Opinion ID: 1227665
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 17

Heading: Burden on mitigating factors

Text: Defendants contend that the trial court erred in placing the burden on the defendants to prove each mitigating circumstance by a preponderance of the evidence. Defendants did not object to this instruction at trial. This Court has repeatedly ruled that the burden of persuasion as to the existence of mitigating circumstances is on the defendant. See State v. Kirkley, 308 N.C. 196, 302 S.E.2d 144 (1983); State v. Brown, 306 N.C. 151, 293 S.E.2d 569 (1982); State v. Pinch, 306 N.C. 1, 292 S.E.2d 203 (1982); State v. Williams, 305 N.C. 656, 292 S.E.2d 243 (1982); State v. Hutchins, 303 N.C. 321, 279 S.E.2d 788 (1981). There is no reason for this Court to disturb these well-established and well-reasoned precedents.