People v. Malone

Following a jury trial, defendant was convicted of armed robbery, MCL 750.529; MSA 28.797, and possession of a firearm while committing a felony, MCL 750.227b; MSA 28.424(2). Defendant was sentenced to eight to fifty years of imprisonment on the armed robbery conviction. He also received the mandatory two-year sentence for his felony-firearm conviction. Defendant appeals as of right and we reverse.

i

Defendant first contends that he was denied a fair trial because the trial court, by its comments to the jury, created an atmosphere conducive to hasty deliberations.

In this case, the jury began…