DNA was found inside of the shoes.
Defendant was charged with murder and home invasion.
Before trial, defendant moved to suppress his statement to police, claiming a Miranda4
violation, but the trial court denied the motion after holding a Walker5 hearing. Later, defendant
2
The encounter between Zrakovi and defendant at the gas station was captured on video, but there
was no accompanying audio recorded.
3
Christopher’s baseball bat was found by police later, collected as evidence, and was found to
have no human blood on it. As a result, it was not submitted for further testing.
4
Miranda v Arizona, 384 US 436; 86 S Ct 1602; 16 L Ed 2d 694 (1966).
5
People v Walker (On Rehearing), 374 Mich 331; 132 NW2d 87 (1965).
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moved to suppress evidence found at Rappley’s house, contending the bench warrant for his arrest
was issued in violation of MCR 3.606(A)(2). The trial court also denied this motion, noting the
exclusionary rule did not apply to violations of the court rule, and even if it did, the inevitable-
discovery doctrine allowed for admission of any evidence that might otherwise be considered fruits
of the poisonous tree.
After seeking the removal of three appointed attorneys, defendant asked the trial court if
he could proceed to trial in propria persona with the assistance of standby counsel. After
explaining to defendant his various constitutional rights and obtaining his waiver of his right to
counsel, the trial court agreed to allow defendant to represent himself. Monica Wilson was named
as standby counsel.
During the six-day trial, defendant reiterated his waiver of his right to counsel and assertion
of his right to represent himself every day. The defense strategy was to focus the jury’s attention
on Christopher as a potential suspect in the home invasion and murder of Chadwell. Ultimately,
the jury convicted defendant as noted. This appeal followed.
II. INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL
Defendant alleges he is entitled to reversal of his convictions and a new trial on the basis
of Wilson’s constitutionally defective assistance. We conclude that defendant waived this issue.
A. PRESERVATION AND STANDARD OF REVIEW
It is undisputed defendant did not move the trial court for a new trial or a Ginther6 hearing,
and consequently, these issues are unpreserved. People v Jackson (On Reconsideration), 313 Mich
App 409, 431; 884 NW2d 297 (2015). “Appellate review of an unpreserved argument of
ineffective assistance of counsel, like this one, is limited to mistakes apparent on the record.”
People v Johnson, 315 Mich App 163, 174; 889 NW2d 513 (2016). “The denial of effective
assistance of counsel is a mixed question of fact and constitutional law, which are reviewed,
respectively, for clear error and de novo.” People v Schrauben, 314 Mich App 181, 189; 886
NW2d 173 (2016), quoting People v Brown, 279 Mich App 116, 140; 755 NW2d 664 (2008).
B. WAIVER
Defendant has waived his claims of ineffective assistance of counsel by exercising his right
to represent himself with standby counsel.
“The United States Constitution, the Michigan Constitution, and MCL 763.1[7] each
guarantee a criminal defendant the right to represent himself.” People v Kevorkian, 248 Mich App
6People v Ginther, 390 Mich 436; 212 NW2d 922 (1973).
7
This statute, in its entirety, states:
On the trial of every indictment or other criminal accusation, the party
accused shall be allowed to be heard by counsel and may defend himself, and he
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373, 417; 639 NW2d 291 (2001), citing US Const, Am VI; Const 1963, art 1, § 13. “Although not
stated in the [Sixth] Amendment in so many words, the right to self-representation—to make one’s
own defense personally—is thus necessarily implied by the structure of the Amendment.” Faretta
v California, 422 US 806, 819; 95 S Ct 2525; 45 L Ed 2d 562 (1975). As noted, the same right is
established by Michigan’s Constitution, though in more explicit terms. People v Dennany, 445
Mich 412, 427; 519 NW2d 128 (1994), quoting Const 1963, art 1, § 13 (“A suitor in any court of
this state has the right to prosecute or defend his suit, either in his own proper person or by an
attorney.”). To assert the right of self-representation, however, a defendant must waive the right
to counsel, and such waiver “must be a knowing, intelligent act done with sufficient awareness of
the relevant circumstances.” People v Williams, 470 Mich 634, 641-642; 683 NW2d 597 (2004)
(quotation marks, citations, and alteration omitted). While caselaw8 and a court rule9 address
waivers of counsel and assertions of the right to represent oneself, such is not relevant in this case
because defendant does not challenge his waiver of counsel and decision to represent himself.
