Court Opinion

ID: 9388618
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-04-21 05:04:53.337818+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:18:21.485814
License: Public Domain

If this opinion indicates that it is “FOR PUBLICATION,” it is subject to
                 revision until final publication in the Michigan Appeals Reports.

                          STATE OF MICHIGAN

                           COURT OF APPEALS

PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN,                                   UNPUBLISHED
                                                                   April 20, 2023
               Plaintiff-Appellee,

v                                                                  No. 359837
                                                                   Macomb Circuit Court
DEVANTE KYRAN JENNINGS,                                            LC No. 2019-001800-FH

               Defendant-Appellant.

Before: RICK, P.J., and SHAPIRO and LETICA, JJ.

PER CURIAM.

       Defendant appeals as of right his jury trial conviction of carrying a concealed weapon,
MCL 750.227. Defendant was sentenced to one to five years’ imprisonment on the carrying a
concealed weapon conviction. We affirm.

                                      I. BACKGROUND

        In the early morning hours of April 30, 2019, a witness named Alexandria McCorkle heard
a group of people getting into an argument outside her apartment complex in Clinton Township.
She and her fiancé looked outside and saw a group of five men and one woman standing in the
complex’s parking lot. In what McCorkle believed was an attempt to get the group’s attention,
one of the men fired a gun into the air three times. Three of the men, including the shooter, then
got into a white Dodge Charger and quickly drove away. McCorkle called 911 to report the
incident. While on their way to speak with McCorkle, two police officers saw a Dodge Charger
that matched the description McCorkle had given the 911 dispatcher and pulled it over. The
officers discovered that defendant was driving the Charger and had two passengers with him in
the car. There was a loaded handgun in the car’s glove box, and the police later determined that
the ammunition in the gun matched spent shell casings recovered from the apartment parking lot.
None of the occupants of the vehicle had a concealed pistol license, and the handgun was not
registered to defendant or anyone in Michigan.

        Defendant was interviewed by police on the same day that the shooting occurred. During
the interview, he admitted that he went to the apartment complex with the other two occupants of
the Charger, that there was a disturbance at the apartment complex, and that he was the driver of

                                               -1-
the Charger, which was registered in his and his father’s names. The police then asked defendant
if he would allow them to take a DNA swab to determine whether his DNA was on the handgun
they had found in the glove box, but at that point, defendant ended the interview and refused to
give a DNA sample.

        Defendant was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, MCL 750.227.1 His first jury
trial ended in a mistrial because the prosecutor elicited testimony and presented argument
concerning defendant’s invocation of his right to silence. Specifically, in his closing argument,
the prosecutor suggested to the jury that defendant exhibited a guilty conscience when he abruptly
ended his police interview, stating:

                Now, during the officer’s questioning, [defendant] admits that he was
       present for this disturbance and he had agreed to speak to the officers, he knew what
       it was about. He agreed to waive his Miranda rights, he said he understood
       everything, he didn’t want an attorney, he—he was waving [sic] his right to remain
       silent at that point in time, but low [sic] and behold, after answering a few questions
       he says, no, I don’t want to talk anymore. Why would he do that? Well, that shows
       a guilty conscience, like, well, okay, if I start going down this road further I am
       going to get into some territory that’s not good for me. I am going to start making
       admissions that I know are going to put me in further trouble. Maybe if I keep my
       mouth shut at this point, I can kind of walk out of this.

Following the declaration of a mistrial, defense counsel argued that retrial may be barred by double
jeopardy on the basis of prosecutorial misconduct. The prosecutor responded that double jeopardy
did not attach unless it could be established that the prosecution intended to goad defendant into
requesting a mistrial. The trial court agreed with the prosecutor, finding nothing in the record to
suggest that he intended to cause the mistrial. Defendant was later retried, convicted, and
sentenced as described earlier. This appeal followed.

                                          II. ANALYSIS

                                    A. DOUBLE JEOPARDY

       Defendant first argues that his retrial was barred by double-jeopardy principles because the
prosecutor intentionally goaded the defense into moving for a mistrial. We are required by existing
precedent to disagree.

