People v. James Brown

The information charged the defendant, James Edward Brown, with committing a felonious assault 1 on Emmett Evans. At the conclusion of the people’s evidence the trial judge granted the defendant’s motion to reduce the charge from felonious assault to assault and battery, 2 a misdemeanor. The defendant was convicted by the jury of the lesser offense and appeals.

The incident complained of arose out of a series of demonstrations at Wayne State University Matthai Physical Education Building in the winter 1969-1970 by a group known as People Concerned About Urban Renewal who were pressing for…