Instead, defendant essentially submits that his decision to represent himself with the
assistance of standby counsel should be treated as if Wilson were his constitutionally appointed
counsel. Defendant is incorrect. “[A] defendant has a constitutional entitlement to represent
himself or to be represented by counsel—but not both.” Kevorkian, 248 Mich App at 422, quoting
Dennany, 445 Mich at 442. In other words, the Constitution “permits the use of standby counsel
as a matter of grace, but not as a matter of right.” Kevorkian, 248 Mich App at 422 (quotation
marks and citation omitted). “A defendant who asserts his right to self-representation has no
absolute entitlement to standby counsel.” Id. “There can be no question that the roles of standby
counsel and full-fledged defense counsel are fundamentally different.” People v Willing, 267 Mich
App 208, 227; 704 NW2d 472 (2005), quoting United States v Taylor, 933 F2d 307, 312 (CA 5,
1991). In Kevorkian, 248 Mich App at 424, this Court held “a defendant who chooses to represent
himself does so at his own peril,” reasoning that, “[w]ith no constitutional right to an attorney, a
defendant proceeding in propria persona has no basis to claim that the [standby] attorney must
abide by constitutional standards.” Simply put, when a “defendant cho[oses] to represent
himself . . . he may not [] assign blame for his conviction to [standby counsel].” Id. at 426.
Standby counsel does not act “as counsel within the meaning of the Sixth Amendment or Const
1963, art 1, § 13 and, therefore, cannot be held to the standards of effective assistance required of
trial counsel.” Kevorkian, 248 Mich App at 427.
As discussed, there is no dispute in this case defendant knowingly and voluntarily waived
his right to counsel, asserted his right to represent himself, and accepted the assistance of Wilson
as standby counsel. He does not now claim, nor has he ever, that his waiver or assertion of certain
constitutional rights were improper or insufficient. Consequently, although Wilson essentially
handled the entire trial for defendant, she was only acting as standby counsel. Because defendant
was representing himself, “defendant preserve[d] actual control over the case he present[ed] to the
shall have a right to produce witnesses and proofs in his favor, and meet the
witnesses who are produced against him face to face. [MCL 763.1.]
8
See People v Russell, 471 Mich 182, 190-192; 684 NW2d 745 (2004).
9
MCR 6.005(D).
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jury: standby counsel cannot substantially interfere with any significant tactical decisions, cannot
control the questioning of witnesses, and cannot speak in place of the defendant on any matter of
importance.” Willing, 267 Mich App at 227 (citations omitted). In this case, defendant chose to
have Wilson perform nearly all aspects of the trial. He did so at his peril. Kevorkian, 248 Mich
App at 424. Because Wilson “was not acting as counsel within the meaning of the Sixth
Amendment or Const 1963, art 1, § 13,” she simply “cannot be held to the standards of effective
assistance required of trial counsel.” Kevorkian, 248 Mich App at 427. As a result, defendant’s
two claims of ineffective assistance of counsel must fail. Id.
III. MIRANDA VIOLATIONS
Defendant contends his statement to the police, and evidence seized from Rappley’s house
on the basis of information provided by defendant during the interrogation, should have been
suppressed because police ignored his requests for counsel. We disagree.
A. ISSUE PRESERVATION
To preserve an argument regarding suppression of a statement to police, “a defendant must
challenge the admissibility of a [statement] in the trial court,” typically by moving for a Walker
hearing. People v McCrady, 244 Mich App 27, 29; 624 NW2d 761 (2000). Here, defendant
moved to suppress his statement to police based on his requests for counsel. The trial court held a
Walker hearing, accepted testimony, heard oral arguments, and eventually denied defendant’s
motion to suppress his statement to police. As a result, this issue is preserved for this Court’s
review. McCrady, 244 Mich App at 29. However, in addition to challenging the trial court’s
decision regarding suppression of his statement on these grounds, defendant also asserts the trial
court should have suppressed evidence seized from Rappley’s house as fruit of the poisonous tree.
Defendant did not raise this argument in his briefing or at the Walker hearing. “A challenge on
one ground before the trial court is not sufficient to preserve a challenge on another ground on
appeal.” People v Swenor, 336 Mich App 550, 562; 971 NW2d 33 (2021). “When a party raises
a separate argument on appeal than the party raised before the trial court, the party must satisfy the
standard for plain-error review.” Id. Consequently, defendant’s claim on appeal that the trial court
erred by failing to suppress evidence found at Rappley’s house because of the purportedly
unconstitutional interrogation is not preserved. Id.B. STANDARD OF REVIEW
“A trial court’s findings of fact on a motion to suppress are reviewed for clear error . . . .”
