Court Opinion

ID: 4187519
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-07-20 03:18:35.238447+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:40:05.777894
License: Public Domain

STATE OF MICHIGAN

                           COURT OF APPEALS

PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN,                                    UNPUBLISHED
                                                                    July 18, 2017
               Plaintiff-Appellee,

v                                                                   No. 331538
                                                                    Wayne Circuit Court
LARRY ANTHONY PRICE,                                                LC No. 15-004977-01-FC

               Defendant-Appellant.

Before: MURPHY, P.J., and TALBOT, C.J., and O’CONNELL, J.

PER CURIAM.

         Defendant, Larry Anthony Price, appeals by right his convictions, following a jury trial,
of first-degree premeditated murder, MCL 750.316(1)(a), felon in possession of a firearm (felon
in possession), MCL 750.224f, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder,
MCL 750.84, and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony (felony-firearm), MCL
750.227b. The trial court sentenced Price as a third-offense habitual offender, MCL 769.11, to
serve concurrent terms of imprisonment of life without parole for his first-degree murder
conviction, four years and six months to 10 years for his felon in possession conviction, and nine
years and six months to 20 years for his assault conviction, as well as a consecutive term of two
years’ imprisonment for his felony-firearm conviction. We affirm.

                                 I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND

        Price’s convictions resulted from the shooting of Andre Johnson that occurred after a car
chase on the evening of January 29, 2015. According to Brandon Burrell, he, Christopher Willis,
and Johnson were together most of the evening. Johnson had previously had a relationship with
Price’s girlfriend, who Burrell encountered while celebrating a birthday. After Price’s girlfriend
left the celebration, Burrell’s group left. Later, Johnson drew Burrell’s attention to Price’s
vehicle, a red Chrysler 300C, that was parked down the street. According to Burrell, the dome
light was on inside the car and he could see that Price was driving. After Burrell’s group got into
Burrell’s car and started driving away, Price’s car began following them. A brief car chase
ensued. When both cars pulled over and stopped, Burrell saw sparks coming from Price’s car,
specifically from the driver’s seat, that were caused by two people firing guns at Burrell’s
vehicle from inside Price’s car. Burrell assumed Price was firing one of the weapons because
there would not have been time for Price to change seats. Johnson was killed.

               II. SUFFICIENCY AND GREAT WEIGHT OF THE EVIDENCE
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       Price argues that the evidence was insufficient to support his verdict and that his verdict
was against the great weight of the evidence because no one identified him as a shooter. We
disagree.

        A defendant need not take any steps to preserve a sufficiency of the evidence challenge.
People v Cain, 238 Mich App 95, 116-117; 605 NW2d 28 (1999). A claim that the evidence was
insufficient to convict a defendant implicates the defendant’s constitutional right to due process
of law. People v Wolfe, 440 Mich 508, 514; 489 NW2d 748, amended on other grounds 441
Mich 1201 (1992). We review de novo a defendant’s challenge to the sufficiency of the
evidence supporting his conviction. People v Henderson, 306 Mich App 1, 8; 854 NW2d 234
(2014). We review the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution to determine
whether a rational trier of fact could find that the prosecution proved the crime’s elements
beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. at 9.

       However, Price did not preserve his argument concerning the great weight of the
evidence because he did not move for a new trial on the basis of the weight of the evidence. See
People v Cameron, 291 Mich App 599, 616-617; 806 NW2d 371 (2011). Because Price failed to
preserve this claim, we will review this issue for plain error affecting his substantial rights. Id.;
People v Carines, 460 Mich 750, 763; 597 NW2d 130 (1999).

