People v. Richardson

25 Mich. App. 117 (1970) 181 N.W.2d 74

PEOPLE
v.
RICHARDSON

Docket No. 6,890.

Michigan Court of Appeals.

Decided June 29, 1970.

Frank J. Kelley, Attorney General, Robert A. Derengoski, Solicitor General, William L. Cahalan, Prosecuting Attorney, Dominick R. Carnovale, Chief, Appellate Department, and Patricia J. Pernick, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for the people.

William R. Stackpoole, for defendant on appeal.

Before: QUINN, P.J., and McGREGOR and BRONSON, JJ.

PER CURIAM.

Defendant was tried by jury and convicted on the charge of robbery unarmed contrary to MCLA § 750.530 (Stat Ann 1954 Rev § 28.798). He was subsequently sentenced to a term of 14-1/2 to 15 years imprisonment by Judge Robert J. Colombo of the Recorder's Court. A timely claim of appeal grounded on three allegations of error has been filed on behalf of defendant by his court-appointed appellate counsel. First, it is contended that the evidence failed to establish that the taking was caused by an assault or "putting in fear", a necessary element of the crime of robbery unarmed. Second, it is contended that the lower court erred at the time of sentence by taking defendant's juvenile record into consideration. Third, it is contended that the 14-1/2 to 15 year term of imprisonment violates the indeterminate sentence law. The people have filed a motion to affirm the conviction.

The victim testified that as he was walking down the sidewalk on his way to school, a car pulled over, four youths jumped out, approached the victim, surrounded him and demanded his money. He complied and was subsequently assaulted. It is contended that no robbery was proved since the prosecution failed to establish that the victim parted with his money, while being placed in fear.

"The threat to do ``injury to the person or property,' * * * when accompanied by force, actual or constructive, and property or money is given up in consequence of that force, these elements can constitute robbery. Whenever the elements of force or putting in fear enter into the taking, and that is the cause which induces the party to part with his property, such taking is robbery. This is true regardless of how slight the act of force or the cause creating fear may be, provided, in the light of the circumstances, the party robbed has a reasonable belief that he may suffer injury unless he complies with the demand." People v. Kruper (1954), 340 Mich. 114, 121.

The evidence was sufficient to allow the trier to conclude that the victim parted with his property out of fear.

The use of juvenile records at the time of sentencing is not prohibited. People v. Charles Williams (1969), 19 Mich. App. 544. Finally, a sentence wherein the minimum term is fixed at a period six months short of the maximum is not per se a violation of the indeterminate sentence law.^[*]

"We do not intend to dictate to the trial court what the minimum sentence should be nor will we attempt to determine what sort of sentence complies with the requirements for an indeterminate sentence. The trial court is required to impose sentence within his sound discretion in accord with his evaluation of the defendant as an individual." People v. Lessard (1970), 22 Mich. App. 342. The sentence is properly within the maximum fixed by law and therefore, not subject to review. People v. Guillett (1955), 342 Mich. 1; People v. Pate (1965), 2 Mich. App. 66; People v. Poole (1967), 7 Mich. App. 237.

The motion to affirm is granted.

NOTES

[*] MCLA § 769.8 (Stat Ann 1954 Rev § 28.1080).