People v. Walma

Defendant was convicted of statutory rape of his 14-year-old stepdaughter. The crime allegedly occurred in the home of the defendant.

The defendant’s sole defense, according to the record, was that he was not at home when the alleged offense occurred.

His trial counsel sought to present alibi witnesses (the defendant’s parents and brother) at the trial, but the trial court refused to allow such evidence because defense counsel failed to file the four-day notice of alibi defense required by statute. MCLA § 768.20 (Stat Ann 1962 Rev § 28.1043).

Defendant in this appeal, noting that his only…