People of Michigan v. Allen Monroe Grays

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PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, UNPUBLISHED
June 24, 2021
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v No. 350627
Kent Circuit Court
ALLEN MONROE GRAYS, LC No. 18-009548-FC
Defendant-Appellant.
Before: STEPHENS, P.J., and BECKERING and O’BRIEN, JJ.
PER CURIAM.
Defendant, Allen Monroe Grays, appeals by right his jury trial conviction of first-degree
criminal sexual conduct (CSC-I), MCL 750.520b (multiple variables); assault with intent to do
great bodily harm less than murder or by strangulation (AWIGBH), MCL 750.84; and aggravated
assault, MCL 750.81a. The trial court sentenced defendant, as a fourth-offense habitual offender,
MCL 769.12, to 20 to 40 years’ imprisonment for CSC-I, 20 to 40 years’ imprisonment for
AWIGBH, and 266 days’ imprisonment for aggravated assault. On appeal, defendant challenges
the introduction of other-acts evidence under MRE 404(b) and the effective assistance of his trial
counsel. We affirm.
I. BACKGROUND
This case arises out of defendant’s sexual and physical assault of the victim, who was
working as a prostitute at the time of the offense. Defendant picked up the victim from a store and
took her to his house, where they engaged in consensual, vaginal intercourse. When defendant’s
girlfriend came home and found them, defendant became angry with the victim for not lying about
why they were there. The victim insisted that defendant drive her back to where he had picked her
up. The defendant became angrier , battered the victim and choked her. At one point, he pulled
the car over, got on top of the victim, and repeatedly strangled her while calling her names. At a
new location, he again battered and strangled her before sexually assaulting her. Eventually, the
victim was able to open the door and slide out of the car. Defendant pulled the door shut and drove
away. The victim crawled to a nearby apartment and asked someone to call 911. The victim spoke
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with officers at the scene and at the hospital. Defendant was charged with CSC-I and assault with
intent to do great bodily harm less than murder or by strangulation.
At trial, Jennifer Rinvelt, a registered nurse, testified as an expert in the area of sexual
assault examinations. Rinvelt examined the victim on the day of the incident, and the victim told
her about the assault. The victim was diagnosed with a nasal fracture at the emergency room and
later required plastic surgery. Rinvelt observed bruising underneath the victim’s eyes, a laceration
to her nose, bruising on her right check, redness on her neck, a bruise on her left arm, multiple
abrasions on her right knee, an abrasion on her right arm, and two abrasions on her back, all that
appeared to be recent. The victim had a sore throat, neck pain, and nausea, and she reported that
it hurt to swallow, she felt dizzy, and she had a headache. Rinvelt heard that the victim’s voice
was raspy and hoarse. The victim reported vaginal pain, and Rinvelt saw that there was redness
on the victim’s labia and a “laceration to her fossa navicularis”. The jury also heard testimony
from Rikki Dietrich who claimed that defendant sexually assaulted and strangled her in 2009.
The parties stipulated to add a charge of aggravated assault to the CSC and assault charges.
A jury found defendant guilty of all three charges. This appeal followed.
II. MRE 404(B) OTHER-ACTS EVIDENCE
Defendant first argues that the trial court erred by admitting other-acts evidence under
MRE 404(b). We disagree.
A. STANDARD OF REVIEW
This Court reviews for an abuse of discretion a trial court’s admission of bad-acts evidence.
People v Waclawski, 286 Mich App 634, 669-670; 780 NW2d 321 (2009). A trial “court abuses
its discretion when it chooses an outcome that is outside the range of reasonable and principled
outcomes.” Id. This Court reviews de novo preliminary questions of law. People v Mardlin, 487
Mich 609, 614; 790 NW2d 607 (2010). A determination whether “the probative value of evidence
is substantially outweighed by its prejudicial effect is best left to a contemporaneous assessment
of the presentation, credibility, and effect of the testimony.” Waclawski, 286 Mich App at 670.
Even if the trial court erred by admitting bad-acts evidence, reversal is not required unless the
defendant affirmatively shows that it is more probable than not that the error was outcome-
determinative. People v Knapp, 244 Mich App 361, 378; 624 NW2d 227 (2001).
