DocketNumber: Docket No. 303727
Citation Numbers: 297 Mich. App. 121
Judges: Hoekstra, Saad, Sawyer
Filed Date: 6/19/2012
Status: Precedential
Modified Date: 9/9/2022
We are asked to determine whether the delivery of heroin in a drug transaction constitutes the aggravated use of a weapon under offense variable (OV) 1 of the sentencing guidelines. We conclude that while heroin could, under the appropriate fact situation, constitute the aggravated use of a weapon, that it is not the case in an ordinary drug transaction. That is, for points to be assessed under OV 1, the heroin itself must have been used as a weapon.
Defendant delivered a half gram of heroin to the victim in exchange for a PlayStation video game. Thereafter, the victim overdosed on the heroin. Defendant pleaded guilty of manslaughter
In resolving this question, we apply the following principles of statutory construction from People v Blunt:
When construing a statute, this Court must ascertain and give effect to the Legislature’s intent. People v Pasha, 466 Mich 378, 382; 645 NW2d 275 (2002). “The first step in that determination is to review the language of the statute itself.” Id. (quotation marks and citation omitted). We construe statutory language according to the common and approved meaning of the words, but when a statute employs technical terms of art, “ ‘it [is] proper to explain them by reference to the art or science to which they [are] appropriate.’ ” West Bloomfield Charter Twp v Karchon, 209 Mich App 43, 51; 530 NW2d 99 (1995), quoting Corning Glass Works v Brennan, 417 US 188, 201; 94 S Ct 2223; 41 L Ed 2d 1 (1974). In discerning legislative intent, this Court gives effect to every word, phrase, and clause in the statute. People v Hill, 269 Mich App 505, 515; 715 NW2d 301 (2006). The Court must avoid construing a statute in a manner that renders statutory language nugatory or surplusage. Id. “ ‘We construe an act as a whole to harmonize its provisions and carry out the purpose of the Legislature.’ ” Id., quoting Macomb Co Prosecutor v Murphy, 464 Mich 149, 159-160; 627 NW2d 247 (2001). When discerning legislative intent, a particular word in one statutory section must be interpreted in conjunction with every other section, “so as to produce, if possible, a harmonious and consistent enactment as a whole.” Grand Rapids v Crocker, 219 Mich 178, 183; 189 NW 221 (1922); see also G C Timmis & Co v Guardian Alarm Co, 468 Mich 416 420; 662 NW2d 710 (2003) (invoking as a statutory interpreta*124 tion aid the doctrine of noscitur a sociis, “i.e., that a word or phrase is given meaning by its context or setting”) (quotation marks and citation omitted).
Under MCL 777.31(1) 20 points are assessed for OV 1 as follows:
Offense variable 1 is aggravated use of a weapon. Score offense variable 1 by determining which of the following apply and by assigning the number of points attributable to the one that has the highest number of points:
(b) The victim was subjected or exposed to a harmful biological substance, harmful biological device, harmful chemical substance, harmful chemical device, harmful radioactive material, harmful radioactive device, incendiary device, or explosive device.
Furthermore, MCL 750.200h(i) defines “harmful chemical substance” as “a solid, liquid, or gas that through its chemical or physical properties, alone or in combination with 1 or more other chemical substances, can be used to cause death, injury, or disease in humans, animals, or plants.”
We disagree with defendant’s argument that heroin does not constitute a harmful chemical substance because there are nonlethal dose levels. As this case demonstrates, it is capable of causing death and is therefore, a harmful chemical substance. Nothing in MCL 750.200h(i) restricts the definition of “harmful chemical substances” to those substances that are lethal at all dose levels.
The first sentence of MCL 777.31 directs that OV 1 applies to the aggravated use of a weapon. The statute does not define “weapon.” But Random House Webster’s College Dictionary (2001) defines it as “1. any instrument or device used for attack or defense in a fight or in combat. 2. anything used against an opponent, adversary, or victim.... 3. any part or organ serving for attack or defense, as claws, horns, teeth, or stings.” Furthermore, the need for the substance to be used as a weapon is supported by the Supreme Court’s statement in People v Carr,
Undoubtedly, heroin can be used as a weapon. For example, one could forcibly inject heroin into an unwilling victim for the purpose of killing that person by means of a heroin overdose. In such a case, we would have no difficulty in concluding that the heroin was used as a weapon because it was “used against an opponent, adversary, or victim.”
Reversed and remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. We do not retain jurisdiction.
MCL 750.321.
MCL 333.7401(2)(a)(iv).
People v Blunt, 282 Mich App 81, 83-84; 761 NW2d 427 (2009).
Indeed, while we are not chemists, we question whether there is any substance that is lethal at the smallest possible dose level. But even if there is a substance that will kill with exposure to only one molecule of it, it seems doubtful that the Legislature intended to limit the provisions to those substances.
People v Carr, 489 Mich 855, 856 (2011).