PEOPLE OF MI V SAIF DAWOOD
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN,
UNPUBLISHED
April 20, 2004
Plaintiff-Appellee,
V
No. 244716
Oakland Circuit Court
LC No. 2002-183196-FH
2002-183197-FH
2002-183209-FH
SAIF DAWOOD,
Defendant-Appellant.
Before: Cooper, P.J., and Griffin and Borrello, JJ.
PER CURIAM.
Defendant appeals as of right his jury conviction of possession with intent to deliver
marijuana, MCL 333.7401(2)(d)(iii), possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony,
MCL 750.227(b), and two counts of delivery of marijuana, MCL 333.7401(2)(d)(iii). He was
sentenced to one to four years’ imprisonment for possession with intent to deliver, one to four
years’ imprisonment for each count of delivery of marijuana, and a consecutive two-year
sentence for felony-firearm. We affirm.
Defendant first argues that the trial court erred by denying his motion to suppress the
evidence seized from the home where he was arrested. We conclude that the trial court correctly
denied defendant’s motion to suppress because defendant lacked standing to challenge the
search.
“The right against unreasonable searches and seizures is guaranteed by both the United
States Constitution and Michigan Constitution.” People v Taylor, 253 Mich App 399, 404; 655
NW2d 291 (2002). However, the right is personal and may not be invoked by third parties.
People v Zahn, 234 Mich App 438, 446; 594 NW2d 120 (1999). To have standing to challenge a
search, a defendant must have an expectation of privacy in the object of the search that society
recognizes as reasonable. Id. at 446. Defendant has not presented any evidence showing that he
had a reasonable expectation of privacy in the home that was searched. Defendant was merely a
visitor to the home and, therefore, did not have standing to challenge the search. People v
Parker, 230 Mich App 337, 340-341; 584 NW2d 336 (1998).
Defendant next argues that the prosecutor presented insufficient evidence to prove he
possessed the marijuana and firearm seized during his arrest. This Court reviews claims of
insufficient evidence de novo. People v Lueth, 253 Mich App 670; 660 NW2d 322 (2002). In
reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, this Court must view the evidence in the light most
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favorable to the prosecutor and determine whether a rational trier of fact could find that the
essential elements of the crime were proven beyond a reasonable doubt. People v Johnson, 460
Mich 720, 722-723; 597 NW2d 73 (1999).
Defendant, who had previously sold marijuana to an undercover officer, stated that he
would sell the officer an ounce of marijuana at a particular address. When the officer arrived at
that address, defendant instructed another individual to get an ounce from the house. Officers
then raided the house, discovering a coffee can with several large baggies of marijuana and eight
to twelve smaller baggies. The officers also found a loaded handgun in a holster next to the can.
After being advised of his Miranda1 rights, defendant admitted that the marijuana and gun
belonged to him and that he intended to sell the marijuana. Thus, the evidence was sufficient to
enable a rational trier of fact to determine the element of possession was proven beyond a
reasonable doubt.
Defendant also argues that the trial court abused its discretion when it precluded him
from calling two witnesses because he failed to timely file his witness list. This Court reviews a
trial court’s decision to exclude testimony for failing to comply with a discovery order for an
abuse of discretion. People v Davie (After Remand), 225 Mich App 592, 597-598; 571 NW2d
229 (1997). Defendant failed to file his witness list fourteen days before trial, as required by the
court’s scheduling order and MCR 6.201(F). Under MCR 6.201(J), the trial court may exclude
testimony or evidence when a party fails to comply with MCR 6.201(F). Defendant has not
established that the trial court’s decision to exclude the witness’ testimony was an abuse of
discretion.
Finally, defendant argues that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to timely file his
witness list. To establish an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, a defendant must show: (1)
that counsel’s performance was deficient, in that it fell below an objective standard of
reasonableness under prevailing professional norms, and (2) counsel’s deficient performance
prejudiced the defense. Strickland v Washington, 466 US 668, 687; 104 S Ct 2052; 80 L Ed 2d
674 (1984); People v Pickens, 446 Mich 298, 302-303; 521 NW2d 797 (1994). Defendant has
not produced any evidence that the testimony of the witnesses would have affected the outcome
of the proceeding. Therefore, defendant has not overcome the presumption that counsel rendered
effective assistance. People v Rockey, 237 Mich App 74, 76; 601 NW2d 887 (1999).
Affirmed.
/s/ Jessica R. Cooper
/s/ Richard Allen Griffin
/s/ Stephen L. Borrello
1
Miranda v Arizona, 384 US 436; 86 S Ct 1602; 16 L Ed 2d 694 (1966).
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