Court Opinion

ID: 9807429
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 20:04:09.214439+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:36:41.274561
License: Public Domain

Stacy, C. J.,
dissenting: It is not perceived how one can be guilty of a willful neglect of duty until he first knows that duty belongs to him. S. v. Cook, 207 N. C., 261, 176 S. E., 757; S. v. Falkner, 182 N. C., 793, 108 S. E., 756. In May, 1934, the prosecuting witness charged the defendant with being the father of her unborn child, which he denied. Thereafter no demand was ever made upon him for the support of said child, which was born 3 January, 1935. The mother testifies: “I haven’t made any demand on the defendant. I haven’t asked him for any support for my child.” Moreover, there is nothing on the record to show whether the prosecuting witness is married or single, or whether her child is legitimate or illegitimate.
The verdict is not supported by the record.
OoNNOR, J., concurs in dissent.