PEOPLE OF MI V PHILLIP DARNELL ALEXANDER
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN,
UNPUBLISHED
November 19, 2009
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v
No. 286661
Jackson Circuit Court
LC No. 07-004204-FH
PHILLIP DARNELL ALEXANDER,
Defendant-Appellant.
Before: Borrello, P.J., and Whitbeck and K.F. Kelly, JJ.
PER CURIAM.
Defendant appeals as of right his jury-trial convictions for five counts of assault with
intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, MCL 750.84; five counts of felonious assault,
MCL 750.82; and one count each of operating a motor vehicle with the presence of a controlled
substance, MCL 257.625(8); driving with a suspended license (second offense), MCL
257.904(3)(a); and failure to stop after a collision, MCL 257.620. For the reasons set forth in
this opinion, we affirm.
On July 15, 2007, defendant was traveling westbound on I-94 at a very high rate of
speed, ramming vehicles and running them off the road, causing numerous accidents. Trial
testimony indicated that defendant was ramming vehicles in the right and left lane, which forced
motorists to maneuver their vehicles off the interstate from I-94 to northbound US 127, causing
vehicles to run into the median, and leading to a number of accidents, until one of the crashes
finally led to his car being disabled and his apprehension by police. Following his apprehension,
defendant was taken to a nearby hospital where he became combative and spat on the medical
staff. When his treating doctor informed defendant that he had been in multiple accidents,
defendant “attempted to explain that he was trying to drive to Lansing to see his girlfriend” and
that “[p]eople would not get the [expletive deleted] out of my way. They were trying to keep me
from seeing her so I had to push them out of the way.” When told that he could have been killed
or seriously injured, defendant responded, “I don’t give a [expletive deleted], I ain’t afraid to die.
I want to die and end it all.” And, “I drove as fast as I [expletive deleted] could, at least a
hundred the whole way and I ran--I ran the [expletive deleted] into whoever got in my way.”
Police discovered several packages of suspected marijuana “on the ground outside the suspect
vehicle’s door,” and defendant indicated that he was using several drugs, including marijuana
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and ecstasy.
The blood test performed at the hospital revealed the presence of
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)1 or marijuana, and PCP2 in defendant’s bloodstream.
On appeal, defendant first argues that there was no evidence supporting the predicate
felonies in his presentence investigation report (PSIR). We review the unpreserved claims for
plain error, People v Carines, 460 Mich 750, 763-764; 597 NW2d 130 (1999), and conclude that
no plain error exists.
In its notice, the prosecutor specified the two predicate felonies for purposes of the
habitual offender, third offense, enhancement: a May 22, 2003 conviction from Hennepin
County, Minnesota for “Drug-Crack Cocaine in violation of 152.025” and an October 10, 2003,
conviction for “Assault Possession Firearm in violation of 609.2231” from the same Minnesota
county. Defendant never challenged the existence of these convictions in the trial court, and the
trial court never addressed their accuracy. A defendant bears the burden of “establishing a prima
facie showing that an alleged prior conviction is inaccurate or constitutionally invalid.” MCL
760.13(6); People v Carpentier, 446 Mich 19, 23-24, 31-35; 521 NW2d 195 (1994). However, a
defendant cannot collaterally attack his prior convictions for the first time on appeal. People v
Jones, 83 Mich App 559, 568; 269 NW2d 224 (1978).
We agree with defendant that his PSIR does not contain evidence of the existence of the
above-listed felonies. However, a review of defendant’s PSIR reveals a conviction for “Assault
4th Degree Peace Officer Demonstrate Bodily Harm (Person/G) same as Assaulting or
Obstructing Certain Officials Causing Injury” from Hennepin County, Minnesota that occurred
on October 10, 2003. The PSIR reflects that defendant was also convicted of fleeing a police
officer in a motor vehicle on March 2, 2007, in Minnesota, which resulted in 15 months’
imprisonment. A felony conviction is any conviction that entails punishment by imprisonment
for one year or more. People v DeLong, 128 Mich App 1, 4; 339 NW2d 659 (1983). A foreign
conviction may support a habitual offender conviction where the offense would have constituted
a felony under Michigan law based on the facts of the offense. People v Quintanilla, 225 Mich
App 477, 479; 571 NW2d 228 (1997). MCL 750.479a(1) criminalizes willfully failing to stop a
motor vehicle or attempting to elude or flee, upon being commanded to stop by a police officer,
and results in a felony conviction for fourth-degree fleeing and eluding, MCL 750.479a(2).
