{ "id": 11918600, "name": "JAMIL QURNEH, Plaintiff v. LORRI-ANN GAIL COLIE, Defendant; JEAN BOOTH PROCTOR and JAMES BERNICE PROCTOR, SR., Intervenors-Defendants", "name_abbreviation": "Qurneh v. Colie", "decision_date": "1996-06-04", "docket_number": "No. COA95-876", "first_page": "553", "last_page": "561", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "122 N.C. App. 553" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C. Ct. App.", "id": 14983, "name": "North Carolina Court of Appeals" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "19 ALR3d 1114", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R. 3d", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "31 ALR3d 1187", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R. 3d", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "20 ALR5th 534", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R. 5th", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "336 S.E.2d 680", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1985, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "681-682" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "78 N.C. App. 243", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8520690 ], "year": 1985, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "246" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/78/0243-01" ] }, { "cite": "310 S.E.2d 326", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1984, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "331" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "310 N.C. 75", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2402735 ], "year": 1984, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "82" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/310/0075-01" ] }, { "cite": "244 S.E.2d 466", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1978, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "468" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "36 N.C. App. 601", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8554924 ], "year": 1978, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "604" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/36/0601-01" ] }, { "cite": "303 S.E.2d 217", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1983, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "221" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "62 N.C. App. 387", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8522618 ], "year": 1983, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "392" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/62/0387-01" ] }, { "cite": "179 S.E.2d 844", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1971, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "847" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "10 N.C. App. 545", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8554881 ], "year": 1971, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "549" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/10/0545-01" ] }, { "cite": "N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 50-13.2", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "N.C. Gen. Stat.", "year": 1995, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "(a)" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "153 S.E.2d 349", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1967, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "351", "parenthetical": "holding that in order to be entitled to this presumption, the natural parent must make a showing that he or she is fit" }, { "page": "351" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "269 N.C. 676", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8565575 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1967, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "677", "parenthetical": "holding that in order to be entitled to this presumption, the natural parent must make a showing that he or she is fit" }, { "page": "677" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/269/0676-01" ] }, { "cite": "445 S.E.2d 901", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1994, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "905" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "337 N.C. 397", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2551903 ], "year": 1994, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "403-404" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/337/0397-01" ] }, { "cite": "162 N.W.2d 194", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.W.2d", "case_ids": [ 298903 ], "year": 1968, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "200" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/minn/281/0507-01" ] }, { "cite": "427 S.E.2d 129", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1993, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "131" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "109 N.C. App. 395", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8525575 