Opinion ID: 1338105
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Abernathy's and Jaynes' Joint Appeal

Text: Defendants first insist that the trial court erred in refusing to allow them to cross-examine the State's witness Ronald Clark, an admitted accomplice, concerning his expectation of leniency as a result of his testimony; this, defendants argue, was necessary to establish Clark's bias and interest in the case. This Court has held that a defendant is entitled to cross-examine an accomplice who has testified against him as to whether he has been promised immunity or leniency in return for his testimony, and that the denial of this right would constitute prejudicial error. State v. Harris, 290 N.C. 681, 228 S.E.2d 437 (1976); State v. Carey, 285 N.C. 497, 206 S.E.2d 213 (1974); State v. Spicer, 285 N.C. 274, 204 S.E.2d 641 (1974); State v. Roberson, 215 N.C. 784, 3 S.E.2d 277 (1939). The scope and duration of cross-examination rests, however, largely in the discretion of the trial judge, and he may limit cross-examination when it becomes merely repetitious. State v. Harris, supra ; State v. Bumper, 275 N.C. 670, 170 S.E.2d 457 (1969); State v. Maynard, 247 N.C. 462, 101 S.E.2d 340 (1958). Defendants strongly rely on the cases of State v. Carey, supra , and State v. Roberson, supra , to support their position. These cases are distinguishable from the instant case in that in both Roberson and Carey the trial judge's limitation on cross-examination totally precluded inquiry into the subject matter to which the respective defendant's cross-examination was directed. In the case before us, Clark had entered a plea of guilty but had not been sentenced. The defendants were permitted to cross-examine Clark at length concerning the circumstances and reasons surrounding his testifying as a witness for the prosecution, and as to whether he made any deals with the State in exchange for his testimony. They further cross-examined Clark extensively about his criminal record and prior confrontations with the law, including prior instances in which he had been charged with various crimes and had been allowed to plead guilty to lesser offenses. The specific questions to which defendants except are as follows: Counsel for defendant Abernathy Q. Well, you know how to maneuver to save your own skin, because you did that in Burke County, didn't you  MR. LOWE: OBJECTION. Q. You entered a plea of guilty and got off very light? MR. LOWE: OBJECTION. THE COURT: OBJECTION SUSTAINED. Counsel for defendant Jaynes Q. You knew what a deal was, didn't you? A. Yes sir. Q. You knew they could be worked out when you're charged with a crime, didn't you? MR. LOWE: OBJECTION. THE COURT: SUSTAINED. The record indicates that the same or similar questions had previously been asked of and answered by the witness Clark. The witness testified that he had been promised nothing for his testimony; that he had pled guilty to the charges against him but had made no deals, no nothing; that he had pled guilty to other offenses during his criminal career in order to receive a lighter sentence; and that his prior counsel had worked out deals for him for these unrelated offenses so that he might receive lighter sentences. In addition to being repetitive, the question asked by counsel for defendant Abernathy was objectionable for lack of proper foundation  prior to asking this question counsel failed to inquire as to the specific Burke County offense and its eventual disposition. The question asked by counsel for defendant Jaynes is objectionable in that it calls for his knowledge of a supposed fact not in evidence and of questionable validity. Counsel for defendants made no efforts to rephrase their questions and make proper inquiry. We hold, therefore, that the trial judge did not abuse his discretion by sustaining the objections to these improper questions. Prior to the court's charge to the jury, counsel for defendant Jaynes filed a written request for jury instructions concerning the consideration to be given the testimony of the State's witness Ronald Clark, an admitted accomplice. (The record fails to show that counsel for Abernathy made a similar request for instructions.) Pursuant to this request, the court instructed the jury concerning the consideration to be given to Clark's testimony. Defendants, however, contend that the court's charge was insufficient in that it failed to include in this instruction the contention that an accomplice may be motivated to falsify his testimony in whole or in part because of his own self-interest in obtaining leniency in his own prosecution. An accomplice testifying for the prosecution is generally regarded as an interested witness, and a defendant, upon timely request, is entitled to an instruction that the testimony of the accomplice should be carefully scrutinized. State v. Harris, supra ; State v. White, 288 N.C. 44, 215 S.E.2d 557 (1975); State v. Bailey, 254 N.C. 380, 119 S.E.2d 165 (1961). Since an instruction to carefully scrutinize an accomplice's testimony is a subordinate feature of the trial, the trial judge is not required to so charge in the absence of a timely request for the instruction. State v. Vick, 287 N.C. 37, 213 S.E.2d 335 (1975); State v. Roux, 266 N.C. 555, 146 S.E.2d 654 (1966); State v. Reddick, 222 N.C. 520, 23 S.E.2d 909 (1943). But when a defendant makes a request in writing and before argument to