B. ANALYSIS
MRE 404(b)(1) provides that evidence of other acts “is not admissible to prove the
character of a person in order to show action in conformity therewith.” However, the evidence
may “be admissible for other purposes, such as proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation,
scheme, plan, or system in doing an act.” MRE 404(b)(1). The use of bad-acts as evidence of a
defendant’s character is excluded, except as allowed by MRE 404(b), in order to avoid the danger
of a conviction on the basis of a defendant’s history. People v Johnigan, 265 Mich App 463, 465;
696 NW2d 724 (2005). The list of exceptions in MRE 404(b) is nonexhaustive. People v Sabin
(After Remand), 463 Mich 43, 56; 614 NW2d 888 (2000). In order for bad acts to be admissible
under MRE 404(b), the proponent of the evidence must show that the other-acts evidence has a
proper purpose other than to show character, the evidence is relevant to an issue of consequence,
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and the danger of unfair prejudice does not substantially outweigh the probative value. People v
Steele, 283 Mich App 472, 479; 769 NW2d 256 (2009), citing Sabin (After Remand), 463 Mich
at 55-56.
A trial court must carefully consider the logical relationship between the evidence and the
fact in issue. People v Orr, 275 Mich App 587, 589; 739 NW2d 385 (2007). “[E]vidence of
similar misconduct is logically relevant to show that the charged act occurred where the uncharged
misconduct and the charged offense are sufficiently similar to support an inference that they are
manifestations of a common plan, scheme, or system.” Sabin (After Remand), 463 Mich at 63-64.
The acts need not be part of a “single continuing conception or plot” in order to be logically
relevant. Id. at 64. However, a general similarity is not enough to establish a plan, scheme, or
system. Id. “If the prosecution creates a theory of relevance based on the alleged similarity
between a defendant’s other act and the charged offense, we require a ‘striking similarity’ between
the two acts to find the other act admissible.” People v Denson, 500 Mich 385, 403; 902 NW2d
306 (2017). When the theory of relevance is not on the basis of similarity, the striking similarity
is not required. Id. A prosecutor deprives a defendant of a fair trial if he or she argues that the
jury should consider evidence that was admitted for a limited purpose for a different purpose.
People v Quinn, 194 Mich App 250, 253; 486 NW2d 139 (1992). “MRE 404(b) is a rule of
inclusion rather than a rule of exclusion.” People v Brown, 294 Mich App 377, 385; 811 NW2d
531 (2011).
MRE 403 provides that a trial court may exclude relevant evidence “if its probative value
is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or
misleading the jury, or by considerations of undue delay, waste of time, or needless presentation
of cumulative evidence.” “MRE 403 does not prohibit prejudicial evidence; rather, it prohibits
evidence that is unfairly prejudicial.” People v Dixon-Bey, 321 Mich App 490, 513; 909 NW2d
458 (2017). “[E]vidence is unfairly prejudicial when there exists a danger that marginally
probative evidence might be given undue weight by the jury.” Id. Upon request, a trial court may
provide a limiting instruction. People v Knox, 469 Mich 502, 509; 674 NW2d 366 (2004).
Before trial began, the prosecution provided notice that it intended to introduce testimony
of a prior act, committed against Rikki Dietrich pursuant to MRE 404(b), in order to show that
defendant “used the common plan and scheme when assaulting the current victim” and a previous
victim. Defense counsel objected, but the trial court found that there were “more than adequate
similarities.”
Dietrich testified regarding a 2009 incident when defendant picked her up to engage in
vaginal intercourse in 2009. She was a sex worker at the time. Dietrich stated that the defendant
drove to a remote area, choked and battered her, and sexually assaulted her. She gave a detailed
account of the incident including the fact that she had feared for her life. Dietrich took down
defendant’s license plate and reported the assault. A police officer testified that when interrogated,
the defendant said that it was Dietrich’s idea that he choke her, so he applied some pressure with
one hand, but he did not like it and let go when Dietrich said that she could not breathe. Defendant
said that Dietrich also suggested the oral and anal sex.
In its closing argument, the prosecution discussed similarities between the incidents and
twice stated that the jury was not there on the basis of what Dietrich alleged that defendant had
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done, but instead because of defendant’s charges against the victim. Defense counsel stated that
defendant punched the victim, but did not strangle or sexually assault her. The trial court provided
a limiting instruction on the jury’s use of the other-acts evidence.
In this case, the trial court did not abuse its discretion by admitting the other-acts evidence.