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1993, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "398" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/109/0395-01" ] }, { "cite": "134 S.E.2d 186", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1964, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "190" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "261 N.C. 31", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8571586 ], "year": 1964, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "35" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/261/0031-01" ] }, { "cite": "314 S.E.2d 828", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1984, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "833" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "68 N.C. App. 238", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8526950 ], "year": 1984, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "245" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/68/0238-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 764, "char_count": 17406, "ocr_confidence": 0.733, "pagerank": { "raw": 3.349129866025807e-07, "percentile": 0.8746274396692626 }, "sha256": "2c7e55464685a0f667a4570e4bb4ce74f76427383c5723c2d306e89330b3709f", "simhash": "1:47e88c2c15cc4c7e", "word_count": 2722 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T15:39:52.508825+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "Judges JOHNSON and WYNN concur." ], "parties": [ "JAMIL QURNEH, Plaintiff v. LORRI-ANN GAIL COLIE, Defendant; JEAN BOOTH PROCTOR and JAMES BERNICE PROCTOR, SR., Intervenors-Defendants" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "WALKER, Judge.\nIn his brief, plaintiff presents numerous arguments relating to the trial court\u2019s dismissal of his claim for custody. Due to the overlapping nature of these arguments, we will address these issues together. Plaintiff\u2019s arguments, regarding amendment of defendant\u2019s pleading, admission of Detective Johnson\u2019s testimony, and the denial of plaintiff\u2019s motion for a new trial, will be addressed in Sections II, III, and IV respectively. We note that the remaining assignments of error which plaintiff failed to argue in his brief have been deemed abandoned. State v. Davis, 68 N.C. App. 238, 245, 314 S.E.2d 828, 833 (1984); N.C. App. R. 28(b)(5) (1995).\nI.\nWe now turn to the question of whether the trial court erred by dismissing plaintiffs claim for custody where he asserted his fifth amendment privilege in response to questions concerning his alleged involvement with illegal drug activity. Plaintiff contends that he had the right to exercise the privilege against self-incrimination and that the trial court\u2019s action violated his constitutional right to due process. Further, plaintiff argues that the trial court abused its discretion when it dismissed plaintiffs claim because there were less drastic measures available which would have accommodated the parties\u2019 interests and protected plaintiff\u2019s constitutional privilege against self-incrimination.\nThe fifth amendment privilege against self-incrimination protects an individual from being compelled to give testimony which may incriminate him/her or which might subject him/her to fines, penalties, or forfeiture. Allred v. Graves, 261 N.C. 31, 35, 134 S.E.2d 186, 190 (1964). We agree that the plaintiff had a right to exercise this privilege, but disagree that the trial court\u2019s action violated his constitutional rights.\nThe precise question presented by this appeal is whether dismissal of a party\u2019s claim for custody is an appropriate remedy where the party exercises his/her fifth amendment right. A related issue was addressed by our Court in the case of Cantwell v. Cantwell, 109 N.C. App. 395, 427 S.E.2d 129 (1993).\nIn Cantwell, the defendant-wife filed a counterclaim for alimony on the grounds of abandonment. The plaintiff-husband denied the allegations and further argued that the defendant-wife was barred from receiving alimony because she committed adultery. The defendant-wife asserted her fifth amendment privilege and refused to answer any questions regarding her alleged adultery. This Court dismissed defendant-wife\u2019s counterclaim for alimony stating:\nthe defendant in the present case was properly given the choice to either shield herself from criminal charges by refusing to answer questions regarding her alleged adultery, and in so doing abandon her alimony claim, or waive her privilege and pursue her claim. As such, an equitable balance was created between the defendant\u2019s right to assert her privilege and the plaintiff\u2019s right to defend himself from the defendant\u2019s counterclaim.\nCantwell, 109 N.C. App. at 398, 427 S.E.2d at 131. Thus, the language of Cantwell suggests that a balancing test should be employed to determine the appropriate remedy where a party has asserted his/her fifth amendment privilege.