People of Michigan v. Terrance Terrell McClinton ( 2023 )

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PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, UNPUBLISHED
November 30, 2023
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v No. 359010
Calhoun Circuit Court
TERRANCE TERRELL MCCLINTON, LC No. 2019-002298-FC
Defendant-Appellant.
Before: HOOD, P.J., and JANSEN and FEENEY, JJ.
PER CURIAM.
Defendant appeals as of right his jury trial convictions of first-degree criminal sexual
conduct (CSC-I), MCL 750.520b(1)(f) (defendant engages in sexual penetration, causes personal
injury to the victim, and uses force or coercion); and assault with intent to commit criminal sexual
conduct (CSC) involving sexual penetration, MCL 750.520g(1). The trial court sentenced
defendant as a fourth-offense habitual offender, MCL 769.12, to serve 420 to 600 months’
imprisonment for his CSC-I conviction and to serve 60 to 120 months’ consecutive imprisonment
for his conviction of the assault with intent to commit CSC involving sexual penetration. We
affirm.
This case arises out of an incident that occurred in Battle Creek, Michigan, during the early
morning hours of June 29, 2019. The victim testified that, as she walked down a path near Taft
Street, someone grabbed her from behind, dragged her into a wooded area, and sexually assaulted
her. The victim screamed, and officers arrived at the scene during the assault. Officers were able
to apprehend defendant fleeing the area, and the victim identified defendant as the person who
assaulted her.
I. SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE
Defendant argues that the prosecution presented insufficient evidence for a rational jury to
find defendant guilty of assault with intent to commit CSC involving sexual penetration of the
victim’s vagina. We disagree.
-1-
We review a claim that evidence was legally insufficient by reviewing the evidence in a
light most favorable to the prosecution to ascertain whether a trier of fact could find that the
elements of the crime were proven beyond a reasonable doubt. People v Williams, 294 Mich App
461, 471; 811 NW2d 88 (2011); see Jackson v Virginia, 443 US 307, 324; 99 S Ct 2781; 61 L Ed
2d 560 (1979).
To establish the crime of assault with intent to commit CSC involving sexual penetration
pursuant to MCL 750.520g(1), the prosecution must prove “(1) an assault, meaning an attempt to
commit a battery or an unlawful act that places another person in reasonable apprehension of an
imminent battery, and (2) an intent to commit CSC involving sexual penetration.” People v
Hoskins, 342 Mich App 194, 204; 993 NW2d 48 (2022). “Circumstantial evidence and reasonable
inferences arising from that evidence can constitute satisfactory proof of the elements of a crime.”
People v Allen, 201 Mich App 98, 100; 505 NW2d 869 (1993).
At trial, the victim testified that defendant grabbed her by the neck and hair, threw her to
the ground, and pulled off her shorts. She further testified that, as she faced defendant while she
was pinned to the ground, she vigorously punched, kicked, and otherwise fought to prevent
defendant from sexually penetrating her. Throughout this part of the incident, the victim was
screaming for defendant to stop raping her. The victim also testified that she fought hard enough
to prevent defendant from penetrating her until she was turned onto her side and defendant inserted
his penis into her anus. The nurse who conducted the victim’s sexual assault examination testified
that the victim had “multiple abrasions, lacerations and injuries to her anus and her vaginal area.”
The nurse agreed that the injuries to the victim’s vagina and anus were bleeding or seeping and
that “[t]hey were all fresh injuries.” The victim also testified that she had no physical injuries
before the assault.
We hold that this evidence was sufficient to establish the elements of assault with intent to
commit CSC through vaginal penetration. Viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the
prosecution, the evidence shows that defendant was on top of the victim when he tried to sexually
penetrate her vagina, but the victim was able to stop defendant from doing so, though she
nonetheless sustained multiple injuries to her vaginal area.1
Defendant also argues that one instance of anal penetration of the victim occurred, which
renders the assault with intent to commit CSC through vaginal penetration speculative. However,
the fact that another crime occurred, CSC-I, during which defendant penetrated the victim’s anus,
1
Contrary to defendant’s argument on appeal, the length of time during which an assault occurs
and specific evidence about the state of the victim’s or defendant’s clothing during an assault are
not necessary to prove the offense of assault with intent to commit CSC involving penetration.
See Hoskins, 342 Mich App at 204. Nonetheless, the evidence presented at trial contradicts
defendant’s assertion that no evidence showed the crime’s duration or whether defendant or the
victim were clothed. During defense counsel’s cross-examination of the victim, he established
that the victim’s attempt to fight off defendant from penetrating her “continued for a while.” With
regard to their state of dress, the victim testified that defendant pulled off her shorts, and evidence
also showed that the victim’s underwear was around her ankles when police arrived while the
assault was in progress.
