Court Opinion

ID: 7958756
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-09 00:26:44.198415+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:34:21.768437
License: Public Domain

R. H. Campbell, J.
Defendant was charged with *163first-degree murder, contrary to MCL 750.316; MSA 28.548. On October 23, 1979, he was convicted of second-degree murder, contrary to MCL 750.317; MSA 28.549. He was sentenced to a term of life imprisonment and appeals as of right.
At the close of the prosecution’s proofs, the trial court instructed the jury to pay close attention because, "this Judge is not inclined after you go into deliberation to have testimony read back in any way”. On appeal, defendant contends that the instruction resulted in reversible error. We agree. See People v Howe, 392 Mich 670; 221 NW2d 350 (1974), and People v Smith, 396 Mich 109; 240 NW2d 202 (1976).
Defendant also contends that the trial court erred in denying defense counsel’s motion for a forensic center evaluation to determine the issue of defendant’s competency to stand trial. Since a review of the record indicates that the trial court did not exercise its discretion in summarily denying defendant’s motion, we find reversible error. People v Farmer, 53 Mich App 133; 218 NW2d 836 (1974), MCL 330.2020; MSA 14.800(1020), GCR 1963, 786.2(b), 786.3(a).
Since defendant’s other claim of error, that the prosecutor erred in eliciting certain rebuttal testimony, was not objected to at trial, the issue has not been preserved for appellate review.
Reversed and remanded for a new trial consistent with this opinion.
T. M. Burns, J., concurred.