People v Hrlic, 277 Mich App 260, 262-263; 744 NW2d 221 (2007). “Clear error exists when the
reviewing court is left with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake was made.” People v
Blevins, 314 Mich App 339, 348-349; 886 NW2d 456 (2016). But when this Court considers “an
interpretation of the law or the application of a constitutional standard to uncontested facts, our
review is de novo.” People v Attebury, 463 Mich 662, 668; 624 NW2d 912 (2001). To the extent
defendant argues evidence should have been suppressed as fruit of the poisonous tree, this
unpreserved issue must be reviewed for plain error. People v Borgne, 483 Mich 178, 184; 768
NW2d 290 (2009), reh gtd in part on other grounds 485 Mich 868 (2009). “To avoid forfeiture
under the plain error rule, three requirements must be met: 1) error must have occurred, 2) the error
was plain, i.e., clear or obvious, 3) and the plain error affected substantial rights.” People v
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Carines, 460 Mich 750, 763; 597 NW2d 130 (1999). To show that a defendant’s substantial rights
were affected, there must be “a showing of prejudice, i.e., that the error affected the outcome of
the lower court proceedings.” Id. “Reversal is warranted only when the plain, forfeited error
resulted in the conviction of an actually innocent defendant or when an error seriously affected the
fairness, integrity or public reputation of judicial proceedings independent of the defendant’s
innocence.” People v Randolph, 502 Mich 1, 10; 917 NW2d 249 (2018) (citation omitted).
C. ANALYSIS
Defendant contends his statement to police should have been suppressed as well as
evidence found as fruit of the poisonous tree. We conclude that defendant is not entitled to relief
for two reasons. First, because defendant’s statement was not admitted as evidence during trial,
whether it should have been suppressed by the trial court is moot. Second, because the
exclusionary rule does not apply to evidence seized as fruit of the poisonous tree arising from an
interrogation in violation of Miranda, defendant’s contention lacks legal merit unrelated to
whether a violation of Miranda actually occurred.
As argued by the prosecution in its brief on appeal, the issue regarding suppression of
defendant’s statement has been rendered moot. “A dispute is moot if no controversy exists and
any judgment on the matter would lack practical legal effect.” People v Smith, 502 Mich 624, 631;
918 NW2d 718 (2018). Stated differently, “[a]n issue is moot when an event occurs that renders
it impossible for the reviewing court to fashion a remedy to the controversy.” People v Warren,
505 Mich 196, 202 n 1; 949 NW2d 125 (2020) (quotation marks and citation omitted). “It is well
established that a court will not decide moot issues.” Smith, 502 Mich at 631 (quotation marks
and citation omitted). Indeed, this Court typically only addresses moot issues when “they are of
public significance and are likely to recur, yet may evade judicial review.” Id. at 631-632
(quotation marks and citation omitted).
Defendant contends the trial court erred by denying his motion to suppress his statement
to police. During trial, however, the prosecution decided not to admit defendant’s statement as
evidence. The prosecution’s decision in that regard was “an event [rendering] it impossible for”
us to provide any remedy. Warren, 505 Mich at 202 n 1 (quotation marks and citation omitted).
Pertinently, the remedy identified by defendant was to suppress his statement as evidence.
Practically, this remedy meant the statement would not be able to be considered by the jury. The
remedy, regardless of the trial court’s decision, was provided by the prosecution’s decision not to
admit the statement as evidence. Consequently, this “dispute is moot [because] no controversy
exists and any judgment on the matter would lack practical legal effect.” Smith, 502 Mich at 631.
Moreover, considering how often we consider whether a statement to police should be suppressed
because of a violation of Miranda, there is no support for any contention this issue is “likely to
recur, yet may evade judicial review.” Smith, 502 Mich at 631-632 (quotation marks and citation
omitted). In sum, this issue is moot, and we decline to consider it. Id.
Defendant also contends that evidence seized from Rappley’s house should have been
suppressed as a fruit of the poisonous tree rooted in the allegedly improper interrogation. Absent
his interrogation in violation of Miranda, defendant insists, the police would never have known to
search Rappley’s home. This argument lacks legal merit.
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“The Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution provides that ‘[n]o person
shall . . . be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself . . . .’” People v White,
493 Mich 187, 193; 828 NW2d 329 (2013), quoting US Const, Am V, citing Const 1963, art 1,
§ 17. “In Miranda, the United States Supreme Court held that the Fifth Amendment’s prohibition
against compelled self-incrimination requires that the accused be given a series of warnings before
being subjected to ‘custodial interrogation.’ ” People v Elliott, 494 Mich 292, 301; 833 NW2d
284 (2013). The Court in Miranda v Arizona, 384 US 436, 444; 86 S Ct 1602; 16 L Ed 2d 694(1966), clarified that: “[b]y custodial interrogation, we mean questioning initiated by law
enforcement officers after a person has been taken into custody or otherwise deprived of his
freedom of action in any significant way.” One of the warnings announced in Miranda was related
to “an accused’s [] Fifth and Fourteenth Amendment right to have counsel present during custodial
interrogation.” Edwards v Arizona, 451 US 477, 482; 101 S Ct 1880; 68 L Ed 2d 378 (1981).
“The right to counsel established in Miranda was one of a series of recommended procedural
safeguards that were not themselves rights protected by the Constitution but were instead measures
to insure that the right against compulsory self-incrimination was protected.” Davis v United
States, 512 US 452, 457; 114 S Ct 2350; 129 L Ed 2d 362 (1994) (quotation marks, citations, and
alterations omitted).
