PEOPLE OF MI V TONOCCA SCOTT
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN,
UNPUBLISHED
December 19, 2000
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v
No. 217607
Wayne Circuit Court
LC No. 98-008927
TONOCCA SCOTT,
Defendant-Appellant.
Before: Bandstra, C.J., and Fitzgerald and D. B. Leiber*, JJ.
MEMORANDUM.
Defendant appeals as of right his bench trial convictions for armed robbery, MCL
750.529; MSA 28.797, and felony-firearm, MCL 750.227b; MSA 28.424(2). We affirm. This
appeal is being decided without oral argument pursuant to MCR 7.214(E).
Defendant’s convictions arise out of an armed robbery that took place in the early
morning hours near Harper and Seneca in the City of Detroit. Shortly after the robbery, police
were able to apprehend defendant, and returned him to the scene where he was identified as one
of the robbers. On appeal, defendant argues that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to
challenge the identification evidence.
To establish an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, defendant first must show that
counsel’s performance was below an objective standard of reasonableness under prevailing
professional norms. Second, the defendant must show that there is a reasonable probability that,
but for counsel’s error, the result of the proceeding would have been different. People v Pickens,
446 Mich 298, 303; 521 NW2d 797 (1994).
Defendant was not prejudiced by counsel’s failure to challenge the identification
evidence. A prompt on-the-scene identification is a reasonable police practice that permits the
police to immediately decide whether there is a reasonable likelihood that the suspect is
connected to the crime and subject to arrest, or an unfortunate victim of circumstances. People v
Winters, 225 Mich App 718, 727-728; 571 NW2d 764 (1997). Where the on-scene identification
* Circuit judge, sitting on the Court of Appeals by assignment.
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procedure was proper, there was no basis for trial counsel to object to the in-court identification.
Counsel was not ineffective.
Defendant also asserts that his sentence is disproportionate. Defendant’s sentence was
within the guidelines range and is presumptively proportionate. People v Broden, 428 Mich 343,
354-355; 408 NW2d 789 (1987). Defendant has failed to present any unusual circumstances that
would overcome that presumption. People v Hogan, 225 Mich App 431, 437; 571 NW2d 737
(1997).
We affirm.
/s/ Richard A. Bandstra
/s/ E. Thomas Fitzgerald
/s/ Dennis B. Leiber
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