28 Mich. App. 270

PEOPLE v. PRUITT

*271(Docket No. 8,178.)

Decided December 1, 1970.

Frank J. Kelley, Attorney General, Robert A. Derengoski, Solicitor General, William L. Cabalan, Prosecuting Attorney, and Angelo A. Pentolino, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for the people.

Lawrence R. Greene and Sol Plafkin, for defendant on appeal.

Before: Lesinski, C. J., and J. H. Gillis and Beasley,* JJ.

J. H. Gillis, J.

Defendant appeals bis conviction by a jury of armed robbery contrary to MCLA § 750.529 (Stat Ann 1970 Cum Supp § 28.797), and raises six issues of alleged trial court error.

He first contends that tbe trial court erred in rejecting bis request to dismiss bis court-appointed *272attorney. We find People v. Payne (1970), 27 Mich. App 133, dispositive of this issue. Therein this Court, relying on United States v. Bentvena (CA 2, 1963), 319 F2d 916, held that defendant’s request that the trial court discharge his attorney, once the trial had begun, must be accompanied by an unequivocal request to represent himself. Here the defendant’s expression of dissatisfaction with his attorney does not amount to such an unequivocal request. Thus, the trial court’s refusal to dismiss his appointed counsel is not an abuse of the defendant’s constitutional and statutory rights.1 Accord: People v. Henley (1969), 382 Mich 143, reversing 2 Mich App 54.

The defendant also claims that the prosecution failed to produce all res gestae witnesses, People v. Dickinson (1966), 2 Mich App 646; People v. Kayne (1934), 268 Mich 186. The prosecution may be excused from producing particular witnesses upon a showing of a diligent effort to produce the indorsed witness. People v. Kern (1967), 6 Mich App 406. The question of due diligence is a matter within the discretion of the trial court, barring a clear abuse of discretion. People v. Tiner (1969), 17 Mich App 18; People v. Alexander (1970), 26 Mich App 321. Likewise, the granting of a continuance is also within the discretion of the trial judge, subject to the same limitations. People v. Burnette (1969), 19 Mich App 336. The record before us does not support the defendant’s claims of such abuse.

Defendant further alleges that his in-court identification was irreparably tainted by prior photographic identification of him. This bare assertion of constitutional error is without merit. Simmons *273v. United States (1968), 390 US 377 (88 S Ct 967, 19 L Ed 2d 1247); People v. Jackson (1970), 24 Mich. App 325. And since no objection was raised at trial, it will not now be heard for the first time on appeal. People v. Childers (1969), 20 Mich App 639.

The defendant next contends that the prosecution’s description of the defendant as a “thug” in his opening statement prejudiced the jury. Although we do not endorse such subjectivity, a review of the entire record discloses that the trial court corrected this error in its instructions to the jury. People v. David Smith (1969), 16 Mich App 198; People v. Humphreys (1970), 24 Mich App 411.

Finally, defendant claims that it was reversible error for the trial court to admit into evidence a gun, bullets and money found in his possession at the time of arrest. Defendant’s brief cites the Supreme Court’s recognition of the obligation “to consider manifest and serious errors although objection was not made by the party who appeals”, People v. Shirk (1970), 383 Mich 180, 194. However, we also recognize that the arresting officers in this case had probable cause to arrest the defendant. Further, as noted in People v. McDonald (1968), 13 Mich App 226, 232:

“Where a warrant has not been obtained, the validity of the search depends on the law’s appraisal of the reasonableness of the search, only unreasonable warrantless searches and seizures being barred.”

Cf. People v. Cook (1970), 24 Mich App 401.

The gun and bullets fell within the purview of the “plain view” doctrine, and thus were subject to both seizure and introduction into evidence. Harris v. United States (1968), 390 US 234 (88 S Ct 992, 19 L Ed 2d 1067); People v. Orlando (1943), 305 Mich 686; People v. Kuntze (1963), 371 Mich 419; People *274v. Tetts (1967), 6 Mich App 254; People v. Jenkins (1970), 23 Mich App 39. This evidence “was located not by a search but merely by the exercise of the officer’s senses”, and thus there was no illegal search, People v. Hopper (1970), 21 Mich App 276, 278.

The search of the defendant’s person by the arresting officers was reasonable, in light of all the circumstances, and introduction of the evidence resulting from this search does not constitute reversible error. People v. Herrera (1969), 19 Mich App 216.

Affirmed.

All concurred.

People v. Pruitt
28 Mich. App. 270

Case Details

Name
People v. Pruitt
Decision Date
Dec 1, 1970
Citations

28 Mich. App. 270

Jurisdiction
Michigan

References

Referencing

Nothing yet... Still searching!

Referenced By

Nothing yet... Still searching!