State v. Edwards , 261 N.C. App. 459 ( 2018 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF NORTH CAROLINA
No. COA18-337
Filed: 18 September 2018
New Hanover County, Nos. 16CRS 6866-67, 57399
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
v.
DOUGLAS NELSON EDWARDS
Appeal by defendant from judgments entered 21 September 2017 by Judge
Phyllis M. Gorham in New Hanover County Superior Court. Heard in the Court of
Appeals 7 August 2018.
Attorney General Joshua H. Stein, by Special Deputy Attorney General L.
Michael Dodd, for the State.
Marilyn G. Ozer for defendant.
ARROWOOD, Judge.
Douglas Nelson Edwards (“defendant”) appeals from judgments entered on his
convictions for attempted first degree murder, statutory sex offense with a child by
an adult, assault with deadly weapon inflicting serious injury (“AWDWISI”), first
degree kidnapping, and taking indecent liberties with a child. For the following
reasons, we find no prejudicial error.
I. Background
STATE V. EDWARDS
Opinion of the Court
On 14 November 2016, a New Hanover County Grand Jury indicted defendant
on one count of attempted first degree murder, one count of statutory sex offense with
a child by an adult, one count of statutory rape of a child by an adult, one count of
AWDWISI, one count of first degree kidnapping, and two counts of indecent liberties
with a child. Additionally, on 20 February 2017, a New Hanover County Grand Jury
indicted defendant on one count of intimidating a witness and one count of felony
obstruction of justice.
Defendant’s case was tried in New Hanover County Superior Court before the
Honorable Phyllis M. Gorham beginning on 11 September 2017. The evidence at trial
tended to show that shortly before 5:00 p.m. on 14 September 2016, defendant
abducted a six-year-old girl (the “juvenile”) from in front of her home in the Royal
Palms Mobile Home Park. Defendant drove with the juvenile on his moped to a
wooded area, assaulted the juvenile, and bound the juvenile to a tree with a chain
around her neck. Based on witnesses who either saw the defendant in the mobile
home park, saw the abduction, or recognized defendant when they saw him driving
on the moped with the juvenile, law enforcement was quickly able to identify
defendant as a suspect.
Within a short time from the abduction, law enforcement stopped defendant
twice. During the second stop, defendant agreed to go to the sheriff’s office to be
interviewed. During the interview on 14 September 2016, defendant denied knowing
-2-
STATE V. EDWARDS
Opinion of the Court
anything about the abduction. When law enforcement became convinced defendant
was not going to confess, law enforcement took defendant to his aunt’s house and
released him under surveillance with the hope that defendant would return to the
location where he left the juvenile.
Law enforcement continued to search for the juvenile through the night. Based
on witnesses’ recollections, cell phone tracking, and gps and video from a school bus
that passed defendant while he was pulled to the side of the road, law enforcement
was able to use canines to locate and rescue the juvenile the following morning.
After the juvenile was rescued, defendant, who was still being surveilled by
law enforcement, was arrested. Defendant was unware the juvenile had been rescued
at the time. During defendant’s post-arrest interrogation on 15 September 2016,
defendant admitted to the abduction and took law enforcement to the location where
he left the juvenile and from where the juvenile was rescued. Defendant learned the
juvenile had been rescued after he could not find the juvenile where he left her.
Acknowledging there was insufficient evidence of statutory rape, the State
voluntarily dismissed the rape charge at the close of the State’s evidence. The State
also conceded there was no evidence of intent with deceit for felony obstruction of
justice and requested that the jury be instructed on misdemeanor obstruction of
justice.
-3-
STATE V. EDWARDS
Opinion of the Court
On 20 September 2017, the jury returned verdicts finding defendant guilty of
attempted first degree murder, statutory sex offense with a child by an adult,
AWDWISI, first degree kidnapping, and two counts of indecent liberties with a child.
