PEOPLE OF MI V SHANE N SERDA
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN,
UNPUBLISHED
May 2, 1997
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v
No. 185061
Oakland Circuit Court
LC No. 94-134585-FH
SHANE N. SERDA,
Defendant-Appellant.
Before: Young, P.J., and Markey, and D.A. Teeple,* JJ.
PER CURIAM.
In each of two separate cases, defendant was found guilty by a jury of second-degree criminal
sexual conduct, MCL 750.520c(1)(a); MSA 28.788(3)(1)(a). He thereafter pleaded guilty to
corresponding counts of habitual offender, third offense, MCL 769.11; MSA 28.1083, and was
sentenced to two concurrent terms of twelve to thirty years of imprisonment. He appeals as of right.
We affirm.
The trial court properly denied defendant’s motion for an adjournment because he failed to
provide an adequate explanation for the absence of the witness or show that diligent efforts were made
to secure the witness’ presence. Tisbury v Armstrong, 194 Mich App 19, 20; 486 NW2d 51 (1990).
Further, defendant had not shown that he was prejudiced by the denial of his motion for an
adjournment. People v Sinistaj, 184 Mich App 191, 201-202; 457 NW2d 36 (1990). Defendant
was able to place his fabrication defense before the jury without the witness’ testimony and there was
strong, unrebutted evidence of defendant’s guilt presented at trial. Under these circumstances, the trial
court’s failure to grant an adjournment to secure the testimony of the witness was not prejudicial to
defendant. Hence, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying defendant’s motion for an
adjournment. Sinistaj, supra.
Further, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying defendant’s motion for a mistrial.
People v Cunningham, 215 Mich App 652, 654; 546 NW2d 715 (1996). The comment by one of
the victims that defendant had burned down a house was not a basis for a mistrial because it was
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volunteered and was not responsive to the prosecutor’s proper question. People v Haywood, 209
Mich App 217, 228; 530 NW2d 497 (1995); People v Lumsden, 168 Mich App 286, 299; 423
NW2d 645 (1988). Furthermore, the comment was fleeting and was not emphasized to the jury,
Lumsden, supra at 299, and any prejudicial effect of the victim’s comment was cured by the trial
court’s cautionary instruction to the jury. See People v Gonzales, 193 Mich App 263, 266-267; 483
NW2d 458 (1992).
Next, defendant argues that he was denied a fair trial by the trial court’s failure to order
discovery of the psychological reports prepared by the victims’ counselors. Defendant’s argument is
puzzling given the trial court’s order stating “that all counselors, social workers, psychiatrists and
psychologists shall release any and all information and records” relating to the victims for an in camera
review. This is consistent with the due process requirements set forth in People v Stanaway, 446 Mich
643; 521 NW2d 557 (1994). It is also puzzling because there is no record that the court had an in
camera review of these documents and/or precluded discovery of these materials after an in camera
review as defendant contends. Assuming arguendo that this occurred, defendant has not met his burden
of providing the relevant record for appellate review. Defendant has the responsibility to file the full
transcript of any hearing or provide a settled statement of facts such that this Court has a record on
which to base its review. MCR 7.210(B)(1)(a). Accordingly, we consider this issue abandoned on
appeal. People v Johnson, 173 Mich App 706, 707; 434 NW2d 218 (1983). Nevertheless, we
conclude that defendant’s claim of error is without merit. Defendant essentially sought these materials to
engage in a fishing expedition for impeachment and cross-examination purposes, and did not articulate a
specific good-faith basis for believing that such material existed. Stanaway, supra at 681-682.
Next, by failing to object on hearsay grounds, defendant has not preserved for appellate review
his claim that the victims’ mother should not have been allowed to testify regarding statements the
victims made to her concerning the incidents in question. People v Grant, 445 Mich 535, 546; 520
NW2d 123 (1994). In any event, the testimony was not inadmissible hearsay because it fell within the
tender years exception, MRE 803A, or was harmless in light of the unrebutted testimony given by the
victims at trial.
Lastly, defendant has not preserved for appellate review his claim of being denied a fair trial due
to instances of prosecutorial misconduct. Stanaway, supra at 643.
Affirmed.
/s/ Robert P. Young, Jr.
/s/ Jane E, Markey
/s/ Donald A. Teeple
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