A defendant, “having expressed his desire to deal with the police only through counsel, is
not subject to further interrogation by the authorities until counsel has been made available to him,
unless the accused himself initiates further communication, exchanges, or conversations with the
police.” Edwards, 451 US at 484-485. In other words, “[o]nce a suspect invokes his right to
remain silent or requests counsel, police questioning must cease unless the suspect affirmatively
reinitiates contact.” People v Tanner, 496 Mich 199, 208; 853 NW2d 653 (2014). “This second
layer of prophylaxis for the Miranda right to counsel is designed to prevent police from badgering
a defendant into waiving his previously asserted Miranda rights.” Davis, 512 US at 458 (quotation
marks and citations omitted).
“However, the defendant’s invocation of his right to counsel must be unequivocal.” People
v Tierney, 266 Mich App 687, 711; 703 NW2d 204 (2005). To the contrary, “if a suspect makes
a reference to an attorney that is ambiguous or equivocal in that a reasonable officer in light of the
circumstances would have understood only that the suspect might be invoking the right to counsel,
our precedents do not require the cessation of questioning.” Davis, 512 US at 459. “It requires,
at a minimum, some statement that can reasonably be construed to be an expression of a desire for
the assistance of an attorney in dealing with custodial interrogation by the police.” McNeil v
Wisconsin, 501 US 171, 178; 111 S Ct 2204; 115 L Ed 2d 158 (1991) (emphasis omitted). “Of
course, when a suspect makes an ambiguous or equivocal statement it will often be good police
practice for the interviewing officers to clarify whether or not he actually wants an attorney.”
Davis, 512 US at 461.
When a defendant’s statement is taken in violation of Miranda, it cannot be used against
the defendant at trial. Tanner, 496 Mich at 207-208. Generally, “[t]he exclusionary
rule . . . reaches not only primary evidence that is obtained as a direct result of an illegal search or
seizure, but also evidence that is discovered later and found to be derivative of the illegality, i.e.,
fruit of the poisonous tree.” People v Hammerlund, 337 Mich App 598, 606-607; ___ NW2d ___
(2021). However, “[p]olice do not violate a suspect’s constitutional rights (or the Miranda rule)
by negligent or even deliberate failures to provide the suspect with the full panoply of warnings
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prescribed by Miranda.” People v Campbell, 329 Mich App 185, 204-205; 942 NW2d 51 (2019),
quoting United States v Patane, 542 US 630, 641; 124 S Ct 2620; 159 L Ed 2d 667 (2004). Instead,
“ ‘[p]otential violations occur, if at all, only upon the admission of unwarned statements into
evidence at trial.’ ” Campbell, 329 Mich App at 205, quoting Patane, 542 US at 641. As a result,
“[p]hysical evidence obtained as a result of an unwarned statement remains admissible as long as
the statement was voluntary.” Campbell, 329 Mich App at 205. Stated differently, “a Miranda
violation does not necessarily involve the violation of the constitution, and, thus, the fruit of the
poisonous tree doctrine enunciated in Wong Sun is not controlling where a Miranda violation is
involved.” People v Melotik, 221 Mich App 190, 199; 561 NW2d 453 (1997), citing Wong Sun v
United States, 371 US 471; 83 S Ct 407; 9 L Ed 2d 441 (1963). Thus, “[i]t is only the physical
fruits of an actually coerced statement that must be suppressed to serve the deterrent purpose of
the exclusionary rule.” Campbell, 329 Mich App at 205, citing Patane, 542 US at 643-644.
In the present case, defendant contends police violated his rights under Miranda by
continuing to question him even after he requested counsel. Defendant has not now, nor ever,
contended his statement to police actually was involuntary or coerced. As the above cited caselaw
makes clear, a mere violation of Miranda warrants exclusion of the statement to police as evidence,
but it does not, on its own, require exclusion of physical evidence discovered on the basis of
defendant’s interrogation. Tanner, 496 Mich at 207-208; Campbell, 329 Mich App at 205, citing
Patane, 542 US at 643-644. Considering the applicable, binding, and determinative caselaw on
this issue, defendant’s argument about excluding evidence discovered at Rappley’s house as fruit
of the poisonous tree simply fails. Campbell, 329 Mich App at 205, citing Patane, 542 US at 643-
644. Consequently, for the reasons just discussed, this entire issue lacks merit.
IV. VIOLATION OF MCR 3.606(A)(2)
Defendant submits the evidence seized at Rappley’s house should have been suppressed as
a fruit of the poisonous tree rooted in his illegal arrest warrant. We disagree.
