PEOPLE OF MI V THOMAS LOYD SCOTT
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN,
UNPUBLISHED
January 22, 1999
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v
No. 200255
Wexford Circuit Court
LC No. 96-004841 FH
THOMAS LOYD SCOTT,
Defendant-Appellant.
Before: Cavanagh, P.J., and Markman and Smolenski, JJ.
PER CURIAM.
Defendant appeals as of right from his jury conviction of unarmed robbery, MCL 750.530;
MSA 28.798. The trial court sentenced defendant as an habitual offender, fourth offense, MCL
769.12; MSA 28.1084, fifteen to thirty years’ imprisonment. We affirm, but remand for resentencing.
Defendant first argues that he is entitled to a new trial because he was denied due process
where the prosecutor violated the terms of a discovery order with regard to a video surveillance tape
and a booking photograph. We review a trial court’s decision regarding the appropriate remedy for
noncompliance with a discovery order for an abuse of discretion. People v Davie, 225 Mich App
592, 597-598; 571 NW2d 229 (1997). “A criminal defendant has a due process right of access to
certain information possessed by the prosecution.” People v Lester, ___ Mich App ___, ___; ___
NW2d ___ (Docket No. 199269, issued 10/23/98), slip op p 8. In order to establish a violation of this
right, a defendant must prove (1) that the state possessed evidence favorable to the defendant; (2) that
he did not possess the evidence nor could he have obtained it himself with any reasonable diligence;
(3) that the prosecution suppressed the favorable evidence; and (4) that had the evidence been
disclosed to the defense, a reasonable probability exists that the outcome of the proceedings would
have been different. Id. In the instant case, the record reveals that defendant received the video
surveillance tape from the gas station four days before trial. With regard to defendant’s receipt of the
booking photograph during trial and the other discovery violations raised by defendant, defendant has
failed to articulate how the prosecutorial omissions deprived him of the opportunity to present a
meaningful defense. See Davie, supra at 599. Because defendant has not shown that he was
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prejudiced by the prosecution’s failure to comply with the discovery order, we cannot conclude that the
trial court abused its discretion in admitting this evidence.
Defendant next argues that he is entitled to reversal because a police officer’s testimony
referenced defendant’s criminal history. We disagree The complained-of testimony was elicited by
defense counsel, who had knowledge of the items that had been seized from defendant’s car and were
listed in the search warrant return. The police officer’s testimony appeared neither improperly
interjected nor deliberate, and was, in fact, responsive to defense counsel’s question. The matter was
handled outside the presence of the jury; therefore undue attention was not drawn to the fact that
defendant had a criminal history. Defense counsel did not request a cautionary instruction, maintaining
that it would be futile. Finally, the evidence presented by other witnesses against defendant was strong.
See People v Holly, 129 Mich App 405; 341 NW2d 823 (1983).
Defendant argues that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel in violation of his due
process rights when counsel failed to suppress a suggestive in-court identification by two witnesses. A
defendant that claims that he has been denied the effective assistance of counsel must establish that
(1) the performance of his counsel was below an objective standard of reasonableness under prevailing
professional norms and (2) a reasonable probability exists that, in the absence of counsel’s
unprofessional errors, the outcome of the proceedings would have been different. People v Pickens,
446 Mich 298, 302-303; 521 NW2d 797 (1994). A defendant must overcome a strong presumption
that the assistance of his counsel was sound trial strategy. People v Stanaway, 446 Mich 643, 687;
521 NW2d 557 (1994), cert den sub nom Michigan v Caruso, 513 US 1121 (1995).
There is no need to establish an independent basis for an in-court identification where there has
been no improper procedure involved. People v Barclay, 208 Mich App 670, 675-676; 528 NW2d
842 (1995). Here, defendant argues that two in-court identifications were inadmissible because neither
witness had identified defendant prior to the trial or the preliminary examination. Such an allegation
presents “a credibility issue that was properly before the jury to determine.” Id. Furthermore, it is clear
from a reading of the transcript that defense counsel on cross-examination vigorously attacked the ability
of the witnesses to properly identify defendant. This Court will not substitute its judgment for that of trial
counsel in matters of trial strategy. People v Sawyer, 222 Mich App 1, 3; 564 NW2d 62 (1997).
Defense counsel’s actions were not objectively unreasonable and did not deprive defendant of a fair
trial.
Defendant next argues that the lower court improperly scored certain offense variables used in
the sentencing guidelines and that this resulted in a longer sentence. Defendant has failed to present a
legally cognizable claim. A putative error in the scoring of sentencing guidelines is not a basis upon
which an appellate court can grant relief. People v Raby, 456 Mich 487, 499; 572 NW2d 644
(1998); People v Mitchell, 454 Mich 145, 175-178; 560 NW2d 600 (1997).
Defendant next contends that his sentence is disproportionate. We disagree. Defendant has an
extensive criminal history. A trial court does not abuse its discretion in imposing a sentence within the
statutory limits established by the Legislature when an habitual offender’s underlying felony, in the
context of his previous felonies, evidences that the defendant is unable to conform his conduct to the
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laws of society. People v Hansford (After Remand), 454 Mich 320, 326; 562 NW2d 460 (1997).
Defendant’s sentence is proportionate to the seriousness of the circumstances surrounding the offense
and the offender. People v Milbourn, 435 Mich 630, 636; 461 NW2d 1 (1990).
Finally, defendant argues that the trial judge erred when he used three convictions arising out of
the same transaction to adjudicate defendant as an habitual offender fourth. We agree. To be
convicted as an habitual offender fourth, the fourth offense must be preceded by three convictions of
felony offenses, and each of those three predicate felonies must arise from separate criminal incidents.
People v Preuss, 436 Mich 714, 717; 461 NW2d 703 (1990). In the present case, the trial judge
improperly used three felony convictions arising from the same criminal incident to sentence defendant
as a fourth habitual offender. Defendant is entitled to resentencing as a second habitual offender, MCL
769.10; MSA 28.1082.
Affirmed and remanded for resentencing. We do not retain jurisdiction.
/s/ Mark J. Cavanagh
/s/ Stephen J. Markman
/s/ Michael R. Smolenski
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