Further, assaulting, resisting, or obstructing a police officer while knowing or having reason to
know the person is performing his duties constitutes a felony punishable by not more than two
years’ imprisonment. MCL 750.81d(1). If the officer sustains injury requiring medical
attention, the felony is enhanced to a sentence of not more than four years. MCL 750.81d(2).
The trial court was allowed to rely on the information in the PSIR for proof of a conviction,
People v Grant, 455 Mich 221, 233; 565 NW2d 389 (1997); MCL 769.13(5)(d), and defendant
does not challenge the existence or accuracy of the two Minnesota convictions on appeal. They
1
THC is “the proactive ingredient of marijuana.” People v Derror, 475 Mich 316, 319; 715
NW2d 822 (2006).
2
PCP is “phencyclidine, a controlled substance.” People v Crawford, 143 Mich App 348, 351;
372 NW2d 550 (1985).
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were a sufficient basis on which to sentence defendant as an habitual offender, third offense,
MCL 769.11. Accordingly, defendant has failed to establish plain error requiring reversal.
Defendant next challenges the trial court’s departure from the legislative guidelines’
recommended minimum sentence range for his five assault with intent to do great bodily harm
less than murder convictions. Defendant’s maximum minimum range under the legislative
guidelines was 114 months’ imprisonment. MCL 777.21(3)(b). He was sentenced to 13 (156
months) to 20 (240 months) years’ imprisonment.
“[I]f the sentence is not within the guidelines range, [this Court] must determine whether
the trial court articulated a substantial and compelling reason to justify its departure from that
range.” People v Babcock, 469 Mich 247, 261-262; 666 NW2d 231 (2003); MCL 769.34(11).
We review the trial court’s factual findings that supported the departure for clear error. Id. at
264. Whether the reasons for departure are objective and verifiable, a matter of law is reviewed
de novo. Id. We review for an abuse of discretion the determination that those reasons are
substantial and compelling enough to justify the departure and the amount of the departure. Id.
at 264-265. The trial court abuses its discretion where its decision falls outside the range of
principled outcomes. Id. at 269. The trial court has discretion to determine the number of points
to be scored, although this determination must be supported by adequate evidence on the record.
People v Hornsby, 251 Mich App 462, 468; 650 NW2d 700 (2002).
The trial court, in departing from the guidelines, noted:
[Y]ou’ve been suspended drivers license [sic] over 20 different times. I mean,
you should have never, ever even been behind the wheel of a car. And then you
get—you get behind the wheel of a car and you’re taking PCP, and apparently
you are so—you are so high on drugs that you then engage in a pattern of driving
that starts on I-94 in Washtenaw County where you begin ramming cars. And
frankly, you’re all over the road. I mean, you’re ramming them in the right lane,
you’re ramming them in the left lane.
You continue hitting cars in both the right lane, left lane. One of the witnesses
even described you actually driving and physically forcing them into the median
where their vehicle rolled. It wasn’t just a situation—the speeds were estimated
in some instances at well over a hundred miles an hour, multiple calls to 911, high
speed charges, you know, by numerous different law enforcement agencies to try
to get into a position to try to control your behavior out there on the interstate.
Frankly, it’s the worst case of road rage I’ve ever seen. And—and it’s just
absolutely unexplainable. It continues all the way into Jackson County on 94,
then you turn northbound on 127 and then you’re ramming cars and running them
off the road, at least three different vehicles flipped, all the way up into Ingham
County before you’re ultimately finally forced off the road by the police and your
vehicle comes to a rest and they take you into custody.
Frankly, it’s just a miracle out there that nobody was killed. And yet all I got a—
well, I was high on PCP, Judge. I mean, you had 20 prior suspensions. You’ve
got a criminal record that starts with armed robbery, you know, when you’re a
juvenile. And frankly, I feel that there’s sufficient substantial and compelling
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reasons such that I’m going to exceed the sentencing guidelines in this matter and
I’m going to go over those reasons at this time.
The court—and I’m going to depart from the guidelines and impose a sentence,
the maximum that I can impose by law, and that’s on counts one, three, five,
seven and nine, which are all assault with intent to commit great bodily harm . . . .
***
The court further is required to articulate, because I am exceeding the guidelines,
to articulate the substantial and compelling reasons for that departure. And in
addition to incorporating all of the reasons set forth by the prosecutor on the
Record [sic], the court notes that the sentencing guidelines, at least in this jurist’s
opinion, do not adequately factor that [sic] the absolute indifference to the health
and safety of numerous motorists whose lives were put at risk by your actions by
deliberately ramming multiple vehicles on both I-94 and 127 in a course of
conduct that covered three counties.
