{ "id": 8301662, "name": "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. BRETT CHARLES BROWNING", "name_abbreviation": "State v. Browning", "decision_date": "2006-05-16", "docket_number": "No. COA05-831", "first_page": "487", "last_page": "499", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "177 N.C. App. 487" } ], "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": "539 U.S. 558", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 8898517 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/us/539/0558-01" ] }, { "cite": "593 S.E.2d 81", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "case_ids": [ 12631209, 12631207 ], "year": 2004, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/se2d/593/0081-01", "/se2d/593/0081-01" ] }, { "cite": "358 N.C. 157", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 12631209, 12631211, 12631212, 12631213, 12631158, 12631159, 12631102 ], "year": 2004, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/se2d/593/0081-01", "/se2d/593/0083-02", "/se2d/593/0083-01", "/se2d/593/0084-01", "/se2d/593/0395-01", "/se2d/593/0396-01", "/se2d/592/0200-02" ] }, { "cite": "610 S.E.2d 386", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "case_ids": [ 12632568, 12632569 ], "year": 2005, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/se2d/610/0386-02", "/se2d/610/0386-01" ] }, { "cite": "359 N.C. 285", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 3801954, 3798146, 3803817, 3803082, 3799689, 3799119, 3800247, 12632568, 3797180 ], "year": 2005, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/359/0285-05", "/nc/359/0285-04", "/nc/359/0285-01", "/nc/359/0285-03", "/nc/359/0285-08", "/nc/359/0285-06", "/nc/359/0285-02", "/se2d/610/0386-02", "/nc/359/0285-07" ] }, { "cite": "616 S.E.2d 576", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "case_ids": [ 12633593 ], "weight": 3, "year": 2005, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "580" }, { "page": "580" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/se2d/616/0576-01" ] }, { "cite": "611 S.E.2d 843", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "case_ids": [ 12632701 ], "year": 2005, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/se2d/611/0843-01" ] }, { "cite": "359 N.C. 325", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 12632704, 12632705, 3798850, 3795458, 12632706, 3800710, 3803057, 3799314, 3804662, 3798683, 12632703 ], "year": 2005, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/se2d/611/0845-02", "/se2d/611/0845-03", "/nc/359/0325-04", "/nc/359/0325-03", "/se2d/611/0846-01", "/nc/359/0325-05", "/nc/359/0325-02", "/nc/359/0325-06", "/nc/359/0325-07", "/nc/359/0325-01", "/se2d/611/0845-01" ] }, { "cite": "599 S.E.2d 67", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 9, "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "69" }, { "page": "71" }, { "page": "70" }, { "page": "72-73" }, { "page": "72" }, { "page": "72" }, { "page": "72" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "165 N.C. App. 630", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8999452 ], "year": 2004, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/165/0630-01" ] }, { "cite": "301 S.E.2d 394", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1983, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "307 N.C. 701", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8566664, 8566482, 8566623, 8566552, 8566591 ], "year": 1983, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/307/0701-05", "/nc/307/0701-01", "/nc/307/0701-04", "/nc/307/0701-02", "/nc/307/0701-03" ] }, { "cite": "298 S.E.2d 53", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 3, "year": 1982, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "55" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "59 N.C. App. 667", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8527170 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1982, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "670" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/59/0667-01" ] }, { "cite": "353 S.E.2d 410", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "319 N.C. 226", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4746049, 4739372, 4742448, 4742354, 4744629 ], "year": 1987, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/319/0226-05", "/nc/319/0226-01", "/nc/319/0226-02", "/nc/319/0226-04", "/nc/319/0226-03" ] }, { "cite": "351 S.E.2d 120", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1986, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "122" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "83 N.C. App. 657", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8359231 ], "year": 1986, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/83/0657-01" ] }, { "cite": "284 S.E.2d 526", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1981, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "531", "parenthetical": "finding that the jury's acquittal on one charge \"takes on added significance\" when determining whether error on another charge was prejudicial" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "55 N.C. App. 25", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8526634 ], "year": 1981, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/55/0025-01" ] }, { "cite": "388 S.E.2d 594", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "596" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "97 N.C. App. 409", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8521387 ], "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "413" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/97/0409-01" ] }, { "cite": "455 S.E.2d 494", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 9, "year": 