Opinion ID: 2328418
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Motion at Trial

Text: Two men, Grosnevor and Gray pled guilty before trial. Poteat and Benson were tried together. During trial, the defense moved to dismiss the Aggravated Menacing charges, the three PFDCF charges relating to the Aggravated Menacing, and a charge of Conspiracy in the Second Degree. The defense argued that principles of double jeopardy required that these charges be merged with the three Robbery in the First Degree counts, the related PFDCF charges, and the Conspiracy charges related to the robbery. After hearing the arguments of both the prosecution and defense, the trial judge declined to make an immediate ruling. The trial judge stated he would take the issue under advisement and would consider the defense's request if the jury's verdict rendered it necessary. The judge also stated that the parties could submit post-trial memoranda on the issue. The jury returned a verdict of guilty on all of the robbery counts and all of the menacing counts. The jury also returned guilty verdicts on all of the PFDCF charges accompanying the robbery and menacing charges. Neither party submitted any post-trial memoranda regarding the defense's double jeopardy argument. The trial judge implicitly denied the defense's motion for merger of the robbery and menacing offenses when Poteat was sentenced on all of the convictions for all of the charges.