Couch v. Private Diagnostic Clinic ( 1999 )

520 S.E.2d 785 (1999) 351 N.C. 92

Finesse G. COUCH, Individually, and as Administratrix of the Estate of Carnell Simmons Couch
v.
PRIVATE DIAGNOSTIC CLINIC and Duke University.

No. 255A99.

Supreme Court of North Carolina.

November 5, 1999.

Gary, Williams, Parenti, Finney, Lewis, McManus, Watson & Sperando, by Maria P. Sperando, pro hac vice, Stuart, FL; and Keith A. Bishop, Durham, for plaintiff-appellee.

Maxwell, Freeman & Bowman, P.A., by James B. Maxwell, Durham; and Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A., by Everett J. Bowman, Lawrence C. Moore, III, and John M. Conley, Charlotte, for defendant-appellant Duke University.

PER CURIAM.

Justice Freeman did not participate in the consideration or decision of this case. The remaining six members of the Court are of the opinion that plaintiffs counsel, Ms. Maria P. Sperando, engaged in a grossly improper jury argument that included at least nineteen explicit characterizations of the defense witnesses and opposing counsel as liars. The trial court did not sustain defendants initial objection to this jury argument, nor did the trial court thereafter intervene ex mero motu to correct the grossly improper argument.

All members of the Court are of the opinion that the trial court erred by not sustaining defendants objection and by not intervening ex mero motu. Justices Lake, Martin, and Wainwright believe that the error was prejudicial to the appealing defendant and would vote to grant a new trial. Chief Justice Frye and Justices Parker and Orr are of the opinion that the error was not prejudicial to the appealing defendant and would vote to affirm the result reached by the Court of Appeals. Accordingly, the decision of the Court of Appeals is left undisturbed and stands without precedential value. See, e.g., Hayes v. Town of Fairmont, 350 N.C. 81, 511 S.E.2d 638 (1999); James v. Rogers, 231 N.C. 668, 58 S.E.2d 640 (1950).

Furthermore, this Court, being of the opinion that plaintiffs counsels conduct violated Rule 12 of the General Rules of Practice for the Superior and District Courts and was not in conformity with the Rules of Professional Conduct, remands this cause to the trial court for the determination of an appropriate sanction.

The decision of the Court of Appeals is affirmed without precedential value.

AFFIRMED.