{ "id": 54194, "name": "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. JEFFREY KARL MEYER", "name_abbreviation": "State v. Meyer", "decision_date": "1997-03-07", "docket_number": "No. 379A95", "first_page": "619", "last_page": "623", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "345 N.C. 619" } ], "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": "33 ALR4th 429", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R. 4th", "opinion_index": -1 }, { "cite": "404 S.E.2d 821", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1991, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "329 N.C. 259", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2555965 ], "year": 1991, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/329/0259-01" ] }, { "cite": "415 S.E.2d 716", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1992, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "331 N.C. 272", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2499251 ], "year": 1992, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/331/0272-01" ] }, { "cite": "417 S.E.2d 228", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1992, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "331 N.C. 680", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2500375 ], "year": 1992, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/331/0680-01" ] }, { "cite": "470 S.E.2d 333", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 3, "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "335" }, { "page": "335" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "343 N.C. 291", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 798897 ], "year": 1996, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/343/0291-01" ] }, { "cite": "407 S.E.2d 158", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "163" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "329 N.C. 534", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2555500 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "541-42" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/329/0534-01" ] }, { "cite": "410 S.E.2d 832", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "843" }, { "page": "844" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "330 N.C. 202", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2509584 ], "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "221" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/330/0202-01" ] }, { "cite": "392 S.E.2d 362", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "363" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "326 N.C. 792", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 5309049 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "794" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/326/0792-01" ] }, { "cite": "418 S.E.2d 213", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "218", "parenthetical": "quoting State v. Smith, 326 N.C. 792, 794, 392 S.E.2d 362, 363 (1990)" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "332 N.C. 65", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2506815 ], "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "73-74", "parenthetical": "quoting State v. Smith, 326 N.C. 792, 794, 392 S.E.2d 362, 363 (1990)" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/332/0065-01" ] }, { "cite": "108 L. Ed. 2d 604", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "L. Ed. 2d", "year": 1990, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "494 U.S. 1023", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 4836, 5158, 4882, 5207, 5176 ], "year": 1990, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/494/1023-04", "/us/494/1023-03", "/us/494/1023-05", "/us/494/1023-02", "/us/494/1023-01" ] }, { "cite": "384 S.E.2d 470", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1989, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "480" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "325 N.C. 278", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2492599 ], "year": 1989, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "297" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/325/0278-01" ] }, { "cite": "61 N.C. 38", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2090113 ], "year": 1866, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "40" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/61/0038-01" ] }, { "cite": "111 L. Ed. 2d 777", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "L. Ed. 2d", "year": 1990, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "497 U.S. 1021", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 6268812, 6267060, 6268214, 6267352, 6267610, 6266778, 6268507, 6267902 ], "year": 1990, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/497/1021-08", "/us/497/1021-02", "/us/497/1021-06", "/us/497/1021-03", "/us/497/1021-04", "/us/497/1021-01", "/us/497/1021-07", "/us/497/1021-05" ] }, { "cite": "381 S.E.2d 635", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 5, "year": 1989, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "651" }, { "page": "651" }, { "page": "652" }, { "page": "653-55" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "325 N.C. 1", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2487626 ], "weight": 5, "year": 1989, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "30" }, { "page": "29" }, { "page": "31" }, { "page": "32-35" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/325/0001-01" ] }, { "cite": "412 S.E.2d 339", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1992, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "330 N.C. 738", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2509318 ], "year": 1992, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/330/0738-01" ] }, { "cite": "494 U.S. 433", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 4898 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1990, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/494/0433-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 509, "char_count": 10185, "ocr_confidence": 0.738, "pagerank": { "raw": 5.758707561028459e-08, "percentile": 0.3600567060087287 }, "sha256": "99dd55982025e0b2063d5d3d195eabbf322d1b4af4dfabd3af759aff46dcce5a", "simhash": "1:bde7367824220844", "word_count": 1682 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T16:52:16.077233+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. JEFFREY KARL MEYER" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "ORR, Justice.\nOn 16 May 1988, defendant pled guilty to two counts of first-degree murder. On 3 June 1988, a jury was impaneled in Superior Court, Cumberland County, for a capital sentencing proceeding pursuant to N.C.G.S. \u00a7 15A-2000. During the presentation of defendant\u2019s evidence in this sentencing proceeding, defendant escaped from the Cumberland County Jail. On 14 June 1988, upon motion by defendant\u2019s counsel, the trial court declared a mistrial. Defendant was apprehended on 19 June 1988. Following several motions by defendant, the sentencing proceeding was moved to New Hanover County.