Court Opinion

ID: 6730825
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-20 23:12:11.843744+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:01:39.398618
License: Public Domain

VAUGHN, Judge.
Defendant assigns as error that his plea of former jeopardy was denied.
The common law principle that no person can be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb for the same offense is now guaranteed by both the federal and the state constitutions. State v. Cutshall, 278 N.C. 334, 180 S.E. 2d 745. State v. Prince, 63 N.C. 529.
Jeopardy attaches in North Carolina when a defendant is placed on trial: (1) on a valid indictment or information, (2) before a court of competent jurisdiction, (3) after arraignment, (4) after plea, and (5) when a competent jury has been impaneled and sworn to make true deliverance in the case. State v. Birckhead, 256 N.C. 494, 124 S.E. 2d 838.
If jeopardy attached during the proceedings before Judge Godwin on 15 February 1971, defendant could not again be placed on trial on a new bill of indictment for the same slaying and his plea of former jeopardy should have been sustained by Judge Clark. The proceedings before Judge Godwin are set out in some detail in State v. Allen, supra. In that opinion the court stated “ . . . the order of mistrial stands albeit the record will not support the premise upon which it is based.” It clearly appears that defendant was placed on trial for a capital offense before a court of competent jurisdiction, was arraigned and pleaded not guilty. A jury was duly impaneled and sworn and the State introduced evidence. The bill of indictment was valid and charged defendant with the murder of the same person for whose death he was tried in the present case. State v. Gibson, 221 N.C. 252, 20 S.E. 2d 51. State v. Reynolds, 212 N.C. 37, 192 S.E. 871. State v. Drakeford, 162 N.C. 667, 78 S.E. 308. *162The mistrial was entered without the consent and over the objection of defendant. The category of circumstances under which the court in a capital case may, without proscribing defendant’s opportunity to plead former jeopardy at a subsequent trial for the same offense appears to be well settled. See State v. Birckhead, supra and State v. Crocker, 239 N.C. 446, 80 S.E. 2d 243. The reason given in Judge Godwin’s order does not fall within the category.
On the prior appeal the court was faced with an attempt by the State to appeal from the order of mistrial. Such an appeal is prohibited by G.S. 15-179 and the same was dismissed. The court stated: “The remaining question debated in the briefs, whether upon a retrial defendant will be entitled to his release upon a plea of former jeopardy, does not arise upon this record.” The question does arise on the present record and in obedience to well-established precedent must be answered in the affirmative.
The Attorney General, although candidly conceding the dilemma faced by the State, valiantly argues alternative theories upon which the present judgment might be affirmed or a new trial allowed on the original bill of indictment. It suffices to say that neither theory affords this court such opportunity. The constitutions of the United States and of the State of North Carolina, as interpreted by a long line of decisions by the Supreme Court of North Carolina, compel a contrary result. Defendant’s plea of former jeopardy should have been sustained. The judgment from which defendant appealed is reversed.
Reversed.
Judges Moréis and GRAHAM concur.