First, the prosecution must offer the other-acts evidence for a purpose other than to prove character
or propensity. People v VanderVliet, 444 Mich 52, 74; 508 NW2d 114 (1993). In this case, the
prosecution offered the evidence to show that defendant “used the common plan and scheme when
assaulting the current victim” and the witness from the 2009 incident, which is a proper purpose
under MRE 404(b). See Sabin (After Remand), 463 Mich at 63-64.
The trial court’s next determination is whether the evidence is relevant. See Vandervliet,
444 Mich at 74. Defendant specifically argues that the two incidents were too remote in time to
be part of a common plan or scheme and, further, that defendant had many interactions with
prostitutes, so the fact that there were only two complaints did not show evidence of a common
plan. However, the nine years between the two incidents does not preclude from the admissibility
of the evidence. See Brown, 294 Mich App at 387; People v McGhee, 268 Mich App 600, 611;
709 NW2d 595 (2005). This Court has held that even greater periods between incidents do not
necessarily dispel the probative value of the evidence if the incidents were similar enough. See
Knapp, 244 Mich App at 380. In this case the similarity between the incidents is a “striking
similarity.” See Denson, 500 Mich at 408; Steele, 283 Mich App at 480. Both of the victims were
engaged in prostitution and alleged that defendant sexually assaulted them in his car. See People
v Hine, 467 Mich 242, 252-253; 650 NW2d 659 (2002); Waclawski, 286 Mich App at 672. Both
victims alleged that defendant became angry and verbally aggressive, and that he punched and
choked them. The record shows that defendant moved the victims to secluded locations to commit
his assaults.. See Sabin (After Remand), 463 Mich at 65-66; Knapp, 244 Mich App at 379-380.
Therefore, the evidence was logically relevant and admissible as a common plan to dispute
defendant’s defense that he had merely punched the victim. See id. at 67.
Because the evidence is relevant, the trial court must then determine whether the evidence
is admissible under MRE 403. See VanderVliet, 444 Mich at 74-75. In this case, the trial court
did not explicitly refer to MRE 403 when determining that it would admit the evidence. The record
shows that the trial court addressed the similarities, but did not explicitly address the balancing of
prejudicial effect and probative value under MRE 403 on the record. However, a trial court is not
required to articulate its analysis in such detail on the record. See People v Gaines, 306 Mich App
289, 302 n 8; 856 NW2d 222 (2014); People v Smith, 243 Mich App 657, 675; 625 NW2d 46
(2000);; People v Bolden, 92 Mich App 421, 435; 285 NW2d 210 (1979). The trial court is
presumed to know the law which required such a balancing test. See Gaines, 306 Mich App at 302
n 8.
On this this record we find that the probative value of the evidence was not substantially
outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice . See Waclawski, 286 Mich App at 669-670. In this
case, the evidence of defendant’s assault on Dietrich was highly probative of whether defendant
used a common scheme in assaulting the victim and whether he strangled and sexually assaulted
her, and the evidence was not substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. See
Sabin (After Remand), 463 Mich at 70-71. Defendant argues that the 2009 case was more graphic
and “improperly inflamed the jury”. Both assaults resulted in significant injury. In point of fact,
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the offense in this case resulted in the more significant injury. We cannot find that the admission
of the prior assault was unfairly prejudicial. See People v Danto, 294 Mich App 596, 600; 822
NW2d 600 (2011).
Additionally, although defendant argues that Dietrich’s testimony that she wanted justice
was “likely to evoke emotional responses from the jury,” the prosecution repeatedly and clearly
explained that the jury was not to find defendant guilty on the basis of what Dietrich alleged that
he had done to her. But see Denson, 500 Mich at 412. Further, the trial court properly provided a
limiting instruction to the jury, explaining how the jury could use the prior-acts evidence. See
People v Waclawski, 286 Mich App 634, 674; 780 NW2d 321 (2009); Knapp, 244 Mich App
at 380; Smith, 243 Mich App at 675. “It is well established that jurors are presumed to follow their
instructions.” People v Graves, 458 Mich 476, 486; 581 NW2d 229 (1998).
Defendant argues that the error in admission was outcome-determinative. However, even
had the trial court erred by admitting the evidence, there was a substantial amount of independent
evidence that defendant punched, strangled, and sexually assaulted the victim. The arresting
officer saw that the victim’s belt was undone, she was covered in blood, and she was distraught.