        Concerning the great weight of the evidence, the presence of conflicting testimony alone
does not provide a sufficient ground to discard a verdict. People v Lemmon, 456 Mich 625, 647;
576 NW2d 129 (1998). Courts defer to the trier of fact’s credibility determination unless
“directly contradictory testimony was so far impeached that it was deprived of all probative
value or that the [trier of fact] could not believe it,” the determination “contradicted indisputable
physical facts,” or the determination “defied physical realities.” Id. at 645-646 (quotations and
citation omitted). Similarly, when considering the sufficiency of the evidence, we will not
interfere with the trier of fact’s role to determine the weight of the evidence or the credibility of
the witnesses. Wolfe, 440 Mich at 514-515. More particularly, assessing “[t]he credibility of
identification testimony is a question for the trier of fact.” People v Davis, 241 Mich App 697,
700; 617 NW2d 381 (2000).

        “[I]dentity is an element of every offense.” People v Yost, 278 Mich App 341, 356; 749
NW2d 753 (2008). Positive identification by a witness may provide sufficient evidence of
identity, even in cases of conflicting identification testimony. Davis, 241 Mich App at 699-700.

       In this case, Burrell testified that as he was leaving a friend’s house, he saw Price’s car
parked down the road and saw Price inside the car because the car’s interior dome light was on.
Detroit Police Department Detective Ryan Mason testified that when he interviewed Burrell,
Burrell did not mention a dome light being on inside the car. Similarly, Detroit Police
Department Detective Matthew Van Raaphorst testified that he did not remember hearing about
a dome light being on during his first interview with Burrell.

        Although Burrell’s trial testimony was impeached by Detectives Mason and Van
Raaphorst, his testimony was not inherently contradictory, did not contradict indisputable
physical facts, and did not defy physical realities. The trier of fact was entitled to weigh
Burrell’s testimony that he saw Price in the car when reaching its conclusion about the shooters’

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identities, and Burrell’s testimony was not so thoroughly impeached that it had no probative
value. Therefore, we conclude that sufficient evidence supported Price’s convictions and that his
convictions were not against the great weight of the evidence.

                                   III. JURY SEVERANCE

       Price initially argues that jury severance was mandated because he and his codefendant,
Dontaye Javon Brown, had antagonistic defenses. However, when asked by the trial court,
“There were no statements made or anything that would necessitate two juries?” defense counsel
responded no, thereby waiving any argument on appeal about severance. People v Carter, 462
Mich 206, 215; 612 NW2d 144 (2000).

       Price also argues that his counsel was ineffective for failing to argue that jury severance
was appropriate. We disagree.

        Generally, a defendant’s ineffective assistance of counsel claim “is a mixed question of
fact and constitutional law.” People v LeBlanc, 465 Mich 575, 579; 640 NW2d 246 (2002). We
review for clear error the trial court’s findings of fact and review de novo questions of law. Id.
However, when no hearing was held, as in this case, our review is limited to mistakes apparent
from the record. People v Payne, 285 Mich App 181, 188; 774 NW2d 714 (2009).

       To prove that defense counsel was ineffective, a defendant must show that his counsel’s
performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness. Strickland v Washington, 466
US 668, 688; 104 S Ct 2052; 80 L Ed 2d 674 (1984). The defendant must overcome the strong
presumption that counsel’s performance constituted sound trial strategy. People v Vaughn, 491
Mich 642, 670; 821 NW2d 288 (2012). A defendant must also show that there is a reasonable
probability that counsel’s deficient performance prejudiced him. Strickland, 466 US at 691-692.

        “An information or indictment may charge two or more defendants with the same
offense” if “the offenses are related . . . .” MCR 6.121(A)(2). However, on a defendant’s
motion, the trial court “must sever the trial of defendants on related offenses on a showing that
severance is necessary to avoid prejudice to substantial rights of the defendant.” MCR 6.121(C).
Severance is appropriate “only if there is a serious risk that a joint trial would compromise a
specific trial right . . . or prevent the jury from making a reliable judgment about guilt or
innocence.” People v Hana, 447 Mich 325, 346; 524 NW2d 682 (1994) (quotations and citation
omitted). Inconsistent defenses alone do not mandate severance. Id. at 349. Rather, the
defenses must be mutually exclusive or irreconcilable to the extent that the jury could only
believe one defendant at the expense of the other. Id. at 350.