The jury returned verdicts finding defendant not guilty of intimidating a witness and
obstruction of justice. The trial court entered judgment on the not guilty verdicts on
20 September 2017.
Pursuant to a notice of aggravating factors filed by the State on 22 June 2017,
the State argued to the jury on 21 September 2017 that the offenses were “especially
heinous, atrocious, or cruel” and that “[t]he victim was very young.” The jury
determined both aggravating factors applied to each offense. The trial court
determined an aggravated sentence was justified for each offense based on the jury’s
determination that each offense was “especially heinous, atrocious or cruel.” The trial
court arrested judgment on one of the indecent liberties with a child convictions and
entered separate judgments for each of the other convictions sentencing defendant as
a prior record level IV to consecutive terms, each at the top of the aggravated range
for each offense, totaling 970 to 1,320 months of imprisonment. The trial court also
ordered defendant to register as a sex offender for life following his release. The trial
court postponed its determination on satellite-based monitoring. Defendant gave
notice of appeal in open court following sentencing. Appellate entries were received
on 25 September 2017.
-4-
STATE V. EDWARDS
Opinion of the Court
Defendant subsequently filed a Motion for Appropriate Relief (“MAR”) on
29 September 2017 challenging the aggravated sentences. By order filed
13 November 2017, the trial court denied defendant’s MAR. Appellate entries related
to the MAR were received on 28 November 2017.
II. Discussion
On appeal, defendant challenges the trial court’s decision to disallow cross-
examination of the State’s witnesses regarding his post-arrest interrogation and the
trial court’s denial of his MAR.
1. Cross-Examination
Defendant first argues his constitutional rights to due process, a fair trial, and
the right to silence were violated when the trial court limited his opening statement
and prevented him from cross-examining the State’s witnesses concerning his
admission and his attempt to help investigators rescue the juvenile during his post-
arrest interrogation. Defendant asserts that
[b]ecause [he] was charged with attempted first degree
murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to
kill, both of which required the State to prove that [he]
intended the child would die, it was critical to the defense
to be able to show the jurors that [he] did tell the officers
where she was located and actually led them to the site.
Defendant claims he was forced to testify because of the trial court’s erroneous
evidentiary rulings. As a result of the alleged errors and constitutional violations,
-5-
STATE V. EDWARDS
Opinion of the Court
defendant contends he is entitled to a new trial on the attempted first degree murder
and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill charges. We disagree.
At the outset, we note that defendant was not charged with assault with a
deadly weapon with intent to kill, as defendant asserts. Defendant was charged with
and convicted of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury; therefore,
intent to kill was not at issue for the assault offense.1
Moreover, a review of the record shows the trial court did not grant a motion
by the State to limit defendant’s opening statement and did not order defendant not
to mention his post-arrest interrogation in his opening statement, as defendant avers.
In fact, the State never made such a motion. Prior to the opening statements, the
State indicated that it would not be introducing all of defendant’s statements to law
enforcement and argued it was not required to do so under Rule 106 because the pre-
and post-arrest interviews were discrete. The State explained that it was raising the
issue prior to opening statements because it did not want the defense to mention
evidence that may not be introduced during the presentation of the State’s case.
Specifically, the State asserted that “while [the defense] certainly can make whatever
opening they want to do, they do that at their peril of either not being able to back up
1 A review of the records reveals the trial court entered judgment in count 3 of file number 16
CRS 6867 for “AWDW intent to kill” in violation of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-32(c). This appears to be a
clerical error as defendant was indicted, the jury was instructed, and defendant was convicted of
AWDWISI in violation of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-32(b). Both felony assaults have the same punishment
class and remand is appropriate to correct the clerical error.
-6-
STATE V. EDWARDS
Opinion of the Court
what they say or having to put on a case that they might not otherwise have wanted
to.” After additional clarification of the State’s position—that the State’s
presentation of evidence from the interview of defendant on 14 September 2016 did
not open the door to cross-examination by the defense regarding the post-arrest
interrogation of defendant on 15 September 2016—the State further explained that,
preemptively,
[it] just wanted to give [the defense] the warning that [it]
believe[s], . . . that if [the defense] makes any opening
statement to promises [the jury will] hear [evidence
regarding defendant’s post arrest interrogation], that’s
going to be requiring [the defense] to put on a case which
they’re not constitutionally required at this point to do.
And I didn’t want that trial strategy to be something that
the defendant said he was forced into doing because of
some utterance by his attorney during opening, which is, of
course, not evidence.
. . . . [The State didn’t] want [defendant] to claim that this
is a trial strategy that he did not endorse and agree with
. . . and he is now forced to go down that road because he’s
been placed there by his attorneys.
