Court Opinion

ID: 9685061
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 14:22:16.31229+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:18:02.057230
License: Public Domain

M. J. Kelly, J.
(dissenting). I believe that the possession of phencyclidine and LSD contrary to the different subsections of the same statute, MCL 333.7403(2)(b); MSA 14.15(7403)(2)(b) and MCL 333.7403(2)(c); MSA 14.15(7403)(2)(c), was one transaction committed at one time with a single intent and goal. The small amounts of the drugs were found at the same time in the same container. Compare People v White, 390 Mich 245, 258; 212 NW2d 222 (1973), and Crampton v 54-A Dist Judge, 397 Mich 489, 499; 245 NW2d 28 (1976). The only real question here is whether defendant waived his right to a single trial when he pled guilty to one of the charges while the other remained pending. Wayne County Prosecutor v Recorder’s Court Judge, 92 Mich App 433, 442; 285 NW2d 318 (1979), People v Kenneth Smith, 69 Mich App 537, 539; 245 NW2d 125 (1976), People v Goans, 59 Mich App 294, 297; 229 NW2d 422 (1975).
*136My reading of the record leads me to conclude that defense counsel was unaware of the exception to the single transaction requirement as found in People v Goans, supra. In fact defense counsel brought a motion to quash the information and to discharge the defendant based upon the principles of double jeopardy and the applicability of the single transaction test. At the hearing on the motion his comments revealed that he did not know the holding of People v Goans, supra, and I therefore feel he made a serious mistake which was tantamount to ineffective assistance of counsel. People v Garcia, 398 Mich 250; 247 NW2d 547 (1976), People v Degraffenreid, 19 Mich App 702; 173 NW2d 317 (1969). Trial was held on April 28, 1980, but defendant was not sentenced until August 12th. No explanation is made for this hiatus, but apparently no motion for new trial was made, as we have no record of same in the lower court proceedings.
Appellate counsel does not explain why a Ginther motion to remand (People v Ginther, 390 Mich 436, 445; 212 NW2d 922 [1973]) was not made so that he could file a motion for a new trial alleging ineffective assistance of counsel. Query: Is this ineffective assistance of appellate counsel? I agree that we cannot consider the ex parte affidavit presented by defendant for the first time on appeal; but, convinced as I am that defendant has made an arguably meritorious claim, I would affirm but without prejudice to the filing of a delayed motion for new trial in the trial court by appellate counsel of record, the same to be accomplished forthwith. After the filing of such motion, the trial court would be instructed to conduct a hearing thereon, make findings of fact and conclusions of law and order or deny relief accordingly. I would not retain jurisdiction.