1995, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "495" }, { "page": "495" }, { "page": "495-96" }, { "page": "495" }, { "page": "495" }, { "page": "496" }, { "page": "496" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "118 N.C. App. 448", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 11918990 ], "year": 1995, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/118/0448-01" ] }, { "cite": "350 S.E.2d 76", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1986, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "81" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "318 N.C. 590", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4732149 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1986, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "598" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/318/0590-01" ] }, { "cite": "365 S.E.2d 651", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "655" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "89 N.C. App. 212", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8521188 ], "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "219" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/89/0212-01" ] }, { "cite": "594 S.E.2d 824", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "826-27" }, { "page": "826-27" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "164 N.C. App. 83", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8895626 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "87-88" }, { "page": "87-88" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/164/0083-01" ] }, { "cite": "569 S.E.2d 648", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "noting that while courts may analyze the constitutionality of a statute, the General Assembly is the policy-making branch of the State" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "356 N.C. 291", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 1511588 ], "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "noting that while courts may analyze the constitutionality of a statute, the General Assembly is the policy-making branch of the State" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/356/0291-01" ] }, { "cite": "557 S.E.2d 119", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "121" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "147 N.C. App. 670", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 9381059 ], "year": 2001, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "673" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/147/0670-01" ] }, { "cite": "46 A.L.R.5th 499", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R. 5th", "year": 1997, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "393 P.2d 673", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.2d", "year": 1964, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "583 P.2d 836", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.2d", "case_ids": [ 10457344 ], "year": 1978, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/p2d/583/0836-01" ] }, { "cite": "696 P.2d 14", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.2d", "case_ids": [ 2346219 ], "year": 1985, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/or-app/72/0479-01" ] }, { "cite": "765 P.2d 1337", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.2d", "year": 1989, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "803 P.2d 249", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.2d", "case_ids": [ 715131 ], "year": 1990, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/111/0160-01" ] }, { "cite": "715 N.E.2d 1285", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "case_ids": [ 11588423 ], "year": 1999, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ne2d/715/1285-01" ] }, { "cite": "93 S.W.3d 881", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.3d", "case_ids": [ 9378702 ], "year": 2001, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/sw3d/93/0881-01" ] }, { "cite": "588 S.E.2d 66", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 5, "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "66" }, { "page": "68" }, { "page": "68-69" }, { "page": "67", "parenthetical": "recognizing that although statutory rape \"does carry a very severe punishment for an offense not requiring proof of force or a lack of consent, this is an issue for the legislature and not the courts\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "161 N.C. App. 316", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8957362 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "319" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/161/0316-01" ] }, { "cite": "605 S.E.2d 215", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 8, "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "217" }, { "page": "320" }, { "page": "217" }, { "page": "321" }, { "page": "218" }, { "page": "322" }, { "page": "218" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "167 N.C. App. 318", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8411226 ], "year": 2004, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/167/0318-01" ] }, { "cite": "172 N.C. App. 772", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8321446 ], "year": 2005, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/172/0772-01" ] }, { "cite": "603 S.E.2d 373", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "375" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "166 N.C. App. 649", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8413036 ], "year": 2004, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "652" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/166/0649-01" ] }, { "cite": "528 S.E.2d 321", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 