People v. Thomas

390 Mich. 93 (1973)

210 N.W.2d 776

PEOPLE v. THOMAS

Docket No. 54,971.

Supreme Court of Michigan.

Decided October 3, 1973.

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

Carl Ziemba, for defendant on appeal.

PER CURIAM MEMORANDUM OPINION.

Defendant, Stanley Kenneth Thomas, was bench tried in recorder's court on the charge of armed robbery. MCLA 750.529; MSA 28.797.

At the close of defendant's proof of his alibi defense, defense counsel made a motion for a directed verdict of acquittal. The trial judge did not rule on the motion. Instead, he immediately found defendant guilty without allowing defense counsel his requested opportunity to offer a closing argument. Defendant's conviction was affirmed by the Court of Appeals.

We are in accord with the reasoning expressed in United States v Walls, 443 F2d 1220 (CA 6, 1971) wherein the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit speaking through Judge McCree found reversible error in the trial judge's failure to permit Walls' attorney to make a closing argument:

"We also hold that the court erroneously denied defense counsel an opportunity to argue his case at the close of proofs. Immediately following the conclusion of the case for the defense, the court stated his finding of guilty, and court was adjourned. Defense counsel thereafter called the omission of argument to the court's *95 attention, and the record was reopened. However, the court correctly stated that argument then would be futile because he had made up his mind. Preclusion of closing argument denied appellant the effective assistance of counsel. Thomas v District of Columbia, 67 App.D.C. 179, 90 F.2d 424, 428 (1937); United States ex rel. Wilcox v. Com. of Pennsylvania, 273 F. Supp. 923, 925-926 (E.D.Pa. 1967). This principle has also been widely recognized by state courts which have considered it. See, e.g., Yopps v State, 228 Md. 204, 178 A.2d 879 (1962); Decker v. State, 113 Ohio St. 512, 150 N.E. 74 (1925); Annot., 38 A.L.R.2d 1396, § 2[b] (1954). See generally Annot., 6 A.L.R.3d 604 (1966)." 443 F2d 1220, 1223-1224.

Defendant Thomas was erroneously denied an essential element of his due process right to a hearing and of his right to the assistance of counsel when the trial judge would not allow his attorney to make a closing argument. Moreover, we also find that the trial judge erroneously disregarded his position as an impartial fact finder by finally settling his mind before defense counsel was given an opportunity to review the facts from defendant's point of view.

We grant leave to appeal, and enter a final decision on our own motion pursuant to GCR 1963, 853.2(4). A speedy disposition is in the interest of both the people and the defendant. This case centers on eyewitness identification and an alibi defense. The earlier a new trial is held, the more likely that both sides will be able to present a complete case.

The Court of Appeals is reversed, and the case is remanded to the recorder's court for a new trial before another judge.

T.M. KAVANAGH, C.J., and T.E. BRENNAN, T.G. KAVANAGH, SWAINSON, WILLIAMS, LEVIN, and M.S. COLEMAN, JJ., concurred.