A. STANDARD OF REVIEW
“This Court reviews de novo questions of constitutional law and a trial court’s decision on
a motion to suppress evidence.” People v Brcic, ___ Mich App ___, ___; ___ NW2d ___ (2022)
(Docket No. 359497); slip op at 3. Similarly, “[t]he proper interpretation and application of a court
rule is a question of law that is reviewed de novo . . . .” People v White, 337 Mich App 558, 567;
___ NW2d ___ (2021).
B. LAW AND ANALYSIS
The trial court properly applied binding precedent when deciding the exclusionary rule
does not apply to violations of MCR 3.606(A)(2).
To properly analyze this issue, interpretation of the court rule is required. “We interpret
court rules using the same principles that are applicable to the interpretation of statutes.” People
v Davis, 337 Mich App 67, 81; 972 NW2d 304 (2021). “When the language is clear and
unambiguous, we enforce a statute according to its plain and ordinary meaning.” Id. According
to the plain language of MCR 3.606(A)(2), there must be “a proper showing on ex parte motion
supported by affidavits” before a court can “issue a bench warrant for the arrest of a person” who
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“committed [contempt] outside the immediate view and presence of the court . . . .” On appeal,
the parties have agreed MCR 3.606(A)(2) was violated when the district court judge signed the
bench warrant for defendant’s arrest without requiring an affidavit. Considering the stipulation
regarding violation of the court rule, the next issue to address is the effect of a violation of the
court rule.
Defendant insists the trial court erred when it refused to apply the exclusionary rule to
evidence connected to the violative bench warrant for his arrest. As discussed above, “[t]he
exclusionary rule . . . reaches not only primary evidence that is obtained as a direct result of an
illegal search or seizure, but also evidence that is discovered later and found to be derivative of the
illegality, i.e., fruit of the poisonous tree.” Hammerlund, 337 Mich App at 606-607. Stated
differently, as relevant to the present case, “ ‘the indirect fruits of an illegal [] arrest should be
suppressed when they bear a sufficiently close relationship to the underlying illegality.’ ” Id. at
611, quoting New York v Harris, 495 US 14, 19; 110 S Ct 1640; 109 L Ed 2d 13 (1990).
Relying on this caselaw, defendant claims the evidence found at Rappley’s home should
have been suppressed in this case. Defendant reasons his arrest violated MCR 3.606(A)(2), which
led to his interrogation, during which he told the police about staying with Rappley on occasion.
Therefore, according to defendant, the police never would have discovered the evidence at
Rappley’s home if not for the improper arrest warrant. This argument fails.
The trial court relied on binding precedent from our Supreme Court regarding application
of the exclusionary rule to violations of MCR 3.606(A)(2). In People v Hawkins, 468 Mich 488,
512-513; 668 NW2d 602 (2003), the defendant argued that evidence should be suppressed because
the bench warrant did not comport with the court rule contrary to MCR 3.606(A)(2). Our Supreme
Court began by noting, “[n]othing in the wording of MCR 3.606(A) provides any indication that
the exclusionary rule should be applied to a violation of its affidavit requirement.” Hawkins, 468
Mich at 512. The Court continued, “[t]o engraft the exclusionary rule—a harsh remedy designed
to sanction and deter police misconduct where it has resulted in a violation of constitutional
rights—onto the technical provisions of a rule of court in this manner would extend the deterrent
well beyond its intended application.” Id. at 512-513. Our Supreme Court then identified the
following important distinction: “Indeed, the task of scrutinizing the police papers submitted in
support of a warrant for technical compliance with the law falls squarely with the judicial officer.”
Id. at 513. The Hawkins Court deemed the distinction to be important because it differentiated
between judicial and police misconduct. Id. The Court concluded, “[i]n the absence of language
evincing an intent that suppression of evidence should follow from the violation of MCR 3.606(A),
we decline to infer one.” Hawkins, 468 Mich at 513.
In sum, our Supreme Court held the exclusionary rule did not apply to violations of
MCR 3.606(A)(2). Defendant attempts to circumvent this holding by claiming the Court in
Hawkins only addressed a “technical” violation of the court rule. While the opinion did reference
a judicial officer’s duty to ensure “technical compliance” with the law, the Court did not
specifically state its holding applied only to “technical” violations of the court rule. Instead, in a
footnote, the Court stated the prosecution stipulated the bench warrant for the defendant’s arrest
in Hawkins had not complied with MCR 3.606(A)(2). Hawkins, 468 Mich at 512 n 25. The
prosecution has done the same in this case. Moreover, the Court’s opinion clarified any confusion
when it stated, in broad terms and without reference to “technical” violations, “MCR 3.606(A)
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does not provide for suppression of evidence on the basis of noncompliance with its affidavit
requirement, and we decline to infer an intent that the exclusionary rule should apply under these
circumstances.” Hawkins, 468 Mich at 513. When there is “noncompliance with [the] affidavit
requirement” of MCR 3.606(A)(2), the exclusionary rule does not apply. Hawkins, 468 Mich at
513. Because defendant’s argument relies on application of the exclusionary rule, this issue must
fail. Id.
V. PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT10
Defendant contends the prosecutor committed misconduct during trial by denigrating the
defense and relying on inadmissible testimony. We disagree.
A. PRESERVATION
In cases alleging prosecutorial misconduct, issues are “preserved by contemporaneous
objections and requests for curative instructions . . . .” People v Mullins, 322 Mich App 151, 172;
911 NW2d 201 (2017) (quotation marks and citation omitted). In this case, defendant objected to
the alleged improper closing argument by the prosecutor, which the trial court overruled. As a
result, this issue is considered preserved for our review. Id.B. STANDARD OF REVIEW
“Claims of prosecutorial misconduct are generally reviewed de novo to determine whether
the defendant was denied a fair trial.” People v Dunigan, 299 Mich App 579, 588; 831 NW2d 243(2013). Because this issue is unpreserved, we must review the “unpreserved claim for plain error
affecting defendant’s substantial rights.” People v Roscoe, 303 Mich App 633, 648; 846 NW2d
402 (2014).
C. LAW AND ANALYSIS
The prosecutor did not commit misconduct during closing arguments.
“A prosecutor ‘is the representative . . . of a sovereignty whose obligation to govern
impartially is as compelling as its obligation to govern at all; and whose interest, therefore, in a
criminal prosecution is not that it shall win a case, but that justice shall be done.’ ” People v Evans,
335 Mich App 76, 89; 966 NW2d 402 (2020), quoting Berger v United States, 295 US 78, 88; 55
S Ct 629; 79 L Ed 2d 1314 (1935). “We must evaluate instances of prosecutorial misconduct on
a case-by-case basis, reviewing the prosecutor’s [actions] in context and in light of the defendant’s
arguments.” People v Lane, 308 Mich App 38, 62-63; 862 NW2d 446 (2014). “Generally,
‘[p]rosecutors are accorded great latitude regarding their arguments and conduct.’ ” People v
Bahoda, 448 Mich 261, 282; 531 NW2d 659 (1995) (citation omitted). “They are free to argue
the evidence and all reasonable inferences from the evidence as it relates to [their] theory of the
10
We employ the phrase “prosecutorial misconduct” as a term of art synonymous with
“prosecutorial error,” not as an indication that the prosecution engaged in intentional misconduct.
Jackson, 313 Mich App at 425 n 4.
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case.” Id. (quotation marks and citation omitted; alteration in original). In making those
arguments, “[t]he prosecutor need not speak in the blandest of all possible terms.” Blevins, 314
Mich App at 355 (quotation marks and citation omitted).
“A prosecutor may not suggest that defense counsel is intentionally attempting to mislead
the jury.” People v Clark, 330 Mich App 392, 435; 948 NW2d 604 (2019). “Such an argument
implies that defense counsel does not believe his own client, which undermines the defendant’s
presumption of innocence.” Schrauben, 314 Mich App at 192. Further, this type of “argument
impermissibly shifts the focus from the evidence itself to the defense counsel’s personality.”
People v Fyda, 288 Mich App 446, 461; 793 NW2d 712 (2010) (citation omitted). “Additionally,
a prosecutor’s remarks, which might be improper in his closing statement, may be proper when
offered to rebut an argument proffered by the defense in closing.” Clark, 330 Mich App at 435.
However, “it is not improper for a prosecutor to comment on the weakness of a defense theory.”
Id.
In the present case, the defense focused on convincing the jury the police had failed to
properly investigate the case and missed Christopher as a potential suspect. During her closing
argument, Wilson spoke at length about this topic. During the cross-examination of witnesses, the
defense wanted the jury to question why the police did not test certain evidence for Christopher’s
DNA considering he admittedly brought a baseball bat over to the Zrakovi house on the night of
the murder. In contrast, on rebuttal, the prosecutor sought to undermine the defense’s theory of
the case by identifying the evidence connecting defendant to the murder and the dearth of such
evidence related to anyone else. After summarizing the evidence, the prosecutor made the
following argument, which defendant now challenges on appeal:
I brought up to you every piece of evidence that fits into place that shows
that the defendant is a person who committed this homicide. You heard from the
officer that had there been a lead in any other direction, any direction whatsoever,
it would have been followed up on, but there wasn’t. Because no matter what they
did, every little piece kept pointing straight at [defendant].
And I’m sorry, but if that many pieces add up and that many pieces are
fitting together and that many things fall into place, it cannot be a coincidence
because, if so, he is so unbelievably un[lucky] that I do not even want to be in a
room with him right now because he is going to get struck by lightning in the next
10 seconds.