The medical evidence of her injuries was extensive. Substantial evidence outside of Dietrich’s
testimony supported defendant’s conviction, and reversal is not warranted. See Knapp, 244 Mich
App at 380-381.
Defendant additionally argues that this Court should express disagreement with Sabin and
that the Michigan Supreme Court should reconsider Sabin in order to hold that other-acts evidence
should only be admitted when it is part of a “true plan.” We decline defendant’s invitation. This
Court is bound to follow decisions of our Supreme Court unless those decisions have been
overruled or superseded. See People v Mitchell, 428 Mich 364, 369-370; 408 NW2d 798 (1987).
There is no indication that the Legislature has passed or amended any law that has superseded any
law affecting our Supreme Court’s decision in Sabin. Nor has Sabin been overruled. Instead, our
Supreme Court has repeatedly applied the law from Sabin. See, e.g., Denson, 500 Mich at 408;
Knox, 469 Mich at 512; Hine, 467 Mich at 252-253.
III. EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL
In his attorney brief, defendant argues that he was denied the effective assistance of trial
counsel because his counsel failed to “bring all the reasons for excluding the other-act evidence to
the judge’s attention in time to assist the judge’s ruling”. We reject this claim as a proper basis
for ineffective assistance.
The determination whether a defendant had the effective assistance of counsel is a mixed
question of fact and constitutional law. People v Heft, 299 Mich App 69, 80; 829 NW2d 266
(2012). This Court reviews for clear error a trial court’s findings of fact and reviews de novo
questions of law. Id. However, as in this case, when a defendant has not preserved the claim that
his or her counsel was ineffective, this Court is limited to review for mistakes apparent on the
record. Id.For a defendant to establish a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, the defendant must
show that counsel’s performance was objectively deficient and that the deficient performance
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prejudiced the defense. People v Fyda, 288 Mich App 446, 450; 793 NW2d 712 (2010). A
counsel’s performance was deficient if it fell below an objective standard of reasonableness under
prevailing professional norms. See People v Trakhtenberg, 493 Mich 38, 51; 826 NW2d 136
(2012). Counsel’s performance prejudiced the defense if there is a reasonable probability that, but
for the counsel’s error, the outcome would have been different. See id. Failing to raise a futile
objection does not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel. See People v Moorer, 262 Mich
App 64, 76; 683 NW2d 736 (2004). “Effective assistance of counsel is presumed, and the
defendant bears a heavy burden of proving otherwise.” Id.Specifically, defendant contends his trial counsel was ineffective because he “neglected to
raise winning arguments in support of his motion in limine.”1 Defendant raises multiple arguments
on appeal against the admission of 404(b) evidence. Of these, he fails to identify which would be
“winning arguments.” “It is not enough for an appellant in his brief simply to announce a position
or assert an error and then leave it up to this Court to discover and rationalize the basis for his
claims, or unravel and elaborate for him his arguments, and then search for authority either to
sustain or reject his position.” Mitcham v City of Detroit, 355 Mich 182, 203; 94 NW2d 388
(1959). Additionally, counsel is not ineffective for failing to raise every conceivable argument or
for failing to raise a more successful argument. “A failed strategy does not constitute deficient
performance.” People v Petri, 279 Mich App 407, 412; 760 NW2d 882 (2008). Further, “failure
to raise every conceivable issue does not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel.” People v
Reed, 198 Mich App 639, 646; 499 NW2d 441 (1993). The standard is objective reasonableness,
not perfection. While counsel’s strategy ultimately was not successful, it was not unreasonable.
At trial, counsel objected to the admission of the 2009 assault based on its remoteness in time,
there not having been any incidents since the instant case, and the defense trial theory that sexual
assault accusations were only made in conjunction with nonpayment for services. We find no
apparent mistakes in this record.
In his Standard 4 brief, defendant argues that trial counsel was ineffective for failing 1) to
call emergency room attending physician Dr. Stephanie Gerow-Beyer or introduce Gerow-Beyer’s
report, 2) to interview or subpoena the medical expert who performed the victim’s CT scan, and
3) to remove seven jurors for cause. We review these unpreserved issues for mistakes apparent on
the record. Heft, 299 Mich App at 80.
