People v. Parks
People v. Parks
Opinion of the Court
Defendant was convicted of conspiracy to commit the crime of delivery of a controlled substance — heroin, contrary to MCL
Defendant raises four allegations of error in this appeal, only two of which warrant our consideration. First, defendant contends that the prosecutor violated the proscription of People v Bobo, 390 Mich 355; 212 NW2d 190 (1973), by impeaching defendant with respect to his post-arrest silence. We agree.
On direct examination, defendant denied knowledge or complicity in the illegal sale and delivery of drugs with which he was charged. The prosecutor discredited defendant’s denials during cross-examination by questioning him regarding his failure to advise the police of any such exculpatory information immediately after his arrest.
In People v Bobo, supra, the Court invalidated prosecutorial questioning which directly or indirectly restricted the exercise of the constitutional right to remain silent. The Court stated:
"We will not condone conduct which directly or indirectly restricts the exercise of the constitutional right to remain silent in the face of accusation. 'Nonutterances’ are not statements. The fact that a witness did not make a statement may be shown only to contradict his assertion that he did.” Bobo, supra, 359.
In People v Norris, 74 Mich App 361; 253 NW2d 767 (1977), this Court applied the Bobo doctrine in a situation much like the instant one. In that case, the defendant testified that he had an alibi for the night of the robbery. On cross-examination, the prosecutor queried whether defendant had told the
In, the instant case, defendant, at the time of his arrest, did not voice to the police any denial of complicity in the crime, nor did defendant claim to have done so during his direct examination. The prosecutor’s cross-examination into these questions, then, clearly violated the proscription announced in Bobo and interpreted in Norris and Hoye. We find this violation offensive to the maintenance of a sound judicial process. People v Sain, 407 Mich 412; 285 NW2d 772 (1979), People y Robinson, 386 Mich 551; 194 NW2d 709 (1972), People v Hoye, supra, 262. Accordingly, we reverse and remand for a new trial upon this ground.
The second claim of error we find warranting address is defendant’s allegation that the prosecutor questioned him improperly with respect to notes defendant made documenting the events that led to his arrest. This improper inquiry necessitated defense counsel’s assertion of the attorney-client privilege in front of the jury, to defendant’s ultimate prejudice.
The prosecutor asked the defendant on cross-
We find that the prosecutor’s pursuit of the issue concerning defendant’s notes before the jury was improper once defendant had denied reviewing them prior to trial. See People v Rodgers, 388 Mich 513; 201 NW2d 621 (1972), People v Turner, 59 Mich App 589, 595; 229 NW2d 861 (1975). This improper pursuit forced the defendant to claim an attorney-client privilege before the jury. And, as stated in People v Brocato, 17 Mich App 277, 303; 169 NW2d 483 (1969):
"The attorney-client privilege is fundamental to our system of jurisprudence. The privilege is destroyed if improper inference can be drawn from its exercise.”
Reversed and remanded for a new trial in conformity with this opinion.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.