Opinion ID: 1679410
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: PEOPLE v HANA

Text: Defendant Durid Hana was convicted of possession of over 650 grams of cocaine, MCL 333.7403(2)(a)(i); MSA 14.15(7403)(2)(a)(i), and delivery of over 225 but less than 650, grams of cocaine. MCL 333.7401(2)(a)(ii); MSA 14.15(7401)(2)(a)(ii). Defendant and his brother, Kafan, were arrested following a controlled narcotics purchase in January, 1988, that took place at the Sterling Heights home in which the defendant and his brother lived with their parents and siblings. At trial, it was established that the drug transaction arose out of a conversation between James Hornburger and Raed Alsarih at the Sterling Heights High School where they were students. Hornburger approached Alsarih about obtaining twelve ounces of cocaine for Stephen Putnam (an undercover narcotics police officer). Alsarih confirmed the transaction after contacting his connection, Kafan. Hornburger, Putnam, and Alsarih drove to Kafan's home. Alsarih went to the door and spoke with defendant. Defendant contacted Kafan by beeper and reported that Kafan would be back in fifteen minutes. Putnam, Alsarih, and Hornburger drove to a parking lot, waited, and then returned to the Hana home. Defendant told Alsarih that Kafan had not yet returned. Putnam then dropped Alsarih and Hornburger off at Alsarih's home, with instructions to call him when Kafan arrived. Alsarih eventually called Putnam and reported that Kafan would have the twelve ounces of cocaine at 7:00 P.M. Putnam picked up Alsarih and Hornburger and they again drove to the defendant's home. When they arrived, nobody answered the door. After waiting a minute or two, they saw Kafan drive up and Alsarih and Kafan went into the house together. According to Alsarih, testifying pursuant to a plea bargain, he went to a back bedroom with Kafan where defendant was sleeping. Defendant awoke when Kafan turned on the light. While Kafan opened a safe, defendant asked Alsarih whether the person outside was a police officer and whether Alsarih had dealt with him before. Kafan removed a plastic bag from the safe, mixed it with the contents from some other bags and gave it to Alsarih. Alsarih was given an eight ball (one-eighth ounce of cocaine), which was to be given to Hornburger for his part in the transaction. They then proceeded to the door and Kafan watched while Alsarih went out to Putnam's car. As Putnam opened the door, Alsarih explained that he had been instructed not to get in. Putnam then put his car keys on top of the car and refused to leave. Defendant was watching from the living room window. Alsarih then got in the back seat, gave the bag of cocaine to Putnam, and Putnam handed him $12,500 in marked money. Putnam signaled to a surveillance team, which moved in and arrested Hornburger, Alsarih, Kafan, and defendant. A subsequent search of the home, pursuant to a search warrant, disclosed that the safe contained three kilograms of cocaine, miscellaneous jewelry and papers, a telephone recorder, and a telephone beeper. Both Kafan and defendant initially denied knowing the combination to the safe. However, Kafan later supplied the combination, and defendant admitted that the safe belonged to him (defendant). Both defendant and Kafan filed pretrial motions for separate trials. Following a hearing, the trial court denied severance. Kafan's attorney renewed the motion during trial after the prosecution rested its case, but the trial judge again denied the motion. Defendant was tried jointly with Kafan before a jury in February 1989. [1] Neither the defendant nor his brother testified. Defendant was convicted, as charged (as was Kafan). The trial court imposed a prison term of from ten to thirty years for the delivery count and a nonparolable life sentence for possession of 650 or more grams of cocaine. Defendant appealed, alleging in pertinent part that the trial court erred in denying his motion for a separate trial. The Court of Appeals rejected defendant's severance claim and affirmed his conviction. Unpublished opinion per curiam, issued March 20, 1992 (Docket No. 119380). Defendant's motion for a rehearing was denied, and he then filed a delayed application for leave to appeal with this Court. In an order dated June 28, 1993, we granted leave to appeal, consolidating this case with People v Rode and People v Gallina, for consideration of related issues concerning the severance of trials of criminal defendants. 442 Mich 935.