PEOPLE OF MI V GEORGE EDWARD CAMPBELL
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN,
UNPUBLISHED
August 17, 2001
Plaintiff-Appellee,
V
No. 221692
Eaton Circuit Court
LC No. 98-020175-FC
GEORGE EDWARD CAMPBELL,
Defendant-Appellant.
Before: K.F. Kelly, P.J., and White and Talbot, JJ.
PER CURIAM.
Following a jury trial, defendant was convicted of careless, reckless, or negligent use of a
firearm resulting in death, MCL 752.861, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a
felony, MCL 750.227b. The jury acquitted defendant of involuntary manslaughter, MCL
750.321. He was sentenced to thirteen to twenty-four months in prison for the careless, reckless
or negligent use of a firearm resulting in death conviction, and two years in prison for the felonyfirearm conviction. Defendant appeals as of right. We affirm.
Defendant first contends that the trial court erred in failing to instruct the jury that it must
find beyond a reasonable doubt that defendant committed involuntary manslaughter in order to
convict him of felony-firearm. Defendant further argues that the trial court should have informed
the jury that the lesser included charge of careless, reckless or negligent use of a firearm resulting
in death is a misdemeanor.
Defendant has waived review of this issue. Defense counsel stated to the trial court that
he had “no objections to the instructions.” “A defendant may not waive objection to an issue
before the trial court and then raise it as an error on appeal.” People v Carter, 462 Mich 206,
214; 612 NW2d 144 (2000).
Further, we find no error in the trial court’s instructions to the jury. This Court reviews
claims of instructional error de novo. People v Bartlett, 231 Mich App 139, 143; 585 NW2d 341
(1998). With respect to the felony-firearm charge, the trial court properly instructed the jury that
it must find that defendant committed the crime of involuntary manslaughter and that at the time
he committed that crime he knowingly carried or possessed a firearm. MCL 750.227b; People v
Duncan, 462 Mich 47, 60 n 3; 610 NW2d 551 (2000). The court instructed the jury that it must
find each element of felony-firearm beyond a reasonable doubt. Finally, we find no error with
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regard to the jury instruction on careless, reckless or negligent use of a firearm with death
resulting. In the absence of any other qualifying felony charge, a defendant’s felony-firearm
conviction may be sustained by a jury’s conviction on a lesser included misdemeanor count.
People v Bonham, 182 Mich App 130, 136; 451 NW2d 530 (1989); People v Hooper, 152 Mich
App 243, 247; 394 NW2d 27 (1986). Viewed as a whole, the jury instructions fairly and
completely presented the issues to be tried and protected defendant's rights. People v Canales,
243 Mich App 571, 574; 624 NW2d 439 (2000); People v Daniel, 207 Mich App 47, 53; 523
NW2d 830 (1994).
Defendant next asserts that his convictions for felony-firearm and the lesser included
misdemeanor violate the prohibition against double jeopardy. We disagree.
Whether a defendant’s protection from double jeopardy has been violated is a question of
law that we review de novo. People v Echavarria, 233 Mich App 356, 358; 592 NW2d 737
(1999). The prohibition against twice placing a defendant in jeopardy for the same offense is
guaranteed by both the United States and Michigan Constitutions. US Const, Am V; Const
1963, art 1, § 15. Courts may not impose multiple punishments for the same offense and
prosecutors generally may not try a defendant more than once for the same offense. Wayne Co
Prosecutor v Recorder’s Court Judge, 406 Mich 374, 391-392; 280 NW2d 793 (1979).
“With regard to the Double Jeopardy Clause of the state constitution, this Court uses
traditional means to determine legislative intent, such as the subject, language, and history of the
statutes.” People v Parker, 230 Mich App 337, 342; 584 NW2d 336 (1998), citing People v
Denio, 454 Mich 691, 708-709; 564 NW2d 13 (1997). The plain language and subject of the
statutes at issue indicates that the Legislature intended to protect against distinct types of harm
and proscribe different conduct. See Parker, supra at 343. The careless, reckless or negligent
use of a firearm resulting in death is a misdemeanor addressing the use of a firearm where death
results. MCL 752.861. The felony-firearm statute prohibits the possession of a firearm during
the commission of a felony. 750.227b. It is well settled that the felony-firearm statute evidences
the Legislature’s intent to create a separate crime with cumulative penalties when a person carries
a weapon during the commission of a felony. People v Mitchell, 456 Mich 693, 697; 575 NW2d
283 (1998); People v Morton, 423 Mich 650, 656; 377 NW2d 798 (1985); Wayne Co Prosecutor,
supra at 391. “The legislative history of the statute also reflects a commitment to reach all but
the excepted felonies.” People v Sturgis, 427 Mich 392, 407-408; 397 NW2d 783 (1986).
Accordingly, we reject defendant’s claim that punishment for both offenses violates the
prohibition against double jeopardy.
Affirmed.
/s/ Kirsten Frank Kelly
/s/ Helene N. White
/s/ Michael J. Talbot
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