PEOPLE OF MI V STEVEN LEWIS ANDERSON JR
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN,
UNPUBLISHED
July 23, 1996
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v
No. 183594
LC No. 94-8257
STEVEN LEWIS ANDERSON, JR.,
Defendant-Appellant.
Before: Doctoroff, C.J., and Wahls and Smolenski, JJ.
PER CURIAM.
Defendant was convicted by a jury of delivery of less than fifty grams of cocaine, MCL
333.7401(2)(a)(iv); MSA 14.15(7401)(2)(a)(iv). He then pleaded guilty to being an habitual offender,
second offense. MCL 769.10; MSA 28.1082. Defendant was sentenced to five to thirty years’
imprisonment. He appeals as of right. We affirm.
I
Defendant argues that it was error to deny defendant’s motion for mistrial based on the
prosecutor’s question to the investigating officer regarding the source of a photograph used in a photo
array shown to the confidential informant. We disagree. Our review of the record leads us to believe
that the prosecutor’s question, though improper, was not unduly prejudicial and did not deny defendant
the right to a fair trial. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying defendant’s motion for
mistrial. People v Paquette, 214 Mich App 336, 341-342; 543 NW2d 342 (1995); People v
McAlister, 203 Mich App 495, 504; 513 NW2d 431 (1994).
Defendant also insists that he is entitled to a new trial because the prosecutor’s question
constitutes misconduct necessitating reversal. We disagree. Although the prosecutor’s conduct in the
present case is not to be condoned, we are satisfied that defendant was not denied the right to a fair
trial. People v Lawton, 196 Mich App 341, 353; 492 NW2d 810 (1992).
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II
Defendant next argues that error requiring reversal occurred when the investigating officer
testified, over defendant’s hearsay objection, that he learned through an unnamed source that defendant
used the same street name “Giz,” the same name used by the man who sold cocaine to the confidential
informant. We will not reverse a trial court’s decision to admit evidence absent an abuse of discretion.
People v Coleman, 210 Mich App 1,4; 532 NW2d 885 (1995).
Although the challenged testimony was hearsay, we deem the erroneous admission of the
testimony harmless because it is merely cumulative to the confidential informant’s unequivocal testimony
that defendant was the person who identified himself as “Giz.” City of Westland v Okopski, 208 Mich
App 66, 77-78; 527 NW2d 780 (1994); People v Slaton, 135 Mich App 328, 338; 354 NW2d 326
(1984). Defendant has failed to demonstrate error requiring reversal.
III
Defendant argues that his five-year minimum sentence is disproportionate. We disagree. As an
habitual offender, defendant could have received a sentence of up to thirty years. MCL 769.10; MSA
28.1082. As noted by the trial court, defendant’s juvenile record includes a possession of cocaine
charge, his adult record includes two felony convictions, and defendant was on probation for a drug
related offense when he committed the instant offense. Despite prior lenient treatment, defendant has
refused to refrain from committing drug-related offenses. The five-year minimum sentence imposed by
the trial court is proportionate and does not constitute an abuse of discretion.
Affirmed.
/s/ Martin M. Doctoroff
/s/ Myron H. Wahls
/s/ Michael R. Smolenski
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