       In this case, Price and Brown’s defenses were not mutually exclusive. Both argued that
they were not present at the crime. Accordingly, their defenses were not irreconcilable, and
defense counsel did not act unreasonably by failing to raise a meritless request for severance.
See People v Ericksen, 288 Mich App 192, 201; 793 NW2d 120 (2010). Additionally, neither
defendant gave a statement to police or testified at trial, so any prejudice to Price from being
tried with Brown was incidental. Thus, Price cannot show a reasonable probability that
counsel’s failure to request separate trials prejudiced him. See Strickland, 466 US at 691-692.

                           IV. PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT
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        Price finally argues that the prosecutor committed multiple incidents of misconduct and
that the misconduct deprived him of a fair trial. We disagree.

       Price preserved some claims of misconduct, but not others, as noted below. We review
preserved claims of prosecutorial misconduct de novo and review unpreserved claims of
prosecutorial misconduct for plain error. People v Brown, 279 Mich App 116, 134; 755 NW2d
664 (2008).

        A prosecutor can deny a defendant’s right to a fair trial by making improper remarks that
“so infect[] the trial with unfairness as to make the resulting conviction a denial of due process.”
Donnelly v DeChristoforo, 416 US 637, 643; 94 S Ct 1868; 40 L Ed 2d 431 (1974). But standing
alone, prosecutorial misconduct is not constitutional error. See People v Blackmon, 280 Mich
App 253, 269; 761 NW2d 172 (2008). “[I]n order for prosecutorial misconduct to be
constitutional error, the misconduct must have so infected the trial with unfairness as to make the
conviction a deprivation of liberty without due process of law.” Id. (emphasis omitted).

        First, Price argues that the prosecutor committed misconduct by asking Willis if he had
ever heard of threats against Johnson’s life because the question elicited hearsay. Price’s
argument is “essentially an evidentiary issue framed as prosecutorial misconduct,” and as such
we consider whether the prosecutor acted in good faith. See People v Dobek, 274 Mich App 58,
70; 732 NW2d 546 (2007). “A prosecutor’s good-faith effort to admit evidence does not
constitute misconduct.” Id. at 70.

        After Willis testified that he never heard Price threaten Johnson’s life, the prosecutor
sought to impeach Willis with a prior statement that Johnson and Price had drawn weapons on
each other. The trial court ruled that drawing weapons could be taken as a threat and allowed the
prosecutor to impeach Willis with the prior statement. Contradictory prior statements may be
used to impeach a witness, but are not generally admissible. See MRE 613(b). This statement
was also not hearsay because the prosecutor did not ask Willis about his prior statement to prove
the matter asserted—that Price had drawn a gun on Johnson—but rather to show that Willis had
given a different statement on a prior occasion. MRE 801(c). We conclude that the prosecutor
did not commit misconduct by seeking in good faith to impeach Willis with a prior statement that
contradicted his trial testimony.

         Second, Price argues that the prosecutor committed misconduct by implying that Price’s
ex-girlfriend gave different information in a police interview and at trial about the time when
she, Price, and Brown arrived at her home. This claim is unpreserved. At trial, Price’s ex-
girlfriend testified the three arrived at her home “around ten-ish or something” and further stated
that she previously had been forced to give an exact time but could not state what time it was.
The prosecutor moved to play a video of a police interview of her for the jury. The trial court
ruled it would allow the prosecutor to play a three or four second clip in which the witness spoke
of the time in issue. In response to further objection by defense counsel, the trial court noted that
the video showed that no one had forced Price’s ex-girlfriend to state any time. However, after
returning to the stand, Price’s ex-girlfriend testified to a different time that was consistent with
her police interview. She also testified that no one forced her to identify a specific time. Again,
we conclude that the prosecutor’s good-faith attempt to impeach a witness with a prior

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inconsistent statement did not constitute prosecutorial misconduct. See Dobek, 274 Mich App at
70.

