People v. Thomas

Memorandum Opinion. Defendant, Stanley Kenneth Thomas, was bench tried in recorder’s court on the charge of armed robbery. MCLA 750.529; MSA 28.797.

At the close of defendant’s proof of his alibi defense, defense counsel made a motion for a directed verdict of acquittal. The trial judge did not rule on the motion. Instead, he immediately found defendant guilty without allowing defense counsel his requested opportunity to offer a closing argument. Defendant’s conviction was affirmed by the Court of Appeals.

We are in accord with the reasoning expressed in United States v Walls, 443 F2d 1220 (CA…