PEOPLE OF MI V WILLIAM EARL MAXWELL
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN,
UNPUBLISHED
July 10, 1998
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v
No. 196795
Genesee Circuit Court
LC No. 95-052460 FH
WILLIAM EARL MAXWELL,
Defendant-Appellant.
Before: Murphy, P.J., and Young, Jr. and M. R. Smith*, JJ.
MEMORANDUM.
Following a jury trial, defendant was convicted of delivery of less than fifty grams of cocaine.
MCL 333.7401(2)(a)(iv); MSA 14.15(7401)(2)(a)(iv). He was sentenced as a second offense
habitual offender to a term of eight to thirty years in prison. MCL 769.10; MSA 28.1082. We affirm.
This case is being decided without oral argument pursuant to MCR 7.214(E).
Defendant argues that the trial court abused its discretion in limiting the cross-examination of
informant Kimberly Tweed as to other instances in which she provided information to the authorities.
Any error in this regard was harmless. The scope of cross-examination is within the discretion of the
trial court. People v Williams, 191 Mich App 269, 275; 477 NW2d 877 (1991). Defendant was
fully able to examine Tweed as to her activities in this case. There is no showing that additional cross
examination would have produced additional information which would have been probative as to the
issue of Tweed’s credibility. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in limiting cross-examination.
People v Canter, 197 Mich App 550, 564; 496 NW2d 336 (1992).
Defendant argues that the trial court abused its discretion in denying a continuance to obtain the
testimony of the motel owner, who would purportedly testify that the room numbers were clearly
marked, and the police officer should have known which room he was at when he made his undercover
purchase. This testimony would only pose a collateral attack on the officer’s testimony. The trial court
did not abuse its discretion where the evidence to be offered would only have a minimal impact on
refuting the credibility of a police witness. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the
* Circuit judge, sitting on the Court of Appeals by assignment.
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continuance, where there was no indication that defendant was prejudiced by the ruling. People v
Pena, 224 Mich App 650, 661; 569 NW2d 871 (1997). Defendant was able to raise this issue with
other testimony. The officer admitted his mistake in reporting that the sale took place in a different
room. There is no showing that defendant was prejudiced by the absence of the witness.
Defendant has failed to show that his sentence is disproportionate. A habitual offender sentence
is reviewed to determine if it violates the principle of proportionality set forth in People v Milbourn,
435 Mich 630; 461 NW2d 1 (1990). The sentencing guidelines are not relevant to this review. People
v Gatewood (On Remand), 216 Mich App 559, 560; 550 NW2d 265 (1996). In light of the
circumstances surrounding the offense and the offender in this case, defendant’s sentence does not
violate the principle of proportionality, and the trial court did not abuse its discretion in sentencing
defendant. Id.
Affirmed.
/s/ William B. Murphy
/s/ Robert P. Young, Jr.
/s/ Michael R. Smith
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