State v. White

Full title: STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. WILLIE WHITE

Court: North Carolina Court of Appeals

Date published: Dec 1, 1974

210 S.E.2d 261 (N.C. Ct. App. 1974)

210 S.E.2d 261

Opinion

No. 7426SC566

Filed 18 December 1974

Criminal Law 146 — question not raised in trial court — no showing of error on appeal Defendant failed to show that the trial judge committed error in "precluding defendant's counsel from gaining access to statements made by witnesses" where the record does not show that such a question was raised in the trial or was passed on by the judge.

APPEAL by defendant from Falls, Judge, 18 February 1974 Session of Superior Court held in MECKLENBURG County. Argued in the Court of Appeals 14 October 1974.

Attorney General Carson, by Assistant Attorney General Murray, for the State.

Levine Goodman, by Arthur Goodman, Jr., for the defendant.

Defendant was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and inflicting serious bodily injury. G.S. 14-32 (a). The jury verdict was guilty of assault with a deadly weapon and inflicting serious injury. G.S. 14-32 (b). An active prison sentence was imposed.

BROCK, Chief Judge.

Defendant argues one assignment of error. He argues on appeal that the trial judge committed error in "precluding defendant's counsel from gaining access to statements made by witnesses." Defendant argues the principles of Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 83 S.Ct. 1194, 10 L.Ed.2d 215. The principles of Brady have been recognized recently by our Supreme Court in State v. Gaines, 283 N.C. 33, 194 S.E.2d 839 (1973), and by this Court in State v. Chavis, et al. (filed 18 December 1974). However, counsel's argument of those principles in this case seems wide of the mark.

After reviewing the record on appeal in this case, we cannot find that such a question was raised in the trial or was passed on by the judge. The only question about a statement of a witness was raised during cross-examination of one of the investigating officers. It appears that the officer wanted to look at something to refresh his recollection. Counsel insisted that, if the witness were going to use notes to refresh his recollection, counsel was entitled to see the notes also. No ruling by the judge appears in the record on appeal. In any event the witness did not use notes to refresh his recollection.

No error.

Judges PARKER and MARTIN concur.