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STATE OF MICHIGAN 

COURT OF APPEALS 

PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, 

 Plaintiff-Appellee, 

UNPUBLISHED 

May 16, 2017 

v No. 330735 

Genesee Circuit Court 

MICHAEL DOUGLAS POOLE, SR., LC No. 13-034108-FC 

 Defendant-Appellant. 

Before: TALBOT, C.J., and K. F. KELLY and BORRELLO, JJ. 

PER CURIAM. 

 Defendant was convicted by his plea of no contest to two counts of first-degree felony 

murder, MCL 750.316(1)(b). He was sentenced to the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment 

without parole. Claiming that trial counsel provided ineffective assistance during the plea 

process, defendant brought a motion through appellate counsel to withdraw his plea. The motion 

was denied by the trial court and defendant appeals that denial by leave granted.1 For the reasons 

set forth in this opinion, we affirm. 

I. BACKGROUND 

 The evidence from the preliminary examination (which was used as the factual basis for 

defendant’s no contest plea) established that defendant choked his girlfriend and her 11-year-old 

daughter to death and that defendant sexually assaulted the daughter. Defendant admitted to his 

mother and later to police that he strangled both victims. 

 Based on information that he received from defendant and defendant’s mother, 

defendant’s trial counsel requested an evaluation for competency and criminal responsibility by 

the Center for Forensic Psychiatry (CFP) before the preliminary examination was conducted. 

The CFP report concluded that defendant was competent and criminally responsible, and that his 

previous claims of mental illness were likely the result of his abuse of controlled substances, 

both illegal and prescribed. In particular, the report noted that while defendant had been 

 

1 People v Poole, unpublished order of the Court of Appeals, entered January 29, 2016 (Docket 

No. 330735). 
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incarcerated (and therefore unable to obtain controlled substances) there were no reports of 

mental illness. 

 On October 20, 2014, defendant appeared with his counsel, was sworn to tell the truth, 

and agreed to plead no contest to two counts of felony murder in return for the prosecution’s 

dismissal of two counts of first-degree premeditated murder and one count of first-degree 

criminal sexual conduct. The prosecutor stated that there was no sentence agreement, noted that 

defendant was a fourth-offense habitual offender, affirmed that there was no consecutive 

sentencing, and informed the court that the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act was not applicable to 

defendant and that restitution would be determined by the court; there were “no other additional 

considerations.” 

 After the prosecution and defense counsel informed the court that the basis for the no 

contest plea was the “[p]otential for civil liability” and “some memory problems,” the trial court 

advised defendant concerning the significance of a no contest plea and explained that defendant 

was asking to be permitted to plead no contest because “if you were to tell me in your own words 

what it is that you did, you might be opening yourself up to multiple lawsuits and certain 

financial consequences;” defendant agreed that he understood. 

 The court then questioned defendant regarding the advice of rights form that it had been 

provided; defendant agreed that he had signed the form, that he had gone over the form with his 

attorney, and that he had no questions about any of the listed rights. The court again admonished 

defendant that he was, in all likelihood, going to spend the rest of his life in prison. 

Nevertheless, defendant indicated that he wanted to plead no contest. 

 The parties stipulated to the use of the preliminary examination transcript to supply the 

factual basis in support of defendant’s plea, and they also submitted copies of the autopsy reports 

of the two victims. The court read the charges to defendant and asked him how he wanted to 

plead; defendant responded “No contest” to both of the charges. Defendant was again asked if 

he understood that by pleading no contest, it would be the same as if he had been found guilty by 

a jury and he answered, “Yes.” Defendant agreed that it was his choice to plead no contest, that 

no one had threatened him to get him to plead, that there were no promises made to get him to 

plead, and that he was pleading no contest freely and voluntarily. Defendant indicated that he 

was taking “Remeron,” a drug that helped him to “slow down [his] racing thoughts”; he denied 

that it affected his ability to make decisions or his ability to have discussions with counsel, and 

denied taking other medications. 

 The trial court spent about ten minutes reviewing the preliminary examination transcripts 

and the autopsy reports and concluded that defendant was guilty of the two charged counts of 

first-degree felony murder and that the underlying felony to support these charges was firstdegree criminal sexual conduct. Following its review, the trial court concluded that defendant’s 

pleas were made voluntarily and understandingly, and that there was no undue influence, 

compulsion, or duress. The trial court concluded that defendant understood the rights he was 

giving up and the mandatory sentencing consequences of his plea; accordingly, it accepted 

defendant’s plea. 
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 Subsequently, on November 17, 2014, defendant was sentenced by the trial court to the 

mandatory term of life imprisonment without parole. Other than noting that defendant claimed 

to have a bad back that sometimes required him to use a cane to walk, neither defendant nor his 

counsel had any changes to make to the presentence report. Defendant’s counsel addressed the 

court and explained that two things were important to consider: first, that defendant opted out of 

his right to have a trial because “he didn’t want to put anybody through anymore [sic] pain than 

what was already incurred;” and second, that defendant “has been consistently remorseful 

throughout this process.” Defendant then addressed the court. He apologized to the victims’ 

family and friends as well as to his own family and friends for what he had put them through. 