Defendant contends this portion of the prosecutor’s closing argument was improper for two
reasons. First, he argues the prosecutor improperly relied on inadmissible testimony from
Detective Sergeant Bryce Willoughby. Pertinently, defendant claims Detective Sergeant
Willoughby offered an opinion regarding defendant’s guilt, which the prosecutor then adopted in
the closing argument. Preliminarily, we must consider whether Detective Sergeant Willoughby’s
testimony actually was improper. Defendant is correct that, generally, “a witness cannot express
an opinion on the defendant’s guilt or innocence of the charged offense . . . .” People v Fomby,
300 Mich App 46, 53; 831 NW2d 887 (2013) (quotation marks and citation omitted). Defendant
contends Detective Sergeant Willoughby violated this rule during the following testimony:
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Q. And, again, did your investigation ever point you in any other direction
than [defendant]?
A. No. I did not ever discover any other individual. I did not discover
exculpatory evidence indicating that it in fact was not the defendant. Every item,
and I’m referring again to the multitude of bats that were recovered, were collected
and processed and it all came back to [defendant].
Although defendant asserts this was an opinion on the ultimate issue of defendant’s guilt,
Detective Sergeant Willoughby merely answered a question about whether there was evidence
pointing to other potential suspects. Importantly, this question from the prosecution occurred on
redirect examination. During cross-examination, Wilson repeatedly inquired of Detective
Sergeant Willoughby, as the officer-in-charge of the case, why he did not further investigate
Christopher. On redirect examination, then, Detective Sergeant Willoughby simply was clarifying
his reasons for not doing so—he did not believe any evidence pointed to Christopher as a possible
suspect. Indeed, Detective Sergeant Willoughby went slightly further and stated there was no
evidence suggesting anyone else committed the crimes at issue in this case. However, an objection
is not necessary when, fairly read, the officer’s testimony was not designed to render an opinion
about the defendant’s guilt, but to delineate the steps taken in the investigation and to explain
personal perceptions. See People v Heft, 299 Mich App 69, 83; 829 NW2d 266 (2012).
Consequently, this argument by defendant lacks merit. Because the evidence was admissible, the
prosecutor was free to argue it. Bahoda, 448 Mich at 282.
Second, defendant argues the prosecutor’s argument improperly implied the defense was
purposely trying to mislead the jury. As just discussed, such an argument is not permissible.
Clark, 330 Mich App at 435. But reading the argument in context, it is clear the prosecutor was
not actually attempting to denigrate the defense in any manner. Instead, the prosecutor was
commenting on the weakness of the defense’s theory of the case, which is permitted. Id.
Pertinently, the prosecutor argued that if Christopher actually committed the murder the
investigation would have produced at least some evidence of Christopher’s involvement.
Considering there was no such evidence, and there was a mountain of evidence, including
defendant’s DNA on the sewer cap presumably used to break the back patio door and Chadwell’s
blood on defendant’s shoes found at Rappley’s home, the prosecutor’s argument was appropriate.
While the prosecutor’s comparison to lightning striking defendant within 10 seconds is
questionable, our caselaw is clear a prosecutor “need not speak in the blandest of all possible
terms” when arguing the case. Blevins, 314 Mich App at 355 (quotation marks and citation
omitted). Importantly, though, the prosecutor’s argument did not contain any specific claim
Wilson or defendant were specifically trying to mislead the jury. Thus, the prosecutor’s vigorous
advocacy was a commentary on the evidence and its lack of support for the defense’s theory of the
case, not an accusation of deliberately misleading the jury. Clark, 330 Mich App at 435. Thus,
there was no plain error related to the prosecutor’s closing argument identified above. Id. Because
defendant’s allegations of prosecutorial misconduct lack merit, there is no support defendant was
denied a fair trial. Dunigan, 299 Mich App at 588.
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VI. TESTIMONY REGARDING HAIR
Defendant alleges Detective Sergeant Willoughby’s testimony that the hair found in
Chadwell’s hand looked like Chadwell’s own hair was improper lay opinion testimony. We
disagree.
A. STANDARD OF REVIEW
This Court “reviews for an abuse of discretion a circuit court’s decision to admit or exclude
evidence.” People v Kowalski, 492 Mich 106, 119; 821 NW2d 14 (2012). “The decision to admit
evidence is within the trial court’s discretion and will not be disturbed unless that decision falls
outside the range of principled outcomes.” People v Thorpe, 504 Mich 230, 251-252; 934 NW2d
693 (2019) (quotation marks and citations omitted).
B. LAW AND ANALYSIS
The trial court did not abuse its discretion by allowing Detective Sergeant Willoughby to
testify about the hair in Chadwell’s hand. Under MRE 701,
[i]f the witness is not testifying as an expert, the witness’ testimony in the form of
opinions or inferences is limited to those opinions or inferences which are
(a) rationally based on the perception of the witness and (b) helpful to a clear
understanding of the witness’ testimony or the determination of a fact in issue.
Stated differently, “the admissibility of [a lay] opinion is governed by MRE 701, which allows
opinion testimony by a lay witness if it is rationally based on the perception of the witness and
helpful to a clear understanding of a fact in issue.” People v Daniel, 207 Mich App 47, 57; 523
NW2d 830 (1994). Such lay opinion testimony, however, cannot “invade the province of the jury.”
