Summary
In Pontius, our Supreme Court concluded that the trial court had the authority to change an invalid term-of-years sentence for conspiracy to commit murder to a life sentence, but it did not have the authority to change concurrent sentences to consecutive sentences because the original concurrent sentences were valid.
Summary of this case from People v. WilliamsOpinion
No. 139366.
November 20, 2009.
Appeal from the Court of Appeals No. 282187.
Summary Disposition.
Pursuant to MCR 7.302(H)(1), in lieu of granting leave to appeal, we reverse the judgment of the Court of Appeals and remand this case to the Kalamazoo Circuit Court for amendment of the judgment of sentence. The trial court shall strike from the judgment of sentence any provision that the sentences in this case are consecutive to the sentence in the "Calhoun County Case." A trial court does not have authority to modify a valid sentence. MCR 6.429(A); People v Holder, 483 Mich 168 (2009). Where a court imposes a sentence that is partially invalid, only the invalid part of the sentence may be set aside. MCL 769.24; People v Thomas, 447 Mich 390, 393 (1994). The trial court stated on the record at the original sentence hearing that the sentences in this case were concurrent with the sentence in the Calhoun County Case. It was subsequently determined that the term of years imposed for Count 1, conspiracy to commit murder, was invalid. Although the trial court had authority to change the conspiracy to commit murder sentence from a term of years to a life sentence, the trial court did not have authority to change the concurrent sentences to consecutive sentences because the concurrent sentences were valid. Court of Appeals No. 282187.
CORRIGAN, J., would direct the prosecutor to respond.