2000, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "351 N.C. 611", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 1155928 ], "year": 2000, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/351/0611-01" ] }, { "cite": "516 S.E.2d 195", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1999, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "199" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "133 N.C. App. 573", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 11220679 ], "year": 1999, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/133/0573-01" ] }, { "cite": "323 S.E.2d 339", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1984, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "342" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "312 N.C. 441", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4758398 ], "year": 1984, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "445" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/312/0441-01" ] }, { "cite": "426 S.E.2d 410", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1993, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "416", "parenthetical": "citing State v. Rose, 312 N.C. 441, 445, 323 S.E.2d 339, 342 (1984)" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "109 N.C. App. 136", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8524673 ], "year": 1993, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "145", "parenthetical": "citing State v. Rose, 312 N.C. 441, 445, 323 S.E.2d 339, 342 (1984)" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/109/0136-01" ] }, { "cite": "587 S.E.2d 69", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 2003, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "357 N.C. 468", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 491467, 491852, 491663, 491474, 491763, 491672, 491610, 491644, 491678 ], "year": 2003, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/357/0468-07", "/nc/357/0468-02", "/nc/357/0468-09", "/nc/357/0468-06", "/nc/357/0468-04", "/nc/357/0468-08", "/nc/357/0468-03", "/nc/357/0468-05", "/nc/357/0468-01" ] }, { "cite": "579 S.E.2d 895", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "899" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "158 N.C. App. 79", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 9186011 ], "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "84" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/158/0079-01" ] }, { "cite": "223 S.E.2d 395", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1976, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "289 N.C. 619", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8572488, 8572467, 8572446 ], "year": 1976, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/289/0619-03", "/nc/289/0619-02", "/nc/289/0619-01" ] }, { "cite": "221 S.E.2d 898", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1976, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "901" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "28 N.C. App. 509", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8550672 ], "year": 1976, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "513" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/28/0509-01" ] }, { "cite": "606 S.E.2d 387", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 3, "year": 2005, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "388" }, { "page": "388" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "167 N.C. App. 793", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8414434 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2005, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "795" }, { "page": "795" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/167/0793-01" ] }, { "cite": "N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 14-202.1", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "N.C. Gen. Stat.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 14-27", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "N.C. Gen. Stat.", "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "539 U.S. 558", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 8898517 ], "weight": 6, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "578-79" }, { "page": "525-26" }, { "page": "578" }, { "page": "525" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/539/0558-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 1143, "char_count": 27921, "ocr_confidence": 0.75, "pagerank": { "raw": 2.456126610728959e-07, "percentile": 0.805049444967641 }, "sha256": "a093f04414f41c45de580050090ba8c9628c99db38ae6a832bf707107a2ac8d7", "simhash": "1:07315c6a66bb865e", "word_count": 4660 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T22:32:29.259677+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "Judges McCULLOUGH and GEER concur." ], "parties": [ "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. BRETT CHARLES BROWNING" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "McGEE, Judge.\nBrett Charles Browning (defendant) was convicted of (1) statutory rape in violation of N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 14-27.7A(a) and (2) taking indecent liberties with a child in violation of N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 14-202.1. Defendant was acquitted of a charge of crime against nature. The trial court sentenced defendant to a term of 144 months to 182 months in prison. Defendant appeals.\nAt trial, A.R. testified that she was fourteen years old when she met defendant at his place of employment in the fall of 2002. She testified that when she met defendant, she told him she was fourteen years old. A.R. and defendant began a friendship and regularly \u201chung out\u201d at defendant\u2019s house three to four times a month.