Opinion ID: 1817272
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Thomas

Text: Defendant Thomas was charged with second-degree murder [9] and related firearm charges as a result of his participation in an apparent gang-related gunfight following a party. The prosecution's theory was that the defendant accidentally shot the victim, Curtis Madison, his friend, in the course of exchanging gunfire with rival gang members in a passing truck. Tarkeus Gee, a witness, was another friend of both the victim and the defendant. As these persons, along with several others, were entering their respective vehicles, a truck drove by, firing shots at the group. At least two persons, the defendant and a Robert Jamerson, returned fire. Some testimony raised questions regarding whether one of the other members of the group, Demarcus Wesby, who was riding with Gee, might have been armed. Other testimony raised a question regarding the possibility of additional shots being fired from the area of a nearby building. Of the many shots exchanged, ballistics evidence indicated that the shot that killed the victim came from the direction of the party, rather than the truck. The defendant was in line with the position from which the shot was fired, although the expert testimony could not rule out other potential sources, including the area of the nearby building. Jamerson's gun was of a different caliber and not the source of the fatal bullet. Defendant's gun was never recovered. There was no testimony to indicate that Gee had an active role in the gunfight. Before the trial, the prosecutor and a detective visited Gee in jail, where he was incarcerated on unrelated charges. Gee made it clear to the prosecutor and the detective that, given his current circumstances, he saw no reason to testify and would not help them in making their case against defendant. [10] In making this point, Gee was so enthusiastic that the prosecutor later advised the trial court that the detective had to restrain him during the discussion. In the course of the trial, Gee was brought to court to testify. Beginning with a court officer, he proceeded to make it clear to everyone he spoke to that he would not, in fact, testify. Eventually, this came to light, and, outside the presence of the jury, the court addressed the matter. The prosecutor felt it necessary to call Gee, while defense counsel suggested that Gee be advised of his rights and have counsel appointed. The court suggested a grant of immunity, with which the prosecutor agreed, as the easiest solution. The court then stated, despite a specific objection of defense counsel, citing People v. Poma, 96 Mich.App. 726, 294 N.W.2d 221 (1980), [11] that, should Gee still refuse, the prosecutor would be allowed to call him. The trial court called Gee to the stand, still outside the jury's presence, and Gee refused to testify. When the court attempted to clarify that it was a Fifth Amendment privilege being asserted, Gee agreed. The court informed Gee of the immunity. [12] Gee continued to make it clear that he would not be testifying. [13] Despite defense counsel's frequent citation of Poma, the court recalled the jury and allowed the prosecutor's questioning of Gee to proceed. It did not get far. In response to being asked his name, Gee answered Well, I'm making sureI wantI'm refusing to say anything until I get a legal representative. Other than once repeating that he was refusing to say anything, that was the extent of Gee's testimony before the jury.