Case Name: PEOPLE v. GEORGE SCOTT
Court: Michigan Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: Michigan
Decision Date: 1970-01-29
Citations: 21 Mich. App. 217
Docket Number: Docket No. 7,193
Parties: PEOPLE v. GEORGE SCOTT
Judges: Before: Lesinski, C. J., and J. H. Gillis and Quinn, JJ.
Reporter: Michigan appeals reports; cases decided in the Michigan Court of Appeals.
Volume: 21
Pages: 217–218

Head Matter:
PEOPLE v. GEORGE SCOTT
1. Criminal Law — Nonjury Trial — Findings or Pact — Court Rules.
The Court rule requiring a trial judge sitting without a jury to make specific findings of ■ fact is applicable to criminal trials (GCR 1963, 517.1).,
2. Rape — Statutory Rape — Evidence—Prior Sexual Intercourse— Admissibility.
Proof of prior acts of intercourse between a defendant charged with statutory rape and his victim is not error (MCLA § 750-.520).
References for Points in Headnotes
20 Am Jur 2d, Courts § 67.
44 Am Jur, Rape § 93.
Appeal from Recorder’s Court of Detroit, Donald S. Leonard, J.
Submitted Division 1 January 6, 1970, at Detroit.
(Docket No. 7,193.)
Decided January 29, 1970.
George Scott was convicted of statutory rape. Defendant appeals.
Affirmed.
Frank J. Kelley, Attorney General, Robert A. Derengoski, Solicitor General, William L. Cabalan, Prosecuting Attorney, Samuel J. Torina, Chief Appellate Lawyer, and William B. McIntyre, Jr., Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for the people. '*
Abba 1. Friedman, for defendant on appeal.
Before: Lesinski, C. J., and J. H. Gillis and Quinn, JJ.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
Defendant's nonjury trial resulted in his conviction of statutory rape; he was sentenced and he appeals.
Defendant's first assertion of error is that the trial judge failed to make specific findings of fact that the victim was under 16 years of age and that there was penetration. GOB. 1963, 517.1, requires a trial judge sitting without a jury to make specific findings of fact. This rule is applicable to criminal trials. People v. Martinovich (1969), 18 Mich App 253.
Our review of the record discloses substantial compliance with the rule. At the outset of his Opinion from the bench, the trial judge recited the statute. He then reviewed testimony which disclosed penetration. It was undisputed that the victim was under 16 years of age. The foregoing preceded the court's pronouncement, "It is the finding of this court that the defendant did commit the act of statutory rape."
Defendant's contention that his right of cross-examination was unduly restricted is not sustained by the record.
Defendant's objection to questions relating to prior acts of intercourse between defendant and the victim was properly overruled. Proof of such prior acts is not error. People v. Lummis (1932), 260 Mich 170.
Affirmed.
MCLA § 750.520 (Stat Ann 1954 Rev § 28.788).