\nA.R. testified she called defendant on Friday, 5 March 2004, when she was fifteen years old, and that defendant picked her up at her house. A.R. and defendant drove to an ABC store and defendant purchased liquor. A.R. and defendant ate at a McDonald\u2019s restaurant and, afterwards, went to defendant\u2019s house.\nA.R. testified that at defendant\u2019s house, she played video games and began to watch a movie with defendant. She drank two shots of liquor and ate pizza with defendant. After a while, A.R. lay down on a couch and fell asleep. When she woke up, defendant was kissing her on her face, neck and arms. A.R. told defendant to take her home, but defendant said he would not take her home \u201cuntil [it was] over.\u201d A.R. testified that defendant then nudged her into a bedroom and engaged in oral and vaginal sex with her.\nA.R. testified that on the following Monday, 8 March 2004, she got into an argument at school with three other students and was sent to see the guidance counselor, Linda Thrift (Ms. Thrift). A.R. told Ms. Thrift that she had been raped on the previous Friday by defendant, a man in his thirties.\nMs. Thrift testified she was a guidance counselor and in 2004, had worked at the school A.R. attended. Ms. Thrift testified she met with A.R. on Monday, 8 March 2004. The State introduced into evidence Ms. Thrift\u2019s written statement regarding her conversation with A.R. The trial court admitted the statement and advised the jury that the statement was admitted for the purpose of corroboration only. Ms. Thrift read from her written statement that A.R. \u201ctold me she was raped the previous Friday night by a man who was in his thirties.\u201d\nMs. Thrift further testified that she reported the rape to the Department of Social Services and to the school\u2019s resource officer. In response to the State\u2019s question regarding what Ms. Thrift told the school resource officer, Ms. Thrift testified as follows:\nA. I didn\u2019t have to go into much. I \u2014 In a case like this, I\u2019m not going to go into details because that\u2019s not something I have to know about. All I have to know, have a suspicion that something happened and it was not right. And I\u2014\nQ. Okay. Well, let me ask you then, are you law enforcement?\nA. No.\nQ. Why didn\u2019t you ask for more details about what happened?\nA. Because I didn\u2019t need to know that. The \u2014 That\u2019s\u2014I don\u2019t do the investigation. All I have to have is a suspicion that something happened, and [AR.\u2019s] behavior and the way [A.R.] was acting and just knowing [A.R.], I believed what [A.R.] was saying.\n[Defense Counsel]: Object, Your Honor, please. Move to strike.\nThe Court: Overruled.\nDefendant testified on his own behalf at trial. Defendant testified that A.R. told him she was sixteen years old when he first met her. Defendant further testified that when he met A.R., she asked him if she could drive his car. Defendant asked A.R. if she had a driver\u2019s license and A.R. showed defendant a New York driver\u2019s license with her picture on it. Defendant testified that he saw A.R. purchase cigarettes on several occasions. Defendant said he was led to believe that A.R. was a senior in high school in 2004. Defendant admitted that he engaged in oral and vaginal sex with A.R. on 5 March 2004, and that he was forty-two years old at the time.\nOn cross-examination of defendant, the State engaged in the following inquiry regarding an incident unrelated to the charges for which defendant was on trial:\nQ. Yes, sir. . . . You remember Detective Thompson?\nA. Yes, sir.\nQ. Okay. And Detective Thompson asked you on three separate occasions if you knew anything about the thefts of electronic equipment from [defendant\u2019s place of employment]?\nA. I don\u2019t remember.\nQ. And do you \u2014 You\u2019ve never seen him before?\nA. I said I\u2019d seen him before, yes, but I don\u2019t recollect him asking me on three separate occasions.\nQ. Okay. Well, how many times did he ask you if you [knew] anything about the thefts from [defendant\u2019s place of employment]?\nA. He did ask me about that, yes.\nQ. And that was the theft of electronic equipment of the store that you were the manager, is that right?\nA. Not electronic equipment, it was a single camera.\nQ. Oh, it was just one thing. He just asked you about one thing?\nA. Yes, sir.\nQ. And you lied to him?\nA. Yes, sir.\nQ. And then you later admitted to him that you lied to him?.\nA. I don\u2019t remember ever saying I lied to him. I admitted a full confession.\nQ. You admitted stealing the items from [defendant\u2019s place of employment]?\nA. Yes.\nQ. Okay. No further questions. Thank you, sir.\nBased upon evidence showing that defendant believed A.R. was over the age of fifteen when he engaged in sexual relations with her, defendant requested a jury instruction regarding the defense of a reasonable mistake of fact as to A.R.\u2019s age. The requested instruction stated as follows:\nThe [defendant contends that he was acting under the reasonable belief that the complaining witness was greater than 15 years of age. If you find from the evidence that the [defendant acted under a reasonable belief that the complaining witness in this case was greater than fifteen (15) years of age at the time the [defendant and the witness engaged in vaginal intercourse, it would be your duty to find the [defendant not guilty. If the facts were as the defendant honestly believed them to be, the defendant\u2019s conduct would not be criminal.\nThe trial court denied defendant\u2019s request and did not give defendant\u2019s requested instruction.\nI.