Court Opinion

ID: 9704382
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 00:33:36.805364+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:22:01.528698
License: Public Domain

Bashara, P. J.
(concurring). I concur separately because I find it unnecessary to determine whether the decision of counsel or defendant controls when *469a conflict arises regarding a request for instructions on lesser included offenses.
In the case at bar, Michael Champion testified that he, the defendant, Samuel Till, and Monteith Harris drove around for five or six hours searching for a victim to rob. Finally, they came upon Leach Carkeek, a 91-year-old man. The four rushed him, pushed him into the house and down the basement stairs. Till and the defendant remained in the basement where Till kicked the victim in the side and asked for money. Harris and Champion searched the upstairs. Money and a diamond ring were taken from the home. Carkeek died.
The defendant took the stand and denied his participation in the crime.
At the close of proofs defense counsel, over objection of the defendant, requested instructions on the lesser included offenses of second-degree murder and manslaughter. The trial judge refused to so instruct. Defendant assigns error.
This author has always adhered to the view that where there is no evidence of any other crime than felony-murder, as in this case, the jury should be limited to verdicts of either guilty of first-degree murder or not guilty. People v Wimbush, 45 Mich App 42, 49; 205 NW2d 890 (1973), lv den, 390 Mich 770 (1973). The trial judge properly refused to instruct on the requested lesser offenses.
Nor do I believe the recent lesser included offense cases of People v Ora Jones, 395 Mich 379; 236 NW2d 461 (1975), People v Chamblis, 395 Mich 408; 236 NW2d 473 (1975), People v Carter, 395 Mich 434; 236 NW2d 500 (1975), People v Jenkins, 395 Mich 440; 236 NW2d 503 (1975),1 or People v Paul, 395 Mich 444; 236 NW2d 486 *470(1975),2 compel a different result. They are not retroactive. See People v Lank Thomas, 68 Mich App 302; 242 NW2d 564 (1976). These cases change the recognized rule of law in Michigan, that where one is charged with felony-murder, there is no duty to instruct on the lesser offenses of second-degree murder or manslaughter if the evidence could not sustain such a verdict. People v Hearn, 354 Mich 468; 93 NW2d 302 (1958), People v Dupuis, 371 Mich 395; 124 NW2d 242 (1963).
Therefore, I concur in the result.

 Only People v Jenkins, 395 Mich 440, 443; 236 NW2d 503 (1975), expressly sets forth its prospective application.

 People v Paul, 395 Mich 444; 236 NW2d 486 (1975), may or may not change the rule regarding the requirement to instruct on manslaughter depending on whether it is a necessarily lesser included offense or cognate lesser offense. A determination I need not make since Paul does not apply retroactively.