State v. Wilson

424 S.E.2d 454 (1993)

STATE of North Carolina
v.
Johnny Wayne WILSON, Defendant-Appellant.
STATE of North Carolina
v.
Richard Lee CLARK, Defendant-Appellant.

No. 9114SC960.

Court of Appeals of North Carolina.

January 8, 1993.

Atty. Gen. Lacy H. Thornburg by Sp. Deputy Atty. Gen. Jacob L. Safron, Raleigh, for the State.

Loflin & Loflin by Thomas F. Loflin III, Durham, for defendant-appellant Wilson.

Spears, Barnes, Baker, Wainio, Brown & Whaley by Craig B. Brown, Durham, for defendant-appellant Clark.

WALKER, Judge.

Since this case involves two different defendants, and each has submitted a brief to this Court, we will examine each defendant's arguments separately.

I. Defendant Wilson.

In his first assignment of error, Defendant Wilson argues the trial court erred in permitting consolidation of all the indictments for trial. According to defendant these indictments and the State's proof, indicate three separate and distinct criminal transactions, these being the breaking and entering of the house on Pleasant Drive and the two robberies involving the Lynn residence and Rigsbee's Lounge.

Joinder of offenses is governed by G.S. 15A-926(a) which provides:

Two or more offenses may be joined ... for trial when the offenses ... are based on the same act or transaction or on a series of acts or transactions connected together or constituting parts of a single scheme or plan.

Under this statute, joinder is permissible if there is a "transactional connection" between the various criminal acts giving rise to the charges. State v. Fultz, 92 N.C.App. 80, 373 S.E.2d 445 (1988). A transactional connection exists where the crimes are part of a single conspiracy or "because similarities of the crime constitute a fingerprint of the perpetrator." State v. Church, 99 N.C.App. 647, 652, 394 S.E.2d 468, 471 (1990). Whether joinder of offenses is permissible under this statute is a question addressed to the discretion of the trial court which will only be disturbed if the defendant demonstrates that joinder deprived him of a fair trial. See State v. Bracey, 303 N.C. 112, 277 S.E.2d 390 (1981).

Here, the evidence permitted the trial court to find a transactional connection between the three incidents. All these offenses took place within a two week period in December of 1988. Two of the incidents were armed robberies where the perpetrators wore both ski masks and gloves and one perpetrator was armed with a rifle stolen from the house on Pleasant Drive. Furthermore, Hyde testified that both he and Defendant Wilson were involved in each incident.

Defendant Wilson has not shown that joinder deprived him of a fair trial. The trial court's instructions to the jury clearly separate the charges arising from each of the three incidents. Furthermore, we find that the offenses were not so separate in time and circumstance that consolidation was prejudicial to defendant. Accordingly, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in joining these offenses for trial.

In his next assignment of error, Defendant Wilson argues the trial court erred in joining his trial with that of Co-defendant Clark. We first note that public policy compels consolidation as the rule rather than as the exception where each defendant is sought to be held accountable for the same crime or crimes. State v. Paige, 316 N.C. 630, 643, 343 S.E.2d 848, 857 (1986). A trial court's decision on the question of joinder of two defendants is a discretionary ruling. State v. Paige at 641, 343 S.E.2d at 855. Absent a showing that a defendant has been deprived of a fair trial by joinder, the trial court's decision on that matter will not be disturbed. Id.

According to Defendant Wilson, he was prejudiced by joinder of the two trials since certain testimony adduced was admissible only against his co-defendant. Patricia Ann Parks testified that sometime in late December of 1988, Defendant Clark entered her attic and returned with some ski masks. She also testified that Defendant Clark made the statement to her son, "did he hear about you know Rigsbee getting knocked off." The trial court instructed the jury that Ms. Parks' testimony was not admissible as against Defendant Wilson.

It is not uncommon where two defendants are joined for trial that some evidence will be admitted which is not admissible as against both defendants. Our Courts have recognized that "limiting instructions ordinarily eliminate any risk that the jury might have considered evidence competent against one defendant as evidence against the other." State v. Paige, 316 N.C. at 643, 343 S.E.2d at 857. Here, the trial court properly instructed the jury that they could consider Ms. Parks' testimony only as to Defendant Clark and not as to Defendant Wilson.