\nDefendant first argues the trial court erred by denying his requested jury instruction on reasonable mistake of fact as to AR.\u2019s age. Defendant relies upon the United States Supreme Court\u2019s decision in Lawrence v. Texas, 539 U.S. 558, 156 L. Ed. 2d 508 (2003). Defendant specifically argues in his brief that although Lawrence \u201cdoes not prevent the criminalization of sexual conduct with minors, . . . Lawrence supports a mistake of age claim because a defendant\u2019s reasonable belief that his partner fell outside the age restriction would entitle him to constitutional protection.\u201d Defendant further explains that this \u201cresult attends because [a defendant] would not have the requisite mens rea or criminal intent necessary to justify punishment.\u201d\nA trial court must give a jury instruction requested by a defendant, at least in substance, if that instruction is proper and supported by the evidence. State v. Craig, 167 N.C. App. 793, 795, 606 S.E.2d 387, 388 (2005). However, \u201c \u2018[t]he proffered instruction must. . . contain a correct legal request and be pertinent to the evidence and the issues of the case.\u2019 \u201d Id. (quoting State v. Scales, 28 N.C. App. 509, 513, 221 S.E.2d 898, 901, disc. review denied, 289 N.C. 619, 223 S.E.2d 395 (1976)). A trial court, in its discretion, may refuse to give a legally erroneous instruction. Craig, 167 N.C. App. at 795, 606 S.E.2d at 388.\nIn the present case, defendant\u2019s requested instruction was not supported by the law of our State. N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 14-27.7A(a) (2005) directs as follows:\nA defendant is guilty of a Class B1 felony if the defendant engages in vaginal intercourse or a sexual act with another person who is 13, 14, or 15 years old and the defendant is at least six years older than the person, except when the defendant is lawfully married to the person.\nStatutory rape, under N.C.G.S. \u00a7 14-27.7A is a strict liability crime. State v. Sines, 158 N.C. App. 79, 84, 579 S.E.2d 895, 899, cert. denied, 357 N.C. 468, 587 S.E.2d 69 (2003). \u201cCriminal mens rea is not an element of statutory rape.\u201d State v. Ainsworth, 109 N.C. App. 136, 145, 426 S.E.2d 410, 416 (1993) (citing State v. Rose, 312 N.C. 441, 445, 323 S.E.2d 339, 342 (1984)). In State v. Anthony, 133 N.C. App. 573, 516 S.E.2d 195 (1999), aff\u2019d, 351 N.C. 611, 528 S.E.2d 321 (2000), our Court held that mistake of fact is no defense to statutory rape. Id. at 579, 516 S.E.2d at 199. \u201c[I]t is clear the manifest intent of the legislature was for \u00a7 14-27.7A to protect children in the three full years following age twelve.\u201d State v. Roberts, 166 N.C. App. 649, 652, 603 S.E.2d 373, 375 (2004), disc. review denied, 359 N.C. 325, 611 S.E.2d 843 (2005).\nMoreover, we do not agree with defendant\u2019s contention that Lawrence has \u201caltered the legal landscape\u201d regarding the availability of a mistake of fact defense to statutory rape. In Lawrence, the United States Supreme Court declared unconstitutional a Texas law banning homosexual sodomy and recognized that private, consensual sexual activity between adults is constitutionally protected conduct under the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Lawrence, 539 U.S. at 578-79, 156 L. Ed. 2d at 525-26. However, the Supreme Court specifically limited its holding as follows:\nThe present case does not involve minors. It does not involve persons who might be injured or coerced or who are situated in relationships where consent might not easily be refused. It does not involve public conduct or prostitution. It does not involve whether the government must give formal recognition to any relationship that homosexual persons seek to enter. The case does involve two adults who, with full and mutual consent from each other, engaged in sexual practices common to a homosexual lifestyle.\nId. at 578, 156 L. Ed. 2d at 525.\nOur Court has consistently refused to apply Lawrence to prosecutions for sexual crimes involving minors. In State v. Whiteley, 172 N.C. App. 772, 616 S.E.2d 576 (2005), our Court stated that in light of the Lawrence Court\u2019s express exclusion of minors from its holding, \u201cstate regulation of sexual conduct involving minors . . . falls outside the boundaries of the liberty interest protecting personal relations and is therefore constitutionally permissible.\u201d Id. at 777, 616 S.E.2d at 580. Therefore, out Court concluded that our State\u2019s regulation of sexual conduct involving minors remains constitutional after Lawrence. Id. at 777, 616 S.E.2d at 580.\nIn State v. Oakley, 167 N.C. App. 318, 605 S.E.2d 215 (2004), disc. review denied, 359 N.C. 285, 610 S.E.2d 386 (2005), the defendant was convicted of two counts of sexual activity by a substitute parent. Id. at 319, 605 S.E.2d at 217. At trial, the State introduced, over the defendant\u2019s objection, fifteen photographs of men taken from the defendant\u2019s home. Id. at 320, 605 S.E.2d at 217. The defendant argued that, in light of Lawrence, the photographs which showed the defendant to be homosexual were grossly prejudicial. Id. at 321, 605 S.E.2d at 218. Our Court rejected this argument, holding that \u201cLawrence\u2019s recognition of autonomy and personal choice within consensual adult relationships does not offer constitutional protection to evidence presented in a charge of criminally prohibited activity with minors, as in the case sub judice.\u201d Id. at 322, 605 S.E.2d at 218.