{ "id": 2539346, "name": "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. DAVID JAMES MASH", "name_abbreviation": "State v. Mash", "decision_date": "1991-01-10", "docket_number": "No. 241A90", "first_page": "61", "last_page": "67", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "328 N.C. 61" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C.", "id": 9292, "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "108 L. Ed. 2d 604", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "L. Ed. 2d", "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "mem." } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "384 S.E.2d 470", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1989, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "325 N.C. 278", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2492599 ], "year": 1989, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/325/0278-01" ] }, { "cite": "296 S.E.2d 649", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1982, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "307 N.C. 62", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8560587 ], "year": 1982, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/307/0062-01" ] }, { "cite": "265 S.E.2d 164", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "169", "parenthetical": "citations omitted" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "300 N.C. 71", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8559773 ], "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "78-79", "parenthetical": "citations omitted" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/300/0071-01" ] }, { "cite": "322 S.E.2d 370", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 3, "year": 1984, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "312 N.C. 129", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4750010 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1984, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/312/0129-01" ] }, { "cite": "367 S.E.2d 895", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1988, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "322 N.C. 152", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2517737 ], "year": 1988, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/322/0152-01" ] }, { "cite": "367 S.E.2d 639", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1988, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "322 N.C. 243", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2518702 ], "year": 1988, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/322/0243-01" ] }, { "cite": "398 S.E.2d 314", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "error for State's expert to testify that defendant was able to premeditate and deliberate at the time of the killing" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "327 N.C. 599", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2497579 ], "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "error for State's expert to testify that defendant was able to premeditate and deliberate at the time of the killing" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/327/0599-01" ] }, { "cite": "373 S.E.2d 426", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "Rose I" }, { "page": "430" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "323 N.C. 455", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2560540 ], "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "Rose I" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/323/0455-01" ] }, { "cite": "381 S.E.2d 787", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1989, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "552" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "325 N.C. 229", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2487562, 2489132, 2489743, 2489329, 2491191 ], "year": 1989, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/325/0229-01", "/nc/325/0229-05", "/nc/325/0229-03", "/nc/325/0229-02", "/nc/325/0229-04" ] }, { "cite": "378 S.E.2d 545", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1989, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "93 N.C. App. 380", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8528053 ], "year": 1989, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/93/0380-01" ] }, { "cite": "343 S.E.2d 848", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1986, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "316 N.C. 630", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4695646 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1986, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/316/0630-01" ] }, { "cite": "307 S.E.2d 339", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1983, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "347" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "309 N.C. 239", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4761933 ], "year": 1983, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "255" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/309/0239-01" ] }, { "cite": "174 S.E.2d 526", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1970, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "276 N.C. 690", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8563327 ], "year": 1970, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/276/0690-01" ] }, { "cite": "102 L. Ed. 2d 18", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "L. Ed. 2d", "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "mem." } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "488 U.S. 807", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 1495009, 1493223, 1494535, 1493863, 1495309, 1494158, 1494194, 1493752 ], "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "mem." } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/488/0807-01", "/us/488/0807-06", "/us/488/0807-04", "/us/488/0807-05", "/us/488/0807-08", "/us/488/0807-07", "/us/488/0807-03", "/us/488/0807-02" ] }, { "cite": "364 S.E.2d 316", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "321" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "321 N.C. 301", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2567784 ], "year": 1988, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/321/0301-01" ] }, { "cite": "372 S.E.2d 532", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "Mash I" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "323 N.C. 339", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2564377 ], "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "Mash I" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/323/0339-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 701, "char_count": 15224, "ocr_confidence": 0.742, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.6935907375938164e-07, "percentile": 0.6996705213315525 }, "sha256": "4fac0ad6733bb042a3a3dab7b4f3f3a38308b1a4c2a149d5e74167cbb7c4ca70", "simhash": "1:633bc52b223e8276", "word_count": 2516 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T22:58:40.693084+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. DAVID JAMES MASH" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "MARTIN, Justice.\nIn 1986 defendant was indicted, tried, and convicted of first degree murder in the beating death of Randall Cupp. From a sentence of death, defendant appealed. This Court found error in the guilt phase and awarded the defendant a new trial. State v. Mash, 323 N.C. 339, 372 S.E.2d 532 (1988) (Mash I). Upon retrial, defendant was found guilty of .first degree murder and received a sentence of life imprisonment. We hold that the trial was free of prejudicial error. Because the facts of this case are set out in our opinion in Mask I, we will discuss below only the facts pertinent to the issues in this appeal.\nDefendant\u2019s first assignment of error alleges that the trial court unduly restricted his jury voir dire. The trial court is given broad discretion to control the extent and manner of questioning prospective jurors, and its decisions will not be overturned absent an abuse of discretion. E.g., State v. Lloyd, 321 N.C. 301, 364 S.E.2d 316 (1988), sentence vacated, 488 U.S. 807, 102 L. Ed. 2d 18 (1988) (mem.). Because of the number of potential jurors who had heard about this case, the trial court held individual voir dire in chambers to select a jury pool. During this process, the defendant attempted to ask certain potential jurors, who had already indicated their ability to be fair and impartial, about their degree of certainty as to this impartiality. Defendant also complains that the court prevented him from inquiring into the potential jurors\u2019 attitudes about alcohol and the expert testimony of psychiatrists and psychologists. These arguments are without merit. Each potential juror was asked if he or she could be fair and impartial. Those who ultimately sat on the jury responded affirmatively. The court sustained objections to the questions regarding the jurors\u2019 \u201cdifficulty\u201d in considering the expert mental health testimony and the jurors\u2019 personal experiences with alcohol. Although the State and defense counsel may inquire into a juror\u2019s beliefs and attitudes, \u201cneither has the right to delve without restraint into all matters concerning potential jurors\u2019 private lives.\u201d Id. at 307, 364 S.E.2d at 321. The court allowed inquiry into views that would render the juror unable to be fair, consider the evidence, and follow the law. These questions were sufficient to uncover any bias that a prospective juror might have had and to ensure the defendant a fair and impartial jury. We further note that defendant did not exhaust his peremptory challenges and therefore cannot show prejudice. State v. Baldwin, 276 N.C. 690, 174 S.E.2d 526 (1970). This assignment of error is overruled.\nDefendant next contends that the trial court erred in denying his motion for a change of venue. Thirty-eight of the ninety-six potential jurors were excused because they had formed opinions based on pretrial knowledge of the case. Half of the remaining jurors knew something about the case, and eighteen knew the outcome of the previous trial. The trial judge should grant defendant\u2019s motion for a change of venue \u201cwhen he establishes that it is reasonably likely that prospective jurors would base their decision in the case upon pretrial information rather than the evidence presented at trial and would be unable to remove from their minds any preconceived impressions they might have formed.\u201d State v. Jerrett, 309 N.C. 239, 255, 307 S.E.2d 339, 347 (1983). To meet his burden of proof, defendant must show that the jurors had prior knowledge of the case, that he exhausted his peremptory challenges, and that an objectionable juror sat on the jury. Id. Defendant\u2019s argument that the undue restrictions placed upon his jury voir dire somehow relieve him of his burden of showing that he exhausted his peremptory challenges is without merit. The court, permitted sufficient individual voir dire on the subject of pretrial publicity. All the jurors who ultimately sat on the jury stated that they could be fair and impartial; none of them had significant recall of the events of the case. Defendant having failed to meet his burden, we overrule this assignment of error.