People v. Adams

We are asked in these consolidated cases to decide whether a judge may consider, when imposing sentence, a conclusion that the defendant committed perjury while testifying. In People v Adams, we are also asked to consider whether the defendant’s appeal should be dismissed because he had escaped from prison during its pendency. The Court of Appeals in both cases ruled that the sentencing judge may not consider perjured testimony in sentencing. In People v Spangler, 429 Mich 29; 413 NW2d 1 (1987), five justices of this Court agreed that perjury may be considered by a sentencing judge. Because…