Title: State v. Britt

State: north-carolina

Issuer: North Carolina Supreme Court

Document:

231 S.E.2d 644 (1977) 291 N.C. 528 STATE of North Carolina v. James Edward (Jimmy) BRITT. No. 151. Supreme Court of North Carolina. January 31, 1977. *648 Atty. Gen. Rufus L. Edmisten and Asst. Atty. Gen. Archie W. Anders, Raleigh, for the State. William S. McLean, Lumberton, for defendant-appellant. MOORE, Justice. Defendant first contends that the trial court erred in failing to allow into evidence the blood alcohol level of the deceased. Defendant admits that the autopsy report and related reports (including a toxicology report) identified by Dr. Marvin Thompson, an expert in pathology, were not offered into evidence at trial by either the State or defendant. Defendant only assigns as error the failure of the court to allow the oral testimony of Dr. Thompson relating to the blood alcohol level of the deceased. As stated in Robinson v. Insurance Co., 255 N.C. 669, 672, 674, 122 S.E.2d 801, 803, 804 (1961): In performing the autopsy, Dr. Thompson took a sample of deceased's blood and *649 placed it in a container addressed to the State medical examiner's laboratory in Chapel Hill. He then placed the container in a rack to be mailed. He did not know whether it was sent by U.S. mail or, if so, whether it was sent as first, second, or third class mail. He did not perform any tests upon the blood and did not know who had performed the tests or what procedure was used in examining it. He was able only to testify that a few days after placing the blood in the rack to be mailed he received a report with the name Clarence Blackwell on it stating the result of the laboratory work which detected the presence of ethanol in the blood. The exclusion of the testimony of Dr. Thompson regarding the result of the laboratory test, under the facts of this case, was proper. There was no evidence that would lay a sufficient foundation for the introduction of Dr. Thompson's testimony, and the documents themselves were not offered into evidence. Further, since there was no evidence tending to show self-defense, we question whether the alcohol content of the victim's blood was material. Since neither the toxicology report nor the autopsy report was offered into evidence, we do not pass upon their admissibility. This assignment is overruled. When the State called Alvin Mitchell Register to testify, defendant objected on the ground that Register was not included in a witness list furnished to defense counsel during jury voir dire. The trial judge overruled this objection and permitted Register to testify. In State v. Hoffman, 281 N.C. 727, 190 S.E.2d 842 (1972), we held that in the absence of a statute requiring it, defendant has no right to a list of the witnesses which the State may call. In this jurisdiction, we have no such statute. In fact, the General Assembly, in the passage of G.S. 15A-903 (which defines certain information which is subject to discovery by a defendant), expressly deleted such a provision from the proposed draft of the statute. See Thompson, Subchapter IX Pretrial Procedure, 10 Wake Forest L.Rev. 499, 502-04 (1974). The action of the trial judge in permitting a witness to testify is not reviewable on appeal in the absence of an abuse of discretion. State v. Anderson, 281 N.C. 261, 188 S.E.2d 336 (1972). See also State v. Carter, 289 N.C. 35, 220 S.E.2d 313 (1975); State v. Spaulding, 288 N.C. 397, 219 S.E.2d 178 (1975); State v. Lampkins, 286 N.C. 497, 212 S.E.2d 106 (1975). In instant case, we find no abuse of discretion in the trial judge's ruling which permitted Register to testify. If defendant was unable to proceed, he could have moved for a continuance. State v. Hoffman, supra. While it would have been better practice to question the members of the jury as to any relationship with Register at the time he was called to testify, we do not feel that under the facts of this case defendant suffered any prejudice from the omission of this inquiry nor in the admission of the testimony. As was stated in State v. Hoffman, supra, 281 N.C. at 735, 190 S.E.2d at 848, "a defendant is not legally prejudiced merely because the State proves its case against him." This assignment is overruled. Witness Register testified that he had known defendant and Carolyn Blackwell for a number of years and that on several occasions prior to 3 May 1973 defendant had called Carolyn from a telephone located in his place of business. On 3 May 1973, at approximately 3:00 p. m., defendant came to his place of business and again called Carolyn. Register testified that he heard defendant tell Carolyn that "he was going to kill somebody