People v. Grisham

Defendant was convicted by a jury of two counts of manslaughter, MCL 750.321; MSA 28.553. Sentenced to a prison term of from 2 to 15 years, he appeals as of right.

On January 20, 1979, defendant lost control of the automobile he was driving and struck an oncoming vehicle. Two of defendant’s three children, who were passengers in defendant’s car, were killed.

It was the prosecution’s theory that defendant had been driving at an excessive speed and was intoxicated. Defendant’s ex-wife, Ms. Sinclair, who had dropped the children off at defendant’s home shortly before the accident, and the…