People v. Page

73 Mich. App. 667 (1977) 252 N.W.2d 239

PEOPLE
v.
PAGE

Docket No. 24071.

Michigan Court of Appeals.

Decided March 1, 1977.

Frank J. Kelley, Attorney General, Robert A. Derengoski, Solicitor General, William L. Cahalan, Prosecuting Attorney, Patricia J. Boyle, Principal Attorney, Research, Training and Appeals, and Charles P. Kellett, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for the people.

George Stone, for defendant.

Before: R.M. MAHER, P.J., and D.E. HOLBROOK and N.J. KAUFMAN, JJ.

R.M. MAHER, P.J.

Defendant's conviction of attempted breaking and entering, MCLA 750.110; MSA 28.305, and MCLA 750.92; MSA 28.287, must be reversed.

Judge HOLBROOK'S opinion accurately recites the facts. Our disagreement with his opinion involves the question of instructions on lesser included offenses, specifically the requested instruction on attempted larceny in a building, MCLA 750.360; MSA 28.592, and MCLA 750.92; MSA 28.287.

The common-law test for lesser included offenses required "that the lesser must be such that it is impossible to commit the greater without first having committed the lesser". People v Ora Jones, 395 Mich. 379, 387; 236 NW2d 461 (1975). The lesser is necessarily included in the greater, and "[i]f the lesser offense is one that is necessarily included within the greater, the evidence will always support the lesser if it supports the greater". Ora Jones, 395 Mich at 390.

Three cases are offered to support the proposition that attempted larceny in a building is not a necessarily included offense in a charge of breaking and entering. Two recent decisions of this Court supporting this proposition, People v Keatts, 54 Mich. App. 618; 221 NW2d 455 (1974), rev'd, 396 Mich. 803; 237 NW2d 474 (1976), and People v Robert Brown, 72 Mich. App. 749; 250 NW2d 522 (1976), both cite to People v Huffman, 315 Mich. 134; 23 NW2d 236 (1946). But, as Judge BASHARA pointed out in his dissent in Keatts, 54 Mich App at 623, Huffman only held that a completed larceny in a building is not a lesser included offense of breaking and entering. Judge BASHARA'S dissent analyzed the elements of attempted larceny in a building and the elements of breaking and entering and correctly concluded that the crime of attempted larceny in a building is encompassed by the crime of breaking and entering:

"Analyzing the elements, the felonious intent is the same, and the overt act can be the breaking and entering. The greater offense is completed upon the breaking and entering, while the lesser upon an overt act." 54 Mich App at 623.

The order of the Supreme Court reversing the decision of this Court in Keatts, 396 Mich. 803; 237 NW2d 474 (1976), does not disclose whether the Court approved Judge BASHARA'S analysis. We agree with his analysis, and view attempted larceny in a building as a necessarily included offense to a charge of breaking and entering with intent to commit larceny.^[1]

In People v Lovett, 396 Mich. 101; 238 NW2d 44 (1976), the Supreme Court reversed a conviction for larceny from the person because the trial court refused to give a requested instruction on attempted armed robbery, an offense necessarily included in the charge of armed robbery. The Court in Lovett did not explain why it reversed a conviction entered prior to its opinion in Ora Jones, supra, on the basis of the pronouncement in Ora Jones that requested instructions on necessarily included offenses must be given. People v Hearn, 354 Mich. 468; 93 NW2d 302 (1958), People v Stevens, 9 Mich. App. 531; 157 NW2d 495 (1968), and a large number of other opinions before Ora Jones supported the trial court's refusal to instruct on attempted armed robbery. We feel constrained to follow Lovett, and reverse defendant's conviction because the trial court refused to give the requested instruction on the necessarily included offense of attempted larceny in a building.

Reversed and remanded.

N.J. KAUFMAN, J., concurred.

D.E. HOLBROOK, J. (dissenting).