        “A constitutional double jeopardy challenge presents a question of law that [is] review[ed]
de novo.” People v Lett, 466 Mich 206, 212; 644 NW2d 743 (2002). The trial court’s factual
findings regarding whether the prosecutor intended to goad the defense into moving for a mistrial
are reviewed for clear error. People v Dawson, 431 Mich 234, 258; 427 NW2d 886 (1988). “A
finding is clearly erroneous when, although there is evidence to support it, the reviewing court is

1
 Defendant was also charged with altering marks of identity on a firearm, MCL 750.230, but the
prosecutor agreed to dismiss the charge.

                                                -2-
left with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been made.” People v Mullen, 282 Mich
App 14, 22; 762 NW2d 170 (2008) (quotation marks and citation omitted).

         “Under both the Double Jeopardy Clause of the Michigan Constitution and its federal
counterpart, an accused may not be ‘twice put in jeopardy’ for the same offense.” Lett, 466 Mich
at 213, citing US Const, Am V, and Const 1963, art 1, § 15. “The constitutional prohibition against
multiple prosecutions arises from the concern that the prosecution should not be permitted repeated
opportunities to obtain a conviction.” Lett, 466 Mich at 214. “Jeopardy is said to ‘attach’ when a
jury is selected and sworn, and the Double Jeopardy Clause therefore protects an accused’s interest
in avoiding multiple prosecutions even where no determination of guilt or innocence has been
made.” Id. at 215 (citations omitted).

        If “a defendant requests or consents to a mistrial, retrial is not barred unless the prosecutor
has engaged in conduct intended to provoke or ‘goad’ the mistrial request.” Id. (citations omitted).
“Additionally, retrial is always permitted when the mistrial is occasioned by ‘manifest necessity.’ ”
Id. (citations omitted). In Oregon v Kennedy, the United States Supreme Court ruled that
“[p]rosecutorial conduct that might be viewed as harassment or overreaching, even if sufficient to
justify a mistrial on [the] defendant’s motion, . . . does not bar retrial absent intent on the part of
the prosecutor to subvert the protections afforded by the Double Jeopardy Clause.” 456 US 667,
675-676; 102 S Ct 2083; 72 L Ed 2d 416 (1982) (emphasis added). Therefore, when determining
whether double jeopardy attaches, the central focus is on the intent of the prosecutor.

        Michigan first had the opportunity to address Kennedy in People v Dawson, 154 Mich App
260, 273 (1986). But rather than apply the Kennedy test, this Court applied a different three-prong
test, which was first set forth in Pool v Superior Court, 139 Ariz 98, 108-109; 677 P2d 261 (1984),
which states that double jeopardy attaches where:

       1. Mistrial is granted because of improper conduct or actions by the prosecutor; and

       2. such conduct is not merely the result of legal error, negligence, mistake, or
       insignificant impropriety, but, taken as a whole, amounts to intentional conduct
       which the prosecutor knows to be improper and prejudicial, and which he pursues
       for any improper purpose with indifference to a significant resulting danger of
       mistrial or reversal; and

       3. the conduct causes prejudice to the defendant which cannot be cured by means
       short of a mistrial. [Id.]

 On appeal, our Supreme Court declined to adopt the Pool test because the appellate prosecutor
conceded at oral argument that the trial prosecutor’s conduct violated the federal Kennedy
standard. Dawson, 431 Mich at 257. The Dawson Court reviewed the facts of the case, observing
that “[t]he prosecutor’s case was going badly” at trial, and that after several unfavorable trial
developments, he began asking inappropriate questions of witnesses. Id. at 258-259. The Court
further stated that the prosecutor knew that the questions were improper, and that when the
defendant moved for a mistrial, the prosecutor “neither appeared surprised by nor argued against
the mistrial motion.” Id. at 259. And “[w]hen asked whether he had any response to defense
counsel’s request for a mistrial, the prosecutor responded, ‘Nope.’ ” Id.

                                                 -3-
         In analyzing whether double jeopardy barred retrial, the Dawson Court found that “[w]here
a mistrial results from apparently innocent or even negligent prosecutorial error, or from factors
beyond his control, the public interest in allowing a retrial outweighs the double jeopardy bar,” but
that “[t]he balance tilts . . . where the judge finds, on the basis of the objective facts and
circumstances of the particular case, that the prosecutor intended to goad the defendant into
moving for a mistrial.” Dawson, 431 Mich at 257 (quotation marks and citation omitted). Citing
Kennedy, the Court noted that the trial court’s findings regarding a prosecutor’s intent are of key
importance, and noted that “[t]he ‘goad the defendant into moving for a mistrial’ standard ‘calls
for a finding of fact by the court . . . , an inquiry for which the trial court is best suited.’ ” Dawson,
431 Mich at 258 n 57, quoting United States v Posner, 724 F2d 1535, 15399 n 56 (CA 11, 1985).
Ultimately, given the prosecutor’s concession on appeal and the obvious errors made by the trial
prosecutor, our Supreme Court held that the defendant’s retrial was barred by double-jeopardy
principles. Id. at 259.