Defendant concluded: “If I would have known that mood swings, anger and aggression, 

impulsive thoughts and homicidal suicidal thoughts were the side effects of the medication I was 

taking at the time, this would not have happened.” 

 Defendant subsequently requested the appointment of appellate counsel, and his 

appointed counsel moved to withdraw the plea. At an evidentiary hearing appointed trial counsel 

testified that he requested that defendant be evaluated for competency and criminal 

responsibility. On the request form, counsel had written “history of mental illness per his 

mother, was diagnosed earlier in prison,” and on question one counsel had written 

“schizophrenia” and “bipolar disorder.” He wrote these on the form because he had information 

that defendant might have those conditions. Counsel appeared unaware that the criminal 

responsibility evaluation was actually conducted;2

 he did, however, become aware of a report 

from the Forensic Center for the Department of Community Health. He was shown defendant’s 

Exhibit C and he identified it as the October 22, 2013 report he received from the CFP. He 

recalled reading in the report that there was a statement that defendant had been prescribed 

mental health medication and had been diagnosed as suffering from chronic paranoid 

schizophrenia within six months preceding the murders. 

 Counsel acknowledged that defendant was entitled to an independent criminal 

responsibility evaluation at public expense, and he stated that he discussed that option with 

defendant. Counsel stated that defendant declined the independent evaluation. Regarding the 

CFP report, counsel testified that, while he did not specifically recall discussing it with 

defendant, he generally would make a copy of such a report for his clients, and he was “sure” 

that he spoke with defendant about it. He stated that it was his routine to go over a competency 

evaluation/criminal responsibility evaluation with his clients and he believed he had done so with 

 

2

 The report listed the subject of the report as “Criminal Responsibility.” The report indicated 

initially that the referral was “for evaluation of [defendant’s] competency to stand trial and [for] 

criminal responsibility.” The concluding paragraph of the report states: 

In conclusion, it is my opinion that Mr. Poole was neither mentally ill nor 

mentally retarded at the time of the alleged offenses. Moreover, it is my opinion 

that he did not lack substantial capacity either to appreciate the nature and quality 

or the wrongfulness of his conduct or to conform his conduct to [the] 

requirements of the law. Therefore, in my opinion the available information does 

not support a defense of legal insanity. 
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defendant. Although he could not recall the specifics, he believed they went over the report 

together and, “[t]o the best of my knowledge, I believe we discussed having an independent 

[evaluation] done or at least I offered.” 

 Counsel agreed that the CFP report concluded that defendant was not mentally ill or 

mentally retarded; he believed he spoke with defendant concerning this conclusion. When asked 

if defendant wanted an independent evaluation, he responded: 

 The facts of this case were such that I found Mr. Poole to be in a great 

state of – and I don’t mean this in a guilty/not guilty [sense]. He was very 

distraught about the situation. My recollection was that Mr. Poole wanted to 

move the case forward after the forensic evaluation was done. 

 So, we did not – as I say, I give my clients the opportunity to say I want to 

have an independent evaluation done. So, to my recollection, that never came up 

after the original report was provided to the prosecutor’s office, as well as myself. 

 Counsel reiterated that defendant told him he wanted the case to move forward, and that, 

about two weeks before the scheduled trial, while they were involved in preparing, defendant 

questioned whether they even needed to have a trial. Counsel testified that he did not send a 

letter to defendant confirming their decision to forego an independent evaluation and so there 

was nothing in writing in his file about their discussions on this point. 

 Defendant testified and admitted that counsel met with him between the time he was 

arrested and the time he offered his no contest plea. Defendant admitted that counsel discussed 

the CFP report with him, but denied that counsel spoke with him about getting an independent 

psychiatric evaluation. Defendant stated that around the time of the murders he had been seeing 

a psychiatrist at Consumer Services in Flint and the doctor had been prescribing Depakote, 

Xanax, Seroquel, and Trazodone. Defendant also asserted that, had he known he could get an 

independent evaluation, he would not have pleaded no contest. On cross-examination, defendant 

acknowledged that he had previously been convicted of five felonies and five misdemeanors, and 

had pleaded guilty in all those cases. 