Decisions regarding whether to call or question witnesses and what evidence to present are
presumed to be matters of trial strategy that will not be second-guessed on appeal. People v Horn,
279 Mich App 31, 39; 755 NW2d 212 (2008); People v Dixon, 263 Mich App 393, 398; 688 NW2d
308 (2004). Failure to present evidence only rises to ineffective assistance if defendant is deprived
of a substantial defense. People v Hoyt, 185 Mich App 531, 537-538; 462 NW2d 793 (1990). “A
substantial defense is one that might have made a difference in the outcome of the trial.” People
v Kelly, 186 Mich App 524, 526; 465 NW2d 569 (1990). “A defendant is entitled to have his
counsel prepare, investigate, and present all substantial defenses.” In re Ayres, 239 Mich App 8,
1
We note that no motion in limine was found in the trial court record and none was provided to
this Court on appeal thus, we review this claim based on counsel’s oral motion in limine made in
the trial court.
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22; 608 NW2d 132 (1999), superseded in part on other grounds as stated in People v Dipiazza,
286 Mich App 137; 778 NW2d 264 (2009).
Defendant argues the medical report or Gerow-Beyer’s testimony would have been
beneficial to the defense for impeachment and to enforce defendant’s theory that the victim was
lying about the assault. The victim’s medical report contained a DNA lab report, a CT scan of the
victim’s neck, and Gerow-Beyer’s provider notes. According to defendant, the beneficial portions
of this evidence were as follows: 1) The lab report indicated the possible presence of male DNA
from the victim’s vaginal swab and no male DNA from the victim’s anal and oral swabs; 2) Gerow-
Beyer’s notes indicated that the CT scan of the victim’s neck showed no abnormality, “low
suspicion of laryngeal injury”, and that the victim had no problem swallowing; and 3) Gerow-
Beyer’s notes also indicated that the victim’s sister said that the victim may have come to the
emergency department seeking drugs. Defendant contends that the only logical explanation for
defense counsel not introducing this evidence was because he failed to discover it through proper
investigation.
We disagree and find that it was reasonable trial strategy for defense counsel to have not
introduced the victim’s medical report or called Gerow-Beyer to testify at trial. Omission of the
lab report from evidence was not outcome determinative error. The most the report would have
done was to contradict the victim’s claim that defendant forced his penis into her mouth, given the
absence of male DNA in the oral swab. The lab report did not show that a sexual assault did not
happen. There was no dispute that defendant and the victim engaged in consensual vaginal sex
before the sexual assault and there was no claim of anal sex, consensual or otherwise.
It was also sound trial strategy for defense counsel to have not introduced Gerow-Beyer’s
notes and examination of the victim. Gerow-Beyer’s examination was two days after the October
3, 2018 incident. Neither the provider’s testimony nor notes would have successfully impeached
the testimony from the trauma nurse who examined the victim on the day of the assault and made
note of the victim’s redness on her neck, sore throat, neck pain, bruising, lacerations, and
complaints of pain during swallowing. In fact, Gerow-Beyer’s report would have done more
damage than good in that it reported the victim still had pain in her lower back, right ribs, and
neck, was coughing, and had a hoarse voice. Further, Gerow-Beyer’s report contained the victim’s
full and consistent narrative of the assault from two days prior. Introducing the notes or provider’s
testimony just to show that the victim did not have trouble swallowing and was drug seeking two
days later, was not worth the risks in also introducing the balance of the report.
Neither can we fault defense counsel for not calling the radiologist who performed the CT
scan or another similar imaging expert to testify that the neck appeared unremarkable and without
injury. For purposes of MCL 750.84(2), strangulation “means intentionally impeding normal
breathing or circulation of the blood by applying pressure on the throat or neck or by blocking the
nose or mouth of another person.” It does not require injury to the throat or its internal structures.
Thus, an expert would not have successfully impeached the victim’s testimony that she was
strangled by defendant and Rinvelt’s testimony corroborating that the victim showed signs of
strangulation.
Defendant next argues counsel was ineffective for failing to challenge seven jurors for
cause on the basis of alleged biases. We disagree.
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A defendant in a criminal trial has a constitutional right to be tried by an impartial jury.
US Const Ams VI and XIV; Const 1963, art 1, § 20. “Jurors are presumptively competent and
impartial, and the party alleging the disqualification bears the burden of proving its existence.”