This writer respectfully disagrees with the majority opinion. As Judge MAHER indicates, our disagreement includes the question of lesser offense instructions. This writer cannot agree that the trial court committed error herein by not instructing the jury on a lesser offense. The law at the time of this trial clearly indicated that this instruction was not required when the offense was not supported by the evidence adduced at trial.

On February 26, 1975, defendant was convicted by a jury of attempted breaking and entering with intent to commit larceny, MCLA 750.110; MSA 28.305, and MCLA 750.92; MSA 28.287. Defendant was sentenced to a term of 3 to 5 years. Defendant appeals as of right.

On the night of December 7, 1974, Livonia police maintained a surveillance of a Goodyear Tire Store. This was apparently undertaken because there had been several breaking and enterings of this particular store. Shortly after 5 a.m. on December 8th they observed a blue-green Ford pass by the store several times. Finally, the car lights were shut off, the car was pulled into the store parking lot and then to the rear of the building. Shortly thereafter the officers heard the unmistakable sound of breaking glass. The officers then drove onto the store premises, parking their car so as to block one entrance. The officers proceeded towards the back of the building on foot after observing one male suspect inside the building. As the insider attempted to escape, one of the officers discharged his weapon. This apparently alerted the other two individuals who, according to officers, started their car and began to escape. According to the officers' testimony, they were almost run over but managed to fire several shots into the automobile. The automobile's forward progress was quickly stopped. The three suspects were then apprehended.

At trial the manager of the store testified that he viewed the store shortly after the alleged crime and noticed that one tire had been moved approximately two feet toward a broken window, but that nothing was missing.

At trial the defendant testified that he was having car trouble while attempting to take one of the codefendants herein to the airport. He indicated that he pulled into the parking lot because his car ceased to run. He further testified that Patton, the codefendant who actually "broke in", had left the car to urinate. Patton corroborated this story and indicated that it was his idea to break in and steal the tires. Police officers testified at the trial as to statements given by the defendants which contradicted this testimony.

The trial court instructed the jury only on breaking and entering with intent to commit larceny, MCLA 750.110; MSA 28.305, and attempt, MCLA 750.92; MSA 28.287. Defendant also requested, but was refused, instructions on larceny in a building, MCLA 750.360; MSA 28.592, and attempt, MCLA 750.92; MSA 28.287, and also receiving and concealing stolen property, MCLA 750.535; MSA 28.803, and attempt. A decision of this Court had earlier held that attempted larceny in a building is not a lesser included offense of breaking and entering with intent to commit larceny. People v Keatts, 54 Mich. App. 618; 221 NW2d 455 (1974). The decision in Keatts was based on the authority of several Supreme Court cases indicating that larceny is not a lesser included offense. People v Huffman, 315 Mich. 134; 23 NW2d 236 (1946), People v Stuart, 274 Mich. 246; 264 N.W. 359 (1936). The Supreme Court, however, reversed Keatts and reinstated the conviction as found by the trial court. 396 Mich. 803; 237 NW2d 474 (1976). Apparently this was done on the basis of the Court's recent decision in People v Ora Jones, 395 Mich. 379; 236 NW2d 461 (1975). The instant decision demands a careful analysis of these decisions. In Jones, the Court explained the trial judge's duty to instruct on lesser included offenses.

"The duty of the trial judge to instruct on lesser included offenses is determined by the evidence. People v Phillips, 385 Mich. 30; 187 NW2d 211 (1971). If evidence has been presented which would support a conviction of a lesser included offense, refusal to give a requested instruction is reversible error. Id, at 36. People v Hamilton, 76 Mich. 212; 42 N.W. 1131 (1889).

"If the lesser offense is one that is necessarily included within the greater, the evidence will always support the lesser if it supports the greater.

"In the area of ``cognate' lesser offenses, the evidence in each case adduced at the particular trial must be examined to determine whether that evidence would support a conviction of the lesser offense." 395 Mich at 390; 236 NW2d at 465.

Therefore, we must determine if the offenses for which instructions were requested were legally required to be included lesser offenses.

