People v. McCurtis
People v. McCurtis
Opinion of the Court
A jury found defendant not guilty of robbery armed, MCL 750.529; MSA 28.797, but guilty of criminal sexual conduct in the first degree, MCL 750.520b(1)(c); MSA 28.788(2)(1)(c). He appeals, arguing the verdicts are inconsistent. We agree.
The amended information in this case charged
From the facts adduced at trial it is readily apparent how the jury arrived at its inconsistent verdicts. The complaining witness testified that she was grabbed by defendant from an apartment vestibule, forced into a nearby alley at knifepoint raped and robbed. However, on cross-examination she was asked:
"Let me, that means you really don’t know whether he took the money or not, it could have been lost, or anything could have happened to it, right?”
An objection was interposed, but the trial court allowed the question:
"Do you know if he took the money?
"No.”
The jury concluded that there was a reasonable doubt as to whether defendant committed robbery armed, but concluded he committed some felony. However, defendant was not charged with sexual penetration under circumstances involving the commission of just any felony, but specifically with robbery armed. The jury having found one element of the crime not to have been proven beyond reasonable doubt, there was not sufficient evidence to find guilt beyond reasonable doubt of the greater offense.
In accordance with Burks v United States, — US
Concurring Opinion
(concurring). I agree with Judge Burns that retrial is barred by the double jeopardy clause, but his reliance on Burks v United States, — US —; 98 S Ct 2141; 57 L Ed 2d 1 (1978), is misplaced.
The instant case was not reversed because of insufficient evidence but rather because the jury’s verdict amounted to an acquittal. When the jury found the defendant not guilty of armed robbery, it necessarily found that one of the elements of the offense charged had not been established. Once acquitted, a defendant may not be reprosecuted for the same offense. E.g. North Carolina v Pearce, 395 US 711; 89 S Ct 2072; 23 L Ed 2d 656 (1969).
Reference
- Full Case Name
- PEOPLE v. McCURTIS
- Cited By
- 13 cases
- Status
- Published