Court Opinion

ID: 6709660
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-20 22:34:39.724418+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:01:28.890201
License: Public Domain

PER CURIAM.
The defendant was convicted of first-degree murder, armed robbery, aiding and abetting armed robbery and conspiracy and sentenced to death at the 17 March 1986 session of Superior Court, Surry County. This Court granted the defendant a new trial. State v. Mitchell, 321 N.C. 650, 365 S.E.2d 554 (1988). Thereafter, on 29 July 1988, counsel who had represented the defendant during his trial and on appeal, James L. Dellinger, Jr., Esq., and Terry L. Collins, Esq. filed a motion to withdraw as counsel for the defendant on the ground that the defendant’s animosity toward them and refusal to cooperate with them would, in all probability, render them unable to provide him effective representation at a new trial. The trial court denied the motion of counsel to withdraw on the ground that there was no evidence to support any concern of ineffective assistance of counsel in light of the competent and effective representation counsel had rendered the defendant, including having obtained a new trial ón all charges pending against him. We allowed certiorari to review this order of the trial court.
We find no error in the trial court’s findings and conclusions to the effect that Mr. Dellinger and Mr. Collins have rendered and would render competent and effective assistance to the defendant with regard to the charges against him. Given the gravity of the capital charge against the defendant and the representations of his counsel that he will no longer communicate effectively with them, however, this Court, in the exercise of the supervisory authority granted it by article IV, section 12 of the Constitution of North Carolina, elects to remand this case to the Superior Court, Surry County, with instructions to enter an order allowing counsel for the defendant to withdraw. The trial court is also instructed to appoint counsel and assistant counsel as provided by law in capital cases to represent the defendant at his new trial.
Remanded with instructions.