People v Johnson, 245 Mich App 243, 257; 631 NW2d 1 (2001). “A juror’s promise to keep the
matters of her personal life separate from defendant’s case [is] sufficient to protect defendant’s
right to a fair trial.” Id. “[W]hen citizens have been sworn to tell the truth, and testify under oath
that they can be impartial, the initial presumption is that they are honoring their oath and are being
truthful.” People v DeLisle, 202 Mich App 658, 663; 509 NW2d 885 (1993). “[A]n attorney’s
decisions relating to the selection of jurors generally involve matters of trial strategy, which we
normally decline to evaluate with the benefit of hindsight.” Johnson, 245 Mich App at 259; 631
NW2d 1 (2001) (internal citations omitted). “Perhaps the most important criteria in selecting a
jury include a potential juror’s facial expressions, body language, and manner of answering
questions.” People v Unger, 278 Mich App 210, 258; 749 NW2d 272 (2008). As a reviewing
Court, we “cannot see the jurors or listen to their answers to voir dire questions.” Id. (citation
omitted). “For this reason, this Court has been disinclined to find ineffective assistance of counsel
on the basis of an attorney’s failure to challenge a juror.” Id.“A prospective juror is subject to challenge for cause on any ground set forth in MCR
2.511(D) or for any other reason recognized by law.” MCR 6.412(D)(1). Relevant to this case,
MCR 2.511(D) provides that a juror may be challenged for cause when the juror:
(2) is biased for or against a party or attorney;
(3) shows a state of mind that will prevent the person from rendering a just verdict,
or has formed a positive opinion on the facts of the case or on what the outcome
should be;
(4) has opinions or conscientious scruples that would improperly influence the
person’s verdict;
* * *
(12) is interested in a question like the issue to be tried.
Four of the seven jurors at issue stated that they knew someone who had been a victim of
sexual assault. During voir dire, potential juror #2 admitted she had been a victim of sexual assault
and had a cousin and friend who had also been sexually assaulted. Defendant argues potential
juror #2 should have been challenged for cause under MCR 2.511(D)(12). However, defense
counsel specifically followed up with this juror, asking whether she could be fair and impartial in
defendant’s case and this potential juror indicated that she would rely on the evidence to determine
a conviction. Potential juror #4 told the court that his significant other was sexually assaulted and
that he may have some bias because of that incident however, when asked if he could be fair in
this case, potential juror #4 said he could. Potential juror #9 stated a close family member was
sexually assaulted and that he absolutely believed his family member when she disclosed to him.
This potential juror gave no indication that he could not be fair and impartial in defendant’s case.
Potential juror #8 worked with sexual abuse victims as a psychologist. However, he indicated that
he wanted to hear all the evidence and would judge the credibility of the victim before making a
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decision as to defendant’s guilt or innocence. Potential juror #3 was an elementary school teacher
who admitted she had strong feelings about people putting their hands on other people and not
listening when someone said “no”. Defendant argues this potential juror should have been
challenged for cause under MCR 2.511(D)(2) and (4). However, this potential juror admitted that
she would have difficult time with this case had there been a child victim and stated she could be
fair in defendant’s case. Defendant argues potential juror #11 should have been challenged for
cause under MCR 2.511(D)(3) because she said “I think I could be fair” and the thought of the
CSC case made her “cringe”. However, this same potential juror said defendant was innocent until
proven guilty. Last, defendant argues potential juror #13 should have been challenged for cause
because this potential juror stated that if she were an innocent accused, she would want to prove
her innocence as best she could. Defendant asserts that this potential juror expected defendant to
testify. However, this potential juror did not say that she expected defendant to testify or would
hold it against him if he did not. This potential juror also agreed that there could be valid reasons
why a defendant would not want to testify. She further admitted she believed defendant was
innocent until proven guilty.
We find no apparent mistakes in the record from defense counsel’s voir dire. Defense
counsel was engaged with potential jurors. He placed those issues which might present a bias
against his client out before them. He exercised defendant’s challenges for cause against another
juror. Of the seven jurors at issue, all indicated they could be fair and impartial in defendant’s
case. Defense counsel was in a better position than this Court to evaluate the potential jurors for
bias and we are not inclined to second-guess counsel having reviewed the record.
Affirmed.
/s/ Cynthia Diane Stephens
/s/ Jane M. Beckering
/s/ Colleen A. O’Brien
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