Opinion ID: 1322005
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: defendant's cross-assignments

Text: We will now consider the issues raised pursuant to defendant's petition for discretionary review. Defendant brings forward the following assignments of error that were raised but not considered by the Court of Appeals. Defendant's first contention is that the court erred in allowing plaintiff to testify about certain circumstances surrounding the parties' investment of money prior to incorporation and the source of funds used to purchase equipment for the Kentucky Fried Chicken business. No legal authority is cited in support of this argument. Defendant essentially contends that this evidence was irrelevant to any of the issues and could only have confused the jury. We disagree. Strictly speaking, evidence is relevant if it has any logical tendency, however slight, to prove a fact in issue. 1 Brandis on North Carolina Evidence § 77, at 285 (1982) (footnote citations omitted). This evidence was relevant to the only issue submitted to the jury because it tended to establish that an agreement between the parties was entered into and also the basis for determining that such agreement, admittedly oral in nature, was supported by adequate consideration. Proof of the foregoing was relevant to the only material issue to be resolved, namely, whether plaintiff was entitled to ownership of 48 percent of the stock in the corporation to be formed. Defendant next contends that the court erred in failing to instruct the jury on the requirement of delivery to consummate a gift. As discussed earlier in this opinion, plaintiff's theory was premised on a contract supported by consideration. There is no basis for submitting instructions regarding a gift, as defendant's answer did not raise this theory; and, furthermore, defendant requested no special instruction pursuant to Rule 21 of the North Carolina General Rules of Practice for Superior and District Courts or Rule 51(b) of the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure. Under the circumstances, we find no error in the failure of the trial court to instruct on the need for delivery to consummate a gift. Defendant's third and fourth contentions challenge the sufficiency of the trial court's summary of the evidence and contentions of the defendant. We have reviewed the judge's charges, and we do not find them to be in violation of Rule 51(a) of the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure, which provides, inter alia, that the judge shall give equal stress to the contentions of the various parties. Next, defendant contends that the court erred in instructing the jury on the theory of implied contract when the theory was not supported by the evidence. Rule 10(b)(2) of the North Carolina Rules of Appellate Procedure provides in pertinent part: (2) Jury Instructions; Findings and Conclusions of Judge. No party may assign as error any portion of the jury charge or omission therefrom unless he objects thereto before the jury retires to consider its verdict, stating distinctly that to which he objects and the grounds of his objection; provided, that opportunity was given to the party to make the objection out of the hearing of the jury, and, on request of any party, out of the presence of the jury. Similarly, Rule 21 of the General Rules of Practice for the Superior and District Courts provides, in pertinent part: [A]t the conclusion of the charge and before the jury begins its deliberations, and out of the hearing, or upon request, out of the presence of the jury, counsel shall be given the opportunity to object on the record to any portion of the charge, or omission therefrom, stating distinctly that to which he objects and the grounds of his objection. (emphasis added.) See Wall v. Stout, 310 N.C. 184, 188, 311 S.E.2d 571, 574 (1984). Indeed, in the present case the judge provided the parties with an opportunity to object after he had charged the jury. Defendant, however, failed to object to the instruction on implied contract and therefore Rule 10(b)(2) bars her from assigning error to this portion of the judge's instruction. See State v. Odom, 307 N.C. 655, 300 S.E.2d 375 (1983). Defendant's final contention is that the court erred in beginning the charge to the jury in the absence of defense counsel. Apparently the court began its charge before defense counsel had returned from lunch recess. Defense counsel contends that the court recessed until 2:15 p.m., but the court began its charge at 2:00 o'clock in the presence of plaintiff, defendant and plaintiff's attorneys. Defense counsel returned just after 2:00 p.m. and the court was beginning the introductory parts of its charge. Assuming, arguendo, that court had been recessed until 2:15 p.m., counsel failed to call this to the attention of the trial judge or to ask for curative instructions. We do not believe that defendant has shown any prejudice.