Court Opinion

ID: 9740758
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 20:41:23.902556+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:20.161740
License: Public Domain

*390R. B. Burns, J.
(dissenting). Although the issue was not raised by either party, to me the error appears to be so obvious that I cannot ignore it.
Defendant Randall Upshaw was charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in violation of MCL 750.321; MSA 28.553, following a bench trial before Judge Robert Evans. On appeal, this Court reversed defendant’s conviction in an unpublished per curiam opinion decided on March 25, 1987 (Docket No. 88718).
This Court stated:
Defendant was charged with first-degree murder and felony firearm. Following a bench trial, the trial court found him guilty of involuntary manslaughter and acquitted him of the felony firearm charge. We reverse and remand for a new trial, finding the verdict to be against the great weight of the evidence.
The Court further stated:
Because the court accepted defendant’s alibi, however, we believe some evidence was required to establish that the victim died during a period of time when the defendant did not have an alibi. As indicated, no such evidence was presented at trial.
The Court found that the prosecution had not proved its case. Defendant cannot be tried a second time. Prosecutors do not get two chances to prove cases.
I would dismiss the case and release the defendant.