\nIn State v. Clark, 161 N.C. App. 316, 588 S.E.2d 66 (2003), disc. review denied, 358 N.C. 157, 593 S.E.2d 81 (2004), the defendant was convicted of statutory rape. Id. at 317, 588 S.E.2d at 66. Relying upon Lawrence, the defendant argued that N.C.G.S. \u00a7 14-27.7A(a) violates equal protection because it exempts married couples. Id. at 320-21, 588 S.E.2d at 68. Our Court rejected the defendant\u2019s argument on the basis of the Lawrence Court\u2019s express exclusion of prosecutions involving minors. Id. at 321, 588 S.E.2d at 68-69.\nWhile Whiteley, Oakley, and Clark did not involve the propriety of a mistake of fact defense to statutory rape after Lawrence, we find these cases, in conjunction with Lawrence, to be controlling. Moreover, defendant has not cited, nor has our research revealed, any case in which a State court has recognized a mistake of fact defense to statutory rape on the basis of Lawrence. Only seven states recognize some version of a mistake of fact defense to statutory rape, all of which did so before Lawrence was decided. See State v. Ballinger, 93 S.W.3d 881 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2001); Lechner v. State, 715 N.E.2d 1285 (Ind. App. 1999); Perez v. State, 803 P.2d 249 (N.M. 1990); State v. Dodd, 765 P.2d 1337 (Wash. Ct. App. 1989); State v. Jalo, 696 P.2d 14 (Or. Ct. App. 1985); State v. Guest, 583 P.2d 836 (Alaska 1978); People v. Hernandez, 393 P.2d 673 (Cal. 1964); see also, Colin Campbell, Annotation, Mistake or Lack of Information as to Victim\u2019s Age as Defense to Statutory Rape, 46 A.L.R.5th 499 (1997).\nDefendant also makes several policy arguments in support of his contention that strict liability is inappropriate in the context of statutory rape. Defendant argues that the mens rea requirement is a fundamental principle of criminal jurisprudence and that strict liability criminal offenses are only acceptable for public welfare crimes involving little or no potential incarceration. Defendant further argues that strict liability is inappropriate because of the severe penalties and stigmatization accompanying convictions for statutory rape. However, these arguments, as well as defendant\u2019s argument that \u201cNorth Carolina should move to a more reasonable position with regard to statutory rape[,]\u201d are more appropriately addressed to the legislative branch of government, our General Assembly, which makes policy for our State. See State v. Arnold, 147 N.C. App. 670, 673, 557 S.E.2d 119, 121 (2001), aff\u2019d per curiam, 356 N.C. 291, 569 S.E.2d 648 (2002) (noting that while courts may analyze the constitutionality of a statute, the General Assembly is the policy-making branch of the State); see also, Clark, 161 N.C. App. at 319, 588 S.E.2d at 67 (recognizing that although statutory rape \u201cdoes carry a very severe punishment for an offense not requiring proof of force or a lack of consent, this is an issue for the legislature and not the courts\u201d).\nFor the reasons stated above, we overrule defendant\u2019s assignments of error grouped under this argument.\nII.\nDefendant next argues the trial court committed reversible error by allowing Ms. Thrift to testify that she believed A.R.\u2019s account of the rape. Defendant argues Ms. Thrift gave impermissible expert testimony regarding A.R.\u2019s credibility. We review this issue de novo. See State v. Bell, 164 N.C. App. 83, 87-88, 594 S.E.2d 824, 826-27 (2004). We must also determine whether any error should result in a new trial. See N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 15A-1443(a) (2005).\nIt is well settled that an expert witness may not testify \u201cto the effect that a prosecuting witness is believable, credible, or telling the truth[.]\u201d State v. Bailey, 89 N.C. App. 212, 219, 365 S.E.2d 651, 655 (1988); see also, State v. Aguaito, 318 N.C. 590, 350 S.E.2d 76 (1986). N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 8C-1, Rule 608(a) (2005) states that \u201c[t]he credibility of a witness may be attacked or supported by evidence in the form of reputation or opinion as'provided in Rule 405(a)[.]\u201d Rule 405(a) states that \u201c[e]xpert testimony on character or a trait of character is not admissible as circumstantial evidence of behavior.\u201d In Aguaito, our Supreme Court recognized that the phrase \u201cas provided in Rule 405(a)\u201d was inserted into Rule 608(a) \u201cto make clear that expert testimony on the credibility of a witness is not admissible.\u201d Aguallo, 318 N.C. at 598, 350 S.E.2d at 81.\nDefendant relies upon State v. Hannon, 118 N.C. App. 448, 455 S.E.2d 494 (1995). In Hannon, the defendant was convicted of taking indecent liberties with a \u201cfifteen-year-old trainable mentally handicapped student at South Park High School.\u201d Id. at 448, 455 S.E.2d at 495. At trial, the State called an assistant principal at the high school to testify as an expert. Id. at 449, 455 S.E.2d at 495. Although the assistant principal had not been tendered as an expert at the time of her testimony, the assistant principal was later tendered and accepted as an expert in mental retardation and the behavior of mentally retarded children. Id. at 450, 455 S.E.2d at 495-96. The State asked the assistant principal to give her opinion as to the victim\u2019s' truthfulness or untruthfulness, and the assistant principal testified that the victim was truthful. Id. at 449, 455 S.E.2d at 495. The assistant principal further testified that, based upon the victim\u2019s behavior, she could tell when the victim was telling the truth and when the victim was lying. Id. at 449-50, 455 S.E.2d at 495.\nIn Hannon, our Court found it was error to admit the assistant-principal\u2019s testimony, whether the testimony was viewed as an opinion that the victim told the truth on that particular occasion, or whether the testimony was viewed as an expert opinion regarding the victim\u2019s credibility. Id. at 450, 455 S.E.2d at 496. Our Court further stated: \u201cIn this case there was no evidence of sexual intercourse other than the [victim\u2019s] testimony. Therefore, [the victim\u2019s] credibility was of critical importance.