PEOPLE OF MI V DANIEL DECKER SR
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN,
UNPUBLISHED
June 25, 2002
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v
No. 231980
Wayne Circuit Court
LC No. 00-003070-01
DANIEL DECKER, SR.,
Defendant-Appellant.
Before: Zahra, P.J., and Cavanagh and White, JJ.
MEMORANDUM.
Defendant appeals as of right from his bench trial convictions of assault with intent to
commit murder, MCL 750.83, and felony-firearm, MCL 750.227b. We affirm.
Defendant first argues that the evidence was insufficient to support his convictions
because witness testimony established that he was at a nearby gas station at 6:45 a.m., the time
the victim was shot in the bakery parking lot. We disagree.
The concept of sufficiency of the evidence focuses on the evidence as a whole. See
People v Phil Clark, 172 Mich App 1, 6; 432 NW2d 173 (1988). Here, the witnesses testified as
to the approximate times of the events that occurred. For example, the victim testified that he
arrived at the bakery parking lot at about 6:45 a.m. and was shot by defendant shortly thereafter.
However, McGrath testified that he arrived at the bakery at about 6:45 a.m. and saw the victim
laying in the parking lot—he had already been shot. Obviously, then, the exact time of the
shooting was not established. Although Laird testified that he saw defendant pull into the gas
station at about 6:35 a.m. and that defendant was still at the gas station when he left about ten
minutes later, Laird also testified that he could only provide approximate times of these events.
Further, Detective Boteler testified that it took about one minute and thirty-three seconds to drive
from the gas station to the bakery. Viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the
prosecution, we conclude that it was sufficient to justify a rational trier of fact in finding that
defendant committed the crimes beyond a reasonable doubt. See People v Johnson, 460 Mich
720, 723; 597 NW2d 73 (1999); People v Lee, 243 Mich App 163, 167; 622 NW2d 71 (2000).
Next, defendant argues that he is entitled to a new trial because the trial court based its
verdict on a mistake of fact. We disagree. This issue is not preserved for appellate review
because defendant failed to timely move for a new trial in the lower court. See MCR 2.611;
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People v Darden, 230 Mich App 597, 605-606; 585 NW2d 27 (1998); People v Winters, 225
Mich App 718, 729; 571 NW2d 764 (1997). Further, this issue is without merit.
Defendant argues that a new trial is warranted because during the trial court’s recitation
of the facts it improperly referenced Lieutenant Boteler’s testimony as indicating that the 911
call was received by police at 6:40 a.m., instead of 7:00 a.m. as clearly established by his
testimony. However, the trial court’s reference to the 911 call was merely a misstatement
because Lieutenant Boteler testified that his report regarding the shooting indicated that it
occurred at 6:40 a.m. It is clear from the trial court’s lengthy rendition of its factual findings that
it was aware of the contested factual issues and resolved them; accordingly, defendant is not
entitled to a new trial. See People v Smith, 211 Mich App 233, 235; 535 NW2d 248 (1995);
People v Armstrong, 175 Mich App 181, 184-185; 437 NW2d 343 (1989).
Affirmed.
/s/ Brian K. Zahra
/s/ Mark J. Cavanagh
/s/ Helene N. White
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