\nPrior to opening statements, the trial judge informed counsel that he would not allow either to comment on the evidence to be presented by the other side or on the law, except as to burden of proof and presumption of innocence. Defendant alleges that the court erroneously sustained the prosecutor\u2019s objections to much of his opening statement and thereby abused its discretion. N.C.G.S. \u00a7 15A-1221(a)(4) provides that in a criminal jury trial \u201c[e]ach party must be given the opportunity to make a brief opening statement,\u201d but does not define the scope of the statement to be allowed. E.g., State v. Paige, 316 N.C. 630, 343 S.E.2d 848 (1986). Most of the arguments objected to by the prosecutor, and sustained by the trial court, were of the type clearly and properly prohibited in advance by the trial judge. For example, defense counsel attempted to argue what the State\u2019s witnesses would say and how the defense would contradict certain testimony. An opening statement is for the purpose of making a general forecast of the evidence, not for arguing the case, instructing on the law, or contradicting the other party\u2019s witnesses. 23A C.J.S. Criminal Law \u00a7 1239 (1989); see Paige, 316 N.C. 630, 343 S.E.2d 848. Here, the judge also sustained objections to the statement \u201cI ask you to give attention to all of the witnesses,\u201d because it was not a forecast of the evidence. In State v. Freeman, 93 N.C. App. 380, 378 S.E.2d 545, disc. rev. denied, 325 N.C. 229, 381 S.E.2d 787 (1989), our Court of Appeals held that the trial court abused its discretion by interrupting defense counsel and classifying as argument the statement asking the jury to consider carefully each piece of the evidence. However, the Court determined that the error was not prejudicial. While the trial judge in this case erred in preventing defense counsel from telling the jury to give attention to all of the witnesses, defendant has failed to demonstrate prejudice requiring a reversal of his conviction. Id. at 390-91, 381 S.E.2d at 552. We cannot say that \u201chad the error in question not been committed, a different result would have been reached at the trial.\u201d N.C.G.S. \u00a7 15A-1443(a) (1988).\nThe defendant next argues that the trial court erred in preventing his presentation of expert testimony regarding his ability to premeditate and deliberate. In State v. Rose, 323 N.C. 455, 373 S.E.2d 426 (1988) (Rose I), this Court held that such testimony was inadmissible, because it involved a conclusion that a legal standard had or had not been met. That decision was reiterated in Rose II, 327 N.C. 599, 398 S.E.2d 314 (1990) (error for State\u2019s expert to testify that defendant was able to premeditate and deliberate at the time of the killing). In the instant case, defense counsel attempted to ask mental health experts specifically whether the defendant had the ability to premeditate and deliberate the killing on the night in question. The trial court sustained objections to these questions, but allowed the witnesses to testify about the defendant\u2019s ability to form a plan or scheme, in accordance with State v. Shank, 322 N.C. 243, 367 S.E.2d 639 (1988). In State v. Weeks, 322 N.C. 152, 367 S.E.2d 895 (1988), this Court'reasoned that mental health experts were not in a better position than the jury to determine whether a legal standard had been met. Because premeditation and deliberation are legal terms of art, \u201c[a] medical expert\u2019s opinion as to whether these legal standards have or have not been met is inadmissible. That determination is for the finder of fact.\u201d Rose I, 323 N.C. at 460, 373 S.E.2d at 430. Defendant\u2019s assignment of error is overruled.\nDefendant\u2019s final assignment of error is whether there was sufficient evidence to support a conviction for first degree murder. Defendant made motions to dismiss at the close of the State\u2019s case and at the close of all the evidence. When a defendant presents evidence, he waives his right to appeal the denial of his motion to dismiss at the close of the State\u2019s evidence. Therefore, only the motion to dismiss at the close of all the evidence is before the Court. State v. Bullard, 312 N.C. 129, 322 S.E.2d 370 (1984). A motion to dismiss is properly denied if there is substantial evidence of each element of the offense charged and of the defendant being the perpetrator of the offense. Id. \u201cSubstantial evidence is such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.\u201d State v. Smith, 300 N.C. 71, 78-79, 265 S.E.2d 164, 169 (1980) (citations omitted). In ruling on a motion to dismiss, the trial court must consider the evidence in the fight most favorable to the State, drawing all reasonable inferences from that evidence. State v. Earnhardt, 307 N.C. 62, 296 S.E.2d 649 (1982). Defendant contends that the evidence was insufficient with respect to the essential elements of premeditation and deliberation, due to his severe intoxication. Premeditation and deliberation may be proved by circumstantial evidence, including absence of provocation, conduct of defendant before and after the crime, and the brutality of the crime. E.g., State v. Artis, 325 N.C. 278, 384 S.E.2d 470 (1989), sentence vacated, --- U.S. ---, 108 L. Ed. 2d 604 (1990) (mem.). Some witnesses for the State testified that defendant was wild and out of control when the killing occurred. However, others testified that, shortly after the killing, the defendant was not staggering or slurring his speech. The evidence, in the fight most favorable to the State, also shows that defendant addressed the victim prior to the attack saying, \u201cyou guarded my brother, let\u2019s see if you can guard me\u201d; that the victim stated that he did not want any trouble; that defendant landed the first blow and continued to beat the victim after he had fallen and was helpless; that defendant lied to the arresting officers about his involvement and told his companions to lie; and