The sentencing guidelines also did not adequately reflect that the defendant was
using PCP and was in possession of additional controlled substances.
The sentencing guidelines do not adequately reflect the high risk to other
motorists who were not struck or who had to take evasive action and/or who were
run off the interstate but were not subject to the charges in this case.
The sentencing guidelines do not adequately reflect the ongoing psychological
trauma to numerous victims as set forth in the presentence reports and its
attachments who clearly are on an ongoing basis traumatized, you know, even as
we speak today.
The sentencing guidelines do not reflect the enhanced danger to responding law
enforcement personnel who tried to intercept the defendant from multiple
counties. The sentencing guidelines do not adequately reflect the defendant’s lack
of what I believe meaningful remorse for a true appreciation that this conduct
reflects one of the worst road rage cases in Michigan history.
And again, I would note that the sentencing guidelines also just verbally doesn’t
[sic] reflect the fact of this escalating pattern of crime, the fact that you’re drivers
license was already suspended 20 different times, so I’m going to impose the
maximum prison sentences.
And frankly, if I wasn’t bound by that 2/3 rule you’d be going to prison for 20
years today, but I’m going to give you the maximum prison sentence allowed by
law and I’m already exceeding the guidelines but I can’t exceed the 2/3 rule, and
so that is the sentence of the court.
***
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The trial court’s substantial and compelling reasons for departing from the sentencing
guidelines must be stated on the record. MCL 769.34(3). A substantial and compelling reason is
an “objective and verifiable” reason that ‘‘keenly or irresistibly” grabs the Court’s attention, is of
“considerable worth” in deciding the length of a defendant’s sentence, and “exists only in
exceptional cases.” Babcock, supra at 258, quoting People v Fields, 448 Mich 58, 62, 67-68;
528 NW2d 176 (1995). Such reasons are objective and verifiable where they are capable of
being confirmed and are actions or occurrences that are external to the mind. People v Abramski,
257 Mich App 71, 74; 665 NW2d 501 (2003). The trial court’s reasons for departure may not be
based “on an offense characteristic or offender characteristic already taken into account in
determining the appropriate sentence range unless the court finds from the facts contained in the
court record, including the presentence investigation report, that the characteristic has been given
inadequate or disproportionate weight.” MCL 769.34(3)(b).
Defendant first argues that the trial court’s finding that he exhibited “absolute
indifference to the health and safety of numerous motorists” was adequately accounted for by his
multiple convictions and offense variable (OV) 9, MCL 777.39, and that OV 9 also adequately
considered the other known drivers that were affected by defendant’s driving spree but were not
considered in the charged offenses. Defendant received a score of ten points for OV 9, for
placing two to nine victims in danger of physical injury and “4 to 19 victims who were placed in
danger of property loss.” MCL 777.39(1)(c). Defendant cites no support for his contention that,
because he had multiple convictions arising from the incident both in Jackson County and other
counties, the trial court could not use the fact that he rammed multiple victims in departing from
the guidelines. There were a total of eight victims involved in the multiple charges against
defendant in this case, and other-acts evidence indicated that several more individuals were hit
by defendant, were nearly hit by defendant, or witnessed defendant as he drove at high speeds
swerving at cars along the way, running them off the road, repeatedly ramming some cars, and
causing physical injury and property loss. Defendant could not have been scored at 25 points for
OV 9 because only the conduct surrounding the sentencing offense could be considered. People
v McGraw, ___ Mich ___; 771 NW2d 655 (2009). Thus, OV 9 did not adequately take into
account the number of victims placed in danger of physical injury during defendant’s crime
spree. The trial court’s decision that the sentencing guidelines did not adequately consider the
multiple victims placed in physical danger by defendant’s indifferent and reckless driving was
not an abuse of discretion, Babcock, supra at 264-265, was based on the objective and verifiable
facts, Abramski, supra at 74, and constituted a substantial and compelling reason to depart from
the guidelines that keenly and irresistibly grabs our attention and distinguishes this case,
Babcock, supra at 258.