if he kept his mess up." Register further testified that he knew who defendant was talking about, and that he told defendant that he was going to get himself into more trouble than he could get out of. Defendant replied, "I'll get out of it." After Register's testimony, James E. Shaw, a State investigator, testified that subsequent to 3 May 1973 he talked with the witness Register. At that time, Register stated that he had overheard the conversation defendant had with Carolyn Blackwell on 3 May 1973. Register further told Shaw that in the conversation defendant *650 stated to Carolyn that he was going to kill Clarence Blackwell. Defendant objected to this testimony. The court overruled the objection, but instructed the jury: ". . . I instruct you that this answer now to be given by the witness is not substantive or direct evidence. It is received for the purpose of corroboration of the witness Mitchell Register. It is for you, alone, to determine if it does so. To corroborate means to strengthen or support." Defendant contends that the admission of the testimony of witness Shaw for the purpose of corroborating the testimony of Register was error because Shaw's testimony did not corroborate that of Register. The admissibility of prior consistent statements of the witness to strengthen his credibility has been reaffirmed by this Court in many cases. 1 Stansbury, N.C. Evidence § 51 (Brandis rev. 1973), and cases cited therein. In Lorbacher v. Talley 256 N.C. 258, 260, 123 S.E.2d 477, 479 (1962), Justice Bobbitt (later Chief Justice) quoted with approval: Such previously consistent statements, however, are admissible only when they are in fact consistent with the witness's testimony. State v. Patterson, 288 N.C. 553, 220 S.E.2d 600 (1975); State v. Bagley, 229 N.C. 723, 51 S.E.2d 298 (1949); State v. Melvin, 194 N.C. 394, 139 S.E. 762 (1927); 1 Stansbury, N.C. Evidence § 52 (Brandis rev. 1973). If the previous statements offered in corroboration are generally consistent with the witness's testimony, slight variations between them will not render the statements inadmissible. Such variations affect only the credibility of the evidence which is always for the jury. State v. Patterson, supra; State v. Bryant, 282 N.C. 92, 191 S.E.2d 745 (1972); State v. Norris, 264 N.C. 470, 141 S.E.2d 869 (1965); State v. Case, 253 N.C. 130, 116 S.E.2d 429 (1960). Further, broadside objections to corroborative testimony will not generally be sustained if any portion of such testimony is competent. Rather, it is the duty of the objecting party to call to the attention of the trial court the objectionable part. State v. Tinsley, 283 N.C. 564, 196 S.E.2d 746 (1973); State v. Brooks, 260 N.C. 186, 132 S.E.2d 354 (1963). Applying these principles to the evidence in this case, we hold that it was not prejudicial error to overrule defendant's objections to the testimony of the witness Shaw. Register testified, in substance, that he heard defendant tell Carolyn that he was going to kill somebody and that he knew who defendant was talking about. Shaw testified that Register told him that he heard defendant tell Carolyn that he was going to kill Clarence Blackwell. The testimony of Shaw tended to corroborate that of Register, showing that defendant intended to kill someone. It in no way contradicts the testimony of Register and, at least, partially corroborates it. As instructed by the trial judge, it was for the jury to determine if it did corroborate and if it did strengthen or support the testimony of Register. This assignment is overruled. The action of the trial court in allowing the testimony of H. L. Wiggins, Alvin Mitchell Register, James E. Shaw and Billy Watson as rebuttal witnesses constitutes the basis for defendant's next assignment of error. Defendant contends that the testimony of these witnesses did not in fact rebut defendant's evidence but would have been properly admissible during the State's case in chief. Conceding this to be true, it was not error to admit the testimony on rebuttal. As stated by Justice Huskins in State v. Foster, 284 N.C. 259, 276, 200 S.E.2d 782, 794-95 (1973): No gross abuse of discretion appears. Accordingly, we overrule this assignment. Defendant next assigns as error certain portions of the district attorney's argument to the jury. Under G.S. 84-14, an attorney may argue "the whole case as well of law as of fact . . . to the jury." Counsel is given wide latitude to argue the facts and all reasonable inferences which may be drawn therefrom, together with the relevant law, in presenting the case to the jury. State v. Monk, 286 N.C. 509, 212 S.E.2d 125 (1975); State v. Noell, 284 N.C. 