Although the defense disagreed with the State’s position that the post-arrest
interrogation was a discrete interview, the defense acknowledged that it understood
the State’s argument that “unless [the defense is] prepared to put on some evidence,
[it] [could not] say to the jury in [its] opening the [defendant] later took them to that
scene.” The trial court simply replied, “[y]ou would be doing that at your own risk.”
Because the trial court did not actually limit the defense’s opening statement,
the issues to be addressed are whether the trial court erred by disallowing the
-7-
STATE V. EDWARDS
Opinion of the Court
defense’s cross-examination of the State’s witnesses and whether defendant was
prejudiced thereby.
In this case, the State elicited testimony from law enforcement officer’s about
defendant’s statements during road-side stops and an interview on
14 September 2016. The State, however, did not elicit any testimony regarding the
post-arrest interrogation of defendant on 15 September 2016 and sought to prevent
defendant from introducing any evidence from its witnesses regarding the post-arrest
interrogation during cross-examination. The trial court sided with the State and
disallowed the defense from questioning the State’s witnesses concerning defendant’s
post-arrest interrogation. However, in order to fully address the issue, it is necessary
to understand how the issue was repeatedly raised during defendant’s trial.
The State called attention to the issue just prior to calling Detective Lisa
Hudson to testify. The State informed the court that it “intend[ed] to introduce
through Detective Hudson a recorded video and audio interview that was conducted
by Detective Hudson of this defendant on the night of September 14, 2016.” At that
time, the State asserted the same argument that it did prior to opening arguments,
that the questioning of defendant on 14 September 2016 was separate from the post-
arrest interrogation of defendant on 15 September 2016. The State further argued
that case law stood for the proposition that defendant is not entitled to elicit
testimony from the State’s witnesses as to self-serving declarations made by
-8-
STATE V. EDWARDS
Opinion of the Court
defendant during an interview on a later date about which the State had not
questioned the witnesses. The State maintained that, “as long as we don’t mention
the fact that he was interviewed by New Hanover County sheriff’s detectives after his
arrest on September 15th, [the defense] cannot -- they cannot ask any of our
witnesses on cross-examination about that even if we talk about the prior night’s
interview.” After further discussion and disagreement, the parties agreed the State
should proceed with its direct examination of Detective Hudson and that the issue
would be revisited at a later time when the jury was not waiting.
Before the jury returned to the court room the following morning, the defense
made an offer of proof. On voir dire, Detective Hudson testified that during the post-
arrest interrogation of defendant on 15 September 2016,
[defendant] admitted to what he done and he took us to the
location where he took [the juvenile] and tied her to the
tree and explained everything, told us on the way there
everything that we needed to know as far as getting the
locks off and what we needed. He gave us some specific
directions exactly to where she was . . . .
Detective Hudson testified that defendant stated he hoped the juvenile was okay and
that he was sorry. Upon conclusion of the voir dire testimony of Detective Hudson,
the defense argued the State’s Rule 106 argument was a red herring because this was
not a Rule 106 issue. The defense asserted that “[w]hat the State is trying to do is
circumvent [defendant’s] right to cross-examine this witness” and “[defendant] has a
right to ask [Detective Hudson] questions about what happened after he was
-9-
STATE V. EDWARDS
Opinion of the Court
arrested.” The defense explicitly stated it “[was] not trying to admit statements or
recording.”
Upon hearing the arguments, the trial court ruled the defense could not cross-
examine Detective Hudson regarding the post-arrest interrogation of defendant on
15 September 2016. The trial court explained, “I find that the [15 September 2016]
interview was a separate interview from the [14 September 2016] interview; and,
therefore, I will not allow the defense to ask this witness any questions . . . about the
[15 September 2016] interview.” The trial court noted the defense’s objection, and
when the defense questioned Detective Hudson how many times she interviewed
defendant, the State’s objection was sustained.