\nPlaintiff argues that the trial court failed to properly balance the interests of the parties. Specifically, plaintiff contends that the remedy used by the trial court in Cantwell is inappropriate in the present case because the nature of the interests involved are substantially different from those involved in Cantwell. Plaintiff maintains that, unlike Cantwell, his refusal to testify did not preclude the opposing party from presenting a defense to his claim. According to the plaintiff, his alleged drug activity is only one of many factors which the court could consider in determining his fitness.\nThe privilege against self-incrimination is intended to be a shield and not a sword. Christenson v. Christenson, 162 N.W.2d 194, 200 (Minn. 1968). Here, the plaintiff attempted to assert the privilege as both a shield and a sword.\nIn an initial custody hearing, it is presumed that it is in the best interest of the child to be in the custody of the natural parent if the natural parent is fit and has not neglected the welfare of the child. Peterson v. Rogers, 337 N.C. 397, 403-404, 445 S.E.2d 901, 905 (1994). Plaintiff sought to take advantage of this presumption by introducing evidence of his fitness. See Wilson v. Wilson, 269 N.C. 676, 677, 153 S.E.2d 349, 351 (1967) (holding that in order to be entitled to this presumption, the natural parent must make a showing that he or she is fit). However, when the defendant sought to rebut this presumption by questioning the plaintiff regarding his illegal drug activity, the plaintiff asserted his fifth amendment privilege. To allow plaintiff to take advantage of this presumption while curtailing the opposing party\u2019s ability to prove him unfit would not promote the interest and welfare of the child. N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 50-13.2(a) (1995).\nIn a related argument, plaintiff contends that the trial court improperly concluded that it could not determine plaintiff\u2019s fitness. A trial court\u2019s inability to determine the fitness of a parent is an adequate basis for not awarding custody to that parent. In re Custody of Stancil, 10 N.C. App. 545, 549, 179 S.E.2d 844, 847 (1971). In this State, evidence of a parent\u2019s prior criminal misconduct is relevant to the question of the parent\u2019s fitness. Smithwick v. Frame, 62 N.C. App. 387, 392, 303 S.E.2d 217, 221 (1983). Due to the plaintiff\u2019s refusal to answer questions regarding illegal drug use, trafficking and other drug involvement, the trial court was unable to consider pertinent information in determining plaintiff\u2019s fitness. As a policy matter, issues such as custody should only be decided after careful consideration of all pertinent evidence in order to ensure the best interests of the child are protected. Plaintiffs decision not to answer certain questions relating to his past illegal drug activity by invoking his fifth amendment privilege prevented the court from determining his fitness and necessitated the dismissal of his claim.\nPlaintiff also assigns error to numerous findings and conclusions contained in the court\u2019s order awarding custody to the defendantsintervenors. At the time the court entered this order, the plaintiff\u2019s claim for custody had been dismissed. As such, plaintiff contends that the findings and conclusions relating to his fitness were irrelevant. We disagree.\nWhile the trial judge dismissed plaintiff\u2019s claim for custody, he did not strike plaintiff\u2019s testimony and plaintiff remained a party with regard to defendant\u2019s counterclaim. Furthermore, to support an order of custody\n[f]indings of fact as to the characteristics of the competing parties must be made to support the necessary conclusion of law. These findings may concern physical, mental, or financial fitness or any other factors brought out by the evidence and relevant to the issue of the welfare of the child.\nSteele v. Steele, 36 N.C. App. 601, 604, 244 S.E.2d 466, 468 (1978). Thus, it was entirely appropriate for the court to make findings related to the plaintiff\u2019s fitness for custody.\nPlaintiff also argues that the trial court\u2019s order improperly shifts the burden of proof to the plaintiff with regard to the issue of fitness. In dismissing plaintiff\u2019s complaint, the court concluded that \u201cby reason of Plaintiff\u2019s exercise of his Fifth Amendment privilege, the Court is not able to determine that the Plaintiff is a fit and proper person to have custody of the minor child.\u201d Then the court considered the defendant\u2019s counterclaim and awarded custody to the defendants-intervenors finding that the plaintiff failed to prove that he is a fit and proper person to have custody.