Opinion ID: 1317792
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Was there error on the part of the court in the admission of the alleged dying declarations?

Text: The record shows that the doctor who examined Irene Rich, wife of defendant, when she arrived at the hospital, testified, over objection of defendant, that he advised her that she was approaching impending death, and that after so advising her, she told him that she had been beaten by her husband; that she came back to live with him six days previously, and during that interval of time she had been beaten several times; that the scratches were inflicted upon her by her husband with a screw driver; and that, as to the last beating she sustained, he had beaten her that afternoon, knocked her down, and then kicked her in the abdomen. In this connection, the rule for the admission of dying declarations is well settled. The declarant at the time he made the statement should have been in actual danger of impending death, and in full apprehension of such danger, and death should have ensued. State v. Bright, 215 N.C. 537, 2 S.E.2d 541, and cases cited. See also State v. Bagley, 158 N.C. 608, 73 S.E. 995; State v. Laughter, 159 N.C. 488, 74 S.E. 913; State v. Stewart, 210 N.C. 362, 186 S.E. 488; State v. Jordan, 216 N.C. 356, 5 S.E.2d 156; State v. Ensley, 228 N.C. 271, 45 S.E.2d 357. In State v. Bagley, supra, it is said: Dying declarations are admissible in cases of homicide when they appear to have been made by the deceased in present anticipation of death. It is not always necessary that the deceased should declare himself that he believes he is about to pass away, but all the circumstances and surroundings in which he is placed should indicate that he is fully under the influence of the solemnity of such a belief. In the Bagley case the evidence showed that a doctor, who was present with the deceased when he expired, told him that he was in a critical condition and was likely to die, and that if there was any message he wanted to leave, he had better do so,and it was then that the incriminating declaration was made. The admissibility of evidence of dying declaration is addressed to the judge and not to the jury. And, on appeal, the ruling of the trial court will be reviewed only to determine whether there was evidence tending to show the facts necessary to the decision. State v. Stewart, supra; State v. Jordan, supra. Applying these rules to the evidence before the trial judge, the testimony of the doctor, through whom the declarations of deceased were introduced in evidence, would seem to be sufficient to support the ruling of the court, as to the competency, of the declaration. A contrary decision would have found support in the testimony of the doctor. But be that as it might have been, we find no error in the ruling of the trial judge.