People v. Coles

After a jury trial conviction for armed robbery, MCLA 750.529; MSA 28.797, defendant was sentenced to serve 15 to 25 years in prison. I would grant a new trial.1

Defendant was jointly charged with two others with the armed robbery of a Sunshine Dairy Store in Flint on June 20, 1975. Defendant and codefendant Darnell Welsh, through their counsel, participated in the selection of a single jury. After the jury selection was completed, but before any witnesses were sworn, Welsh changed his plea to guilty. Welsh later testified before the same jury he had helped select, concerning his and…