\nWhile plaintiff is correct that there is a presumption that it is in the best interests of the child to be in the custody of the natural parent, the natural parent must make a prima facie showing of fitness to be entitled to this presumption. Wilson v. Wilson, 269 N.C. 676, 677, 153 S.E.2d 349, 351 (1967). We interpret the second order to mean that the plaintiff failed to make a prima facie showing that he was fit when he declined to answer questions on cross-examination relating to his fitness. Thus, where the defendant has failed to make such showing and the court cannot determine plaintiff\u2019s fitness because of his assertion of the fifth amendment, the court acted properly in dismissing plaintiff\u2019s claim for custody and awarding custody to the intervenors. Accordingly, these assignments of error are overruled.\nII.\nNext, we address plaintiff\u2019s argument that the trial court erred by allowing defendant to amend her pleadings to allege unfitness. A motion to amend is addressed to the discretion of the trial court and is not reviewable on appeal absent a showing of abuse of discretion. Henry v. Deen, 310 N.C. 75, 82, 310 S.E.2d 326, 331 (1984).\nHere, defendant moved to amend her answer pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 15(a) (1990). Rule 15(a) provides that \u201cleave shall be freely given when justice so requires.\u201d Upon careful consideration, we find that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by allowing defendant to amend her pleadings.\nIII.\nIn his brief plaintiff also argues that the court erred by admitting the testimony of Detective Johnson which was the only evidence regarding plaintiff\u2019s alleged prior drug activity. Plaintiff contends that the addition of Detective Johnson as a potential witness less than a week before trial denied plaintiff a meaningful opportunity to depose Detective Johnson or adequately prepare for cross-examination.\nThe record shows that immediately upon discovering that Detective Johnson was one of the arresting officers, defendants-inter-venors supplemented their answers to plaintiff\u2019s interrogatories. Thus, plaintiff was given Detective Johnson\u2019s name and a summary of his potential testimony prior to trial regarding plaintiff\u2019s involvement in illegal drug activity. Plaintiff\u2019s counsel then communicated with Detective Johnson and the information obtained formed the basis of some of the cross-examination of Detective Johnson. Plaintiff did not attempt further discovery regarding Detective Johnson\u2019s testimony. In sum, we find no abuse of discretion by the trial court.\nIV.\nIn his last argument, plaintiff contends that the trial court erred by denying his motion for a new trial pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 59 (1990). Specifically, plaintiff argues that he was entitled to a new trial because the judgment was based on erroneous facts. According to the plaintiff, the court believed that plaintiff had actually been convicted of drug trafficking charges when in fact all charges had been dismissed.\nA motion for a new trial under this rule is addressed to the trial judge whose ruling will not be reversed absent an abuse of discretion. Yeargin v. Spurr, 78 N.C. App. 243, 246, 336 S.E.2d 680, 681-682 (1985). Upon careful review of the judge\u2019s findings in this case, we see no evidence indicating that the judge believed plaintiff was convicted for trafficking charges. To the contrary, the record shows only that the plaintiff was arrested for drug trafficking and that the charges were later dismissed. In sum, the trial court did not abuse its discretion by denying plaintiff\u2019s motion for a new trial. Accordingly, the trial court\u2019s orders are\nAffirmed.\nJudges JOHNSON and WYNN concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "WALKER, Judge." } ], "attorneys": [ "Lewis & Anderson, P.C., by Susan H. Lewis and Christina L. Goshaw, for plaintiff-appellant.", "Lunsford Long for defendant-appellee.", "Foil Law Offices, by N. Joanne Foil and Susannah P. Holloway, for intervenors-defendants-appellees." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "JAMIL QURNEH, Plaintiff v. LORRI-ANN GAIL COLIE, Defendant; JEAN BOOTH PROCTOR and JAMES BERNICE PROCTOR, SR., Intervenors-Defendants\nNo. COA95-876\n(Filed 4 June 1996)\n1. Divorce and Separation \u00a7 350 (NCI4th); Parent and Child \u00a7 24 (NCI4th)\u2014 parent\u2019s drug involvement \u2014 pleading Fifth Amendment privilege \u2014 dismissal of custody claim appropriate\nDismissal of the father\u2019s claim for child custody is an appropriate remedy where the father exercised his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in response to questions concerning his alleged involvement with illegal drug activity, since to allow the father to take advantage of the presumption that a natural parent should have custody while curtailing the opposing party\u2019s ability to prove him unfit would not promote the interest and welfare of the child, and the withholding of such information prevents the court from determining the party\u2019s fitness.\nAm Jur 2d, Divorce and Separation \u00a7\u00a7 974, 979, 980; Parent and Child \u00a7 26.\nParent\u2019s use of drugs as factor in award of custody of children, visitation rights, or termination of parental rights. 20 ALR5th 534.