Despite the fact that the trial court gave a proper limiting instruction, Defendant Wilson contends that under Bruton v. United States, 391 U.S. 123, 88 S. Ct. 1620, 20 L. Ed. 2d 476 (1968), this instruction did not alleviate any prejudice. In Bruton, there was a joint trial and the trial court admitted a co-defendant's confession which implicated the defendant. The trial court instructed the jury that this confession could not be used as evidence in determining the defendant's guilt or innocence. The Supreme Court held that despite the curative instruction given, allowing the codefendant's confession violated Defendant Bruton's Sixth Amendment right of crossexamination. In the present case, unlike Bruton, Defendant Clark's remark to Ms. Park's son is in the nature of a question asking whether Ms. Park's son had heard that a crime had been committed; this remark is not in the nature of a confession. Therefore, since there was no "confession" implicating Defendant Wilson, Bruton is inapplicable. See Richardson v. Marsh, 481 U.S. 200,107 S.Ct. 1702, 95 L. Ed. 2d 176 (1987). Further, since a proper limiting instruction was given, Defendant Wilson has made no showing that he was prejudiced by this testimony. Accordingly, as to Defendant Wilson, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in joining the two defendants for trial.

In his next assignment of error, Defendant Wilson argues the trial court erred in proceeding to trial when his counsel was not afforded a copy of a superseding indictment until the day of trial in violation of G.S. 15A-943(b). The original indictment (90CRS2183) charged Defendant Wilson with (1) felonious breaking and entering, (2) felonious larceny, and (3) felonious possession of stolen goods. These charges relate to the break-in of the house located on Pleasant Drive. The only difference between the two indictments is that the superseding indictment, returned by the Grand Jury on 11 June 1990, corrects the date of the alleged offense from 10 December 1989 to 10 December 1988.

In State v. Carson, 320 N.C. 328, 357 S.E.2d 662 (1987) two defendants were tried and convicted upon superseding indictments. Similar to the present case, defendants there argued that they were improperly indicted and tried since the superseding indictments were not served on the defendants prior to trial. The trial court held that there was no error stating "[t]here was no requirement that these defendants be served with copies of the superseding indictments, however, since it is clear from the record before us that the defendants were represented by counsel at the time those indictments were returned by the grand jury." State v. Carson, 320 N.C. at 334, 357 S.E.2d at 666.

In the present case, Mr. Loflin had been appointed on 23 February 1990 to represent Defendant Wilson in the Lynn residence armed robbery case. The docket sheet in 90CRS17192 (relating to the robbery of the Lynn residence) reveals that Defendant Wilson was formally arraigned on 25 June 1990 and bond was set in the same amount as in case 90CRS2183 (the superseding indictment). This docket sheet further shows that on this same day, indictments were served on defendant in open court and Mr. Loflin was appointed in the remaining cases. In the pretrial motions conference, after examining this docket sheet, counsel for Defendant Wilson acknowledged:

[A]pparently what happened [on 25 June 1990] is they brought him down to the [sic] arraign him on the superseding indictment and they appointed me at the same time that they arraigned him and he pled not guilty.

The purpose of an indictment is: (1) to give defendant notice of the charges against him so that he may prepare his defense; and (2) to enable the court to know what judgment to pronounce in case of conviction. State v. Russell, 282 N.C. 240, 192 S.E.2d 294 (1972). Since the record reveals Defendant Wilson was served a copy of the superseding indictment in open court more than eight months before trial, defendant had adequate notice of the charges against him and the trial court did not err in proceeding to trial on the superseding indictment.

We further note that Defendant Wilson was served with an indictment in 90CRS17193 charging a conspiracy to commit the breaking and entering of the house on Pleasant Drive on 10 December 1988. This further supports the fact that Defendant Wilson had notice of the charges against him and that the superseding indictment only corrected the year of the offense.

In his next assignment of error, Defendant Wilson contends the trial court erred in refusing to allow cross-examination of State's witness Andrew Hyde concerning (1) Hyde's prior treatment at the Alcoholic Rehabilitation Center (ARC) and (2) alleged conversations with the prosecution.

