Court Opinion

ID: 9577664
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 21:36:54.093992+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:21:00.888495
License: Public Domain

Justice MARTIN
dissenting in part.
I concur in the holding that the trial judge erred in refusing to allow both counsel for defendant to make their jury arguments after the state’s argument. However, the defendant has failed to demonstrate that this error was prejudicial. Therefore, I dissent from the conclusion of the majority that defendant is entitled to a new trial.
The defendant has the burden not only to show error but prejudice as well. State v. White, 307 N.C. 42, 296 S.E. 2d 267 (1982); State v. Atkinson, 298 N.C. 673, 259 S.E. 2d 858 (1979). The test for harmless error in this case is whether there is a reasonable possibility that had the error not been committed, a different result would have been reached at trial. N.C.G.S. § 15A-1443(a) (1983). As the majority states, “there was strong evidence of defendant’s guilt.” The majority further holds that one can only “speculate” how the jury would have reacted if the error had not been committed. A new trial should not be granted based upon a speculation that prejudicial error infected the trial. Defendant’s burden is greater. She must show there was a reasonable possibility that a different result would have obtained absent the error. Defendant has failed to so do. I find no prejudicial error in defendant’s trial.