Opinion ID: 2049573
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: the alibi instruction

Text: The alibi instruction follows: The defense in this case it is claimed intends to show an alibi of the defendant. Well this is a defense that is legitimate. If it is true that this defendant was not in a condition where he could have committed this crime or was not at the place where the crime was committed that should and would be a perfect defense. But in the consideration of that class of the defense it is necessary for you to take into consideration the fact, and it is your duty as jurors to examine carefully the evidence on that point, scrutinize any evidence in relation to the alibi. An alibi is a defense that is easily proven and hard to disprove. Therefore you will be careful and cautious bearing upon the question of alibi. I say if it is established and you believe the evidence, in other words if you believe that the defendant was not in a position so that he could have committed the crime or could not have been there, of course, that is an absolute defense. (Emphasis added.) The words in italics, [a]n alibi is a defense that is easily proven and if it is established strongly imply that it is the burden of defendant to prove his alibi by preponderance of the evidence. This is erroneous. The prosecutor always retains the burden of proving the defendant was at the scene of the crime at the time of the crime, and all the defendant need do is to raise a reasonable doubt thereof. People v Marvill, 236 Mich 595; 211 NW 23 (1926). 2 Underhill's Criminal Evidence (5th ed), § 441, p 1113. 1 Gillespie, Michigan Criminal Law & Procedure (2d ed), § 429, p 521. See also People v Lee, 391 Mich 618, 641; 218 NW2d 655 (1974). It is recognized that this form of charge is not without some background. 2 Gillespie, Michigan Criminal Law & Procedure (2d ed), § 906, p 1211. People v Portenga, 134 Mich 247; 96 NW 17 (1903); People v Tice, 115 Mich 219; 73 NW 108 (1897). There was also no objection below. Nonetheless, it is an unlawful instruction and this Court can and has reviewed such matters sua sponte. People v Crittle, 390 Mich 367, 370-371; 212 NW2d 196 (1973); People v Harrison, 386 Mich 269, 275; 191 NW2d 371 (1971); People v Dorrikas, 354 Mich 303, 316; 92 NW2d 305 (1958). Importantly, as my Sister M.S. COLEMAN points out, the alibi instruction was preceded by a separate paragraph, a proper general instruction on the presumption of innocence and that that presumption never shifts. This instruction and its proximity tends to mitigate the error of the alibi instruction taken by itself, but the instructions as a whole have further deficiencies which we will examine.