Court Opinion

ID: 2781858
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-02-25 13:04:31.425081+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:18:42.224673
License: Public Domain

STATE OF MICHIGAN

                            COURT OF APPEALS

PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN,                                     UNPUBLISHED
                                                                     February 24, 2015
               Plaintiff-Appellee,

v                                                                    No. 319089
                                                                     Saginaw Circuit Court
SAEJAR DEONTE PARKER,                                                LC No. 13-038499-FH

               Defendant-Appellant.

Before: RIORDAN, P.J., and MURPHY and BOONSTRA, JJ.

PER CURIAM.

        Defendant appeals as of right his jury trial convictions of third-degree criminal sexual
conduct, MCL 750.520d(1)(a) (sexual penetration where victim is at least 13 but under 16), and
fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, MCL 750.520e(1)(a) (sexual contact where victim is at
least 13 but under 16). These convictions stem from defendant sexually assaulting his 14-year
old niece, which involved touching her breast and digital penetration. Defendant was sentenced
as a fourth-offense habitual offender, MCL 769.12, to serve concurrent prison terms of 20 to 35
years for third-degree criminal sexual conduct and 34 months to 15 years for fourth-degree
criminal sexual conduct. We affirm.

                                  I. SELF-REPRESENTATION

                                  A. STANDARD OF REVIEW

        Defendant first contends that he was denied his right of self-representation. “We review
for clear error the trial court’s factual findings surrounding a defendant’s waiver. However, to
the extent that a ruling involves an interpretation of the law or the application of a constitutional
standard to uncontested facts, our review is de novo.” People v Russell, 471 Mich. 182, 187; 684
NW2d 745 (2004).

                                          B. ANALYSIS

       “The right of self-representation under Michigan law is secured by Const 1963, art 1, §
13 and by statute, MCL 763.1.” People v Williams, 470 Mich. 634, 642; 683 NW2d 597 (2004).
The right to counsel is essential to a fair trial. Russell, 471 Mich. at 187-188. “While a defendant
may choose to forgo the assistance of counsel at trial, any waiver of the right to counsel must be
knowing, voluntary, and intelligent.” Id. at 188. A trial court should “make every reasonable

                                                -1-
presumption against the waiver of a fundamental constitutional right, including the waiver of the
right to the assistance of counsel.” Id. (Emphasis in original).

        Before a defendant may represent himself at trial, the trial court must find the following:
(1) that the defendant’s request is unequivocal, (2) that the defendant asserted his right
knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily, which the court should ascertain through a colloquy
during which it advises defendant of the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation, and
(3) that the defendant’s self-representation will not disrupt, unduly inconvenience, and burden
the court and the administration of the court’s business. Id. at 190, citing People v Anderson,
398 Mich. 361, 367-368; 247 NW2d 857 (1976). If a court “is uncertain regarding whether any
of the waiver procedures are met, he should deny the defendant's request to proceed in propria
persona, noting the reasons for the denial on the record. The defendant should then continue to
be represented by retained or appointed counsel, unless the judge determines substitute counsel is
appropriate.” Russell, 471 Mich. at 191 (quotation marks, citation, and emphasis omitted). See
also MCR 6.005(D).

        In the instant case, the district court complied with the requirements regarding waiver of
counsel. At the preliminary examination, defense counsel and defendant informed the court that
defendant would like to represent himself. The court reviewed the charges, maximum penalties,
and risks involved in self-representation. Although defendant stated that he knew the court was
attempting to address the risks of self-representation, he did not clearly indicate that he
understood those risks. Rather, he stated that he could not trust anyone, including the president,
and that he placed his hope in God as he “go[es] strictly off of the scriptures of the Bible.”
Defendant conceded that he had never represented himself at a trial before. Concerns also were
raised regarding defendant’s ability to read.

        The court concluded that it had significant reservations regarding whether defendant’s
waiver of counsel was intelligently made. The court recognized that defendant’s legal
knowledge was not the inquiry, but also found relevant considerations were defendant’s
background, his experience, his conduct, his coherence, and his capability in representing
himself. As we have previously recognized, “[c]redibility is crucial in determining a defendant’s
level of comprehension, and the trial judge is in the best position to make this assessment.”
Williams, 470 Mich. at 640 (quotation marks and citation omitted). Significant issues were raised
regarding defendant’s intelligent waiver of counsel, including his ability to read and his evasive
responses regarding his comprehension of the risks of self-representation. We find no error in
the district court’s findings regarding defendant’s ability to intelligently waive counsel especially
considering that the trial court was in the best position to make that ultimate determination.