Defendant next argues that his use of the controlled substance commonly known as PCP
was adequately taken into consideration by the fact of his conviction for operating a vehicle with
the presence of a controlled substance. The conviction was based on the presence of marijuana
in defendant’s system at the time of the incident, and not PCP. Thus, the PCP in his system was
not accounted for by this conviction. MCL 769.34(3). The presence of PCP was objective and
verifiable. Abramski, supra at 74. Review of the record clearly indicates that defendant
voluntarily ingested this drug and it caused him to hallucinate to such an extent that he engaged
in his dangerous and reckless course of conduct. Hence, we conclude that the trial court’s
decision to base its departure in part on this factor did not fall outside the range of reasonable and
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principled decisions. Babcock, supra at 264-265, 269. Defendant’s use of PCP constituted a
substantial and compelling reason on which to base the departure.
Defendant challenges the departure based on ongoing psychological trauma to numerous
victims. OV 4, MCL 777.34, addresses psychological injury to a victim. Ten points are scored
where there is “[s]erious psychological injury requiring professional treatment occurred to a
victim.” MCL 777.34(1)(a). Zero points are scored where there is “[n]o serious psychological
injury requiring professional treatment” to a victim. MCL 777.34(1)(b). Defendant received
zero points for OV 4. The reason for this scoring decision is unclear. There was record support
for the trial court’s finding of psychological injury. Hornsby, supra at 468. Four victims
provided statements to the trial court at sentencing regarding the lasting emotional toll
defendant’s actions had on them, and one of the victims indicated that she “lost two weeks with
my dad while he was terminally ill in the ICU before he passed away.” Another victim indicated
that as a result of the incident, he was too scared to drive on the highway thereafter and would
take “back roads” instead. Defendant could have been scored ten points for OV 4 given the
evidence of psychological injury. However, scoring OV 4 would not have changed the
guidelines’ recommended sentencing range because defendant’s total OV score already placed
him in the highest OV level, VI. MCL 777.65. Further, OV 4 only considered psychological
injury to “a victim,” and there were multiple victims here. Babcock, supra at 264. The
psychological trauma was not adequately contemplated in the guidelines, even if defendant had
been given the most points possible under OV 4. The fact that one victim was deprived of two
weeks’ worth of time with her terminally ill father and another victim changed his driving
behavior was also objective and verifiable. Abramski, supra at 74. The objective and verifiable
facts constituted a substantial and compelling reason for the departure. Babcock, supra at 258.
Defendant next asserts that there was no evidence supporting the trial court’s holding that
police were endangered during the incident while attempting to intercept him. On this issue we
agree with defendant’s assertion that the record failed to support any evidence of this finding and
as a consequence, the trial court’s reliance on this factor was clearly erroneous. Babcock, supra
at 264; Hornsby, supra at 468. Additionally, the trial court’s reliance on defendant’s alleged lack
of remorse was not an objective and verifiable fact. Considering a defendant’s remorse is
generally improper when deciding whether to depart from the sentencing guidelines because it is
not objective and verifiable, People v Daniel, 462 Mich 1, 8, 11; 609 NW2d 557 (2000).
We further conclude, however, that the trial court’s other reasons were also objective and
verifiable and were substantial and compelling reasons on which to base a departure.
Defendant’s license was suspended over 20 times, he nonetheless continued to drive in disregard
of the law and safety of others, he drove while high on marijuana and PCP, he repeatedly and
intentionally rammed cars and forced them off the road or caused them to roll over, he drove at
dangerously high speeds, there was adequate room on the road to avoid the other cars, he
subsequently stated that he “ran the [expletive deleted] into whoever got in my way,” he was
only released from prison three months before the instant offenses occurred, and he had nine
concurrent convictions.3 Although a trial court’s belief that a defendant presents a danger to
3
Although defendant argues that the trial court was not permitted to incorporate the prosecutor’s
arguments as further support of its articulation requirement under MCL 769.34(3), defendant
(continued…)
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others is not “an objective and verifiable reason,” the “objective and verifiable factors underlying
this belief—such as repeated offenses and failures at rehabilitation—constitute an acceptable
justification for an upward departure.” People v Horn, 279 Mich App 31, 44-45; 755 NW2d 212
(2008) (citations omitted). A defendant’s prior criminal record is objective and verifiable.
People v Solmonson, 261 Mich App 657, 669; 683 NW2d 761 (2004).
Where we find some of the given reasons invalid, we must examine whether the trial
court would have nonetheless departed and to the same extent, based on only the valid reasons.
