Court Opinion

ID: 8905817
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-11-27 01:51:15.430379+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:08:10.637502
License: Public Domain

WEBB, Judge.
The defendant assigns error to the finding of factors in aggravation of the offense. We believe this assignment of error has merit. G.S. 15A-1340.4(a)(1) provides: “Evidence necessary to prove an element of the offense may not be used to prove any factor in aggravation . . . .” The court found as one aggravating factor that the offense was committed with a stolen pistol. In this case, to prove that the defendant killed the deceased, an element of manslaughter, it was necessary to use the evidence that the defendant shot the deceased. While the fact that the pistol was stolen is not an element of manslaughter, a part of the aggravating factor found by the court is that the offense was effected by means of this pistol. To find it was effected by this pistol the court had to use evidence that the defendant shot the deceased. We believe the court thus used the same evidence to find a part of the aggravating factor as was used to prove an element of the offense. The court is proscribed from doing this.
The aggravating factor that the defendant had a prior conviction for a criminal offense punishable by more than 60 days confinement was supported by the evidence. The defendant argues at length that the court imposed too lengthy a sentence in light of finding certain mitigating factors and the defendant’s showing as to his good character. These are matters he may argue at the next sentencing hearing.
For the reasons stated in this opinion we reverse and remand for a new sentencing hearing.
*616Reversed and remanded.
Judge Hedrick concurs.