{
  "id": 8554682,
  "name": "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. WILLIAM EVERETT PATTON, JR.",
  "name_abbreviation": "State v. Patton",
  "decision_date": "1968-10-16",
  "docket_number": "No. 6815SC251",
  "first_page": "605",
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      "cite": "260 N.C. 235",
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  "last_updated": "2023-07-14T19:15:57.624547+00:00",
  "provenance": {
    "date_added": "2019-08-29",
    "source": "Harvard",
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  "casebody": {
    "judges": [
      "BROCK and Paricer, JJ., concur."
    ],
    "parties": [
      "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. WILLIAM EVERETT PATTON, JR."
    ],
    "opinions": [
      {
        "text": "Britt, J.\nDefendant assigns as error the refusal of the trial judge to permit the State\u2019s witness to answer certain questions asked by defendant\u2019s counsel on cross-examination. The record fails to disclose what the answers would have been had the witness been allowed to testify.\nThe exclusion of testimony cannot be held prejudicial when the record fails to show what the answer would have been had he been permitted to testify. 1 Strong, N. C. Index 2d, Appeal and Error, \u00a7 49. The assignment of error is overruled.\nDefendant assigns as error a statement made by the trial judge to defendant\u2019s counsel in the presence of the jury, contending that the statement amounted to an expression of opinion by the judge in violation of G.S. 1-180.\nThe trial judge interrupted his charge to the jury to inquire of defendant\u2019s counsel if defendant\u2019s contentions had been correctly stated. As counsel was attempting to answer, His Honor declared: \u201cWell, I haven\u2019t heard any evidence that the officers were wrong about the speed. The theory of your case as I recall it is thati he had a stuck accelerator and was unable to reduce it.\u201d (Emphasis ours.) This assignment of error is well taken.\nDefendant\u2019s plea of not guilty controverts and puts in issue the existence of every fact essential to constitute the offense charged in the indictment, and casts upon the State the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt all the essential elements of the offense. State v. Mitchell, 260 N.C. 235, 132 S.E. 2d 481. Where there is no admission by defendant and no presumption against him is raised, the plea of not guilty challenges the credibility of the evidence, even if uncontradicted. State v. Stone, 224 N.C. 848, 32 S.E. 2d 651.\nIn State v. Swaringen, 249 N.C. 38, 105 S.E. 2d 99, in an opinion by Rodman, J., it is said:\n\u201cThe State had the burden of establishing beyond a reasonable doubt each element of the crime. Proof must be made without intimation or suggestion from the court that the controverted facts have or have not been established. G.S. 1-180.\n\u201cThe assumption by the court that any fact controverted by a plea of not guilty has been established is prejudicial error.\u201d\n(Citing numerous authorities.)\nIn Galloway v. Lawrence, 266 N.C. 245, 145 S.E. 2d 861, in an opinion by Lake, J., we find the following:\n\u201c* * \u2018The slightest intimation from the judge as to the weight, importance or effect of the evidence has great weight with the jury, and, therefore, we must be careful to see that neither party is unduly prejudiced by any expression from the bench which is likely to prevent a fair and impartial trial.\u2019\n\u201cG.S. 1-180 provides: \u2018No judge, in giving a charge to the petit jury, either in a civil or criminal action, shall give an opinion whether a fact is fully or sufficiently proven, that being the true office and province of the jury, but he shall declare and explain the law arising on the evidence given in the case.\u2019\n\u201cWe have said many times that this statute does not apply to the charge alone, but prohibits a trial judge from asking questions or making comments at any time during the trial which amount to an expression of opinion as to what has or has not .been shown by the testimony of a witness.\u201d\nHowever unintentional it might have been on the part of the able trial judge, we hold that the statement complained of, made in the presence of the jury, was violative of G.S. 1-180 and was prejudicial to the defendant.\nWe do not deem it necessary to consider and discuss other assignments of error brought forward in defendant\u2019s brief.\nFor the reasons stated, there must be a\nNew trial.\nBROCK and Paricer, JJ., concur.",
        "type": "majority",
        "author": "Britt, J."
      }
    ],
    "attorneys": [
      "Attorney General T. Wade Bruton, Assistant Attorney General William W. Melvin and Staff Attorney T. Buie Costen for the State.",
      "John D. Xanthos for defendant appellant."
    ],
    "corrections": "",
    "head_matter": "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. WILLIAM EVERETT PATTON, JR.\nNo. 6815SC251\n(Filed 16 October 1968)\n1. Criminal Law \u00a7 169\u2014 appeal and error \u2014 exclusion of evidence\nThe exclusion of testimony cannot be held prejudicial when the record fails to show what the answer of the witness would have been had he been permitted to testify.\n2. Criminal Law \u00a7 114; Automobiles \u00a7 1\u00cd7\u2014 prosecution for speeding \u2014 instructions \u2014 expression of opinion on evidence\nIn a prosecution upon indictment charging defendant with operating a motor vehicle upon the public highway at a speed in excess of 100 m.p.h. in a 45 m.p.h. zone, wherein the defendant pleaded not guilty and offered testimony that the excessive speed resulted from a stuck accelerator, a statement by the trial court during the course of the charge, \u201cWell, I haven\u2019t heard any evidence that the officers were wrong about the speed,\u201d is prejudicial as an expression of opinion on the evidence. G.S. 1-180.\n3. Criminal Law \u00a7 24\u2014 effect of plea of not guilty\nDefendant\u2019s plea of not guilty controverts and puts in issue the existence of every fact essential to constitute the offense charged in the indictment and easts upon the State the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt all the essential elements of the offense.\n4. Criminal Law \u00a7 24\u2014 effect of plea of not guilty\nWhere there is no admission by defendant and no presumption against him is raised, the plea of not guilty challenges the credibility of the evidence, even if uncontradieted.\nAppeal by defendant from Bailey, J., February 1968 Session Alamance Superior Court.\nBy indictment proper in form, defendant was charged with operating a motor vehicle upon a public highway of Alamance County at a speed in excess of 100 mph in a 45 mph speed zone.\nThe State\u2019s evidence consisted of testimony given by Sgt. Thomas Bray of the Burlington Police Department who testified that late on the night in question he observed defendant operating a 1960 Chevrolet in the city of Burlington; that the defendant was speeding and he pursued defendant over the streets of Burlington up to approximately 110 mph, finally apprehending him.\nOne Harold Tucker was riding with defendant at the- time' and testified as a witness for defendant. His testimony was to the effect that while defendant was driving on the Burlington streets, his accelerator became stuck and that the excessive speed occurred while the accelerator was stuck and before defendant was able to get it released.\nThe jury found defendant guilty as charged in the bill of indictment, and from active prison sentence imposed thereon, defendant appealed.\nAttorney General T. Wade Bruton, Assistant Attorney General William W. Melvin and Staff Attorney T. Buie Costen for the State.\nJohn D. Xanthos for defendant appellant."
  },
  "file_name": "0605-01",
  "first_page_order": 625,
  "last_page_order": 628
}