         The instant case differs from Dawson in several respects. Here, the prosecutor did not
concede that he intended to cause a mistrial. To the contrary, the prosecutor stated that his
statements were designed “to get the jury to find [defendant] guilty, not for a mistrial.” At most,
this evidences a concession of recklessness, not a specific intent to cause a mistrial. In response,
the trial court ruled that nothing in the record suggested that the prosecutor engaged in conduct so
egregious as to suggest an intent to bring about a mistrial. In Dawson, our Supreme Court declined
to apply the Pool test, choosing to go no further than the Kennedy test. But regardless of which
test is applied, the primary consideration in both is whether the prosecutor’s actions evince an
intent to cause a mistrial. And since we must rely in large part on the trial court’s assessment of
the prosecutor’s behavior, we conclude that the trial court did not clearly err in finding that the
prosecutor did not intend to goad the defense into requesting a mistrial. The objective facts
presented here do not contradict the prosecutor’s denial that he intended to provoke a mistrial, and
the record indicates that the prosecutor’s error was the result of recklessness, negligence, or a lack
of skill rather than an intentional effort to goad the defense into requesting a mistrial in this
relatively straight-forward case.2 Accordingly, we find that double-jeopardy principles did not bar
retrial.

2
  The dissent would find that the prosecutor’s actions here were intentionally designed to cause a
mistrial, and argues that this Court should adopt the Pool test, stating that it is the better test
because it changes the applicable standard from specific intent to “ ‘intentional conduct which the
prosecutor knows to be improper and prejudicial[.]’ ” Dawson, 154 Mich App at 272, quoting
Pool, 139 Ariz at 108 (footnote omitted). But the fact remains that both tests require a showing of
intent; even the Pool test requires the trial court to evaluate “what the prosecutor ‘intends’ and
‘knows’ by objective factors.” Pool, 139 Ariz at 108 n 9. The dissent does not explain how we
might find in favor of defendant under Pool here, where the prosecutor expressly stated that he did
not intend to cause a mistrial, and the trial court believed him. As there is little evidence to support
the conclusion that defendant could meet the Kennedy or Pool standards, we see no need to
determine whether this Court should adopt one test over the other. We leave the question of
whether objective intent should be the primary factor for determining whether double jeopardy
attaches, or whether the courts should adopt a different test that would allow double jeopardy to

                                                   -4-
                                    B. WITNESS TESTIMONY

        Defendant next argues that the trial court erred by admitting into evidence testimony from
Clinton Township Police Detective Carl Simon that, according to defendant, opined on his guilt
of the charged offense. Defendant further argues that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing
to object to the admission of this testimony. Both of defendant’s claims lack merit.

        “To preserve an evidentiary issue for review, a party opposing the admission of evidence
must object at trial and specify the same ground for objection that it asserts on appeal.” People v
Thorpe, 504 Mich 230, 252; 934 NW2d 693 (2019), citing MRE 103(a)(1). Defendant concedes
on appeal that he did not object to the testimony that is the subject of his argument. Therefore, the
evidentiary issue is unpreserved, and this Court’s review is for plain error affecting substantial
defendant’s rights. Thorpe, 504 Mich at 252, citing People v Carines, 460 Mich 750, 763; 597
NW2d 130 (1999). Under this standard, defendant must show that an error occurred, that it was
clear or obvious, and that it caused prejudice, i.e., that the error affected the outcome of the
proceedings. Carines, 460 Mich at 763. Reversal is proper only if it can be shown that defendant
is innocent or that the error seriously affected the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of the
proceedings. Thorpe, 504 Mich at 252-253, citing Carines, 460 Mich at 763-764.