Regarding Hyde's treatment at ARC, Defendant Wilson contends it was error for the trial court to "totally deny Wilson the right and opportunity to crossexamine Hyde with respect to prior treatment he had received at the ... [ARC]." While we agree with defendant that this information impacted directly upon Hyde's credibility, we find the trial court did not err by disallowing additional cross-examination regarding the treatment he received in 1984 at the ARC. Defendant's counsel was allowed to cross-examine Hyde concerning his substance abuse, two hospitalizations at ARC in 1984, treatment in a VA Hospital in February 1989 for alcohol rehabilitation purposes, his arrest for drunk driving around the time he started "hanging around" Defendant Wilson, his use of other drugs, including marijuana, cocaine and LSD, when he was "hanging around" Defendant Wilson, his hearing "voices," his frequent "blackout spells," and that during the time of the offenses charged, he was drinking "a case of beer, probably two liters of wine" and occasionally a pint or a fifth of liquor. Considering the information elicited by Defendant Wilson, any further cross-examination as to Hyde's treatment at ARC was merely cumulative. "[I]t is the duty of the trial judge to control the examination and cross-examination of witnesses." State v. Greene, 285 N.C. 482, 489, 206 S.E.2d 229, 234 (1974).

We also find no merit in Defendant Wilson's contention that he was denied the opportunity to cross-examine Hyde concerning any overnight conversations between Hyde and the prosecutor or the detective in the case. This question by Defendant Wilson's counsel came on recross-examination. On cross-examination, latitude is allowed in showing the bias, hostility, corruption, interest or misconduct of the State's witness. State v. Roberson, 215 N.C. 784, 786, 3 S.E.2d 277, 279 (1939). "Cross-examination would be of little value if a witness could not be freely interrogated as to his ... conduct as connected with the parties or the cause of action." Id. at 786-787, 3 S.E.2d at 279. We note that later in the trial Defendant Wilson's counsel was allowed to again question Hyde concerning whether he engaged in any overnight conversations with the prosecutor or the detective. Any previous error on the part of the trial court was thus cured.

In his next assignment of error, Defendant Wilson argues that the trial court erred in failing to grant his motion to dismiss all charges. This raises the question of sufficiency of the evidence to go to the jury. According to defendant, his motion should have been granted since the entire case turned upon the testimony of his accomplice, Andrew Hyde, and Hyde's testimony was replete with inconsistencies and self-contradictions.

When a defendant moves for dismissal, the trial court must determine whether there is substantial evidence of each essential element of the offenses charged. State v. Vause, 328 N.C. 231, 400 S.E.2d 57 (1991). In ruling upon a motion to dismiss, the trial court must consider the evidence presented in the light most favorable to the State, drawing every reasonable inference therefrom. Id. As a general rule, the uncorroborated testimony of an accomplice is sufficient to establish substantial evidence of each essential element. See State v. Horton, 275 N.C. 651, 170 S.E.2d 466 (1969), cert. denied, 398 U.S. 959, 90 S. Ct. 2175, 26 L. Ed. 2d 545 (1970). Here, there was sufficient evidence to withstand Defendant Wilson's motion to dismiss the charges.

In his next assignment of error, Defendant Wilson contends the trial court impermissibly expressed its opinion to the jury on the question of defendant's guilt. Defendant Wilson points to certain instances during closing arguments in which the trial court allegedly expressed its opinion. Wide latitude is allowed to counsel in closing arguments and G.S. 15A-1222 prohibits a trial judge from expressing any opinion in any way in the presence of the jury. We have carefully examined each of Defendant Wilson's contentions and they are without merit.

Next Defendant Wilson contends the trial court erred in using the phrase "and/or" in instructing the jury and in submitting verdict sheets on the two counts of conspiracy to commit armed robbery. According to Defendant Wilson, use of the phrase "and/or" confused the jury and erroneously led the jury to believe Defendant Wilson could be convicted of "conspiring" with himself. As to the charge of conspiracy to commit armed robbery of the Lynn residence, the trial court instructed:

I further charge that if you find from the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that on or about the 17th day of December, 1988, the defendant, Johnny Wayne Wilson, agreed with Vernon Forest Wilson and/or Lawrence Andrew Hyde and/or others to commit armed robbery against Samuel Lynn and Barbara Lynn and Chris Lynn and that the defendant, Johnny Wayne Wilson, and/or Vernon Forest Wilson, and/or Lawrence Andrew Hyde intended at the time that the agreement was made that it would be carried out, it would be your duty to return a verdict of guilty as charged.

