Court Opinion

ID: 9728551
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 14:10:54.718439+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:25:49.641369
License: Public Domain

D. C. Riley, J.
(concurring in part; dissenting in part). Defendant was charged in a two-count information with assault with intent to murder, MCL 750.83; MSA 28.278; and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, MCL 750.227(b); MSA 28.424(2). A jury found him guilty of the former charge and guilty but mentally ill of the latter charge. He was sentenced to 6 to 20 years and 2 years respectively and now appeals as of right.
Defendant initially contends that the trial court erred in refusing to suppress evidence of a prior conviction for attempted carrying of a concealed weapon. He specifically claims that the ruling was incorrect since the prejudicial effect of nonexclusion outweighed the probative effect. Despite the court’s adverse ruling, however, defendant took the stand in his own behalf and evidence of the conviction was not used to impeach him.
In accord with current law, the instant trial judge noted his discretion regarding the admissibility of evidence of prior convictions. People v Cherry, 393 Mich 261; 224 NW2d 286 (1974). He also purported to comply with the MRE 609(a)(2) mandate that judges weigh the probative effect of admissibility against the prejudicial effect. Our courts have continually recognized that the similarity between offenses weighs heavily towards excluding evidence of prior convictions, yet the instant judge ruled that the evidence of the similar prior conviction was admissible in this case. See People v Baldwin, 405 Mich 550; 275 NW2d 253 (1979), People v Gunter, 76 Mich App 483; 257 *263NW2d 133 (1977), People v Townsend, 60 Mich App 204; 230 NW2d 378 (1975).
While we are not certain that the trial court adequately balanced the factors necessary at the time of trial,1 we are convinced that defendant suffered no prejudice because of this. Since defendant was not deterred from taking the stand due to the court’s ruling, and since evidence of the conviction was never actually admitted, we believe that any error was harmless. See People v Wilkins, 82 Mich App 260, 271-273; 266 NW2d 781 (1978), rev’d on other grounds 408 Mich 69 (1980).
Defendant next asserts that the people failed to prove his sanity beyond a reasonable doubt. While every defendant is initially presumed sane, once any evidence is presented to suggest otherwise, the burden of proof rests on the prosecution to prove a defendant’s sanity beyond a reasonable doubt. People v Krugman, 377 Mich 559, 563; 141 NW2d 33 (1966), People v Marvin White, 81 Mich App 335, 337; 265 NW2d 139 (1978), People v Fisk, 62 Mich App 638, 641; 233 NW2d 684 (1975). It is solely within the province of the trier of fact, whether it is a judge or a jury, to determine if this burden has been met. See People v Chamblis, 395 Mich 408, 420; 236 NW2d 473 (1975), People v Duffy, 67 Mich App 266, 268-269; 240 NW2d 771 (1976), People v Tubbs, 22 Mich App 549, 557; 177 NW2d 622 (1970). After carefully reviewing the record below, we believe that sufficient evidence was adduced to support the jury’s conclusion regarding defendant’s sanity._
*264Defendant’s next argument has been refuted by the Supreme Court in Wayne County Prosecutor v Recorder’s Court Judge, 406 Mich 374; 280 NW2d 793 (1979), and needs no further discussion here.
Finally, defendant contends that there is reversible error based on the jury’s differing verdicts of guilty on the assault charge and guilty but mentally ill on the felony-firearm conviction. The majority and I agree that these verdicts are inexplicably inconsistent. See People v Allen, 94 Mich App 539; 288 NW2d 451 (1980). However, we part company on what is the proper remedy for rectifying the inconsistency. The majority advocates entry of an expanded verdict; I believe that any addition would be inappropriate.
In Michigan, inconsistent verdicts may not stand unless they can be explained on some rational basis. People v Goodchild, 68 Mich App 226; 242 NW2d 465 (1976), People v Fields, 66 Mich App 347; 239 NW2d 372 (1976), People v Ames, 60 Mich App 168; 230 NW2d 360 (1975), People v Johnson, 58 Mich App 165; 227 NW2d 272 (1975), People v Phillips, 43 Mich App 581; 204 NW2d 250 (1972). The proper corrective measure for inconsistent verdicts is to vacate or modify the jury’s decision. See People v Vaughn, 92 Mich App 742; 285 NW2d 444 (1979), People v McCurtis, 84 Mich App 460; 269 NW2d 641 (1978), Goodchild, supra. There is no authority for augmenting the verdict as the majority proposes by adding "but mentally ill” to the instant defendant’s assault conviction. See People v Way, 22 Mich App 473; 177 NW2d 729 (1970). The fact that the evaluation and treatment triggered by such a finding would be beneficial to the accused is irrelevant. We should not substitute our judgment of what is "best” for the defendant for that of the jury.
*265While normally I would advocate vacation of defendant’s felony-firearm conviction, under the present case’s narrow factual circumstances I see no advantage to be gained from this procedure. Defendant’s incarceration began in the spring of 1978, thus, his two-year felony-firearm term is nearly over. I perceive no benefit that would result to defendant if his treatment period was prematurely terminated, thus, I would not order any vacation. I would affirm.

 Recently our Court has held that the balancing of factors, specifically (1) that the conviction relates to credibility, (2) that it is more probative than prejudicial and, (3) that there is no alternative means of impeaching the defendant while protecting his right to testify, must take place on the record. People v Joyner, 93 Mich App 554; 287 NW2d 286 (1979). This will greatly facilitate review of the breadth and profundity of the trial judge’s deliberations.