\u201d Id. at 451, 455 S.E.2d at 496. Thus, our Court found that the assistant principal\u2019s testimony regarding the victim\u2019s credibility amounted to plain error. Id.\nUnlike in Hannon, Ms. Thrift was not tendered as an expert. Although it is true that a witness can testify as an expert without having been tendered as an expert, see State v. Greime, 97 N.C. App. 409, 413, 388 S.E.2d 594, 596 (1990), we do not find this occurred in the present case. Ms. Thrift was not questioned regarding her education and experience, nor was she asked for her opinion regarding A.R.\u2019s credibility. Ms. Thrift testified that she believed AR.\u2019s account of the rape in the context of her role as a guidance counselor who suspected that a child had been abused. See N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 7B-301 (2005) (requiring any person or institution who suspects that a juvenile has been abused or neglected to report the case to the director of the department of social services in the county where the juvenile resides or can be found). Moreover, Ms. Thrift\u2019s statement regarding her conversation with A.R. was admitted only for the purpose of corroboration and Ms. Thrift testified primarily as a corroboration witness.\nEven assuming, arguendo, the trial court erred by allowing Ms. Thrift\u2019s testimony, defendant has not shown he was prejudiced by the testimony. Relying upon State v. McMillan, 55 N.C. App. 25, 284 S.E.2d 526 (1981), defendant argues that Ms. Thrift\u2019s testimony was prejudicial in the present case because the jury had acquitted defendant on a charge of crime against nature. See Id. at 33, 284 S.E.2d at 531 (finding that the jury\u2019s acquittal on one charge \u201ctakes on added significance\u201d when determining whether error on another charge was prejudicial). However, in the present case, defendant admitted that he engaged in sexual intercourse with A.R. As we previously stated, statutory rape is a strict liability crime, the elements of which are sexual intercourse between a person who is thirteen, fourteen, or fifteen years old and a person who is at least six years older. See N.C.G.S. \u00a7 14-27.7A(a). Because defendant admitted he engaged in sexual intercourse with A.R., any error in admitting Ms. Thrift\u2019s testimony was not prejudicial. We overrule this assignment of error.\nIII.\nDefendant argues the trial court committed reversible error by allowing the State to impeach defendant regarding defendant\u2019s false statements about an offense which had been the subject of a deferred prosecution. We review this issue de novo. See Bell, 164 N.C. App. at 87-88, 594 S.E.2d at 826-27. We also determine whether any error should result in a new trial. See N.C.G.S. \u00a7 15A-1443(a).\nN.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 8C-1, Rule 608(b) (2005) states as follows:\nSpecific instances of the conduct of a witness, for the purpose of attacking or supporting his credibility, other than conviction of crime as provided in Rule 609, may not be proved by extrinsic evidence. They may, however, in the discretion of the court, if probative of truthfulness or untruthfulness, be inquired into on cross-examination of the witness (1) concerning his character for truthfulness or untruthfulness, or (2) concerning the character for truthfulness or untruthfulness of another witness as to which character the witness being cross-examined has testified.\nRule 609(a) provides that a witness\u2019 credibility may be attacked by evidence showing the witness has been convicted of certain crimes. N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 8C-1, Rule 609(a) (2005). However, Rule 609(c) directs that \u201c[e]vidence of a conviction is not admissible under this rule if the conviction has been pardoned.\u201d N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 8C-1, Rule 609(c) (2005). N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 15A-146(a) (2005) states that when a person is charged with a crime, and the charge is later dismissed, the person may apply to a trial court for an order of expungement. N.C.G.S. \u00a7 15A-146(a) further states as follows:\nNo person as to whom such an order has been entered shall be held thereafter under any provision of any law to be guilty of perjury, or to be guilty of otherwise giving a false statement or response to any inquiry made for any purpose, by reason of his failure to recite or acknowledge any expunged entries concerning apprehension or trial.\nDefendant specifically argues that\nthe prohibition on the use of [a] conviction for which a witness has been pardoned, see N.C. R. Evid. 609(c), in tandem with the prohibition in the expungement statute from using information about a person that has been removed from the record, see N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 15A-146, means the prosecutor should not have been able to cross-examine [defendant].\nHowever, in the present case, the State properly cross-examined defendant concerning prior false statements to police. As our Court held in State v. Springer, 83 N.C. App. 657, 351 S.E.2d 120 (1986), disc. review denied, 319 N.C. 226, 353 S.E.2d 410 (1987), a false swearing to a magistrate is a specific instance of conduct showing untruthfulness. Id. at 660, 351 S.E.2d at 122. Likewise, in the present case, defendant\u2019s false statements to police regarding the theft of a camera showed defendant\u2019s untruthfulness. The State did not ask defendant about a conviction which had been expunged. The State limited its inquiry to defendant\u2019s false statements.