        Moreover, the court further concluded that self-representation would disrupt or unduly
inconvenience the court and court proceedings. That finding also was not in error. Throughout
the preliminary examination defendant displayed disruptive behavior, which included failing to
respond directly or clearly to questions from the court. Despite the court’s attempt to keep
defendant focused on the questions at hand, defendant engaged in lengthy caveats and resisted
attempts to bring the discussion back to the relevant matter. Defendant also abruptly demanded
that the proceedings stop, demanded an interlocutory appeal, requested a mock trial, and
repeatedly claimed he was framed.

                                                -2-
       Considering defendant’s evasive responses to the court’s inquires and his disruptive, non-
responsive behavior, we find no error in the district court’s ruling. “[T]he required waiver
procedures were not met, ostensibly dictating that appointed counsel continue to represent
defendant.” People v Kammeraad, __ Mich App __; __ NW2d __ (Docket No. 315114, issued
October 7, 2014); slip op at 20.

       Defendant also references the July 2, 2013 hearing in circuit court. At that hearing,
defense counsel advised the court that from the start of the case defendant had requested to
represent himself. Defense counsel moved to withdraw as counsel. When the court asked
defendant what his wish was, defendant responded that he put his trust “in the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit[.]” He further stated: “I got – I trust in God. So if you want to leave him on
my case, I will say this, it’s up to you, your Honor. I lean not on my own understanding. I trust
in God. Ain’t nothing I can do but be silent.” The court appointed defendant new counsel.

        In reviewing defendant’s comments, we do not find that they satisfy the requirements of
an unequivocal, voluntary, knowing, and intelligent waiver. Russell, 471 Mich. at 190. Rather,
defendant was merely indicating that he did not trust his current counsel, which is not an
unequivocal request for self-representation. Kammeraad, __ Mich App at__; slip op at 20. We
also recognize that a trial court should draw every reasonable presumption against the waiver of
counsel. Russell, 471 Mich. at 188. We find no error warranting reversal.1

                                       II. SENTENCING

       Lastly, defendant contends that the sentencing court impermissibly enhanced his sentence
based on facts not found by the jury when it scored various offense variables. Defendant
contends this was in violation of Alleyne v United States, __ US __; 133 S. Ct. 2151; 186 L. Ed. 2d
314 (2013). However, as defendant concedes, we have rejected this argument.

        In People v Herron, 303 Mich. App. 392, 405; 845 NW2d 533 (2013), we held that
“judicial fact-finding to score Michigan’s sentencing guidelines falls within the wide discretion
accorded a sentencing court in the sources and types of evidence used to assist the court in
determining the kind and extent of punishment to be imposed within limits fixed by law.”
(Quotation marks and citation omitted). This Court concluded, “Michigan’s sentencing
guidelines are within the broad sentencing discretion, informed by judicial factfinding, that does
not violate the Sixth Amendment.” Id. Thus, defendant’s argument has been foreclosed by
Herron.2

1
 We note that defendant cites at length People v Hill, 282 Mich. App. 538, 555-557; 766 NW2d
17 (2009). However, the portion defendant relies on is the dissent, not the majority opinion.
2
 An appeal in Herron was held in abeyance pending the Michigan Supreme Court’s decision in
People v Lockridge, 496 Mich. 852; 846 NW2d 925 (2014). See People v Herron, __ Mich __;
846 NW2d 924 (2014). However, “[t]he filing of an application for leave to appeal to the
Supreme Court or a Supreme Court order granting leave to appeal does not diminish the
precedential effect of a published opinion of the Court of Appeals.” MCR 7.215(C)

                                               -3-
                                    III. CONCLUSION

       The lower court did not err in denying defendant’s request for self-representation and
defendant is not entitled to resentencing. We affirm.

                                                         /s/ Michael J. Riordan
                                                         /s/ William B. Murphy
                                                         /s/ Mark T. Boonstra

                                             -4-