        To preserve a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must raise the issue
in a motion for a new trial or a Ginther3 hearing filed in the trial court, People v Heft, 299 Mich
App 69, 80; 829 NW2d 266 (2012), or in a motion to remand for a Ginther hearing filed in this
Court, People v Abcumby-Blair, 335 Mich App 210, 227; 966 NW2d 437 (2020). Defendant has
not filed any such motions raising his ineffective-assistance claim, so the issue is unpreserved.
“This Court reviews unpreserved claims of ineffective assistance of counsel for errors apparent on
the record.” People v Spaulding, 332 Mich App 638, 656; 957 NW2d 843 (2020). Whether a
defendant was denied the effective assistance of counsel presents a mixed question of fact and
constitutional law. Heft, 299 Mich App at 80. Findings of fact are reviewed for clear error, and
questions of law are reviewed de novo. Id.

        It is a well-understood principle that a police officer “may not opine about the defendant’s
guilt or innocence in a criminal case.” Id. at 81. Under MRE 701,

         [i]f the witness is not testifying as an expert, the witness’ testimony in the form of
         opinions or inferences is limited to those opinions or inferences which are (a)
         rationally based on the perception of the witness and (b) helpful to a clear
         understanding of the witness’ testimony or the determination of a fact in issue.

Thus, while an offer cannot make a bald assertion about a defendant’s guilt, an officer can certainly
give an opinion regarding the defendant’s actions based on their personal experience, observations,
and training, so long as the testimony is rationally based on perceptions made during an

attach where a prosecutor causes a mistrial by acting unintentionally, in the capable hands of our
Supreme Court.
3
    People v Ginther, 390 Mich 436; 212 NW2d 922 (1973).

                                                  -5-
investigation. Under MRE 704, “[t]estimony in the form of an opinion or inference otherwise
admissible is not objectionable because it embraces an ultimate issue to be decided by the trier of
fact.”

       On direct examination, Detective Simon stated that he did not believe he could prove that
defendant was the person who was in physical possession of the gun when shots were fired in the
parking lot of the apartment complex. Detective Simon then explained why he recommended that
defendant be charged with carrying a concealed weapon:

       The charge of carrying a concealed weapon now is in control of the vehicle, use of
       vehicle and knowingly possessing that. I reviewed reports and spoke with the
       witness indicating that they could hear a gunshot inside a building, knowing that
       there were 3 occupants reported getting back into the Charger, any one of the
       occupant[s] was the person with the gun. I believed that [defendant] had knowledge
       that gun was in there. It had been discharged in the parking lot, recovered shell
       casings that were consistent with what was found in the gun, in the gun that was
       recovered in [defendant’s] car. Based upon that that is the charge that I requested.

At most, Detective Simon testified about his investigation and his role in recommending charges
to the prosecutor. His testimony was based on reasonable inferences drawn from the facts of his
investigation, and at no point did he definitively state that he believed defendant was guilty. See
Heft, 299 Mich App at 83 (concluding that police testimony did not address the defendant’s guilt
but instead merely “explain[ed] the steps of their investigations from their personal perceptions.”).

        But even if Detective Simon’s testimony was improper, defendant cannot show that the
error affected the outcome of the proceedings. Initially, Detective Simon’s belief that defendant
knew the gun was in the vehicle was intrinsically implied from the nature of the proceedings,
which would not excuse any impropriety, but would blunt any prejudice. See People v Lowrey,
___ Mich App ___, ___; ___ NW2d ___ (2022) (Docket No. 355364); slip op at 6-7 (stating that
“we are not unmindful of the fact that [a police detective’s] general disbelief of [the] defendant
was intrinsically implied from the nature of the proceedings; although this does not excuse the
impropriety, it does blunt any ensuing prejudice.”). But setting aside the allegedly tainted portion
of Detective Simon’s testimony, the evidence at trial supported a reasonable inference that
defendant knew the gun was in the vehicle. Defendant admitted that he went to the apartment
complex with the other two occupants of the Charger and that there was a disturbance at the
apartment complex. Defendant was driving the Charger when it was pulled over by the police,
and the gun was found in the glove box of the car. Additionally, shell casings recovered from the
parking lot of the apartment complex matched the ammunition found in the gun and magazine.
Thus, the evidence presented strongly indicated that defendant knew the gun was in the car.