-2-
does not negate his commission of another crime, assault with intent to commit CSC by penetrating
the victim’s vagina. Had defendant only intended to commit CSC by penetrating the victim anally,
he would not have thrown the victim and pinned her down while she was lying on her back, and
the victim would not have had to fight defendant from penetrating her while she was facing him.
It was only after defendant’s attempt to penetrate the victim failed because the victim fought him
off that defendant was able to commit CSC-I through anal penetration when the victim was turned
on her side.
Defendant also asserts that the evidence was insufficient to establish his intent to assault
the victim through vaginal penetration because evidence showed that male DNA was found on a
vulvar swab in the rape kit and that the male DNA did not match defendant’s DNA. We hold that
the DNA result from the vulvar swab does not undermine or render speculative evidence that
defendant committed assault with intent to commit CSC through vaginal penetration. As
discussed, evidence showed that defendant attempted to penetrate the victim vaginally, but the
victim was able to prevent him from doing so by fighting him off. Because defendant did not
vaginally penetrate the victim, defendant was charged with assault with intent to commit CSC for
this conduct. Further, the nurse who conducted the victim’s sexual assault examination explained
that DNA can be tested if it is swabbed within 120 hours of when it was left. Whether the victim
had vaginal intercourse with someone else within 120 hours (five days) of this assault does not
contradict evidence that defendant attempted to commit CSC through vaginal penetration.
Accordingly, defendant’s argument in this regard lacks merit.2
II. DOUBLE JEOPARDY
Defendant claims that his convictions of both CSC-I and assault with intent to commit CSC
involving sexual penetration violated his constitutional rights because he was punished twice for
the same offense. We disagree.
We review “de novo a claim that a conviction violates a defendant’s right to be free from
being twice placed in jeopardy for the same offense or being subject to multiple punishments for
the same offense.” People v Dickinson, 321 Mich App 1, 10; 909 NW2d 24 (2017).
The United States Constitution, US Const, Am V, and the Michigan Constitution,
Const 1963, art 1, § 15, both prohibit multiple punishments for the same offense. People v Duenez,
2
Defendant further asserts that the prosecutor used leading questions when examining the victim
at trial. Defendant concedes that defense counsel did not object to plaintiff’s examination of the
victim at trial, and on appeal, defendant fails to articulate which questions to the victim were
allegedly leading. Moreover, defendant cites no legal authority to establish that he is entitled any
relief on the basis of this claim. Generally, to obtain appellate relief, a party must show prejudice
or a pattern of eliciting inadmissible testimony. People v Watson, 245 Mich App 572, 587; 629
NW2d 411 (2001). Defendant has not shown which testimony was inadmissible, how that
testimony prejudiced him, or any pattern by the prosecutor. “An appellant may not merely
announce his position and leave it to this Court to discover and rationalize the basis for his claims,
nor may he give only cursory treatment with little or no citation of supporting authority.” People
v Kelly, 231 Mich App 627, 640-641; 588 NW2d 480 (1998).
-3-
306 Mich App 85, 105-106; 854 NW2d 531 (2014). “The purpose of this prohibition, in a multiple-
punishment context, is to prevent a court from imposing a sentence greater than that intended by
the Legislature.” People v Baker, 288 Mich App 378, 381; 792 NW2d 420, 422 (2010). To
determine whether two punishments are permitted, our courts apply the test set forth in
Blockburger v United States, 284 US 299, 304; 52 S Ct 180; 76 L Ed 306 (1932). As this Court
explained:
The Blockburger test focuses on the statutory elements of the offense,
without considering whether a substantial overlap exists in the proofs offered to
establish the offense. If each offense requires proof of elements that the other does
not, the Blockburger test is satisfied and no double jeopardy violation is involved.
[Baker, 288 Mich App at 382 (citations omitted).]
However, “[t]here is no violation of double jeopardy protections if one crime is complete before
the other takes place, even if the offenses share common elements or one constitutes a lesser
offense of the other.” People v Lugo, 214 Mich App 699, 708; 542 NW2d 921 (1995).