\nDefendant also relies upon State v. Seay, 59 N.C. App. 667, 298 S.E.2d 53 (1982), disc. review denied, 307 N.C. 701, 301 S.E.2d 394 (1983) and State v. Cook, 165 N.C. App. 630, 599 S.E.2d 67 (2004). In Seay, the defendant was impeached by evidence of a crime for which he had been pardoned. Seay, 59 N.C. App. at 670, 298 S.E.2d at 55. North Carolina had not yet adopted Rule 609(c), which now prohibits such impeachment. Our Court noted that the Federal Rules of Evidence would not allow such cross-examination but found no reversible error. Id. In the present case, defendant was not impeached by evidence of a conviction which had been expunged. Defendant was properly impeached regarding false statements he had made to police.\nIn Cook, the defendant was convicted of embezzlement. Cook, 165 N.C. App. at. 632, 599 S.E.2d at 69. The trial court allowed the State to present extrinsic evidence during its case in chief that the defendant had previously embezzled money on another occasion. Id. at 635, 599 S.E.2d at 71. However, the defendant had completed the requirements of a deferred prosecution in regard to that incident and the charge had been dropped. Id. The defendant argued that the admission of the evidence violated Rule 404(b). Id. at 634, 599 S.E.2d at 70.\nOur Court held that the trial court erred by admitting the evidence because the sole purpose of introducing the evidence was to attack the defendant\u2019s credibility. Id. at 636-38, 599 S.E.2d at 72-73. We also held that, by allowing the State to introduce extrinsic evidence regarding the prior, unrelated incident of embezzlement, \u201cthe trial court allowed the State to circumvent the strict limitations of Rules 608 and 609.\u201d Id. at 637, 599 S.E.2d at 72. Our Court recognized that Rule 608(b) does not allow the State to prove specific instances of conduct related to untruthfulness by extrinsic evidence. Id. at 636-37, 599 S.E.2d at 72. Under Rule 609, the State may not offer evidence of details underlying a conviction. Id. at 637, 599 S.E.2d at 72. Our Court did not hold that the evidence was inadmissible because the defendant had completed a deferred prosecution with respect to the unrelated charge.\nIn the present case, the State did not offer extrinsic evidence of defendant\u2019s false statements. The State, pursuant to Rule 608(b), inquired into defendant\u2019s false statements on cross-examination of defendant. See N.C.G.S. \u00a7 8C-1, Rule 608(b) (stating that specific instances of conduct of a witness, if probative of untruthfulness, may \u201cbe inquired into on cross-examination of the witness\u201d). As discussed above, the State in the present case complied with the requirements of Rule 608(b).\nEven assuming, arguendo, the trial court erred by allowing the State to cross-examine defendant regarding defendant\u2019s false statements, any error was harmless. As we stated in the previous section of this opinion, defendant admitted that he engaged in sexual intercourse with A.R. We overrule this assignment of error.\nDefendant does not set forth arguments pertaining to his remaining assignments of error. We deem those assignments of error abandoned pursuant to N.C.R. App. P. 28(b)(6).\nNo error.\nJudges McCULLOUGH and GEER concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "McGEE, Judge." } ], "attorneys": [ "Attorney General Roy Cooper, by Assistant Attorney General Jane Rankin Thompson, for the State.", "Rudolf Widenhouse & Fialko, by M. Gordon Widenhouse Jr., for defendant-appellant." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. BRETT CHARLES BROWNING\nNo. COA05-831\n(Filed 16 May 2006)\n1. Rape\u2014 statutory \u2014 mistake of age \u2014 strict liability\nThere was no error in a statutory rape prosecution in the denial of defendant\u2019s requested jury instruction on reasonable mistake of fact as to the victim\u2019s age. Statutory rape is a strict liability crime and defendant\u2019s requested instruction was not supported by the law of North Carolina. Lawrence v. Texas, 539 U.S. 558, by its own language does not involve minors, and policy arguments about the appropriateness of strict liability are more appropriately addressed to the General Assembly.\n2. Evidence\u2014 guidance counselor \u2014 truthfulness of statutory rape victim \u2014 corroboration\u2014harmless error\nAny error was harmless in a statutory rape prosecution where a guidance counselor testified that she believed the victim\u2019s account of the rape. The testimony was admitted for corroboration, in the context of a guidance counselor who was required to report abuse to social services. Any error was harmless because statutory rape is a strict liability crime and defendant admitted that he had sex with the victim.\n3. Evidence\u2014 prior crimes or bad acts \u2014 deferred prosecution \u2014 false statements\nThere was no error in a statutory rape prosecution in the admission of defendant\u2019s testimony about a prior theft which was the subject of a deferred prosecution. The State limited its inquiry to defendant\u2019s false statements to the police, and did not ask him about a conviction which had been expunged or offer extrinsic evidence of his false statements. Moreover, any error was harmless, because defendant admitted having sex with the victim.\nAppeal by defendant from judgment entered 26 January 2005 by Judge Edwin G. Wilson, Jr. in Superior Court, Randolph County. Heard in the Court of Appeals 22 March 2006.\nAttorney General Roy Cooper, by Assistant Attorney General Jane Rankin Thompson, for the State.\nRudolf Widenhouse & Fialko, by M. Gordon Widenhouse Jr., for defendant-appellant." }, "file_name": "0487-01", "first_page_order": 521, "last_page_order": 533 }