Opinion
No. 86A02-2
02-17-2022
STATE of North Carolina v. Bryan Christopher BELL
Sandra Wallace-Smith, Assistant Attorney General, For State of N.C. Michael R. Ramos, Attorney at Law, Shallotte, For Bell, Bryan Christopher. Dionne R. Gonder-Stanley, Attorney at Law, For Bell, Bryan Christopher. Kimberly N. Callahan, Special Deputy Attorney General, For State of N.C. Ernie Lee, District Attorney, For State of N.C.
Sandra Wallace-Smith, Assistant Attorney General, For State of N.C.
Michael R. Ramos, Attorney at Law, Shallotte, For Bell, Bryan Christopher.
Dionne R. Gonder-Stanley, Attorney at Law, For Bell, Bryan Christopher.
Kimberly N. Callahan, Special Deputy Attorney General, For State of N.C.
Ernie Lee, District Attorney, For State of N.C.
ORDER
This matter is before the Court pursuant to motions filed by the State on 10 February 2022. The State's request for expedited ruling is allowed, and this Court also allows the State's motion to hold defendant's appeal in abeyance and remand for an evidentiary hearing.
It is therefore ordered that this matter is remanded to the Superior Court of Onslow County for a joint evidentiary hearing with co-defendant Antwuan Sims on their claims of gender discrimination in jury selection under J.E.B. v. Ala. ex rel. T.B., 511 U.S. 127, 114 S.Ct. 1419, 128 L.Ed.2d 89 (1994). The trial court is hereby instructed to provide counsel for defendant Bell sufficient opportunity to prepare for this hearing and, thereafter, to proceed expeditiously to issue a ruling. Upon entry, the trial court's order shall be transmitted to this Court.
By order of the Court in conference, this the 17th day of February 2022.