 The trial court denied defendant’s motion to withdraw his no contest pleas. The trial 

court concluded: 

 The Court acknowledges that this issue would be easier to resolve had trial 

counsel obtained a written waiver of the defendant’s right to request an 

independent evaluation. However, the fact that such a written waiver was not 

obtained does not mean that the defendant was not advised of his rights. In 

addition, the lack of a written waiver does not alter the Forensic Center’s 

conclusion that the defendant was competent and responsible for his actions. 

Based upon the review of the materials as set forth above, the defendant has not 

persuaded this Court that he is entitled to withdraw his no contest pleas. 

 The trial court entered a written order denying defendant’s motion on November 18, 

2014. This appeal ensued. 
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II. ANALYSIS 

 On appeal, defendant contends that the trial court erred in denying his motion to set aside 

the pleas because trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance of counsel by failing to investigate 

defendant’s mental health history and by failing to request an independent evaluation of 

defendant’s criminal responsibility. 

 We review a trial court’s decision on a motion to withdraw a plea for an abuse of 

discretion. People v Effinger, 212 Mich App 67, 69; 536 NW2d 809 (1995). A trial court abuses 

its discretion when it chooses an outcome outside the range of principled outcomes. People v 

Martinez, 307 Mich App 641, 646; 861 NW2d 905 (2014). Whether counsel was ineffective 

involves a mixed question of fact and constitutional law. People v Solloway, 316 Mich App 174, 

187; 891 NW2d 255 (2016). “Generally, a trial court’s findings of fact, if any, are reviewed for 

clear error, and questions of law are reviewed de novo.” Id. at 188. 

 On appeal, defendant argues that trial counsel was ineffective during the plea proceeding. 

To establish ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must show that his counsel’s 

performance was below an objective standard of reasonableness under prevailing professional 

norms, and that a reasonable probability exists that, without counsel’s unprofessional errors, the 

outcome of the proceedings would have been different. Strickland v Washington, 466 US 668, 

687; 104 S Ct 2052; 80 L Ed 2d 674 (1984); People v Pickens, 446 Mich 298, 303; 521 NW2d 

797 (1994). “A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the 

outcome.” Strickland, 466 US at 694. With respect to the plea-bargaining process, our Supreme 

Court has held that: 

 [A] defendant is entitled to the effective assistance of counsel in the pleabargaining process. Lafler v Cooper, 566 US ___, ___; 132 S Ct 1376, 1384; 182 

L Ed 2d 398 (2012). A defendant seeking relief in this context must meet 

Strickland’s familiar two-pronged standard by showing (1) “that counsel’s

representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness,” and (2) “that 

there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the 

result of the proceeding would have been different.” Id. at ___; 132 S Ct at 1384. 

In demonstrating prejudice, the “defendant must show the outcome of the plea 

process would have been different with competent advice.” Id. at ___; 132 S Ct 

at 1384. [People v Douglas, 496 Mich 557, 591-592; 852 NW2d 587 (2014).] 

 Defendant contends that trial counsel was ineffective for two reasons. First, defendant 

argues, trial counsel was ineffective for his failure to investigate defendant’s mental health 

history. Next, defendant argues, trial counsel was ineffective for failing to request an 

independent evaluation of defendant’s criminal responsibility. 

As to the first issue raised by defendant, the record belies his claim that trial counsel 

failed to investigate his mental health history. Our review of the record reveals that trial counsel 

requested defendant be evaluated by the CFP for competency and criminal responsibility. When 

asked at the hearing on the motion to withdraw the plea about information he had provided on 

the application for the competency evaluation, trial counsel agreed that under the comments, he 
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had written “history of mental illness per his mother, was diagnosed earlier in prison” and had 

also written “schizophrenia” and “bipolar disorder” on question one. He wrote these on the form 

because he had information that defendant might have those conditions. The record further 

reveals that trial counsel was also aware of defendant’s history of taking various prescribed 

medications and his reporting of various mental issues because the CFP report discussed them. 

Defendant admitted that counsel discussed both his mental health and the CFP report prior to 

defendant entering a plea of guilty. From these undisputed facts we conclude that trial counsel 

could not have been aware of defendant’s mental health history absent a reasonable inquiry. 

Further, the record clearly reveals that defendant and trial counsel had discussions about 

defendant’s history of mental illness. Consequently, in the absence of any proof that trial 

counsel’s investigation into defendant’s mental health was anything other than reasonable and 

effective in that it elicited information necessary to request a CFP report, this Court concludes 

that trial counsel properly investigated defendant’s history of mental illness. Accordingly, 

defendant is not entitled to relief on this issue. 

As to defendant’s second claim, that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to request an 

independent criminal responsibility evaluation, we begin our inquiry by noting our agreement 

with the trial court when it aptly stated: “ . . . this issue would be easier to resolve had trial 

counsel obtained a written waiver of the defendant’s right to request an independent evaluation.” 

