Court Opinion

ID: 6729640
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-20 23:10:11.228558+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:01:38.285478
License: Public Domain

VaughN, J.
Defendants were represented at their trial and on the appeal by the same court-appointed attorneys. They bring forward two assignments of error.
For their first assignment of error defendants assert that the bill of indictment was defective in that it did not charge felonious intent. The indictment was as follows:
“THE JURORS FOR THE STATE UPON THEIR OATH PRESENT, That Ronald W. Frietch, Melvin A. Ernbley and David E. Stevens late of the County of Carteret on the 8th day of October, 1969 with force and arms, at and in the County aforesaid, unlawfully, wilfully and feloniously, having in their possession and with the use and threatened use of firearms, to wit: pistols, whereby the life of one Edward Sides was endangered and threatened, did then and there unlawfully, wilfully and feloniously, forcibly and violently take, steal and carry away $150.00 in money of the value of $150.00 from the Buccaneer Motor Lodge, 2608 Arendell Street, Morehead City, a place of business, the aforesaid Edward Sides being the night clerk at said place of business and a person in attendance there against the form of the statute in such case made and provided and against the peace and dignity of the State.”
The indictment is sufficient to meet the requirements of G.S. 14-87. The requisite intent was properly alleged. An allegation that the defendants intended to convert the personal property stolen to defendants’ own use is not required to be alleged in the indictment. State v. Williams, 265 N.C. 446, 144 S.E. 2d 267.
Defendants also assign as error that the sentences imposed by the court were excessive. This assignment of error is overruled. The *333punishment imposed does not exceed the limit fixed by statute. It has been held in case after case that when the punishment does not exceed the limit fixed by statute, it cannot be considered cruel and unusual in a constitutional sense. State v. Caldwell, 269 N.C. 521, 153 S.E. 2d 34.
Affirmed.
Campbell and PARKER, JJ., concur.