the jury for an instruction on accomplice testimony, the court should give such instruction. State v. White, supra . And once the judge undertakes to instruct the jury on such subordinate issue it must do so accurately and completely. State v. Eakins, 292 N.C. 445, 233 S.E.2d 387 (1977); State v. Hale, 231 N.C. 412, 57 S.E.2d 322 (1950). The court, however, is not required to give the requested instruction in the exact language of the request, but is only required to give such instruction in substance. State v. Spicer, 285 N.C. 274, 204 S.E.2d 641 (1974); State v. Hooker, 243 N.C. 429, 90 S.E.2d 690 (1956); State v. Pennell, 232 N.C. 573, 61 S.E.2d 593 (1950). In present case, concerning Clark, the trial judge instructed the jury: Now, as to the witness Clark, I instruct you that he is in Law what is known as an accomplice. And our Court has said that a person may be convicted on the unsupported testimony of an accomplice, if that testimony is believed by the Jury. However, in considering the weight and credibility you will give to the testimony of Clark, I instruct you that you should carefully examine his testimony for the purpose of determining what weight and credibility it deserves. You should scrutinize it with care, all to the end that you will determine whether he is truthful or not, because in Law, an accomplice does have an interest and bias in the case and in what your verdict will be. So, Members of the Jury, it's dangerous to convict upon the testimony of an accomplice but if you find that he is truthful, then you may, if you are satisfied from the evidence and beyond a reasonable doubt, convict upon his unsupported testimony. The instruction as given by the trial judge is substantially in accord with the request made by the defendant Jaynes and is in accord with instructions on accomplice testimony approved by this Court in State v. Willard, 293 N.C. 394, 238 S.E.2d 509 (1977), and State v. Hairston, 280 N.C. 220, 185 S.E.2d 633 (1972). This assignment of error is overruled. On 3 May 1977 defendant Abernathy filed a pre-trial motion for discovery pursuant to G.S. 15A-903 in which he sought, among other things, the following: (2) Written or recorded statements by any witness implicating this defendant in any of the crimes for which he is charged.. . .       (7) Copies of any written statements made by any witness intended to be used by the State. (8) Names and addresses of all witnesses intended to be used by the State. On 17 May 1977 defendant Jaynes filed a similar motion requesting, in pertinent part, the following: (4) Any documents, photographs, tangible objects, or other items enumerated in G.S. 15A-903(d) which are within the possession, custody or control of the State and are to be used as evidence at trial, or were obtained from or belonged to the defendant, including any physical evidence whatsoever found at the scene of the alleged crime;       (7) Any information, materials, or evidence which may be favorable to the accused or exculpatory in nature. Giles v. Maryland, 386 U.S. 66 [87 S.Ct. 793, 17 L.Ed.2d 737] (1967); Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 [83 S.Ct. 1194, 10 L.Ed.2d 215] (1963). In response to these motions, the district attorney filed a motion for protective order together with supporting affidavits pursuant to G.S. 15A-908 requesting that defendants' motions be denied. On 31 May 1977, after considering the above motions and record and after hearing arguments of counsel for defendants, the court entered an order granting defendants' motions for discovery in part, but denying each of the items set out above. Defendants did not renew their requests for the above requested information at their trial on 6 June nor did they seek to exclude or otherwise try to limit the testimony of the State's witness Clark or make any other motion relative thereto at trial. The State's witness, Clark, did not make a written or recorded statement to anyone concerning this case. He did, however, make an oral statement to S.B.I. Agent Bruce Jarvis, who took written notes. Defendants contend that the trial court erred in refusing to allow their request for pre-trial disclosure of the information requested as this refusal denied them their statutory right to discovery of such information. G.S. 15A-904(a) provides, in part: Except as provided in G.S. 15A-903(a), (b), (c) and (e), this Article does not require the production . . . of statements made by witnesses or prospective witnesses of the State to anyone acting on behalf of the State. In the recent case of State v. Hardy, 293 N.C. 105, 235 S.E.2d 828 (1977), we held that under G.S. 15A-904(a) the State is not required to provide a defendant with statements made by witnesses or prospective witnesses of the State to anyone acting on behalf of the State. We further held that neither statute nor common law requires the State to furnish a defendant with a list of the names and addresses of witnesses the State intends to call. See also State v. Tatum, 291 N.C. 73, 229 S.E.2d 562 (1976). Therefore, defendants in this case were not entitled to receive a written copy of the oral statement made by Clark to S.B.I. Agent Jarvis or a list of the State's witnesses. This assignment is without merit. Defendants also contend, citing Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 83 S.Ct. 1194, 10 L.Ed.2d 215 (1963), and United States v. Agurs, 427 U.S. 97, 96 S.Ct. 2392, 49 L.Ed.2d 342 (1976), that they had a constitutional right to the material sought, and that the court's refusal to permit discovery of the witness's statement denied them due process. Brady, supra, held that the suppression by the prosecution of evidence favorable to an accused upon request violates due process where the evidence is material either to guilt or to punishment, irrespective of the good faith or bad faith of the prosecution. 