People v. Malkowski
People v. Malkowski
Opinion of the Court
Defendant was charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, count i alleged violation of MCL 750.520b(l)(f); MSA 28.788(2)(l)(f) and count n alleged violation of MCL 750.520b(l)(g); MSA 28.788(2)(l)(g), and one count, count m, of felonious assault, MCL 750.82; MSA 28.277. Following a jury trial, defendant was convicted of felonious assault, count hi, and two counts of assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct, MCL 750.520g(l); MSA 28.788(7)(1), with regard to counts i and ii. Defendant subsequently pleaded guilty of being an habitual offender, fourth offense, MCL 769.12; MSA 28.1084, and was sentenced to five to twenty years in prison. Defendant appeals his convictions as of right. We affirm in part and vacate in part.
i
Defendant first contends that he cannot properly stand convicted of two counts of assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct. The basis for this argument is that a single act of penetration cannot properly result in more than one conviction even though the act is accompanied by more than one of the special circumstances outlined in MCL 750.520b(1); MSA 28.788(2)(1). People v Johnson, 406 Mich 320, 331; 279 NW2d 534 (1979). With regard to this issue, the prosecutor concedes error. Accordingly, we vacate defen
n
Defendant next contends that he was entitled to a directed verdict with regard to count i because there was insufficient evidence of force or coercion. We disagree. Force or coercion includes, but is not limited to, physical force or violence, threats of force, threats of retaliation, inappropriate medical treatment, or concealment or surprise. People v Brown, 197 Mich App 448; 495 NW2d 812 (1992). The existence of force or coercion is to be determined in light of all the circumstances and is not limited to acts of physical violence. Id. Here, the victim testified that after he was drugged, he awoke to find his pants pulled down around his ankles and the defendant on the victim’s back with his penis penetrating the victim’s buttocks. The victim immediately told the defendant to get off him and the defendant refused, telling the victim "you like it.” A struggle then ensued, during which the victim reached up behind him and pulled out some of the defendant’s hair. The defendant then bit the victim on the back. Viewing this evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, id., we conclude that it was more than sufficient to satisfy the element of force or coercion. Defendant’s motion for a directed verdict regarding count i was properly denied.
hi
For his third issue, defendant contends that the evidence at trial was insufficient to convict him of
iv
Defendant next contends that his habitual offender conviction must be reversed. We disagree. Defendant’s argument is premised on the assumption that all three of his convictions stemming from the sexual assault are invalid. Defendant, however, stands convicted of one count of assault
v
In issue number five, defendant contends that his five- to twenty-year sentence is excessive and violates the principle of proportionality. We disagree. Defendant’s minimum sentence exceeds the high end of the guidelines’ range for the underlying offense by twelve months. We acknowledge that even though the sentencing guidelines do not apply to habitual offender convictions, the guidelines for the underlying offense are nonetheless a useful reference point for the fashioning of proportionate habitual offender sentences. See People v Williams, 191 Mich App 685, 687; 479 NW2d 36 (1991). In the present case, the trial court was urged to stay within the guidelines for the underlying offense but declined to do so given the serious and violent nature of the crime. In particular, the court emphasized that the teen-age victim had been surreptitiously drugged before the assault. The court did not abuse its sentencing discretion, and we find no violation of the principle of proportionality. People v Milbourn, 435 Mich 630; 461 NW2d 1 (1990).
vi
For his final issue, defendant contends that his minimum sentence actually exceeds the guidelines by more than a factor of three because his prior felony convictions were improperly scored. Defendant, however, raised no challenge to the scoring below, and the issue is therefore not preserved for appellate review. MCR 6.429(C); People v Kaczorowski, 190 Mich App 165, 173; 475 NW2d 861 (1991).
Affirmed in part and vacated in part.
We reject defendant’s position on appeal that he is entitled to reversal of both convictions.
Concurring in Part
(concurring in part and dissenting in part). I write separately because I believe that this case should be remanded for resentencing. I agree that the sentence would have been appropriate had the defendant been convicted of two counts of assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct and one count of felonious assault. However he should be sentenced on the assumption that he was not guilty of felonious assault and was guilty of one count of assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct. Granted, he pleaded guilty of being an habitual offender, fourth offense, but habitual offenders should be sentenced, in part, on the basis of what they actually did in the current case. Accordingly, I would remand for resentencing.
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