Court Opinion

ID: 9570725
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 20:25:40.795472+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:15:17.688382
License: Public Domain

HUSKINS, Justice.
By his first assignment of error defendant contends the trial court improperly admitted into evidence the statements defendant made to Detective Holder. Defendant argues that at the time these statements were made he had not been given the warnings required by Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 16 L.Ed. 2d 694, 86 S.Ct. 1602 (1966), and accordingly the statements are inadmissible under Miranda rules.
Miranda held inadmissible only those statements made in response to “custodial interrogation” and not preceded by the requisite warnings. “By custodial interrogation, we mean questioning initiated by law enforcement officers after a person has been taken into custody or otherwise deprived of his freedom of action in any significant way.” 384 U.S. at 444, 16 L.Ed. 2d at 706, 86 S.Ct. at 1612 (footnote omitted). The Supreme Court emphasized that only statements elicited by interrogation were affected by its holding: “The fundamental import of the privilege while an individual is in custody is not whether he is allowed to talk to the police without the benefit of warnings and counsel, but whether he can be interrogated. . . . Volunteered statements of any kind are not barred by the Fifth Amendment and their admissibility is not affected by our holding today.” 384 U.S. at 478, 16 L.Ed 2d at 726, 86 S.Ct. at 1630. Accordingly, the question presented for review is whether Detective Holder’s conduct constitutes “interrogation.”
*629Cases from other jurisdictions disclose a notable lack of consensus concerning what conduct constitutes interrogation. It has been held that officers may read a ballistics report to an accused (Combs v. Commonwealth, 438 S.W. 2d 82 (Ky. 1969)), escort an accused to a confrontation with a codefendant (People v. Doss, 44 Ill. 2d 541, 256 N.E. 2d 753 (1970); see also Rosher v. State, 319 So. 2d 150 (Fla. App. 1975)), tell a defendant what statements have been made by a codefendant (Howell v. State, 5 Md. App. 337, 247 A. 2d 291 (1968)), or ask a defendant about the origin of marijuana found in his car (Santos v. Bayley, 400 F. Supp. 784 (M.D. Pa. 1975)) without being engaged in interrogation within the meaning of Miranda. Other courts have shown less hesitancy in finding officers’ conduct to be interrogatory in nature. See, e.g., People v. Paulin, 33 App. Div. 2d 105, 308 N.Y.S. 2d 883 (1969) (query concerning funeral arrangements is interrogation); Commonwealth v. Mercier, 451 Pa. 211, 302 A. 2d 337 (1973) (reading statement of codefendant to accused is interrogation). The United States Supreme Court has likewise had difficulty in determining what is meant by “interrogation.” In Brewer v. Williams, 430 U.S. 387, 51 L.Ed. 2d 424, 97 S.Ct. 1232 (1977), that Court held that an officer’s declaratory statements to defendant in absence of his counsel, avowedly made for the purpose of eliciting information from him, constituted interrogation. Justice Blackmun, in a dissent joined by Justices White and Rehnquist, contended otherwise, stating “not every attempt to elicit information should be regarded as ‘tantamount to interrogation.’ ” 430 U.S. at 439, 51 L.Ed. 2d at 462, 97 S.Ct. at 1260.
Given such widespread disagreement, we formulate no all-inclusive definition of “custodial interrogation.” Rather, we elect to follow the case-by-case approach advocated by some of the federal courts. See United States v. Akin, 435 F. 2d 1011 (5th Cir. 1970); United States v. Charles, 371 F. Supp. 204 (E.D.N.Y. 1973) (each discussing whether defendant was in custody and hence had been subjected to custodial interrogation).
Under the facts of the present case we hold that Detective Holder was not engaged in interrogation when defendant made the statements which were subsequently offered in evidence against him. Holder did not ask questions or engage in conduct which, in our view, is inquisitional in nature. See State v. Burton, 22 N.C. App. 559, 207 S.E. 2d 344, cert. denied 286 N.C. 212 (1974). *630See also People v. Leffew, 58 Mich. App. 533, 228 N.W. 2d 449 (1975). Accordingly, the trial court’s findings and conclusions that defendant’s statements were volunteered and therefore admissible were correct. See State v. Stepney, 280 N.C. 306, 185 S.E. 2d 844 (1972). In so deciding, however, we explicitly recognize that future cases may disclose acts or declarations, or both, which constitute “custodial interrogation” although no questions were asked. Defendant’s first assignment of error is overruled.
By his second assignment of error defendant contends the trial court erred in denying his request to examine the rape victim’s handwritten statement made several days after she was assaulted. This statement had been given to the prosecuting attorney by Miss Walker, and she made mention of it during the course of her cross-examination. Defense counsel then specifically requested permission to inspect the statement. This request was denied. The trial court conducted no in camera inspection of the statement and made no findings of fact relating to the denial of defendant’s request.