373 U.S. at 87, 83 S.Ct. at 1196, 10 L.Ed.2d at 218. The Supreme Court has not clearly indicated the time at which the disclosure of material and favorable evidence must be made; but, since Brady and Agurs were decided on grounds of the due process right to a fair trial (and not on grounds of the right to adequately prepare for one's defense), it appears that the prosecutor is required to disclose only at trial evidence that is material and favorable to the defense. See State v. Hardy, supra . Cf. United States v. Wolfson, 289 F.Supp. 903 (S.D.N.Y.1968); United States v. Armantrout, 278 F.Supp. 517 (S.D.N.Y.1968), aff'd 411 F.2d 60 (2d Cir. 1969). In present case the evidence requested by the defendants in their pre-trial discovery motions was, in fact, disclosed to them at trial in the form of the corroborative testimony of Agent Bruce Jarvis, and counsel for defendants were permitted to see the notes transcribed at Clark's interrogation and from which Agent Jarvis testified. More importantly, however, the Brady principle is limited to evidence that is both material and exculpatory or favorable to the defendant, and in present case there has been no showing that there was suppression of any evidence material or favorable to either defendant. Therefore, defendants' constitutional rights were not violated. Defendants next assign as error the following portion of the trial judge's instruction to the jury: So, if the defendants or either of them broke and entered the dwelling of Mr. Rector in the nighttime while the dwelling was occupied with the intent to commit larceny therein at the time of the breaking and entering, then the crime of burglary would have, at that point, become complete. Defendants contend that this portion of the court's instruction to the jury was susceptible to the erroneous interpretation by the jury that they could convict both defendants if they found one guilty. This Court has held on numerous occasions that where two or more defendants are jointly tried for the same offense a charge which is susceptible to the instruction that the jury must convict all if it finds one guilty is reversible error. State v. Tomblin, 276 N.C. 273, 171 S.E.2d 901 (1970); State v. Williford, 275 N.C. 575, 169 S.E.2d 851 (1969); State v. Parrish, 275 N.C. 69, 165 S.E.2d 230 (1969). The Court has further held, however, that the charge must be construed as a whole in the same connective way in which it was given, and if it fairly and correctly presents the law when thus considered, it affords no ground for reversing the judgment. State v. Tomblin, supra ; State v. Hall, 267 N.C. 90, 147 S.E.2d 548 (1966). The question here, therefore, is whether the court's charge is susceptible to an interpretation that if the jury found one defendant guilty of first degree burglary they would then convict both defendants without considering individually whether each was guilty. We think not. In the portion of the charge to which defendants except, the trial judge was simply stating the elements necessary to constitute burglary in the first degree. He was careful to instruct the jury that it should return separate verdicts as to each defendant. In doing so, the trial judge first stated: So, Members of the Jury, it is for you to determine the guilt or innocence of each defendant. Each defendant has three cases pending against him. They are tried jointly merely as a matter of convenience and each is entitled to separate consideration of your verdict as to each charge against each defendant. Nothing that I've said or done or any ruling that I have made during the progress of the trial should be considered by you as an expression or intended expression of what your verdict should or should not be. That's a matter entirely for you. In the final mandate to the jury concerning the defendant Abernathy on the charge of first degree burglary, the trial judge said: Therefore, Members of the Jury, on the charge of first-degree burglary, as to the defendant Abernathy, if you find from the evidence and beyond a reasonable doubt that he broke and entered the dwelling house of Mr. and Mrs. Rector on the date alleged, in the nighttime, while  and that it was their dwelling, and that it was occupied by them at the time and that he did so with the intent to commit larceny therein, then it would be your duty to return a verdict of guilty as charged in that case. That is guilty of burglary in the first degree. If the State has failed to so satisfy you or if upon consideration of all the evidence you have a reasonable doubt as to his guilt of that, you would acquit him of that. The trial judge then gave a similar separate mandate as to defendant Jaynes on the burglary charge. Considering the charge as a whole we are convinced that the jury was not misled by that portion of the charge to which defendants except. This assignment of error is overruled. We next consider the questions presented by the individual appeals.