The State later called Detective Michael Sorg, who led the surveillance of
defendant on the morning of 15 September 2016 until defendant’s arrest, as a
witness. Upon completion of the State’s direct examination, the defense put on an
offer of proof. Detective Sorg testified on voir dire that, on 15 September 2016,
defendant took law enforcement to the location where he left the juvenile. Detective
Sorg also testified that defendant stated he was planning to go back to the location to
bring the juvenile water. After the voir dire testimony, the defense renewed its
arguments that the defense should be able to cross-examine the witness regarding
the post-arrest interrogation of defendant. In response, the State argued that
defendant would be required to take the stand if he wanted the evidence admitted.
- 10 -
STATE V. EDWARDS
Opinion of the Court
The State argued the evidence was inadmissible because it was self-serving hearsay
and because the post-arrest interrogation on 15 September 2016 was separate from
the interview of defendant on 14 September 2016. The trial court again ruled the
defense could not cross-examine the State’s witness concerning the post-arrest
interrogation.
Prior to the defense’s cross-examination of Detective Sorg on the third morning
of evidence, the defense again requested to question Detective Sorg about defendant
taking law enforcement to the location where the juvenile was found. The defense
argued that disallowing the evidence would mislead and deceive the jury. The trial
court denied the defense’s request and explained that, “[m]y understanding based
upon everything that I heard about that last interview on [15 September 2016], that
there’s not been any testimony about that last interview by Detective Sorg; therefore,
you will not question him about anything that has to do with that interview.”
Upon the conclusion of the State’s evidence, the issue of the defense presenting
evidence regarding the 15 September 2016 post-arrest interrogation of defendant
arose again. The State argued the defense could not get around the trial court’s prior
rulings by calling Detective Sorg as a defense witness. The defense responded that it
understood the trial court’s prior rulings to exclude testimony of defendant’s hearsay
statements on cross-examination and explained that it was not seeking to introduce
hearsay statements. Nevertheless, the trial court ruled that the defense could not
- 11 -
STATE V. EDWARDS
Opinion of the Court
question Detective Sorg on anything related to the post-arrest interrogation of
defendant on 15 September 2016. The State reiterated that the testimony was a self-
serving statement by defendant, was in a completely different interview, and is
hearsay. The State also reasserted its position that “[i]f they want to present evidence
about what the defendant said and did during those interviews, [defendant] is going
to have to take the stand and testify himself.” The trial court agreed and disallowed
the defense from questioning Detective Sorg about anything related to the post-arrest
interrogation on 15 September 2016. The defense made another offer of proof from
Detective Sorg to preserve the issue.
Defendant then took the stand to testify in his own defense. Defendant
testified about his post-arrest interrogation on 15 September 2016.
In arguing the trial court erred in disallowing cross-examination of the State’s
witnesses concerning defendant’s post-arrest interrogation on 15 September 2016,
defendant first contends the cross-examination should have been allowed under Rule
106 of the North Carolina Rules of Evidence in order to prevent the jury from being
misled or deceived by the evidence presented of the 14 September 2016 interview.
Defendant’s argument is misplaced.
Rule 106 provides that, “[w]hen a writing or recorded statement or part thereof
is introduced by a party, an adverse party may require him at that time to introduce
any other part or any other writing or recorded statement which ought in fairness to
- 12 -
STATE V. EDWARDS
Opinion of the Court
be considered contemporaneously with it.” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8C-1, Rule 106 (2017).
This Court has explained that
Rule 106 codifies the standard common law rule that when
a writing or recorded statement or a part thereof is
introduced by any party, an adverse party can obtain
admission of the entire statement or anything so closely
related that in fairness it too should be admitted. The trial
court decides what is closely related. The standard of
review is whether the trial court abused its discretion. The
purpose of the “completeness” rule codified in Rule 106 is
merely to ensure that a misleading impression created by
taking matters out of context is corrected on the spot,
because of the inadequacy of repair work when delayed to
a point later in the trial.
State v. Thompson, 332 N.C. 204, 219-220, 420 S.E.2d 395, 403-404 (1992) (internal
quotation marks and citations omitted).
Below, the State argued, and the trial court determined, the post-arrest
interrogation was discrete from the 14 September 2016 interview, from which the
State introduced transcripts and recordings. Therefore, the trial court determined
Rule 106 did not require the admission of evidence regarding the post-arrest
interrogation of defendant.
