People v. Atkinson

Defendant was convicted of manslaughter, MCL 750.321; MSA 28.553, following a jury trial. He was sentenced to a term of 10 to 15 years in prison and appeals as of right. On appeal, he raises a single issue, namely, the validity of his sentence.

The record reveals that defendant was originally charged with murder. Prior to trial, the court inquired as to whether defendant would be interested in the prosecution’s proposed plea bargaining arrangement, under which defendant would plead guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter. The court asked defendant whether he was aware that a murder…