In State v. Hardy, 293 N.C. 105 at 127-28, 235 S.E. 2d 828 at 842 (1977), we held that “justice requires the judge to order an in camera inspection when a specific request is made at trial for disclosure of evidence in the State’s possession that is obviously relevant, competent and not privileged.” If the court then determines that such evidence is material and favorable to the defense, it must order that it be disclosed to defense counsel. As noted in the Hardy opinion, “The relevancy for impeachment purposes of a prior statement of a material State’s witness is obvious.” Id. Accordingly, it was error for the trial court to deny summarily defendant’s specific request for the prior written statement of State’s witness Gwen Walker.
While defendant failed to move at trial that a sealed transcript of Miss Walker’s statement be placed in the record for appellate review, prosecution and defense counsel did enter into a stipulation that the statement be made a part of the record on appeal. Accordingly, we now consider and determine whether the court’s refusal to permit defense counsel to examine this statement at trial constitutes prejudicial error. Compare State v. Hardy, supra, at 128, 235 S.E. 2d at 842. In order to resolve this issue, we must address two questions. First, was Miss Walker’s prior statement favorable and material to the defense? If so, the *631trial court should have ordered that the statement be disclosed. If not, the trial court committed no prejudicial error, although the procedure followed by Judge McConnell was improper under the Hardy rule. Second, was the prior statement sufficiently favorable to the accused that it created “a reasonable doubt that did not otherwise exist” as to the guilt of the accused? United States v. Agurs, 427 U.S. 97, 112, 49 L.Ed. 2d 342, 355, 96 S.Ct. 2392, 2401 (1976). If the undisclosed statement does not create such a doubt, the error arising from its nondisclosure is harmless and does not necessitate a new trial. Id.
We are persuaded that Miss Walker’s prior statement is weakly “favorable and material” to the defense in that she testified on cross-examination that she was knocked unconscious when defendant forced her to the ground but her prior written statement made no mention of unconsciousness. This discrepancy might have been exploited by defense counsel to question the accuracy of her recollection concerning her version of other events which transpired on the evening she was assaulted. The trial court, therefore, should have granted defendant’s request to inspect the statement. Even so, the content of the statement falls woefully short of creating a reasonable doubt as to defendant’s guilt. It corroborates Miss Walker’s testimony in almost every respect and discloses nothing which calls into question her veracity or casts significant doubt on the accuracy of her testimony at trial. Under the harmless error standard set forth in Agurs, or any other standard for harmless error (see, e.g., Fahy v. Connecticut, 375 U.S. 85, 11 L.Ed. 2d 171, 84 S.Ct. 229 (1963)), Judge McConnell’s error in refusing to order this statement disclosed to defense counsel is harmless and does not warrant a new trial. Accordingly, defendant’s second assignment of error is overruled.
During cross-examination of Miss Walker defense counsel asked whether the persons who responded when she banged on the door of her apartment after she had been assaulted were wearing any clothes. The trial court thereupon, on its own motion, excused the jury and instructed defense counsel that it regarded this question as an attempt to attack the character of Miss Walker’s housemates by innuendo, and that such questioning was improper. Defendant’s exception to this ruling constitutes his third assignment of error. He contends the trial court’s ruling *632improperly curtailed his right to develop facts relating to “the environment of sexual immorality and promiscuity in which the pro-secutrix voluntarily chose to live” and precluded him from testing her recollection of events which transpired on the evening she was assaulted.
In this jurisdiction cross-examination may concern any subject which is relevant to the issues in the case. State v. Huskins, 209 N.C. 727, 184 S.E. 480 (1936). The cross-examination must, however, concern relevant matters. Yadkin Valley Motor Co. v. Ins. Co., 220 N.C. 168, 16 S.E. 2d 847 (1941). And determination of the proper limit of cross-examination rests largely in the discretion of the trial judge. See, e.g., State v. Chance, 279 N.C. 643, 185 S.E. 2d 227 (1971).
Whether Miss Walker lived in an “environment of sexual immorality” or in a cloistered convent has no relevance to the issues in a case such as this where defendant denies that any act of intercourse or other assault took place. See, e.g., People v. Schafer, 4 Cal. App. 3d 554, 84 Cal. Rptr. 464 (1970). (See also G.S. 8-58.6, not effective at the time of the assault on Miss Walker, which in future rape prosecutions will restrict the admissibility of evidence relating to a complainant’s sexual behavior.) Furthermore, examinaton of the record shows that Judge McConnell only instructed defense counsel to avoid questions which attacked, by innuendo, the character of prospective prosecution witnesses. Such instruction did not significantly deprive defendant of the opportunity to test Miss Walker’s recollection of the events which transpired on the evening she was assaulted. Under these circumstances we are of the opinion that Judge McConnell’s ruling constituted a proper exercise of his discretion. Defendant’s third assignment of error is overruled.
By his fourth assignment of error defendant contends the evidence adduced at trial was insufficient to support a verdict of guilty of second degree rape. He argues, therefore, that his motions for nonsuit, for a new trial, and to set aside the verdict should have been allowed.