Defendant argues the trial court erred in this determination because a break
in time between the interview on 14 September 2016 and the post-arrest
interrogation on 15 September 2016 is not determinative. Citing Thompson, 332 N.C.
at 220, 420 S.E.2d at 404, defendant contends the trial court should have determined
whether the post-arrest interrogation was explanatory or relevant and whether there
- 13 -
STATE V. EDWARDS
Opinion of the Court
was a nexus between the prior interviews and the post-arrest interrogation. In
Thompson, however, the Court held there was no nexus between a prior exculpatory
interview that the defendant sought to admit under Rule 106 at the time the State
introduced tapes and transcripts of inculpatory telephone conversations between
defendant and an informant. Id. 220-21, 420 S.E.2d at 404. Thus, the trial court did
not abuse its discretion in denying the defendant’s attempt to introduce a transcript
of the prior exculpatory interview. Id. at 221, 420 S.E.2d at 404. The Thompson
Court noted, “[i]t was defendant’s responsibility, not the State’s, to introduce evidence
about his exculpatory interview.” Id. at 220-21, 420 S.E.2d at 404.
Similarly, in State v. Broyhill, __ N.C. App. __, 803 S.E.2d 832 (2017), disc.
review denied, 370 N.C. 694, 811 S.E.2d 588 (2018), which defendant also relies on,
this Court held the trial court did not err in excluding transcripts of two custodial
interviews that the defendant sought to have admitted contemporaneously with a
tape and a transcript of a subsequent custodial interview. This Court explained in
Broyhill as follows:
the trial court correctly applied Rule 106 in its decision to
exclude the first two statements at trial. After reviewing
all three recorded statements and comparing the contents
thereof, the court concluded that defendant made no
statement during the first or second interview that under
Rule 106 ought, in fairness, to be considered
contemporaneously with the statements of April 26. The
court found no instance where the statements in the
April 26 interview require further explanation by any
excerpts from the April 23 or the April 25 interview, and
- 14 -
STATE V. EDWARDS
Opinion of the Court
no instance where the statements in the [April 26]
interview were rendered out of context or misleading in the
absence of excerpts from the April 23 or April 25 interview.
Defendant harps on the temporal connection and
interrelated nature of the statements but fails to explain
precisely how the first two statements would enhance the
jury’s understanding of the third. And upon our review of
the interview transcripts, we conclude defendant has failed
to show that the court abused its discretion in excluding
defendant’s first two statements at trial.
Id. at __, 803 S.E.2d at 844 (internal quotation marks omitted).
As in Thompson and Broyhill, there is no nexus between the
14 September 2016 interview of defendant and the 15 September 2016 post-arrest
interrogation of defendant that would require evidence of the post-arrest
interrogation to explain or add context to the 14 September 2016 interview. Thus,
the trial court did not err in determining the 14 September 2016 interview and the
15 September 2016 post-arrest interrogation were discrete. That determination,
however, is of no consequence in this case.
By its terms, Rule 106 only applies to the introduction of a “writing or recorded
statement” by defendant “which ought in fairness to be considered
contemporaneously” with a writing or recorded statement introduced by the State.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8C-1, Rule 106. The commentary to Rule 106 explains that, “[f]or
practical reasons, the rule is limited to writings and recorded statements and does
not apply to conversations.” See Advisory Committee Notes to Rule 106. The
commentary also notes that “[t]he rule does not in any way circumscribe the right of
- 15 -
STATE V. EDWARDS
Opinion of the Court
the adversary to develop the matter on cross-examination or as part of his own case.”
Id.
In both Thompson and Broyhill, the defendants sought to introduce transcripts
of interviews under Rule 106 at the same time that the State introduced transcripts
and recordings of phone calls, see Thompson, 332 N.C. at 219, 420 S.E.2d at 403, and
another interview, see Broyhill, __ N.C. App. at __, 803 S.E.2d at 838. In contrast to
those cases, the defense does not argue that it attempted to introduce a transcript or
recording of the post-arrest interrogation at the time the State introduced recordings
of the 14 September 2016 interview. The defense explained and put on offers of proof
showing that it simply wanted to question the State’s witnesses about the post-arrest
interrogation of defendant during cross-examination.
Rule 106 neither provides for the admission or exclusion of such testimony
during the defense’s cross-examination of the State’s witnesses in this case.
