Defendant was charged with armed robbery, MCL 750.529; MSA 28.797, and conspiracy to commit armed robbery, MCL 750.157(a); MSA 28.354(1), arising out of the robbery of a convenience store. Following a jury trial, defendant was found guilty of armed robbery, and not guilty of conspiracy. Defendant’s motion for a new trial was denied, and he was sentenced to a prison
Defendant argues that the trial court sua sponte should have given the jury the cautionary accomplice instruction contained in CJI2d 5.6, which instructs a jury to examine an accomplice’s testimony closely and with greater caution and care than the testimony of ordinary witnesses. No request was made for the instruction. However, our Supreme Court has noted that, if the issue is closely drawn, it may be error requiring reversal to fail to give cautionary accomplice instructions even in the absence of a request. People v McCoy, 392 Mich 231, 240; 220 NW2d 456 (1974). We must determine whether the issue of defendant’s participation was "closely drawn.” A case is closely drawn and instructions should be given where there are no independent witnesses and the question comes down to whom to believe, the defendant or the accomplice, People v Jackson, 97 Mich App 660, 666; 296 NW2d 135 (1980), and where the trial becomes a credibility battle between the accomplice and the defendant. People v Smith, 158 Mich App 220, 229-230; 405 NW2d 156 (1987); People v Fredericks, 125 Mich App 114, 121-122; 335 NW2d 919 (1983).
The prosecution’s theory of the case was that defendant aided and abetted by providing the car and the gun used in the armed robbery. Three witnesses who were involved in the armed robbery and who pleaded guilty before defendant’s trial provided testimony. Scott Brown and Jamy French had already been sentenced, and James Stoll’s sentencing had been adjourned twice pending his testimony in the instant case. Brown and French testified that defendant was not with them when the robbery was committed because he did not
Stoll testified that defendant brought the gun that evening and told the others which store to rob. He further testified that defendant knew the others might commit a robbery.
The only witness who linked defendant to the crime was Stoll. Defendant, as well as Brown and French, denied that defendant supplied the car for the purpose of committing an armed robbery, and French testified that he brought the gun that evening. Thus, the issue of defendant’s guilt or innocence came down to whom to believe, an accomplice or defendant. We conclude that this issue is closely drawn, that the trial court sua sponte should have given a cautionary instruction regarding accomplice testimony, and that its failure to do so requires reversal.
We have reviewed the remainder of defendant’s issues and find them meritless. Criminal verdicts need not be consistent. People v Vaughn, 409 Mich 463, 465-466; 295 NW2d 354 (1980). Defendant’s failure to create an adequate record by way of an evidentiary hearing regarding counsel’s performance precludes appellate review. People v Ginther, 390 Mich 436, 443; 212 NW2d 922 (1973).
Reversed and remanded for a new trial.