Defendant’s argument is largely dependent upon his position that, although his CSC-I
conviction was established by the evidence, there was insufficient evidence presented at trial to
show that defendant intended or attempted to vaginally penetrate the victim. As discussed,
evidence supported the jury’s finding that defendant attempted to sexually assault the victim
through vaginal penetration and that the victim was able to prevent defendant from vaginally
penetrating her by fighting him off. Defendant then injured the victim by forcibly penetrating the
victim’s anus with his penis. The prosecutor showed that these were not the “same offense” and
that defendant attempted one act of vaginal penetration before he accomplished the other act of
anal penetration. Because the crime of attempt with intent to commit CSC was complete before
defendant committed CSC-I, defendant was not punished twice for the same crime. See id.III. SPEEDY TRIAL
Defendant claims that his constitutional rights were violated because his jury trial was
delayed for more than 18 months. We disagree.
We review de novo whether a defendant was denied his right to a speedy trial. See People
v Williams, 475 Mich 245, 250; 716 NW2d 208 (2006). We review a trial court’s ruling on a
motion to dismiss for an abuse of discretion. People v Stone, 269 Mich App 240, 242; 712 NW2d
165 (2005).
A defendant’s right to a speedy trial is guaranteed under the United States Constitution,
US Const, Am VI, and the Michigan Constitution, Const 1963, art 1 § 20. People v Rivera, 301
Mich App 188, 193; 835 NW2d 464 (2013). As this Court explained in Rivera, 301 Mich App
at 193:
Whether an accused’s right to a speedy trial is violated depends on consideration
of four factors: “(1) the length of delay, (2) the reason for delay, (3) the defendant’s
assertion of the right, and (4) the prejudice to the defendant.” Williams, 475 Mich
-4-
at 261-262.[3] When the delay is more than 18 months, prejudice is presumed, and
the prosecution must show that no injury occurred. Id. at 262. When the delay is
less than 18 months, the defendant must prove that he or she suffered prejudice.
People v Cain, 238 Mich App 95, 112; 605 NW2d 28 (1999). “The time for judging
whether the right to a speedy trial has been violated runs from the date of the
defendant’s arrest.” Williams, 475 Mich at 261.
Defendant was arrested on June 29, 2019, and his trial began on August 4, 2021. On
April 19, 2021, the trial court held a hearing on defendant’s motion for bond and his pro se motion
to dismiss for violation of his right to a speedy trial. The trial court observed that defendant’s case
was scheduled at the top of the court’s list of jury trials and would move forward as soon as jury
trials resumed in Calhoun County amid changing circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The trial court further ruled that plaintiff was ready to go to trial and that the delay was not caused
by the prosecutor’s office, but by the global pandemic. In denying defendant’s motion, the trial
court also observed that defendant did not show that he was prejudiced in his ability to defend his
case by any delay.
We agree with defendant that the trial court erred by failing to recognize the presumption
of prejudice to defendant because his trial was delayed for more than 18 months. See Williams,
475 Mich at 262. However, the trial court’s denial of defendant’s motion to dismiss did not
constitute an abuse of discretion, and in spite of the trial court’s legal error, the delay appears to
have been unavoidable and not prejudicial to defendant.
On November 25, 2019, the trial court issued a “Criminal Jury Trial Notice,” on which
defendant’s case was listed, among others, to be tried between December 4, 2019 and
December 20, 2019. On December 4, 2019, the trial court issued a notice scheduling defendant’s
trial for April 28, 2020. However, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our Supreme Court
issued various administrative orders that imposed emergency measures, adjourned criminal jury
trials, and extended those adjournments with plans to return to full capacity. See Administrative
Order No. 2020-1, 505 Mich xcix; Administrative Order No. 2020-2, 505 Mich cii (2020); and
Administrative Order No. 2020-19, 505 Mich clxvii (2020). On the basis of those orders,
defendant’s trial was delayed until August 2021, which, according to the trial court, was one of
the first criminal trials to be held in that court after the COVID-19 pandemic caused trials to be
delayed. In defendant’s motion for bond, he specifically acknowledged that the pandemic caused
the delay after the trial was scheduled for April 28, 2020.
Defendant asserts that there was no valid reason that his jury trial did not occur in
December 2019 or before the orders issued in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the trial notice did not provide a specific trial date for defendant’s jury trial in the initial
criminal jury trial notice; it merely listed those criminal cases that could begin after December 3,
2019. Defendant supports his argument with an analysis of filings in other cases listed on the
criminal trial notice and asks us to take judicial notice of records from the Calhoun Circuit Court
3
These factors are commonly called the “Barker factors” because they were first set forth in Barker
v Wingo, 407 US 514, 530; 92 S Ct 2182; 33 L Ed 2d 101 (1972). See Williams, 475 Mich at 261.
-5-
in cases involving other defendants. We decline to do so because defendant cannot show that
events in other pending criminal cases had any bearing on when defendant’s case was scheduled
for trial. Further, had the pandemic delays not occurred, defendant’s trial would have begun in
April 2020, well within the 18 months contemplated by our caselaw.