It is Rule 611 of the North Carolina Rules of Evidence that addresses the scope
of cross-examination. The pertinent portion of Rule 611 provides that “[a] witness
may be cross-examined on any matter relevant to any issue in the case, including
credibility.” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8C-1, Rule 611(b) (2017). Our appellate courts have
referred to this rule as “ ‘the “wide-open” rule of cross-examination, so called because
the scope of inquiry is not confined to those matters testified to on direct
examination.’ ” State v. Singletary, 247 N.C. App. 368, 374, 786 S.E.2d 712, 717
- 16 -
STATE V. EDWARDS
Opinion of the Court
(2016) (quoting State v. Penley, 277 N.C. 704, 708, 178 S.E.2d 490, 492 (1971)). “But,
the defendant’s right to cross-examination is not absolute.” State v. Guthrie, 110 N.C.
App. 91, 93, 428 S.E.2d 853, 854, disc. review denied, 333 N.C. 793, 431 S.E.2d 28
(1993). “[A]lthough cross-examination is a matter of right, the scope of cross-
examination is subject to appropriate control in the sound discretion of the court.”
State v. Coffey, 326 N.C. 268, 290, 389 S.E.2d 48, 61 (1990); see also N.C. Gen. Stat. §
8C-1, Rule 611. “Absent a showing of an abuse of discretion or that prejudicial error
has resulted, the trial court’s ruling will not be disturbed on review.” State v.
Maynard, 311 N.C. 1, 10, 316 S.E.2d 197, 202-203, cert. denied, 469 U.S. 963, 83 L.
Ed. 2d 299 (1984), dismissal of habeas corpus aff'd, 943 F.2d 407 (1991), cert. denied,
502 U.S. 1110, 117 L. Ed. 2d 450 (1992).
Although defendant does not specifically cite Rule 611, defendant does make
the argument that testimony regarding his post-arrest interrogation that the defense
sought to elicit from the State’s witnesses during cross-examination was relevant.
We agree. “Relevant evidence” is broadly defined as “evidence having any tendency
to make the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the
action more probable or less probable than it would be without the evidence.” N.C.
Gen. Stat. § 8C-1, Rule 401 (2017). In this case, there is no question that the
defendant’s post-arrest interrogation, during which defendant admitted to the
abduction of the juvenile and took law enforcement to the location where he left the
- 17 -
STATE V. EDWARDS
Opinion of the Court
juvenile chained to a tree, was relevant. The issue this Court must decide is whether
the trial court’s exclusion of the relevant evidence was an abuse of discretion.
As shown above in the summary of the defense’s attempts to cross-examine the
State’s witnesses regarding the 15 September 2016 post-arrest interrogation and the
State’s counter arguments to exclude the testimony, the State argued the cross-
examination was improper for a number of reasons, including that the post-arrest
interrogation was separate from the interview of defendant on 14 September 2016 for
purposes of Rule 106, the testimony the defense sought to elicit included self-serving
declarations by defendant, the State had not elicited any evidence about the post-
arrest interrogation, and the testimony was hearsay. In denying defendant the
opportunity to elicit testimony concerning the post-arrest interrogation from the
State’s witnesses, the trial court accepted the reasons argued by the State. The court
explained at different times that “the [15 September 2016] interview was a separate
interview from the [14 September 2016] interview; and, therefore, I will not allow the
defense to ask this witness any questions . . . about the [15 September 2016]
interview[,]” and “[m]y understanding based upon everything that I heard about that
last interview on [15 September 2016], that there’s not been any testimony about that
last interview by [the witness]; therefore, you will not question [the witness] about
anything that has to do with that interview.”
- 18 -
STATE V. EDWARDS
Opinion of the Court
When the trial court’s reasons for disallowing the defense from cross-
examining the State’s witnesses regarding the 15 September 2016 post-arrest
interrogation is considered in light of the law on Rule 106 and Rule 611, it is clear
that the trial court abused its discretion in disallowing the evidence. As determined
above, Rule 106 is inapplicable in this case and Rule 611 does not limit cross-
examination to those matters raised during direct examination.
Generally, “[e]videntiary errors are harmless unless a defendant proves that
absent the error a different result would have been reached at trial.” State v.