The trial court herein followed established Michigan authority existing at the time of trial. People v Huffman, supra, and People v Stuart, supra. The Supreme Court in Huffman clearly established that these two offenses are separate and distinct.

"In the present case it is clear that the offense of breaking and entering a store building in the nighttime with intent to commit larceny, as charged in the first count of the information, is a separate and distinct offense from that of larceny from a store building, as charged in the second count. As said in People v Stuart, supra, ``The essential elements of these two statutory offenses are different'. [274 Mich at 248]." 315 Mich at 139; 23 NW2d at 238.

Summarizing the present Michigan law, a failure to instruct on lesser included offenses will not be regarded as reversible error (with the sole exception of first-degree murder cases), absent a request for such an instruction. People v Henry, 395 Mich. 367; 236 NW2d 489 (1975). In the recent case of People v Ora Jones, supra (decided December 18, 1975, after the trial herein), our Supreme Court enlarges the term "lesser included offense" by defining as such "cognate" offenses. The Court therein ruled that if evidence is presented which would support a conviction of a lesser cognate offense, refusal to give a requested instruction on such offense is reversible error.^[1] In People v Jones, supra, the Court did not rule as to whether it would be applied retroactively or prospectively and we, therefore, consider the rule to be prospective in effect. In any event, the subject claimed "lesser offenses" are at most cognate lesser offenses. As such, it is required that the evidence adduced at trial must be examined to determine whether the evidence would support a conviction of the lesser offense. People v Ora Jones, supra. In determining whether to instruct on a cognate lesser offense, the judge should recognize the jury's right to believe or disbelieve any or all of the witness's testimony. People v Chamblis, 395 Mich. 408; 236 NW2d 473 (1975). The trial judge herein held under the established law in Michigan at that time that the evidence adduced at trial only supported breaking and entering and attempt and refused requested instructions on receiving and concealing stolen property and larceny from a building as well as attempt of both.

The receiving and concealing charge, as well as attempt thereof, can be readily dismissed. All denied any agreement to steal the tires and all denied any knowledge of Patton's decision to take some tires and put them in the car. The tires did not leave the premises of the store, although one may have been moved two feet. Testimony of Patton indicated that he planned to put them in the car, but that no one knew of these plans. There was no evidence of an attempt or of a completed crime of receiving or concealing stolen property. See People v Tantenella, 212 Mich. 614; 180 N.W. 474 (1920), People v Keshishian, 45 Mich. App. 51; 205 NW2d 818 (1973).

As to larceny, we once again must return to Keatts, supra. Larceny in a building is not a necessarily included offense in a burglary, but is, at best, a cognate lesser offense. This is consistent with both our decision in People v Keatts, and the Supreme Court's decision. The Supreme Court held:

"The Court is of the opinion that the trial court did not err in convicting the defendant, charged with breaking and entering a building with intent to commit larceny (MCLA 750.110 [MSA 28.305]), of the offense of attempted larceny in a building (MCLA 750.360, 750.92 [MSA 28.592; 28.287])." 396 Mich at 803.

We do not know what the facts were in Keatts. Our decision had held that it was not a necessarily included offense. The Supreme Court opinion after their decision in People v Ora Jones, supra, apparently decided that this was a permissible lesser offense which on the facts justified the instruction. Therefore, in the instant case, if the facts did not justify a jury finding larceny or attempted larceny, the trial court's denial of the requested instruction should be affirmed.

The trial court's determination should be entitled to proper weight when dealing with the sufficiency of the evidence as to a requested instruction. In the instant case, the only evidence of a larceny was movement of a tire two feet.^[2] The actor, Patton, denied any connection with defendant Page when he moved the tire. He and defendant Page testified that defendant had no connection with the movement of this tire. Defendant was not in possession of any stolen goods. Some circumstantial evidence may have pointed his way and testimony of the officers was offered to rebut the exculpatory testimony. However, there was little, if any, substantive evidence of a larceny. Under these circumstances, the court was justified in not instructing as to larceny or attempted larceny.