The verdict sheets and instructions as to the conspiracy to commit armed robbery of Rigsbee's Lounge also used the phrase "and/or".

Before a defendant can be found guilty of criminal conspiracy, the State must prove and the jury must find that there was an agreement between two or more persons to do an unlawful act or to do a lawful act in an unlawful way. State v. Ayudkya, 96 N.C.App. 606, 386 S.E.2d 604 (1989). Here, in relevant part, the jury was also instructed:

Both of the defendants are charged with the crime of conspiracy. A conspiracy is a combination or agreement of two or more persons to join together to attempt to accomplish some unlawful purpose. It is a kind of partnership in criminal purposes in which each member becomes the agent of every other member. The gist or essence of the offense is a combination or mutual agreement by two or more persons to disobey or to disregard the law.

....

What the evidence in the case must show beyond a reasonable doubt is first that the defendant and at least one other person entered into an agreement; second, that the agreement was to commit the alleged offenses; and third, the State must prove that each defendant and at least one other person intended that the agreement be carried out at the time that it was made.

(emphasis added). These instructions required the jury to find that Defendant Wilson conspired with at least one of the other named persons. There is no showing that the jury could have been confused by these instructions or verdict sheets.

In his final assignment of error, Defendant Wilson contends that the trial court erred by refusing to allow the jury to examine the State's evidence in the confines of the jury room after the jury so requested. The evidence in question is the written statements of State's witness Lawrence Andrew Hyde.

As to this question, G.S. 15A-1233(b) provides in pertinent part:

Upon request by the jury and with consent of all parties, the trial judge may in his discretion permit the jury to take to the jury room exhibits and writings which have been received in evidence.

(emphasis added).

In the present case, the record reveals that the State did not give its consent for the jury to examine the evidence in the confines of the jury room. Accordingly, the trial court correctly denied the jury's request.

We have reviewed Defendant Wilson's remaining assignments of error and find them to be without merit.

II. Defendant Clark.

In his first assignment of error, Defendant Clark contends the trial court erred in joining his offenses with those of Co-defendant Wilson. Joinder of defendants is governed by G.S. 15A-926(b)(2) which provides:

Upon written motion of the prosecutor, charges against two or more defendants may be joined for trial:

a. When each of the defendants is charged with accountability for each offense; or

b. When, even if all of the defendants are not charged with accountability for each offense, the several offenses charged:

1. Were part of a common scheme or plan; or

2. Were part of the same act or transaction; or

3. Were so closely connected in time, place, and occasion that it would be difficult to separate proof of one charge from proof of the others.

As stated previously, a trial court's decision on the question of joinder of two defendants is a discretionary ruling and will only be disturbed if defendant demonstrates that joinder deprived him of a fair trial. State v. Bracey, 303 N.C. 112, 277 S.E.2d 390 (1981). A defendant may be deprived of a fair trial where evidence harmful to the defendant is admitted which would not have been admitted in a severed trial. See State v. Lowery, 318 N.C. 54, 61, 347 S.E.2d 729, 735 (1986).

Here, after reviewing the evidence, we find that joinder of the charges for trial with Defendant Wilson deprived Defendant Clark of a fair trial. By reason of the joinder, the jury first heard evidence as to charges from two separate incidents for which Defendant Clark was not charged. These offenses were the break-in of the house on Pleasant Drive and the armed robbery of the Lynn residence. No evidence adduced at trial connected Defendant Clark to these two incidents. By allowing the jury to consider evidence of these charges, Defendant Clark was prejudiced and deprived of a fair trial.

We further note that the limiting instructions given by the trial court did not operate to dispel the resulting prejudice. While the trial court did instruct the jury that evidence relating to the break-in of the house on Pleasant Drive and relating to the robbery of the Lynn residence was not admissible against Defendant Clark, he was, nevertheless, forced to sit through the testimony of eleven witnesses and two and one-half days of trial before any evidence was received as against him. Based upon these facts, we cannot say the limiting instructions guaranteed defendant a fair trial.

We decline to examine Defendant Clark's remaining assignments of error since they have been either addressed in that portion of this opinion dealing with Defendant Wilson or they may not arise again upon retrial.

In the trial below we find

No error as to Defendant Wilson.

Reversed and remanded for a new trial as to Defendant Clark.

GREENE and WYNN, JJ., concur.