Court Opinion

ID: 6730961
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-20 23:12:22.134641+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:01:39.501918
License: Public Domain

CAMPBELL, Judge.
Defendant obtained an order extending the time to docket the appeal with this Court up to and including 20 September 1972, on which date the case was docketed. Since judgment was entered on 20 April 1972, the case was not docketed until 153 days after the date of judgment, which time does not comply with Rule 5 of the rules of this Court.
In addition, defendant appellant did not file a brief with the Court as required by Rule 27. Failure by appellant to file a brief works an abandonment of his assignments of error, except those appearing upon the face of the record proper, *96which are cognizable ex mero motu. Land v. Land, 4 N.C. App. 115, 165 S.E. 2d 692 (1969).
Under G.S. 148-45 a second escape is a felony, punishable by imprisonment for not less than six months nor more than three years, regardless of whether the original sentence was imposed upon conviction of a misdemeanor or a felony. State v. Worley, 268 N.C. 687, 151 S.E. 2d 618 (1966).
The indictment in the instant case properly charges that defendant escaped from lawful custody while serving a sentence imposed by judgment pronounced in the Superior Court of Pender County for a felony; it is necessary only to identify the term of court by month and year. State v. Stallings, 267 N.C. 405, 148 S.E. 2d 252 (1966). Although the indictment stated that defendant had been convicted at the 8 January 1968 term of court, and the evidence showed that the conviction was rendered on 2 January 1968, such variance is immaterial.
The indictment properly alleges a felony escape (second offense), the defendant having been convicted of escape from the State Department of Corrections at the 2 March 1972 Term of Sampson County District Court. State v. Revis, 267 N.C. 255, 147 S.E. 2d 892 (1966). It properly alleges the time and place of the prior escape conviction. State v. Lawrence, 264 N.C. 220, 141 S.E. 2d 264 (1965).
Proof that defendant was lawfully confined and that he had previously been convicted of escape may be made by the submission into evidence of a certified copy of the superior court records, or a commitment issued under the hand and seal of the clerk of superior court. State v. Ledford, 9 N.C. App. 245, 175 S.E. 2d 605 (1970).
Defendant’s conviction of felony escape was based upon a proper verdict supported by competent evidence. The sentence was within that allowed by statute.
No error.
Judges Brock and Graham concur.