Moreover, defendant acknowledges that, although he asked to be released on bond in this
case, he should have been returned to prison while awaiting trial because he committed these
crimes while he was on parole in another criminal case. According to his bond motion, while
defendant was in jail, he was actually on “a parole hold from the Michigan Department of
Corrections.” Defendant asks us to order the Department of Corrections to explain why defendant
was held in county jail rather than sent to prison to complete his other sentence. Defendant’s
“parole hold” in another case was not caused by any action or inaction by the trial court in this
case, however. And, because defendant would have been in the custody of the Department of
Corrections in any case, he would not be released from custody, so it is unclear how the delay of
his trial caused by the COVID-19 pandemic prejudiced him through his continued incarceration.
Accordingly, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by denying defendant’s motion
to dismiss, and we deny defendant’s request for remand.
IV. SHOWUP IDENTIFICATION
Defendant filed a Standard 4 brief in which he argues that the trial court violated his due-
process rights when it admitted evidence of his identification during a showup conducted by law
enforcement. We disagree.
Immediately after the assault, the victim described the perpetrator to police officers, and
several witnesses, including the victim, told police that the attacker fled the scene on a bicycle.
Shortly thereafter, an officer stopped defendant as he was riding a bike away from the scene of the
crime. Police had the ambulance carrying the victim stop at the location of where defendant was
apprehended, and she identified him as her attacker.
To preserve a constitutional claim that the trial court violated defendant’s due-process
rights, the defendant must raise the issue in the trial court. People v Williams, 245 Mich App 427,
430-431; 628 NW2d 80 (2001). Defendant did not move to suppress evidence regarding the
identification the victim made immediately after the crime, and he raised no claim in the trial court
that his due-process rights were violated by the identification. Therefore, this issue is not preserved
for appellate review. This Court reviews “unpreserved constitutional error for plain error affecting
a defendant’s substantial rights.” People v Kowalski, 489 Mich 488, 505; 803 NW2d 200 (2011).
As our Supreme Court explained in People v Sammons, 505 Mich 31, 41; 949 NW2d 36(2020), “[d]ue process protects criminal defendants against the introduction of evidence of, or
tainted by, unreliable pretrial identifications obtained through unnecessarily suggestive
procedures.” (Quotations marks and citations omitted.) “Exclusion of evidence of an
identification is required when (1) the identification procedure was suggestive, (2) the suggestive
nature of the procedure was unnecessary, and (3) the identification was unreliable.” Id., citing
Perry v New Hampshire, 565 US 228, 238-239; 132 S Ct 716; 181 L Ed 2d 694 (2012).
-6-
As noted, defendant did not raise this issue below, so the trial court had no opportunity to
review evidence from the preliminary examination to determine whether the showup identification
evidence should have been excluded. We note that no evidence in the record supports defendant’s
primary argument that he was sitting in the back of a police car when the victim identified him as
the person who sexually assaulted her. Rather, at the preliminary examination, when asked by
defense counsel whether the police had “[j]ust one person standing to be looked at,” the victim
responded affirmatively. Further, although defendant was the only person shown to the victim,
the victim correctly described defendant’s physical features to police before the showup, and she
made the identification in a nonsuggestive, public location immediately after the attack.
Accordingly, we do not believe that the showup in the case was unduly suggestive. Were we hold
otherwise, the evidence was nonetheless admissible because a showup identification was needed
under the circumstances and the victim’s identification was reliable. See Sammons, 505 Mich
at 41.
The showup was necessary because the victim had to be taken to the hospital after the
attack, and the police had an immediate interest in apprehending the person who committed a
brutal sexual assault on a stranger walking in a public area of the city. Moreover, the showup
identification was reliable because the victim correctly described defendant’s physical features
before the showup, she told police that he fled on a bike, and she made the identification
immediately after the attack. It was also reliable because, as a victim of sexual assault, the victim
“was forced to face the defendant ‘directly and intimately’ and was ‘no casual observer.’ ” Id.
at 52, quoting Neil v Biggers, 409 US 188, 200; 93 S Ct 375; 34 L Ed 2d 401 (1972). At the
preliminary examination, the victim stated she was certain that defendant committed the attack
because “if somebody’s right here, you know, and choking you and holding you you’re going to
remember their face.” For these reasons, defendant’s claim that the showup identification evidence
violated his due-process rights is without merit.
Affirmed.
/s/ Noah P. Hood
/s/ Kathleen Jansen
/s/ Kathleen A. Feeney
-7-