         Third, Price challenges the prosecutor’s use of leading questions during the ex-
girlfriend’s redirect examination. “[R]eversal is not required simply because leading questions
were asked during trial.” People v Watson, 245 Mich App 572, 587; 629 NW2d 411 (2001).
The defendant must show some prejudice from the use of leading questions. Id. In this case,
Price neither argues that the use of leading questions prejudiced him, nor is there any indication
that it actually did so.

        Fourth, Price argues that the prosecutor attempted to influence the jury with extraneous
influences by repeatedly speaking loudly enough for the jury to hear her during bench
conferences and once at her counsel table. During deliberations, the jury may only consider
evidence presented to them in open court. People v Budzyn, 456 Mich 77, 88; 566 NW2d 229
(1997). When the jury considers outside influences, it may affect the defendant’s right to a fair
trial. Id. A prosecutor commits misconduct by abandoning his or her responsibility to seek
justice and denying the defendant a fair and impartial trial. Dobek, 274 Mich App at 63.

       There were a total of four instances in which the trial court either asked the prosecutor to
keep her voice down or defense counsel objected on the basis that the prosecutor was speaking
too loudly. The prosecutor’s conduct in repeatedly speaking loudly, despite being warned not to
do so by the trial court, constitutes misconduct.

         However, in order to establish error predicated on an extraneous influence, the defendant
must “prove that the jury was exposed to extraneous influences” and “that these extraneous
influences created a real and substantial possibility that they could have affected the jury’s
verdict.” Budzyn, 456 Mich at 88-89. To do so, the defendant generally must demonstrate that
the extraneous influence was “substantially related to a material aspect of the case and that there
is a direct connection between the extrinsic material and the adverse verdict.” Id.

       Price has not established that this conduct affected the outcome of his trial. The record
contains no indication that the jury heard or was influenced by any of the prosecutor’s
extraneous comments. Price failed to establish that the influences were related to material
aspects of the case. In the instance in which the prosecutor was speaking with her officer in
charge at the counsel table, the topic was unknown. The other instances concerned matters of
impeachment of witnesses on matters that were either ruled admissible or were covered on the
record. Price has thus failed to demonstrate a direct connection between the extrinsic influences
and the verdict and has not met his burden to establish that the prosecutor’s conduct was more
probably than not outcome determinative. See Blackmon, 280 Mich App at 270.

        Fifth, Price argues that the prosecutor’s closing argument failed to confine itself to the
facts in evidence. This claim is unpreserved. A prosecutor may not argue the effect of testimony
that was not in evidence. People v Stanaway, 446 Mich 643, 686; 521 NW2d 557 (1994).
However, a prosecutor may argue all of the facts in evidence and all reasonable inferences
arising from the facts as they relate to the prosecution’s theory of the case. People v Bahoda,
448 Mich 261, 282; 531 NW2d 659 (1995).

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       Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent Jason
Salerno testified that he has a canine partner named Jax that was trained to detect explosive
compounds, including compounds in nitrate-based smokeless powders for guns. The prosecutor
argued in closing, that Burrell “had no idea that Agent Solerno and Jackson [sic] were to find
some explosive compounds in that red 300.” Accordingly, the prosecutor’s closing argument
was based on the facts in evidence, and we reject Price’s assertion of misconduct.

        Finally, Price argues that the cumulative effect of misconduct denied him a fair trial.
However, because only one allegation of prosecutorial misconduct had merit, and Price has
failed to establish the requisite prejudice with respect to the action, Price has not shown he was
deprived of a fair trial. See Dobek, 274 Mich App at 106.

       We affirm.

                                                            /s/ William B. Murphy
                                                            /s/ Michael J. Talbot
                                                            /s/ Peter D. O’Connell

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