\n2. Divorce and Separation \u00a7 357 (NCI4th)\u2014 plaintiff\u2019s custody claim dismissed \u2014 subsequent findings of unfitness not irrelevant\nThough plaintiff\u2019s claim for custody had been dismissed at the time the trial court entered an order awarding custody to the intervenor grandparents, it was entirely appropriate for the court to make findings related to plaintiff\u2019s fitness for custody, since the trial court did not strike plaintiff\u2019s testimony when he dismissed plaintiff\u2019s claim; plaintiff remained a party with regard to defendant\u2019s counterclaim; and to support an order of custody, the trial court was required to make findings of fact as to the characteristics of the competing parties.\nAm Jur 2d, Divorce and Separation \u00a7 980.\nAward of custody of child where contest is between child\u2019s parents and grandparents. 31 ALR3d 1187.\n3. Pleadings \u00a7 374 (NCI4th)\u2014 amendment of pleadings \u2014 allegation of unfitness \u2014 no abuse of discretion\nThe trial court did not abuse its discretion by allowing defendant to amend her pleadings in a child custody action to allege plaintiff\u2019s unfitness. N.C.G.S. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 15(a).\nAm Jur 2d, Pleading \u00a7 323.\n4. Evidence and Witnesses \u00a7 2403 (NCI4th)\u2014 witness added to defendant\u2019s list \u2014 opportunity for plaintiff to prepare for trial\nThere was no merit to plaintiffs contention that the addition of a police detective as a potential witness less than a week before trial denied plaintiff a meaningful opportunity to depose the witness or adequately prepare for cross-examination since plaintiff was given the detective\u2019s name and a summary of his potential testimony prior to trial; plaintiff\u2019s counsel communicated with the witness and the information obtained formed the basis of some cross-examination; and plaintiff did not attempt further discovery.\nAm Jur 2d, Witnesses \u00a7\u00a7 60 et seq.\nIdentity of witnesses whom adverse party plans to call to testify at civil trial, as subject of pretrial discovery. 19 ALR3d 1114.\nAppeal by plaintiff from orders entered 10 April and 25 April 1995 by Judge Sol G. Cherry in Orange County District Court. Heard in the Court of Appeals 18 April 1996.\nPlaintiff and defendant are the biological parents of Lacy Alexandra Proctor-Qumeh, bom November 25, 1987. The child\u2019s maternal grandparents, Jean Booth Proctor and James Bernice Proctor intervened in this action.\nPlaintiff is a legal alien who first came to the United States in 1980 from Israel to attend college at Shaw University. Later, he transferred to North Carolina State University where he received a degree in civil engineering. Following graduation in the fall of 1986, plaintiff began seeing defendant and on 25 November 1987 she gave birth to a child. After a paternity test, plaintiff obtained an order legitimizing the child and signed a custody agreement granting plaintiff sole custody. In the fall of 1989, both plaintiff and defendant consented to the child living with the intervenors.\nIn the summer of 1993, plaintiff communicated with the inter-venors regarding his desire to spend more time with the child. When intervenors rejected this suggestion, plaintiff filed his complaint for custody. The defendants filed an answer and counterclaim requesting custody of the child. Later, defendants were granted leave to amend their answer to allege plaintiff\u2019s unfitness.\nDuring the trial, intervenors\u2019 counsel questioned plaintiff regarding illegal drug use, trafficking and other drug involvement. Plaintiff invoked his fifth amendment privilege against self-incrimination a total of nineteen times in response to these questions.\nDefendant called Detective Richard Johnson of the Wake County Sheriffs Department as a witness. He testified that the plaintiff was under surveillance for several months prior to his arrest for multiple drug charges including possession and trafficking of cocaine. Detective Johnson stated that the investigation of the plaintiff confirmed his opinion that plaintiff was a mid to upper level dealer and trafficker in cocaine. Later, all charges were dismissed when plaintiff agreed to cooperate with law enforcement as an informant. Detective Johnson testified that plaintiffs ability to be an effective informant was dependent upon his ability to negotiate drug buys and his continued involvement in the drug world.\nAt the close of the evidence, the court granted intervenors\u2019 motion to dismiss plaintiff\u2019s claim for custody. Then the court considered the defendant\u2019s counterclaim and awarded custody to the intervenors with the plaintiff having visitation rights with the child.\nLewis & Anderson, P.C., by Susan H. Lewis and Christina L. Goshaw, for plaintiff-appellant.\nLunsford Long for defendant-appellee.\nFoil Law Offices, by N. Joanne Foil and Susannah P. Holloway, for intervenors-defendants-appellees." }, "file_name": "0553-01", "first_page_order": 589, "last_page_order": 597 }