Order Michigan Supreme Court
Lansing, Michigan
April 5, 2019 Bridget M. McCormack,
Chief Justice
154773 & (64) David F. Viviano,
Chief Justice Pro Tem
Stephen J. Markman
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, Brian K. Zahra
Plaintiff-Appellee, Richard H. Bernstein
Elizabeth T. Clement
v SC: 154773 Megan K. Cavanagh,
Justices
COA: 325662
Macomb CC: 2009-005244-FC
IHAB MASALMANI,
Defendant-Appellant.
_____________________________________/
By order of May 2, 2017, the application for leave to appeal the September 22,
2016 judgment of the Court of Appeals was held in abeyance pending the decisions in
People v Skinner (Docket No. 152448) and People v Hyatt (Docket No. 153081). On
order of the Court, the cases having been decided on June 20, 2018, 502 Mich 89 (2018),
the application is again considered, and it is GRANTED, limited to the issue whether, in
exercising its discretion to impose a sentence of life without parole (LWOP), the trial
court properly considered the “factors listed in Miller v Alabama, [567 US 460] (2012)”
as potentially mitigating circumstances. MCL 769.25(6). See also Skinner, 502 Mich at
113-116. In particular, the parties shall address: (1) which party, if any, bears the burden
of proof of showing that a Miller factor does or does not suggest a LWOP sentence;
(2) whether the sentencing court gave proper consideration to the defendant’s
“chronological age and its hallmark features,” Miller, 567 US at 477-478, by focusing on
his proximity to the bright line age of 18 rather than his individual characteristics; and
(3) whether the court properly considered the defendant’s family and home environment,
which the court characterized as “terrible,” and the lack of available treatment programs
in the Department of Corrections as weighing against his potential for rehabilitation. The
time allowed for oral argument shall be 20 minutes for each side. MCR 7.314(B)(1).
The motion to remand is DENIED.
The Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan and the Prosecuting Attorneys
Association of Michigan are invited to file briefs amicus curiae. Other persons or groups
interested in the determination of the issues presented in this case may move the Court
for permission to file briefs amicus curiae.
I, Larry S. Royster, Clerk of the Michigan Supreme Court, certify that the
foregoing is a true and complete copy of the order entered at the direction of the Court.
April 5, 2019
t0329
Clerk