People v. Houthoofd

In this opinion, we address only whether venue was proper in Saginaw County for defendant’s trial on charges of solicitation to commit murder and witness intimidation. We conclude that venue was not proper for either charge because neither crime was committed in Saginaw County. However, because improper venue is not a constitutional structural error, this matter is subject to a harmless error analysis under MCL 769.26. In this case, defendant was not deprived of his due process right to a fair trial before an impartial jury and there has been no miscarriage of justice. Moreover, MCL 600.1645…