People v. Baldwin

When the trial judge was asked to exclude defendant’s prior conviction, in each case he concluded that the similarity of the prior offense and the one for which the defendant was standing trial was a factor to be weighed in favor of allowing impeachment by the previous conviction. We hold that the trial judge misapplied the guidelines we set forth in People v Jackson, 391 Mich 323; 217 NW2d 22 (1974), and reverse.

I

Preston Baldwin was charged with assault with intent to commit murder and convicted by a jury of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder in November of 1974.…