Defendant asserts that trial counsel never informed him of his right to an independent 

evaluation. However, trial counsel testified that he did inform defendant of his right to an 

independent evaluation but defendant declined, apparently because he wanted to “move the case 

forward.” This claim is consistent with other record evidence. Defendant admitted to both his 

mother and to the police that he killed both victims by choking them to death, and his admissions 

were validated by the autopsy. Defendant wrote a letter to the district court judge complaining 

that he had wanted counsel to waive the preliminary examination and asserting that he wanted 

“to get this over with.” According to testimony of trial counsel, two weeks before the scheduled 

trial, defendant asked that he be allowed to plead guilty. 

To the extent defendant and trial counsel’s testimony conflicts, such a credibility 

determination falls within the province of the trial court. See People v Dendel, 481 Mich 114, 

130; 748 NW2d 859 (2008) (regard must be given to special opportunity of trial court to 

determine credibility of witnesses appearing before it). From our review of the record and the 

reasons set forth by the trial court for its ruling, we conclude that the trial court did not clearly err 

in finding counsel more credible than defendant. 

 Additionally we note that while there was evidence in the record of defendant’s prior 

mental health issues, as noted in the CFP, the past mental issues appeared to be intertwined with 

defendant’s history of substance abuse. When defendant was incarcerated (and therefore 

deprived of ready access to controlled substances), there were no reports of mental illness or 

other related issues. The CFP report noted that defendant’s drug screens were positive for 

marijuana and cocaine. The CFP report also detailed defendant’s interactions with mental health 

professionals and noted that he had a “significant history of abusing substances.” The report 

noted that defendant had a history of “medication seeking,” behavior and that “he was typically 

described as not presenting with overt signs of mental illness during his contact with mental 

health staff.” Testimony also revealed that both defendant and trial counsel agreed that they 
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jointly reviewed the CFP report. Hence, defendant’s characterization that his trial counsel failed 

to act on his mental illness is not factually correct. Our review of the record reveals that this 

Court is not faced with a record wherein defendant presented with a history of mental illness and 

trial counsel did nothing. Rather, this Court is presented with a record that reveals trial counsel 

investigated defendant’s claims of prior mental illness and submitted a request for CFP criminal 

evaluation. Trial counsel obtained a CFP examination regarding defendant’s competence and 

criminal responsibility. The CFP report, as indicated, concluded that defendant was criminally 

responsible and was not legally insane. Trial counsel reviewed the report and then discussed the 

report with defendant and explained that they could request an independent evaluation. 

According to trial counsel, defendant declined because he wanted to move the process forward 

and instead he asked counsel to explore a plea arrangement that would obviate having a trial. 

Trial counsel did not indicate that there was any difficulty communicating with defendant and 

did not indicate that defendant either exhibited signs of mental illness or made claims of mental 

illness during their interaction. And, as noted by the trial court, defendant had already been 

evaluated and deemed both competent and not mentally ill. During the Ginther hearing, 

defendant did not present any evidence from which the trial court could find that had defendant 

been evaluated by an independent forensic psychiatrist, he would have been found mentally ill. 

Similarly, on appeal, defendant presents no evidence by way of affidavit or testimony on which 

this Court could reach such a conclusion. 

 Moreover, to the extent that defendant’s mental issues derived from his substance abuse, 

trial counsel was presumptively aware that pursuant to MCL 768.21a(2), “[a]n individual who 

was under the influence of voluntarily consumed . . . controlled substances at the time of his or 

her alleged offense is not considered to have been legally insane solely because of being under 

the influence of the . . . controlled substances.” Similarly, pursuant to MCL 768.37(1), “it is not 

a defense to any crime that the defendant was, at that time, under the influence of or impaired by 

a voluntarily and knowingly consumed . . . drug, including a controlled substance.” While MCL 

768.37(2) does permit a defendant to claim an affirmative defense based on voluntary 

consumption of “a legally obtained and properly used medication or other substance” where the 

defendant “did not know and reasonably should not have known that he or she would become 

intoxicated or impaired,” there was no evidence that defendant had been taking legal medications 

at the time of the murders. 

 The trial court found that trial counsel requested a CFP evaluation and discussed the 

evaluation and potential for an independent evaluation with defendant. The trial court further 

found that defendant declined the independent evaluation and expressed a desire to move the 

case forward by entering a plea of no contest. The record supports the factual findings made by 

the trial court. Additionally, our review leads us to conclude that defendant has not shown that 

counsel’s representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness. Douglas, 496 Mich 

at 591. Accordingly, the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it denied defendant’s 

motion to set aside his plea. Effinger, 212 Mich App at 69. 
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 Affirmed. 

/s/ Michael J. Talbot 

/s/ Kirsten Frank Kelly 

/s/ Stephen L. Borrello