        Further, in its final jury instructions, the trial court strongly and repeatedly emphasized that
the jurors were “the judges of the facts and the evidence” and that it was for them to decide whether
they “believe[d] what each of the witness[es] said.” The court also explained to the jury that
defendant is presumed innocent and that the prosecutor was required to prove each element of the
charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Finally, the court told the jury that they should not
place undue significance on police testimony, stating that the testimony must “be judged by the
same standard you use to evaluate the testimony of any other witness.” “It is well established that

                                                  -6-
jurors are presumed to follow their instructions.” People v Graves, 458 Mich 476, 486; 581 NW2d
229 (1998). Hence, even if Detective Simon’s testimony was improper, the jury presumably
followed the trial court’s instructions that the jurors were the sole judges of the facts and that they
were free to accept or reject any portion of any witness’s testimony. Accordingly, defendant has
failed to establish that any clear or obvious error in the admission of Detective Simon’s testimony
was outcome-determinative.

        Defendant’s claim of ineffective assistance of counsel is likewise unavailing. “To prove
that his defense counsel was not effective, the defendant must show that (1) defense counsel’s
performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness and (2) there is a reasonable
probability that counsel’s deficient performance prejudiced the defendant.” People v Lane, 308
Mich App 38, 68; 862 NW2d 446 (2014). “Effective assistance of counsel is presumed, and the
defendant bears a heavy burden of proving otherwise.” People v Head, 323 Mich App 526, 539;
917 NW2d 752 (2018) (quotation marks, brackets, and citation omitted). “In examining whether
defense counsel’s performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness, a defendant
must overcome the strong presumption that counsel’s performance was born from a sound trial
strategy.” People v Trakhtenberg, 493 Mich 38, 52; 826 NW2d 136 (2012). To establish
prejudice, a defendant must demonstrate “a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s
unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different. A reasonable
probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.” People v
Randolph, 502 Mich 1, 9; 917 NW2d 249 (2018) (quotation marks and citation omitted). A
“defendant has the burden of establishing the factual predicate for his claim of ineffective
assistance of counsel.” People v Hoag, 460 Mich 1, 6; 594 NW2d 57 (1999).

        As we have explained, Detective Simon’s testimony was properly admitted at trial. Thus,
defense counsel was not ineffective for failing to raise a futile objection. See People v Ericksen,
288 Mich App 192, 201; 793 NW2d 120 (2010) (“Failing to advance a meritless argument or raise
a futile objection does not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel.”). But even if Detective
Simon’s testimony improperly expressed an opinion on defendant’s guilt or innocence, it was not
apparent from the prosecutor’s question that Detective Simon would express such an opinion. The
prosecutor asked the following question immediately before the portion of Detective Simon’s
testimony that defendant challenges on appeal: “Okay. Now, so [defendant], just to be clear,
[defendant] you didn’t make recommendations for charges based on [defendant] possessing,
physically possessing that weapon?” It was not clear from this question that Detective Simon
would testify regarding his belief that defendant knew the gun was in the vehicle. Although it is
clear in hindsight that the question led to the testimony that is being challenged on appeal, this
Court cannot “use the benefit of hindsight when assessing counsel’s competence.” People v
Unger, 278 Mich App 210, 243; 749 NW2d 272 (2008). And defense counsel may have
reasonably declined to object or request a curative instruction, to avoid drawing further attention
to the allegedly improper testimony. See People v Bahoda, 448 Mich 261, 287 n 54; 531 NW2d
659 (1995) (“Certainly there are times when it is better not to object and draw attention to an
improper comment.”); People v Dunigan, 299 Mich App 579, 584; 831 NW2d 243 (2013)
(“Failing to request a particular jury instruction can be a matter of trial strategy.”).

        Further, even if defense counsel’s performance fell below an objective standard of
reasonableness, defendant cannot demonstrate a reasonable probability of a different outcome but
for his counsel’s failure to object or request a curative instruction. As explained earlier, the

                                                 -7-
evidence properly admitted at trial strongly supported the inference that defendant knew the gun
was in the vehicle he was driving. Also, the jury was instructed that it was the sole judge of the
facts, that it was free to accept or reject any portion of any witness’s testimony, and that the
testimony of police officers should be evaluated in the same way as that of any other witness. For
all of these reasons, defendant’s ineffective-assistance claim must fail.

                                    C. ANONYMOUS JURIES

        Defendant’s final argument on appeal is that the trial court empaneled an anonymous jury
by referring to the jurors by number rather than by name, and that this violated his constitutional
right to due process. We disagree.