670, 202 S.E.2d 750 (1974); 4 Strong, N.C. Index 3d, Criminal Law § 102.1 (1976). The trial court is required, upon objection, to censor remarks either not warranted by the law or facts or made only to prejudice or mislead the jury. State v. Monk, supra; State v. Dillard, 285 N.C. 72, 203 S.E.2d 6 (1974). The conduct of the arguments of counsel is left to the sound discretion of the trial judge. In order for defendant to be granted a new trial, the error must be sufficiently grave that it is prejudicial. Ordinarily, an objection to the arguments by counsel must be made before verdict, since only when the impropriety is gross is the trial court required to correct the abuse ex mero motu. See State v. Monk, supra; State v. Noell, supra. In instant case, after the district attorney's argument, the following exchange took place: The portion of the argument to which defense counsel objected is not raised on appeal. The first portion of the argument to which defendant objects deals with the statement that defendant is a "cold-blooded, deliberate murderer, regardless of what your decision in this case is." Later, the prosecutor stated that defendant is "guilty as sin and I'm asking you to put him out of the shooting business." In 23A C.J.S. Criminal Law § 1104, it is stated: In instant case, the district attorney made the comments upon defendant's guilt after reciting the evidence introduced by the State which he felt supported the conclusions respecting defendant's guilt. There is no indication that the district attorney was traveling outside the record and it would appear that his opinion was based solely upon evidence from which his inferences and conclusions could legitimately be inferred. See also State v. Britt, 288 N.C. 699, 220 S.E.2d 283 (1975); State v. Wortham, 287 N.C. 541, 215 S.E.2d 131 (1975). Defendant further contends that the trial court should have, ex mero motu, corrected an alleged misstatement of the law of second degree murder made by the district attorney. The record fails to disclose any misstatement of the law by the district attorney. Furthermore, the trial judge fully and properly instructed the jury upon the law applicable to the case. *652 Defendant further contends that the district attorney improperly argued self-defense to the jury after having been instructed by the trial judge not to do so. In his argument, the district attorney stated: It is clear that the district attorney was explaining that under the law applicable to the case self-defense was not an issue. This he could properly do. State v. Monk, supra, and cases cited therein. Defendant also assails the statement by the district attorney that only jurors may "fail to bring criminals to justice in our system." Here, the district attorney was simply explaining how our legal system works. We do not see how this could be prejudicial to defendant. We have examined the entire argument by the district attorney and are unable to locate any impropriety sufficient to warrant a new trial. Accordingly, all assignments addressed to the district attorney's argument are overruled. Defendant contends that prejudicial error was committed when the district attorney was permitted to ask certain questions which defendant insists were leading. A leading question is generally defined as one which suggests the desired response and may frequently be answered yes or no. State v. Greene, 285 N.C. 482, 206 S.E.2d 229 (1974); 1 Stansbury, N.C. Evidence § 31 (Brandis rev. 1973). However, simply because a question may be answered yes or no does not make it leading, unless it also suggests the proper response. State v. Watkins, 283 N.C. 504, 196 S.E.2d 750 (1973). It is within the sound discretion of the trial judge to allow counsel to use leading questions; and in the absence of an abuse of that discretion, the judge's ruling will not be disturbed on appeal. State v. Greene, supra; 4 Strong N.C. Index 3d, Criminal Law § 87.1 (1976), and the plethora of cases cited therein. In ruling upon whether counsel may be permitted to lead a witness, the trial judge is guided by the statement in State v. Greene, supra, 285 N.C. at 492-93, 206 S.E.2d at 236: In instant case, defendant objected to numerous questions propounded to David Blackwell. David, thirteen years of age, was the son of the deceased and an eyewitness to the shooting of his father. From the record, it appears that the questions were necessary to enable the district attorney to elicit from the witness the facts of the case. In no instance did the district attorney suggest the proper response. Further, few, if any, of the questions could be answered by a yes or no response. For