Ferguson, 145 N.C. App. 302, 307, 549 S.E.2d 889, 893, disc. review denied, 354 N.C.
223, 554 S.E.2d 650 (2001); see also N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1443(a) (2017). Defendant,
however, argues the error in this case amounted to a violation of his constitutional
rights and, therefore, the State must prove the error was harmless beyond a
reasonable doubt. See N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1443(b) (2017) (“A violation of the
defendant’s rights under the Constitution of the United States is prejudicial unless
the appellate court finds that it was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. The burden
is upon the State to demonstrate, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the error was
harmless.”).
We hold the trial court’s error in this case was harmless under either prejudice
standard given the overwhelming evidence of defendant’s guilt, see State v. Harris,
136 N.C. App. 611, 617, 525 S.E.2d 208, 212 (“ ‘Overwhelming evidence of guilt will
- 19 -
STATE V. EDWARDS
Opinion of the Court
render even a constitutional error harmless.’ ”) (quoting State v. Welch, 316 N.C. 578,
583, 342 S.E.2d 789, 792 (1986)), appeal dismissed and disc review denied, 351 N.C.
644, 543 S.E.2d 877 (2000), and the fact that the evidence the defense sought to admit
on cross-examination was ultimately admitted into evidence, albeit through
defendant’s own testimony, see State v. Durham, 74 N.C. App. 159, 164, 327 S.E.2d
920, 924 (1985) (“The rule in North Carolina is that where a trial court erroneously
refuses to allow cross-examination of a witness, and then the evidence sought to be
admitted by cross-examination is admitted later by another witness, the error is
harmless.”). Because the jury had the opportunity to consider the overwhelming
evidence against defendant, including testimony by those who either witnessed the
abduction or saw defendant with the juvenile, testimony by the victim about the
abduction and the assault, testimony by law enforcement about the investigation and
the rescue of the juvenile from being left chained by the neck to a tree overnight,
testimony from medical personnel who examined the juvenile, and testimony by
defendant about his post-arrest interrogation on 15 September 2016, and because the
jury unanimously found defendant guilty of attempted first degree murder, we hold
the defendant was not prejudiced by the trial court’s erroneous rulings limiting cross-
examination.
2. MAR
- 20 -
STATE V. EDWARDS
Opinion of the Court
On appeal, defendant also argues that the trial court erred in denying his
motion for appropriate relief. We disagree.
“When considering rulings on motions for appropriate relief, we review the
trial court’s order to determine ‘whether the findings of fact are supported by
evidence, whether the findings of fact support the conclusions of law, and whether
the conclusions of law support the order entered by the trial court.’ ” State v. Frogge,
359 N.C. 228, 240, 607 S.E.2d 627, 634 (2005) (quoting State v. Stevens, 305 N.C. 712,
720, 291 S.E.2d 585, 591 (1982)). “ ‘When a trial court’s findings on a motion for
appropriate relief are reviewed, these findings are binding if they are supported by
competent evidence and may be disturbed only upon a showing of manifest abuse of
discretion. However, the trial court’s conclusions are fully reviewable on appeal.’ ”
State v. Lutz, 177 N.C. App. 140, 142, 628 S.E.2d 34, 35 (2006) (quoting State v.
Wilkins, 131 N.C. App. 220, 223, 506 S.E.2d 274, 276 (1998)).
In the MAR filed on 29 September 2017, defendant argued the State erred by
failing to allege aggravating factors in the indictments and by failing to narrowly
define the aggravating factors. In bringing the MAR, defendant sought to have the
