PEOPLE OF MI V KIM STEPHEN ELMER
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN,
UNPUBLISHED
October 3, 1997
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v
No. 178598
Newaygo Circuit Court
LC No. 94-005668-FC
KIM STEPHEN ELMER,
Defendant-Appellant.
Before: Bandstra, P.J., and Murphy and Young, JJ.
PER CURIAM.
Defendant appeals as of right from his conviction by jury of criminal sexual conduct in the first
degree (CSC I) in violation of MCL 750.520b(1)(a); MSA 28.788(2)(1)(a). He was sentenced to
fifteen to thirty years’ imprisonment. We affirm.
First, defendant claims that the trial court erred by admitting other acts evidence in violation of
MRE 404(b). Specifically, defendant challenges the admission of the prosecutor’s exhibit one and
certain testimony of Jeremy Heemstra. Defendant did not object to Heemstra’s testimony, therefore,
the challenge is unpreserved. Additionally, defendant’s challenge to exhibit one on 404(b) grounds is
unpreserved because defendant did not object at trial on such grounds. Furthermore, we are of the
opinion that even if the trial court erred in admitting the evidence, any error was harmless in light of the
properly admitted evidence.
Next, defendant raises a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel. There is a strong
presumption t at defendant was afforded effective assistance of counsel. People v Hampton, 176
h
Mich App 383, 385; 439 NW2d 365 (1989). Our review of the trial and Ginther hearing transcripts
leads us to conclude that defendant has failed to overcome this presumption. Defense counsel testified
that several of the alleged errors were tactical decisions. We will not second guess decisions of trial
strategy. People v Caballero, 184 Mich App 636, 640; 459 NW2d 80 (1990). Also, in light of the
evidence presented, we do not think that there is a reasonable probability that but for any of the alleged
errors of counsel, the outcome would have been different. See People v Pickens, 446 Mich 298, 309,
326-327; 521 NW2d 797 (1994).
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Finally, defendant challenges the scoring of the sentencing guidelines. We have reviewed
defendant’s claims and do not consider them to state a cognizable claim for relief. See People v
Mitchell, 454 Mich 145, 178; 560 NW2d 600 (1997).
Affirmed.
/s/ Richard A. Bandstra
/s/ William B. Murphy
/s/ Robert P. Young, Jr.
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