Fomby, 300 Mich App at 52. Consequently, “when a witness is in no better position than the jury
to make an identification from a video or photograph, the testimony is inadmissible” as a lay
opinion. Id. at 53, citing United States v Rodriguez-Adorno, 695 F3d 32, 40 (CA 1, 2012).
Defendant challenges Detective Sergeant Willoughby’s testimony about the bloodied hair
found in Chadwell’s hand. The crux of Detective Sergeant Willoughby’s lay opinion was the hair
in Chadwell’s hand looked almost identical to Chadwell’s own hair. This opinion, notably,
undercut defendant’s theory the hair in Chadwell’s hand belonged to Chadwell’s actual murderer,
considering it did not look like defendant’s hair. There appears to be no dispute Detective Sergeant
Willoughby’s opinion was “rationally based on [his] perception” of the evidence and Chadwell’s
hair. MRE 701. Defendant, however, insists Detective Sergeant Willoughby’s opinion testimony
was inadmissible because it invaded the province of the jury. Fomby, 300 Mich App at 52.
Pertinently, defendant believes the jury was in an equal position with Detective Sergeant
Willoughby to be able to properly identify the hair, and thus, Detective Sergeant Willoughby’s
testimony was not helpful to the jury. Id. at 52-53.
The trial court did not abuse its discretion in deciding otherwise. In Fomby, 300 Mich App
at 52, this Court held a police officer’s opinion about the identification of individuals in a
surveillance video was helpful because the police officer in question had watched the video on a
number of occasions. Relevantly, the Fomby panel opined:
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Because it can be inferred that [the officer] viewed the surveillance footage and still
photos several times to reach his conclusions and opinions, it can similarly be
reasonably inferred that [the officer’s] testimony helped the jury to correctly and
efficiently determine whether the two individuals seen earlier in the footage were
the same individuals who were involved in the murder later depicted in the video.
[Id.]
Therefore, even though the jurors were capable of watching the surveillance footage themselves
and deciding if the suspects appeared in it, the officer’s testimony still was helpful because he had
studied the video before appearing at trial. Id.
In this case, jurors were permitted to look at photographs of the hair in Chadwell’s hand,
along with photographs of Chadwell’s actual hair. They could have, then, made the comparison
themselves. However, as noted in Fomby, this does not automatically render a witness’s opinion
inadmissible. Detective Sergeant Willoughby, unlike the jurors, was at the crime scene when
Chadwell’s body was still inside the Zrakovi house. Detective Sergeant Willoughby also attended
the autopsy, which allowed him to personally observe both the collection of the hair in Chadwell’s
hand, and Chadwell’s own hair. As a result, Detective Sergeant Willoughby was in a better
position than the jurors to compare the hair in Chadwell’s hand and the hair on his head.
Consequently, Detective Sergeant Willoughby’s opinion was “helpful to . . . the determination of
a fact in issue;” namely, whether the hair in Chadwell’s hand belonged to someone other than
Chadwell. MRE 701. Thus, contrary to defendant’s arguments, Detective Sergeant Willoughby’s
testimony did not “invade the province of the jury.” Fomby, 300 Mich App at 52.
Defendant also presents a confusing argument related to Detective Sergeant Willoughby’s
experience and qualification as an evidence technician. Defendant suggests Detective Sergeant
Willoughby used this qualification to bolster his credibility regarding his comparison of the hair
found in Chadwell’s hand with his own hair. But the record, plainly viewed, does not support this
contention. “As the appellant [], defendant [bears] the burden of furnishing the reviewing court
with a record to verify the factual basis of any argument upon which reversal was predicated.”
People v Elston, 462 Mich 751, 762; 614 NW2d 595 (2000). In reviewing Detective Sergeant
Willoughby’s testimony, it is clear he only referenced his experience and training as an evidence
technician to describe various parts of his investigation. When he discussed the hair found in
Chadwell’s hand, though, Detective Sergeant Willoughby only relied on his own power of
observation. He did not state his opinion was formed on the basis of any expert training or
experience. Detective Sergeant Willoughby never claimed his training as an evidence technician
helped him to determine, or provided any guidance to help form, his opinion that the hair in
Chadwell’s hand came from his own head. Briefly, then, the record simply does not support
defendant’s claim of error related to Detective Sergeant Willoughby’s training as an evidence
technician. Id. Because defendant bore the burden to provide a record supporting this ground for
reversal, and he has failed to do so, this argument necessarily fails. Id.-15-
In short, the trial court did not abuse its discretion by admitting Detective Sergeant
Willoughby’s lay opinion testimony about the hair in Chadwell’s hand.
Affirmed.
/s/ Kirsten Frank Kelly
/s/ Anica Letica
/s/ Michelle M. Rick
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