People v. Williams

On February 4, 1977, defendant was convicted by a jury of manslaughter, MCL 750.321; MSA 28.553, and sentenced to a prison term of 5 to 15 years.

He assigns as error four trial court rulings, of which the most significant pertains to an admission of a prior misdemeanor conviction for impeachment purposes. In his opening statement, defense counsel stated his client had "an unblemished record”. On direct examination defendant testified that he had never been convicted of any offense, and on cross-examination he again denied any convictions. Subsequently, the prosecution produced a witness,…