Babcock, supra at 260-261. If such a determination is not possible, a remand for resentencing
and re-articulation is appropriate. Id. at 271. Given the trial court’s repeated reference to the
extent of defendant’s road rage behavior and lengthy prior record, along with the substantial and
compelling reasons that were validly relied upon and the trial court’s comment that it would
sentence defendant to 20 years’ imprisonment if it were legally possible, it is clear that the trial
court would have departed to the same extent regardless of the above inappropriate
considerations. We further conclude that defendant’s sentence was not disproportionate. The
trial court’s degree of departure “adequately account[ed] for the gravity of the offense and any
relevant characteristics of the offender” and the sentence was appropriate. People v Smith, 482
Mich 292, 318; 754 NW2d 284 (2008); Babcock, supra at 262.
In his final claim of error on appeal, defendant asserts that there was insufficient evidence
of specific intent to sustain his convictions for assault with intent to do great bodily harm less
than murder. We view the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution to determine
whether any rational trier of fact could find that the essential elements of the crime were proven
beyond a reasonable doubt. People v Wolfe, 440 Mich 508, 514-516; 489 NW2d 748 (1992),
amended 441 Mich 1201 (1992). We also “draw all reasonable inferences and make credibility
choices in support of the jury verdict.” People v Nowack, 462 Mich 392, 400; 614 NW2d 78
(2000).
To establish assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, MCL 750.84,
the prosecutor must prove: “(1) an attempt or threat with force or violence to do corporal harm
to another (an assault), and (2) an intent to do great bodily harm less than murder.” People v
Brown, 267 Mich App 141, 147; 703 NW2d 230 (2005), quoting People v Parcha, 227 Mich
App 236, 239; 575 NW2d 316 (1997) (emphasis removed). “No actual physical injury is
required for the elements of the crime to be established.” People v Harrington, 194 Mich App
424, 429; 487 NW2d 479 (1992). Intent to do great bodily harm is defined as “an intent to do
serious injury of an aggravated nature.” Id., quoting People v Mitchell, 149 Mich App 36, 39;
385 NW2d 717 (1986). Intent to harm may be inferred from a defendant’s conduct, Parcha,
supra at 239, and words, People v Mack, 112 Mich App 605, 611; 317 NW2d 190 (1981).
(…continued)
cites no support for this proposition. The trial court must “state[] on the record the reasons for
departure,” and the prosecutor’s reasons for departure, which were adopted by the trial court,
were stated on the record. MCL 769.34(3). Accordingly, we assign no error for the trial court’s
incorporation of the prosecutor’s arguments to support it conclusions pursuant to MCL
769.34(3).
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Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, we conclude that
there was sufficient record evidence for a jury to find, beyond a reasonable doubt, that defendant
possessed the intent to do great bodily harm based on defendant’s words and actions and the
other evidence at trial. Parcha, supra; Mack, supra. The evidence established that defendant
struck the vehicles of each of the victims in this case repeatedly and purposefully, causing them
to spin out of control, sometimes striking them again as they attempted to maneuver back on the
road, and his actions caused roll-overs, damage to all of the vehicles, and physical injuries to
some of the victims. By his own admission, defendant drove 90 to 100 miles per hour.
Numerous witnesses testified that there was an empty lane for defendant to use for passing, but
he chose not to use it. In addition, Sergeant Alan Avery, a crash reconstructionist expert,
testified that “ramming cars off the freeway at 70, 80, 90, 100 miles an hour . . . has the
probability of causing serious injury or death,” and increased the risk of roll over. Other
witnesses testified that defendant’s car did not appear to be out of control, but made purposeful
and intentional movements toward the other cars. And, other-acts testimony further established
defendant’s intent in that defendant drove at a high rate of speed, down the middle of the road,
repeatedly ramming or coming close to ramming other vehicles. Defendant also admitted that he
“ran the [expletive deleted] into whoever got in my way.”
Contrary to defendant’s arguments, testimony presented at trial does not lead us to
conclude that defendant was so foggy-headed because of the drugs4 that he could not form the
requisite intent. Rather, the evidence reveals that defendant was coherent enough to inform
hospital personnel that he had the specific intent to commit the assaults with a dangerous weapon
for which he was convicted, and he repeatedly and intentionally rammed the victims’ cars. We
find defendant’s arguments on this issue devoid of merit. Accordingly, we affirm defendant’s
convictions and the sentence imposed by the trial court for the reasons set forth above.
Affirmed.
/s/ Stephen L. Borrello
/s/ William C. Whitbeck
/s/ Kirsten Frank Kelly
4
Voluntary intoxication is a defense to a specific intent crime only where the intoxication was so
great that a defendant was not able to form the requisite intent. People v Gomez, 229 Mich App
329, 332; 581 NW2d 289 (1998).
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