sentences for the aggravated offenses vacated and to be resentenced to non-
aggravated sentences. The trial court denied defendant’s MAR by order on
13 November 2017.
- 21 -
STATE V. EDWARDS
Opinion of the Court
Defendant does not challenge the trial court’s findings, but instead argues the
trial court erred in its application of the relevant law. First, defendant argues that
the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466,
147 L. Ed. 2d 435 (2000), should apply in this instance and asks this Court to hold for
the first time that, “in order to be convicted of an aggravated crime, the indictment
must include the element of the aggravated crime.” In Apprendi, the Supreme Court
held that a New Jersey “hate crime” law that allowed a trial judge to impose an
extended term of imprisonment “based upon the judge’s finding, by a preponderance
of the evidence, that the defendant’s ‘purpose’ . . . was ‘to intimidate’ [the] victim on
the basis of a particular characteristic the victim possessed” violated the Due Process
Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. 530 U.S. at 491, 147 L. E. 2d at 456. The
Supreme Court explained that “any fact that increases the penalty for a crime beyond
the prescribed statutory maximum must be submitted to a jury, and proved beyond
a reasonable doubt” and “[i]t is unconstitutional for a legislature to remove from the
jury the assessment of facts that increase the prescribed range of penalties to which
a criminal defendant is exposed.” Id. at 490, 147 L. Ed. 2d at 455 (internal quotation
marks and citations omitted).
Relying on Apprendi, defendant argues the aggravation of an offense is “a new,
separate, and greater crime” and, therefore, aggravating factors must be alleged in
an indictment.
- 22 -
STATE V. EDWARDS
Opinion of the Court
However, our Supreme Court held in State v. Wallace, 351 N.C. 481, 528 S.E.2d
326 (2000), that “the Fourteenth Amendment does not require the listing in an
indictment of all the elements or facts which might increase the maximum
punishment for a crime.” 351 N.C. at 508, 528 S.E.2d at 343. Defendant
acknowledges Wallace, but seeks to have the issue reconsidered in light of Apprendi.
We decline to do so as Apprendi and Wallace are not at odds.
In North Carolina, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1340.16 governs aggravated and
mitigated sentences and places the burden on the State to prove to a jury beyond a
reasonable doubt that an aggravating factor exists if the defendant does not admit to
the aggravating factor. See N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1340.16(a) and (b) (2017). The
statute also contains a list of statutory aggravating factors, see N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-
1340.16(d), and specifically provides that “[a]ggravating factors set forth in
subsection (d) . . . need not be included in an indictment or other charging
instrument[,]” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1340.16(a4). Instead, the statute requires that
[t]he State must provide a defendant with written notice of
its intent to prove the existence of one or more aggravating
factors under subsection (d) of this section . . . at least 30
days before trial or the entry of a guilty or no contest
plea. . . . The notice shall list all the aggravating factors
the State seeks to establish.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1340.16(a6).
It appears the State complied with the requirements of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-
1340.16 in this case. In accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1340.16(a6), the State
- 23 -
STATE V. EDWARDS
Opinion of the Court
filed a written notice of aggravating factors on 22 June 2017, months before trial.
That notice informed defendant that the State sought to prove two statutory
aggravating factors, that “[t]he offense was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel[,]”
see N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1340.16(d)(7), and that “[t]he victim was very young[,]” see
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1340.16(d)(11). Pursuant to the procedure for a bifurcated trial
set forth in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1340.16(a1), after the jury convicted defendant of
the underlying offenses, the court allowed the State to proceed on the aggravating
factors. Upon consideration of the evidence and arguments, the jury found that each
offense was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel and that the victim was very young.
We hold the State complied with N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1340.16 in all respects
and that the procedure prescribed by the statute satisfies the mandate in Apprendi,
that “any fact that increases the penalty for a crime beyond the prescribed statutory
maximum must be submitted to a jury, and proved beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Apprendi, 530 U.S. at 490, 147 L. Ed. 2d at 455.
In addition to defendant’s argument that the aggravating factors should have
been alleged in the indictments, defendant argues the trial court erred in denying his
MAR because the North Carolina jury instruction issued by the trial court for
“heinous, atrocious, or cruel” is unconstitutionally vague. Our Supreme Court,
however, has previously rejected that argument and held the jury instruction for
heinous, atrocious, or cruel provides constitutionally sufficient guidance to the jury.
- 24 -
STATE V. EDWARDS
Opinion of the Court
See State v. Syriani, 333 N.C. 350, 391-92, 428 S.E.2d 118, 140-41 (1993). We are
bound by our Supreme Court’s decision.
III. Conclusion
For the reasons discussed, we hold defendant received a trial free from
prejudicial error. However, remand is necessary to correct the clerical error in the
judgment entered on defendant’s conviction for AWDWISI.
NO PREJUDICIAL ERROR; REMAND.
Judge CALABRIA concurs.
Judge MURPHY concurs in result only.
- 25 -