However, if the Supreme Court's decision in Keatts, supra, was that larceny in a building is a "necessarily included" offense in a charge of burglary, this constitutes a departure from prior law. This would result in a significant departure from past practice in Michigan. The Michigan Supreme Court has held on several occasions, People v Huffman, supra, and People v Stuart, supra, that larceny in a building is not a necessarily included offense in a charge of burglary. Furthermore, the law in Michigan has been that to justify an instruction on a lesser included offense, such an instruction will only be given if evidence on the record justifies an instruction on the offense. People v Phillips, 385 Mich. 30; 187 NW2d 211 (1971), and People v Hamilton, 76 Mich. 212; 42 N.W. 1131 (1889). The recent Supreme Court classification of necessarily included offenses and cognate lesser offenses announced in People v Ora Jones, supra, particularly when combined with the new standard of sufficiency of evidence which requires instruction announced in People v Chamblis, supra, also results in a change in the law. Because these are changes in the law which the trial court could not have foreseen and because these changes occurred without a declaration by the Supreme Court that they are to be applied retroactively, these changes must have prospective effect. See People v Thomas, 68 Mich. App. 302; 242 NW2d 564 (1976), People v Hampton, 384 Mich. 669; 187 NW2d 404 (1971).

Defendant also maintains that the trial court erred by permitting the prosecution to impeach a defense witness by the use of testimony as to prior inconsistent statements which were offered without adequate foundation. Defendant must realize that by calling a witness he puts the credibility of the witness in issue. Herein it was proper for the prosecution to attack the witness's credibility by introducing testimony from one of the investigating police officers which had the effect of impeaching the testimony of the defense witness, William Patton. People v George Jones, 48 Mich. App. 102; 210 NW2d 145 (1973). The mere fact that this impeachment occurred through the use of statements concerning the commission of the crime is insufficient to disallow its use as impeachment. Apparently defendant contends that this rebuttal exceeded the scope of proper rebuttal and should have been part of the prosecution's case in chief. There being no objection on this basis, defendant cannot now raise this issue. People v Bryant, 70 Mich. App. 279; 245 NW2d 716 (1976).

The foundation questions posed herein were reasonably specific, especially in view of the general nature of the statements attributed to Mr. Patton by the officer. The foundational questioning did not appear to be such as to mislead the witness nor deprive him of a chance to admit, deny or explain the statements. People v Gunne, 65 Mich. App. 216; 237 NW2d 256 (1975), on reh 66 Mich. App. 318; 239 NW2d 603 (1976). Impeachment of this witness through questioning showing a prior inconsistent statement of that witness was proper, a proper foundation was laid.

Defendant also contends that the trial court erred in failing to properly instruct the jury as to the defendant's theory of the case. There is a duty to instruct on the defendant's theory of the case only if a proper request is made and it is supported by competent testimony. People v McGhee, 67 Mich. App. 12, 14, n 1; 239 NW2d 741 (1976), People v Bates, 55 Mich. App. 1; 222 NW2d 6 (1974), People v Bonello, 25 Mich. App. 600; 181 NW2d 652 (1970). The theory of the defense as stated by defendant and Patton was that defendant was merely present and in no way participated in, aided or abetted the commission of the crime. The trial judge instructed the jury on intent, the presumption of innocence and the prosecution's burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge further instructed the jury that they had no right to discredit the defendant's testimony merely because he was a defendant, and that if they found it rational, natural and consistent, then defendant's testimony might outweigh the testimony of all other witnesses and be sufficient for the jury to return a verdict of not guilty. Defendant neither requested nor objected to the giving of any instruction covering the theory of the case on which the defense was founded. It would follow that there is no reversible error on this ground.

The final issue again deals with impeachment testimony. In Michigan, evidence of a witness's prior inconsistent statements may be received only for the purpose of impeachment and not as substantive evidence.^[3]Brown v Pointer, 390 Mich. 346; 212 NW2d 201 (1973), People v Hallaway, 389 Mich. 265; 205 NW2d 451 (1973), Ruhala v Roby, 379 Mich. 102; 150 NW2d 146 (1967). Defendant maintains that the trial court erred in failing to instruct the jury sua sponte that the impeachment testimony was to be considered only as affecting the credibility of the defense witness, herein Patton, and not as substantive proof of defendant's guilt. In the instant case, defendant did not request a limiting instruction nor did he indicate objection to the trial court's instructions concerning this testimony.

