PEOPLE OF MI V JESUS GARCIA
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN,
UNPUBLISHED
June 9, 1998
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v
No. 200484
Oakland Circuit Court
LC No. 95-143333 FH
JESUS GARCIA,
Defendant-Appellant.
Before: Wahls, P.J., and Jansen and Gage, JJ.
MEMORANDUM.
Defendant appeals as of right from his jury conviction of operating a motor vehicle while under
the influence of intoxicating liquor causing death, MCL 257.625(4); MSA 9.2325(4), and his
accompanying sentence of 7-1/2 to 15 years’ imprisonment. We affirm. This case is being decided
without oral argument pursuant to MCR 7.214(E).
Defendant argues that he was deprived of the effective assistance of counsel by trial counsel’s
failure to file a pretrial motion to suppress the results of a blood-alcohol test performed at the hospital
on blood drawn from defendant on the order of the treating emergency room physician while defendant
was being treated for injuries sustained in the accident. The record lacks any evidence from which it
could be inferred that the physician ordered the blood sample withdrawn and tested to aid in
defendant’s prosecution. Instead, the record contains evidence supporting the conclusion that the blood
was drawn for medical treatment purposes. Accordingly, on the record before us, the evidence was
admissible pursuant to MCL 257.625a(6)(e); MSA 9.2325(1)(6)(e), and defendant has failed to
establish that counsel’s performance was constitutionally deficient, counsel not being required to make a
frivolous motion. People v Mitchell, 454 Mich 145, 156; 560 NW2d 600 (1997); People v Gist,
188 Mich App 610, 613; 470 NW2d 475 (1991); People v Hedelsky, 162 Mich App 382, 387; 412
NW2d 746 (1987).
Defendant next argues that he was deprived of the effective assistance of counsel when trial
counsel failed to file a pretrial motion to suppress blood evidence seized pursuant to a search warrant.
Defendant asserts that he was entitled to the suppression of this blood evidence because the search
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warrant was issued after the blood sample was withdrawn. To support this argument, defendant
appends to his brief a copy of the search warrant that was faxed to the hospital and a copy of an
“alcohol or drug determination” form. These documents are not in the record and, therefore, may not
be relied upon by this Court in evaluating the merits of defendant’s claim. Hedelsky, supra at 387. A
review of the record reveals no evidence from which we can conclude that the blood sample in question
was withdrawn before the warrant was issued. In fact, defense counsel indicated on the record that he
had no legal grounds to challenge the admission of this evidence because it was gathered pursuant to a
valid warrant. On this record, defendant has failed to establish that counsel’s performance was
constitutionally-deficient. Mitchell, supra at 156; Gist, supra at 613.
Finally, defendant argues that he was deprived of the effective assistance of counsel by
counsel’s failure to file a pretrial motion to suppress defendant’s statement to a paramedic and for an
evidentiary hearing pursuant to People v Walker (On Rehearing), 374 Mich 331; 132 NW2d 87
(1965). Because there is no indication in the record that the paramedic initiated her questioning of
defendant at the request of the sheriff’s deputy, that she was acting in concert with the deputy when she
questioned defendant or that she was a police officer herself, the paramedic was not required to advise
defendant of his Miranda1 rights before she asked him the questions at issue. People v Anderson, 209
Mich App 527, 533; 531 NW2d 788 (1995). Accordingly, defense counsel did not deprive defendant
of the effective assistance of counsel by failing to move for suppression. Mitchell, supra at 156; Gist,
supra at 613.
Affirmed.
/s/ Myron H. Wahls
/s/ Kathleen Jansen
/s/ Hilda R. Gage
1
Miranda v Arizona, 384 US 436; 86 S Ct 1602; 16 L Ed 2d 694 (1966), reh den 385 US 890; 87
S Ct 11; 17 L Ed 2d 121 (1966).
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