example, defendant excepts to the following exchange: Accordingly, due to the youth of the witness, the trial judge did not abuse his discretion *653 in permitting leading questions to be used with respect to David Blackwell. The remainder of the exceptions relate to questions propounded to witnesses Watson, Register and Shaw. With respect to witnesses Watson and Shaw, it is obvious that the district attorney was directing the attention of the witness "to the subject matter at hand without suggesting answers." The questions propounded to Register did not suggest the desired response and did not put any facts into evidence. We find no abuse of the trial judge's discretion in overruling defendant's objections and thus find no merit in these assignments. When David Blackwell was offered as a witness, the following transpired: Defendant made no objection to the statement of the district attorney and did not request an instruction that the jury disregard it. We do not feel that the remark is sufficient to warrant a new trial. Defendant had the opportunity to object to the statement and request that the jury be instructed to disregard it. Further, he cross-examined the witness and could have probed the witness's propensity for truth and veracity at this time. Defendant did neither. This assignment is overruled. Defendant contends that he was denied due process of law because the State lost the knife with which deceased had stabbed defendant. From the record, it appears that the knife was lost when the Robeson County Sheriff's Department was moved from the old courthouse into new quarters. At no time during trial did defendant ever raise the issue of the loss of the knife, see State v. Parks, 290 N.C. 748, 228 S.E.2d 248 (1976), and it is difficult to ascertain how it prejudices his case. Defendant cross-examined the witnesses who saw the knife on the evening of the murderDavid Blackwell and Deputy Sheriff Carl Herring. During cross-examination, defendant could have elicited any information deemed necessary regarding the size, shape or type of the knife. Further, it is unclear of what relevance the knife would have been in this case, since self-defense was not an issue. Conceding, arguendo, that the loss of the knife was error, we hold that under the circumstances, the fact that the knife was not available is harmless error beyond a reasonable doubt. See State v. Taylor, 280 N.C. 273, 185 S.E.2d 677 (1972). This assignment is overruled. Defendant further contends that the district attorney, Joe Freeman Britt, should have been removed from the prosecution of this case and that the failure of the judge to remove Mr. Britt denied defendant due process of law. Defendant bases this contention upon the fact that this is the fourth trial for this offense by the same district attorney, and the fact that this Court reversed the conviction of defendant for over-zealous conduct on the part of the district attorney in State v. Britt, supra. In State v. Westbrook, 279 N.C. 18, 36-37, 181 S.E.2d 572, 583 (1971), we stated: In instant case, the prosecutor was acting as the advocate of the State's interest. He *654 was, at all times, seeking to convict and punish the guilty or seeking acquittal of the innocent. Although we do not condone the actions of the district attorney in the prior trial, wherein defendant's conviction was reversed, we do not feel that those actions in the past are sufficient or of such a nature as to require his removal from the prosecution of this trial. There has been no showing of misconduct in this trial. There has been no evidence that the prosecutor has any conflict of interest, e.g., prior representation of defendant; nor that the prosecutor has any self-interest in obtaining the conviction of defendant, e.g., revenge; nor that the prosecutor has any interest adverse to that of protecting the State. See Ganger v. Peyton, 379 F.2d 709 (4th Cir. 1967); Farmer v. Cox, 308 F. Supp. 914 (W.D.Va.1970); State v. Britton, 203 S.E.2d 462 (W.Va.1974); May v. Commonwealth, 285 S.W.2d 160 (Ky.App.1955). See generally 63 Am.Jur.2d, Prosecuting Attorneys § 29 (1972). Accordingly, we find that there was no denial of fairness in permitting Mr. Britt to prosecute defendant such as would constitute a denial of due process. This assignment is overruled. Defendant next assigns as error the trial court's denial of his motion to dismiss on the grounds of double jeopardy and the failure of the State to afford him a speedy trial. The history of this case may be summarized as follows: At the first trial, the presiding judge made an impromptu remark indicating that one of the State's witnesses had testified truthfully. The