        To preserve a due-process challenge to the trial court’s practice of referring to the jurors
by number rather than by name, the defendant must object to the practice in the trial court. People
v Hanks, 276 Mich App 91, 92; 740 NW2d 530 (2007). As defendant concedes on appeal, he did
not raise an objection on this issue in the trial court. Therefore, the issue is unpreserved, and this
Court’s review is for plain error affecting defendant’s substantial rights. Id., citing Carines, 460
Mich at 763-764. Under this standard, defendant must show that an error occurred, that it was
clear or obvious, and that it caused prejudice, i.e., that the error affected the outcome of the
proceedings. Carines, 460 Mich at 763. Reversal is proper only if defendant can show that he is
actually innocent or that the error seriously affected the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of
the proceedings. Id. at 763-764.

        In People v Williams, 241 Mich App 519, 522; 616 NW2d 710 (2000), this Court rejected
the defendant’s argument that the trial court had violated his right to due process by impaneling
an “anonymous jury,” i.e., by referring to the jurors by number rather than by name. This Court
stated that “[a]n ‘anonymous jury’ is one in which certain information is withheld from the parties,
presumably for the safety of the jurors or to prevent harassment by the public.” Id. Although the
use of an “anonymous jury” may protect the safety of jurors, there was also “a potential expense
to two interests of the defendant: (1) the defendant’s interest in being able to conduct a meaningful
examination of the jury and (2) the defendant’s interest in maintaining the presumption of
innocence.” Id. at 522-523. This Court held that, “[i]n order to successfully challenge the use of
an ‘anonymous jury,’ the record must reflect that the parties have had information withheld from
them, thus preventing meaningful voir dire, or that the presumption of innocence has been
compromised.” Id. at 523.

       In Williams, this Court discerned no basis to conclude that an anonymous jury, in the “strict
sense” of the term, was empaneled. Id. That is, the “jurors were merely referred to at trial by
number rather than by name. There is nothing in the record to support the conclusion that any
information was actually withheld from the parties. At most, the names of the jurors were replaced
by numbers.” Id. Hence, the jurors were not truly anonymous except in the literal sense that their
names were not read into the record. Id. The defendant had access to the jurors’ biographical
information as contained in juror questionnaires, and the defendant’s ability to effectively examine
the venire was not compromised. Id. at 523-524. Nor was there any indication that the use of
juror numbers undermined the presumption of innocence. Id. at 524. There was no basis to
conclude “that jurors understood the use of numbers rather than names to be anything out of the
ordinary. Thus, there was no suggestion that defendant’s trial was being handled in a special way,

                                                 -8-
with the resulting implication that he was generally dangerous or guilty as charged.” Id. This
Court thus concluded that,

       under the facts of this case, defendant’s due process rights were not violated by
       using juror numbers instead of names at trial. However, we caution the trial courts
       about the potential for prejudice arising from the use of anonymous juries. The
       procedure should be employed only when jurors’ safety or freedom from undue
       harassment is, in fact, an issue, and, when used, appropriate safeguards should be
       carefully followed to assure a fair trial. [Id. at 525.]

        In Hanks, this Court cited Williams for the proposition that “[a] challenge to an ‘anonymous
jury’ will only succeed where the record reflects that withholding information precluded
meaningful voir dire or that the defendant’s presumption of innocence was compromised.” Hanks,
276 Mich App at 93, citing Williams, 241 Mich App at 523. This Court in Hanks explained that
Williams “opted for a strict definition of ‘anonymous jury,’ where something more than just the
jurors’ names is withheld from the parties.” Hanks, 276 Mich App at 93. Applying the holding in
Williams, this Court in Hanks reasoned:

                In this case, the record reflects that the jurors were identified by numbers.
       However, the record also demonstrates that the juror questionnaires containing
       biographical information were provided to the parties, and that both parties
       conducted extensive voir dire. There is no indication that any of the jurors believed
       that there was any significance in the use of numbers instead of names. Further,
       defendant failed to demonstrate that the use of numbers prevented him from
       conducting meaningful voir dire or that his presumption of innocence was
       compromised. We conclude that the jury in this case was anonymous only in a
       literal sense, so none of the dangers of an “anonymous jury” was implicated. Thus,
       defendant has not established that plain error affected his substantial rights. [Id. at
       94 (citations omitted).]

The defendant in Hanks relied on cases from other jurisdictions to support his argument, but this
Court stated that it was “bound by Williams” and was “not persuaded that Williams was wrongly
decided.” Id. at 95.

