PEOPLE OF MI V WILLIAM TROY MCALISTER
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN,
UNPUBLISHED
February 10, 1998
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v
No. 195488
Shiawassee Circuit Court
LC No. 90-006213 FC
WILLIAM TROY McALISTER,
Defendant-Appellant.
Before: Markey, P.J., and Doctoroff and Smolenski, JJ.
MEMORANDUM.
In a 1990 jury trial, defendant was convicted of felony murder, MCL 750.316; MSA 28.548
(armed robbery), four counts of kidnapping, MCL 750.349; MSA 28.581, and three counts of assault
with intent to commit murder, MCL 750.83; MSA 28.278. He received the statutorily mandated
sentence of life imprisonment without possibility of parole for the felony murder conviction, life sentences
on each of the kidnapping convictions, and 65 to 120 years on each of the assault with intent to commit
murder convictions. On prior appeal of right, Docket No. 133519, his convictions were affirmed, but
this Court vacated the 65 to 120 year sentences for the assault convictions and remanded the case for
resentencing pursuant to People v Moore, 432 Mich 311; 439 NW2d 684 (1989).
On remand, defendant received a life sentence on each of the assault convictions. On his new
appeal of right, he contends that there was no justification for an increase in punishment; therefore, he is
entitled to resentencing before a different judge, so that the process will not have chilled his right of
appeal or penalized him for having exercised that right as granted by Const 1963, art 1, § 20. See
People v Mazzie, 429 Mich 29, 34-35; 413 NW2d 1 (1987).
Defendant’s argument is predicated on the assumption that a life sentence is inherently a greater
penalty than a term of years. This assumption is, however, not correct. People v Carson, 220 Mich
App 662, 673; 560 NW2d 657 (1996) (special panel). Aside from the fact that whatever sentence is
imposed will be subsidiary to the nonparoleable sentence defendant has received for felony murder,
defendant’s original 65 to 120 year sentences would have left him ineligible for parole until the expiration
of 65 calendar years, less disciplinary credits. Regular disciplinary credits may not exceed five days per
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month and special disciplinary credits are limited to two additional days per month and may not be
awarded for any month in which a prisoner has been found guilty of a major misconduct. MCL
800.33(5); MSA 28.1403(5). This means on his original sentences defendant would not have been
eligible for parole for at least fifty calendar years. MCL 791.234(2); MSA 28.2304(2). After
resentencing, with life sentences defendant is eligible for parole (theoretically, ignoring the nonparoleable
life sentence for felony murder) after merely serving ten calendar years of his sentence. MCL
791.234(6); MSA 28.2304(6). Defendant has therefore not received a greater sentence after
resentencing and accordingly has not been penalized for exercising his right of appeal.
Affirmed.
/s/ Jane E. Markey
/s/ Martin M. Doctoroff
/s/ Michael R. Smolenski
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