that defendant confessed to a cellmate that the victim was a prison guard who had been harassing his brother and that if he had it to do over again, he would do the same thing. Although the evidence is undisputed that defendant had been drinking that evening, contradictions existed about his level of intoxication. Defendant\u2019s expert admitted that as a longtime abuser of alcohol, defendant may have built up a tolerance to alcohol. On a motion to dismiss, any contradictions must be resolved in favor of the State. Bullard, 312 N.C. 129, 322 S.E.2d 370. The evidence further shows that although defendant was driving recklessly, he was able to negotiate many steep \u201cS\u201d curves throughout the evening. We hold that the State\u2019s evidence was sufficient for a rational juror to find the existence of premeditation and deliberation. The jury could reasonably infer that defendant had the capacity to plan and carry out a plan to murder Randall Cupp, based upon the circumstances of the killing and his later inculpatory statements.\nAccordingly, this assignment of error is overruled. In the defendant\u2019s trial, we find\nNo error.", "type": "majority", "author": "MARTIN, Justice." } ], "attorneys": [ "Lacy H. Thornburg, Attorney General, by Joan Herre Byers, Special Deputy Attorney General, for the State.", "Norman B. Smith and Bryan E. Lessley for the defendant-appellant." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. DAVID JAMES MASH\nNo. 241A90\n(Filed 10 January 1991)\n1. Jury \u00a7 6.3 (NCI3d)\u2014 murder \u2014 voir dire \u2014 defendant not unduly restricted\nThe trial court did not unduly restrict defendant\u2019s jury voir dire in a retrial for first degree murder where the court did not allow defendant to ask certain jurors who had already indicated their ability to be fair and impartial about their degree of certainty as to their impartiality and sustained objections to questions regarding jurors\u2019 difficulty considering expert mental health testimony and the jurors\u2019 personal experiences with alcohol. The court allowed questions sufficient to uncover any bias that a prospective juror might have had and to insure the defendant a fair and impartial jury; furthermore, defendant did not exhaust his peremptory challenges and therefore cannot show prejudice.\nAm Jur 2d, Jury \u00a7\u00a7 202, 207, 218.\n2. Criminal Law \u00a7 77 (NCI4th)\u2014 murder \u2014 change of venue \u2014 denied \u2014no error\nThe trial court did not err by denying defendant\u2019s motion for a change of venue in a retrial for murder where the court permitted sufficient individual voir dire on the subject of pretrial publicity, all jurors who ultimately sat on the jury stated that they could be fair and impartial, and none of the jurors had significant recall of the events of the case. Defendant\u2019s argument that allegedly undue restrictions on his jury voir dire somehow relieved him of his burden of showing that he exhausted his peremptory challenges is without merit.\nAm Jur 2d, Criminal Law \u00a7\u00a7 389, 841; Jury \u00a7 219.\n3. Criminal Law \u00a7 417 (NCI4th)\u2014 murder \u2014 opening statement restricted \u2014 no error\nThere was no prejudicial error in a retrial for murder where the trial court sustained objections to much of defendant\u2019s opening statement and would not allow defense counsel to tell the jury to give its undivided attention to all of the witnesses. The trial court informed counsel prior to opening statements that he would not allow either to comment on the evidence to be presented by the other or on the law oth\u00e9r than the burden of proof and the presumption of innocence, and most of the objections sustained by the court were to questions of the type clearly and properly prohibited in advance by the trial judge. While the court erred in preventing defendant from telling the jury to give attention to all witnesses, defendant has failed to demonstrate prejudice requiring a reversal of his conviction.\nAm Jur 2d, Trial \u00a7\u00a7 190, 191, 204.\n4. Homicide \u00a7 18 (NCI3d)\u2014 murder \u2014 premeditation and deliberation \u2014 expert opinion \u2014 not admissible\nThe trial court did not err in the retrial of a murder prosecution by sustaining objections to defendant\u2019s questions to a mental health expert specifically asking whether defendant had the ability to premeditate the killing on the night in question. The trial court allowed the witnesses to testify about defendant\u2019s ability to form a plan or scheme.\nAm Jur 2d, Homicide \u00a7 406.\n5. Homicide \u00a7 18.1 (NCI3d)\u2014 murder \u2014 premeditation and deliberation \u2014evidence sufficient\nThere was sufficient evidence to support a conviction for first degree murder where, although the evidence was undisputed that defendant had been drinking, contradictions existed about his level of intoxication, he was a longtime abuser who may have built up a tolerance to alcohol, and defendant was able to negotiate many steep \u201cS\u201d curves throughout the evening. On a motion to dismiss, any contradictions must be resolved in favor of the State; the State\u2019s evidence was sufficient for a rational juror to find the existence of premeditation and deliberation.\nAm Jur 2d, Homicide \u00a7 439.\nAppeal as of right pursuant to N.C.G.S. \u00a7 7A-27(a) from a judgment imposing a sentence of life imprisonment entered by Rousseau, J., at the 31 July 1989 session of Superior Court, WILKES County. Heard in the Supreme Court on 15 November 1990.\nLacy H. Thornburg, Attorney General, by Joan Herre Byers, Special Deputy Attorney General, for the State.\nNorman B. Smith and Bryan E. Lessley for the defendant-appellant." }, "file_name": "0061-01", "first_page_order": 95, "last_page_order": 101 }