Opinion
No. COA13–956.
2014-06-3
STATE of North Carolina v. Tony Linwood MARTIN, Jr.
Ms. Pierce was more than 70 years old at the time of Defendant's actions. There was substantial testimony that Ms. Pierce could not handle her own financial resources from Ms. Pierce herself, her daughter Ms. Cooke, her son-in-law Mr. Cooke, and Pierce's Plumbing employee James Bolton. In addition, Ms. Pierce's physician testified to her anxiety and depression, explaining that the money she inherited was a trigger for stress to Ms. Pierce. The record provides substantial evidence that Ms. Pierce was unable to safeguard her financial resources and meets the definition of an “elder adult.” I would therefore find no error in the trial court's decisions.