        In the present case, defendant argues that he was denied due process because the trial court
empaneled an anonymous jury by referring to the jurors by number rather than by name. His
argument is unavailing under this Court’s decisions in Williams and Hanks. As explained, “[a]
challenge to an ‘anonymous jury’ will only succeed where the record reflects that withholding
information precluded meaningful voir dire or that the defendant’s presumption of innocence was
compromised.” Hanks, 276 Mich App at 93, citing Williams, 241 Mich App at 523. Although the
trial court referred to the jurors by number rather than by name,4 that by itself did not render the
jury “anonymous” under the definition of that term adopted by this Court. Hanks, 276 Mich App
at 93. The record contains no indication that any biographical information regarding the jurors

4
  Although the jurors were referred to by number rather than name on the record at trial, we note
that the verdict form contains the signed name of the jury foreperson.

                                                -9-
was withheld from the parties, and no basis exists to conclude that defendant was prevented from
conducting an effective examination of the prospective jurors. Moreover, there is no indication
that the presumption of innocence was compromised. The jurors were given no reason to believe
that the use of numbers instead of names was of any significance. The jurors were instructed, both
at the outset of jury selection and in the court’s final instructions, that defendant was presumed
innocent. “[J]urors are presumed to follow their instructions.” Graves, 458 Mich at 486.
Defendant has not established any plain error related to the trial court’s reference to the jurors by
number rather than by name.

        Defendant acknowledges that the issue is unpreserved, that the plain-error standard applies,
and that this Court’s decisions in Williams and Hanks addressed this issue. Yet defendant does
not argue that he can establish plain error under Williams and Hanks. Instead, defendant argues
that this Court’s caselaw is inadequate and that this Court should adopt a different test based on
factors set forth in a number of lower federal court opinions. Defendant cites United States v
Thomas, 757 F2d 1359, 1365 (CA 2, 1985), to support his position that, before impaneling an
anonymous jury, a trial court must (1) find that there is a “strong reason to believe that the jury
needs protection” and (2) ensure that “reasonable precaution [is] taken to minimize the effect that
such a decision might have on the jurors’ opinions of the defendants.” Defendant further cites
United States v Ross, 33 F3d 1507, 1520 (CA 11, 1994), for the proposition that the following
factors should be used to determine whether a jury needs protection:

       (1) the defendant’s involvement in organized crime, (2) the defendant’s
       participation in a group with the capacity to harm jurors, (3) the defendant’s past
       attempts to interfere with the judicial process, (4) the potential that, if convicted,
       the defendant will suffer a lengthy incarceration and substantial monetary penalties,
       and (5) extensive publicity that could enhance the possibility that jurors’ names
       would become public and expose them to intimidation or harassment.

Defendant argues that Michigan’s courts could adopt the test and factors set forth in Thomas and
Ross, which he states would result in better trial court rulings on the matter, and improved appellate
review of such decisions as well.

        This Court is bound by Williams and Hanks because they are published opinions of this
Court issued after November 1, 1990. See MCR 7.215(J)(1) (“A panel of the Court of Appeals
must follow the rule of law established by a prior published decision of the Court of Appeals issued
on or after November 1, 1990 . . . .”); Hanks, 276 Mich App at 95 (noting that this Court is “bound
by Williams”). Lower federal court decisions like those cited by defendant here “are not binding
on this Court, but may be considered on the basis of their persuasive analysis.” People v Fomby,
300 Mich App 46, 50 n 1; 831 NW2d 887 (2013). We do not find Thomas and Ross persuasive,
and we can discern no reason to express disagreement with Williams and Hanks in order to invoke
the procedure for convening a special panel under MCR 7.215(J). Again, it must be emphasized
that by defendant’s own concession, this issue is unpreserved and review is for plain error.
Defendant fails to explain how a clear or obvious error could be found to exist on the basis of the
nonbinding decisions of the lower federal courts. Ultimately, defendant has failed to establish

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plain error under this Court’s decisions in Williams and Hanks, and we decline to revisit or revise
our jurisprudence on the use of anonymous juries.5

       Affirmed.

                                                            /s/ Michelle M. Rick
                                                            /s/ Anica Letica

5
 Defendant also argues that the erroneous impaneling of an anonymous jury should be considered
a structural error that is not subject to harmless-error review. Again, however, defendant has not
established that an error occurred under this Court’s governing caselaw. It is thus unnecessary to
consider whether such an error would be considered structural.

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