next day it was learned that a man had approached a juror in the case and asked him to "[g]o easy on Jimmy. You know Jimmy takes care of his friends and if he likes you, he will do anything in the world for you." Based upon these two incidents and upon motion of defendant, the presiding judge declared a mistrial. An order of mistrial in a capital case will not support a plea of former jeopardy if the mistrial is entered upon defendant's motion. State v. Crocker, 239 N.C. 446, 80 S.E.2d 243 (1954); State v. Dry, 152 N.C. 813, 67 S.E. 1000 (1910); State v. Davis, 80 N.C. 384 (1879). On two appeals by defendant in this case, State v. Britt, 285 N.C. 256, 204 S.E.2d 817 (1974), and State v. Britt, supra, defendant was awarded new trials for errors that occurred during the trials. In State v. Stafford, 274 N.C. 519, 531-32, 164 S.E.2d 371, 380 (1968), Justice Sharp (now Chief Justice) stated: "All courts agree that when a defendant seeks a new trial by appealing his conviction he waives his protection against reprosecution." She then quoted with approval from Ball v. United States, 163 U.S. 662, 672, 16 S. Ct. 1192, 1195, 41 L. Ed. 300, 303 (1896): Defendant's assignments based on double jeopardy are overruled. Defendant further contends that he was denied a speedy trial. The constitutional right to a speedy trial prohibits arbitrary and oppressive delays by the prosecution. State v. Johnson, 275 N.C. 264, 167 S.E.2d 274 (1969). The history of this case as set out above shows that the State has acted swiftly in trying to bring this defendant to justice. The delays were caused by defendant's appeals, not by any arbitrary or oppressive delay by the prosecution. This assignment is overruled. On cross-examination, counsel for defendant attempted to question David Blackwell, age ten at the time of the murder, concerning actions of his deceased father on occasions prior to 3 May 1973. These questions pertained to the intoxication of the deceased on prior visits to the home of Carolyn Blackwell and to his use of a pistol on such prior occasions. These questions were not related to anything which occurred on or near 3 May 1973 (the date on which Blackwell was killed). The trial court sustained the State's objections to these questions and defendant assigns this as error. By this attempted cross-examination, defendant's counsel was seeking to go far afield by showing the conduct of the deceased toward his wife on occasions when defendant was not present and which occurred before the events of 3 May 1973. The scope of cross-examination rests largely in the discretion of the trial judge. He hears all the witnesses, observes their demeanor, knows the background of the case, and is in a favorable position to control the legitimate limits of cross-examination. The appellate court reviews a cold record. The trial court, because of its favored position, should have wide discretion in the control of the trial. Its rulings should not be disturbed except where prejudicial error is disclosed. State v. Ross, 275 N.C. 550, 169 S.E.2d 875 (1969). "The limits of legitimate cross-examination are largely within the discretion of the trial judge, and his ruling thereon will not be held for error in the absence of showing that the verdict was improperly influenced thereby." State v. Edwards, 228 N.C. 153, 154, 44 S.E.2d 725, 726 (1947). See also State v. McPherson, 276 N.C. 482, 172 S.E.2d 50 (1970). Here, no such showing appears. This assignment is overruled. On substantially similar evidence, three juries have been convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that defendant was guilty of the first degree murder of Clarence Blackwell. In defendant's fourth trial, now under review, we find no prejudicial error and the verdict must be upheld. However, for the reasons stated in State v. Davis, 290 N.C. 511, 227 S.E.2d 97 (1976), the death sentence must be vacated and a sentence of life imprisonment imposed in lieu thereof. Accordingly, the death sentence is hereby vacated and this case is remanded to the Superior Court of Bladen County with the following directions: (1) The presiding judge, without requiring the presence of defendant, shall enter a judgment imposing life imprisonment for the murder of which defendant has been convicted; and (2) in accordance with this judgment the clerk of the superior court shall issue a commitment in substitution of the commitment heretofore issued. It is further ordered that the clerk furnish to defendant and his attorney a copy of the judgment and commitment as revised in accordance with this opinion. No error in the verdict. Death sentence vacated; life sentence substituted.