When the evidence is considered in the light most favorable to the State, taken as true, and the State is given the benefit of every reasonable inference to be drawn therefrom (see State v. Vincent, 278 N.C. 63, 178 S.E. 2d 608 (1971)), it is abundantly suffi*633cient to carry the case to the jury and to support the verdict. The motion for nonsuit was properly denied.
Defendant’s motions to set aside the verdict and for a new trial are merely formal and require no discussion. These motions are addressed to the discretion of the trial court and refusal to grant them is not reviewable. State v. Downey, 253 N.C. 348, 117 S.E. 2d 39 (1960). These motions were properly denied. Defendant’s fourth assignment of error is overruled.
The fifth assignment of error relates to the manner in which the prosecutor cross-examined defendant. During cross-examination defendant admitted that he had been convicted of tampering with an automobile. The private prosecutor then asked:
“Mr. McLean, the car that you tampered with, was a 1973 Plymouth Duster, blue in color and it was occupied by a female person named Joann Ellis, and you were tampering with it by pulling and pushing upon the door handle and latch, weren’t you sir?”
Defendant objected and assigns as error the court’s action in overruling his objection and denying his motion to strike. In his brief defendant contends there was no basis in fact for the prosecutor’s assertion that the car was occupied by a female when defendant tampered with it. He further contends that the prosecutor’s question was improper and highly prejudicial “since the jury in a case of this type no doubt was concerned about whether defendant had been a threat to other women.”
In this jurisdiction a witness, including the defendant in a criminal case, may be impeached on cross-examination by questions concerning his conviction of prior unrelated criminal offenses. E.g., State v. Neal, 222 N.C. 546, 23 S.E. 2d 911 (1943). See generally 1 Stansbury’s North Carolina Evidence § 112 (Bran-dis rev. 1973). Further, a witness may be impeached by cross-examination as to whether he has committed specific criminal acts or engaged in specified reprehensible conduct. E.g., State v. Gainey, 280 N.C. 366, 185 S.Ed, 2d 874 (1972). See generally 1 Stansbury’s North Carolina Evidence, supra, § 111, § 112 at n. 29. Both types of questions are proper only if based on information and asked in good faith. State v. Williams, 279 N.C. 663, 185 S.E. *6342d 174 (1971); State v. Bell, 249 N.C. 379, 106 S.E. 2d 495 (1959). Compare State v. Phillips, 240 N.C. 516, 82 S.E. 2d 762 (1954).
On the record before us it is impossible to determine whether the prosecutor acted on information and in good faith when he asked if the auto, with which defendant had been convicted of tampering, was occupied by a female. We have held that when a record contains no information from which it can be determined whether questions concerning prior criminal offenses were asked in good faith, the action of the trial court in permitting the questions will be presumed correct. State v. Gaiten, 277 N.C. 236, 176 S.E. 2d 778 (1970). We hold here, however, that even if the question were not based on information and not asked in good faith, which is not conceded, the trial court’s error in permitting the question would not be of sufficient moment to warrant a new trial.
Defendant was afforded an opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding his arrest and conviction. Defense counsel was entitled to pursue the matter further on redirect examination. Defendant was entitled, on request, to an instruction that the jury should consider evidence of prior crimes or acts of misconduct only for the purpose of determining the weight to be given defendant’s testimony. State v. Norkett, 269 N.C. 679, 153 S.E. 2d 362 (1967). Under the facts of this case these safeguards afforded defendant adequate opportunity to negate any likely prejudice flowing from the question, even assuming the prosecutor acted in bad faith when he asked about the presence of a woman in the car. Accordingly, we conclude that if any error was committed in this respect it was entirely harmless. Defendant’s fifth assignment is overruled.
By his sixth assignment of error defendant contends the trial court erred in denying his motion for mistrial when the prosecutor, in his cross-examination of defendant, asked: “Mr. McLean you were discharged [from the Army] for psychiatric reasons, weren’t you?” Defendant’s objection was sustained and the jury instructed to disregard the question. Defendant’s motion for mistrial was denied.
Motions for mistrial in non-capital cases are addressed to the discretion of the trial judge, and his ruling thereupon will not be disturbed absent a showing of gross abuse of discretion. E.g., *635State v. Daye, 281 N.C. 592, 189 S.E. 2d 481 (1972). No abuse of discretion exists on the present record, and defendant’s sixth assignment of error is therefore overruled.
Finally, defendant contends that the cumulative effect of the asserted errors heretofore complained of deprived him of a fair trial. As previously noted, defendant’s trial was not entirely error free. Even so, we hold that the errors committed were not so material that a different result would likely have ensued had defendant been afforded the perfect trial for which our system of justice strives but seldom attains. We think defendant had a fair trial free from prejudicial error. Accordingly, the verdict and judgment must be upheld.
No error.