Opinion
COA23-175
12-05-2023
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. WILLIAM JOCOBY SINGLETARY
Attorney General Joshua H. Stein, by Special Deputy Attorney General Arneatha James, for the State. Jarvis John Edgerton, IV, for the defendant-appellant.
An unpublished opinion of the North Carolina Court of Appeals does not constitute controlling legal authority. Citation is disfavored, but may be permitted in accordance with the provisions of Rule 30(e)(3) of the North Carolina Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Heard in the Court of Appeals 20 November 2023.
Appeal by defendant from judgment entered 28 April 2022 by Judge Claire V. Hill in Columbus County No. 20CRS50984 Superior Court.
Attorney General Joshua H. Stein, by Special Deputy Attorney General Arneatha James, for the State.
Jarvis John Edgerton, IV, for the defendant-appellant.
Panel consisting of: Judges Tyson, Zachary, and Flood.
PER CURIAM.
I. Background
Defendant was charged with the first-degree murder of nineteen-year-old Monalisa McMillian. The jury returned a verdict of guilty of second-degree murder. The trial court entered judgment imposing an aggravated prison sentence of 375 to 462 months. Defendant appealed.
II. Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction lies in this Court pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-27(b)(1) (2021).
III. Issues
Defendant argues the trial court erred by finding no violation of State v. Harbison, 315 N.C. 175, 337 S.E.2d 504 (1985), based on his trial counsel's admission of his guilt of voluntary manslaughter.
IV. Analysis
The record is undisputed and shows the trial court conducted two Harbison inquiries. Id. The transcript of the Harbison inquiry and Defendant's own testimony demonstrates he knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily agreed and admitted his trial counsel could admit his guilt to manslaughter and to argue to the jury for that lesser-included offense of manslaughter to the murder as charged. The jury was instructed on voluntary manslaughter. Defendant's argument is overruled.
V. Conclusion
We find no error in the jury's verdicts or in the judgment entered thereon. It is so ordered.
NO ERROR.
Report per Rule 30(e).