People v Eagger, 4 Mich. App. 449; 145 NW2d 221 (1966), and People v Lamson, 22 Mich. App. 365; 177 NW2d 204 (1970), held that the failure of the trial court to give such an instruction sua sponte is reversible error. However, recent cases have tended to disavow these holdings. People v Coates, 40 Mich. App. 212; 198 NW2d 837 (1972), People v Paul Mathis, 55 Mich. App. 694; 223 NW2d 310 (1974), People v Cox, 61 Mich. App. 37; 232 NW2d 188 (1975). The criticism of Eagger and Lamson in People v Mathis is justified, and we should follow Mathis, which held:

"Where, as in the case at bar, there is no request for a limiting instruction, where there is no demonstration or likelihood of prejudice and where neither the court nor the prosecutor has suggested to the jury that the prior inconsistent statement could be used as substantive evidence, the trial judge's omission does not require a reversal." 55 Mich App at 697.

In People v Cox, supra, at 40, the Court observed that: "Such prejudice is rarely shown." However, the Court reversed on finding: "explicit evidence on the record that the jury was confused as to how the preliminary exam testimony was used." 61 Mich App at 40.

In the instant case, neither at the time the rebuttal testimony was admitted, nor during the instructions to the jury did the trial judge suggest that the statements might be considered as substantive evidence. Also, the prosecution's only reference to the officer's impeachment testimony occurred during closing argument. The inference from this brief reference was that the officer gave a truthful account of Patton's prior inconsistent statement. This is not the equivalent of saying that the jury should accept the prior statement as true as substantive evidence.

In this case there is no showing on the record that the jury was confused as to the purpose to which the impeaching testimony could be used. Defendant requested no limiting instruction and none was given. There is no showing of any demonstrated or likely prejudice or that the jury was misdirected by judge or prosecutor. The failure to give a sua sponte limiting instruction is not, on the record of this case, a ground for reversal.

This writer votes to affirm.

NOTES

[1] An attempted larceny need not be directed at any specific article or property. For example, reaching into an empty pocket may constitute attempted larceny. People v Jones, 46 Mich. 441; 9 N.W. 486 (1881). The intent element of attempted larceny in a building is therefore no different than the intent element of breaking and entering with the intent to commit larceny. In neither crime must there be an intent to steal a particular object.

[1] The number of offenses for which instructions may be given was limited in People v Chamblis, 395 Mich. 408, 429; 236 NW2d 473, 483 (1975):

"We are establishing a rule today, as a matter of policy, limiting the extent of compromise allowable to a jury in deciding whether to convict of a lesser included offense. In any case wherein the charged offense is punishable by incarceration for more than two years, the court, whether or not requested, may not instruct on lesser included offenses for which the maximum allowable incarceration period is one year or less."

[2] We do not know the value of this tire, but suspect it was under $100 and, therefore, could also be a simple larceny misdemeanor, MCLA 750.356; MSA 28.588. Nevertheless, it supplies the intent necessary for the breaking and entering charge, and, furthermore, value is not a required element of a larceny from a building charge. People v Jackson, 29 Mich. App. 654; 185 NW2d 608 (1971), People v Graves, 31 Mich. App. 635; 188 NW2d 87 (1971), People v Midgyett, 49 Mich. App. 663; 212 NW2d 754 (1973), People v Patricia Williams, 63 Mich. App. 531; 234 NW2d 689 (1975).

[3] A small but growing number of state jurisdictions permit the use of prior inconsistent statements as substantive evidence and not just for impeachment purposes. See Am Jur 2d, FR Evidence, § 801.2, p 94, n 76, and also, FR Evidence, § 801(d)(1)(A).