\nOn 16 November 1988, upon recommendation of the jury, the trial court imposed two sentences of death. Defendant appealed those sentences of death pursuant to N.C.G.S. \u00a7 7A-27(a). On defendant\u2019s first appeal, this Court concluded defendant was entitled to a new capital sentencing proceeding under McKoy v. North Carolina, 494 U.S. 433, 108 L. Ed. 2d 369 (1990). State v. Meyer, 330 N.C. 738, 412 S.E.2d 339 (1992).\nDefendant\u2019s second capital sentencing proceeding was heard at the 21 August 1995 Mixed Session of Superior Court, Cumberland County. On 31 August 1995, upon recommendation of the jury, defendant was once again sentenced to death for both of the first-degree murder convictions.\nExcept as necessary for an understanding of the issues, we will not repeat the evidence inasmuch as it is adequately summarized in our prior opinion on the first appeal.\nDefendant brings forth several issues for review, but we need focus only on defendant\u2019s contention that the trial court violated his constitutional right to be present at all stages of his capital trial. Defendant contends that twice during his capital sentencing proceeding, the trial court failed to ensure defendant\u2019s presence as required by the North Carolina Constitution. However, we address specifically only the unrecorded in-chambers conference that took place with the attorneys in defendant\u2019s absence.\nThe defendant in a capital trial must be present at every stage of the proceeding. N.C. Const, art. I, \u00a7 23. This constitutional mandate serves to safeguard both the defendant\u2019s and society\u2019s interests in reliability in the imposition of capital punishment. State v. Huff, 325 N.C. 1, 30, 381 S.E.2d 635, 651 (1989), sentence vacated on other grounds, 497 U.S. 1021, 111 L. Ed. 2d 777 (1990). As this Court has previously stated:\n\u201cThe confrontation clause of the Constitution of North Carolina guarantees the right of this defendant to be present at every stage of the trial. State v. Huff, 325 N.C. 1, 29, 381 S.E.2d 635, 651 (1989); N.C. Const. Art. I, \u00a7 23 (1984). This state constitutional protection afforded to the defendant imposes on the trial court the affirmative duty to insure the defendant\u2019s presence at every stage of a capital trial. The defendant\u2019s right to be present at every stage of the trial \u2018ought to be kept forever sacred and inviolate.\u2019 State v. Blackwelder, 61 N.C. 38, 40 (1866)[, overruled on other grounds by State v. Huff, 325 N.C. 1, 381 S.E.2d 635]. In fact, the defendant\u2019s right to be present at every stage of his capital trial is not waivable. State v. Artis, 325 N.C. 278, 297, 384 S.E.2d 470, 480 (1989)[, sentence vacated on other grounds, 494 U.S. 1023, 108 L. Ed. 2d 604 (1990)]; State v. Huff, 325 N.C. at 31, 381 S.E.2d at 652.\u201d\nState v. Moss, 332 N.C. 65, 73-74, 418 S.E.2d 213, 218 (1992) (quoting State v. Smith, 326 N.C. 792, 794, 392 S.E.2d 362, 363 (1990)).\nIn the present case, on the second day of jury selection, the trial court addressed the first group of seated jurors and gave them general instructions. At the end of this exchange with the jurors, the transcript reflects that the following occurred:\nJuror #2: We need to give you our name and numbers on the side over here?\nClerk: Go to the jury room. I\u2019m going to go to the jury room to get their names and numbers.\nCourt: All right. And you can go ahead and send the other' jurors \u2014\nClerk: \u2014to break.\nCourt: That\u2019s right, because I need you to pull them. Let me see counsel in chambers.\n(Counsel left the courtroom with the Judge and subsequently returned. Defendant remained in the courtroom.)\nCourt: All right. Have the others \u2014 let me have the jurors\u2014 the other jurors now.\nThere is no record of what occurred in-chambers between the judge and the attorneys.\nThis Court has previously held that an in-chambers conference is a \u201ccritical stage\u201d of a defendant\u2019s capital trial at which he has a constitutional right to be present. See State v. Buchanan, 330 N.C. 202, 221, 410 S.E.2d 832, 843 (1991). \u201cNotwithstanding an accused\u2019s right to be present, certain violations of this right may be harmless if such appears from the record.\u201d Id. at 222, 410 S.E.2d at 844. In State v. Brogden, 329 N.C. 534, 541-42, 407 S.E.2d 158, 163 (1991), this Court concluded that it was error for the trial court to conduct an in-chambers conference with the attorneys but without defendant.\nBased upon the precedent set in Brogden, 329 N.C. 534, 407 S.E.2d 158, this Court in State v. Exum, 343 N.C. 291, 470 S.E.2d 333 (1996), held that the trial court had violated defendant\u2019s nonwaivable right to be present at all stages of his capital trial by conducting an unrecorded in-chambers conference during the trial with the attorneys present but out of the hearing of defendant. In Exum, the following exchange occurred immediately after the examination of a defense witness:\nThe Court: All right. Members of the jury, we\u2019re going to take our lunch break now \u2014 well, let me confer with the lawyers a minute.\nSheriff, take the jury back in the jury room.\n(The jury is absent.)\nThe Witness: Can I be excused, Judge?\nThe Court: Wait just a moment.\n(A discussion off the record in chambers with the Court and all four counsel. The defendant was not present.)\nThe Court: All right. Let\u2019s \u2014 I think you\u2019re excused, Dr. Brown.\nId. at 294, 470 S.E.2d at 335. After noting that the in-chambers conference was a part of the trial from which defendant was excluded, this Court held that\nbecause the in-chambers conference was not recorded and the nature and content of the private discussion cannot be gleaned from the record, the State failed to meet its burden of showing the error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt, and we are, therefore, required to order a new trial.\nId. at 295-96, 470 S.E.2d at 335.\nSimilarly, in the present case, an in-chambers conference occurred between the trial judge and counsel without defendant being present. Here, the conference took place during jury selection rather than during the presentation of evidence. However, this distinction is irrelevant. As we have already noted, the selection of the jury is a \u201ccritical stage\u201d of the trial. Accordingly, defendant\u2019s constitutional right to be present at every stage of his capital trial was violated. Once a violation of the right to be present is apparent, the burden shifts to the State to show that it is harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. Huff, 325 N.C. at 32-35, 381 S.E.2d at 653-55.\nIn the present case, as in Exum, the in-chambers conference was unrecorded. We have previously held that under similar circumstances where defendant has a constitutional right to be present at a critical stage of his trial and the trial court conducts private conferences or discussions in the defendant\u2019s absence, but the substance of the private discussions is not revealed in the record, a new trial is required. State v. Johnston, 331 N.C. 680, 417 S.E.2d 228 (1992); State v. Cole, 331 N.C. 272, 415 S.E.2d 716 (1992); State v. McCarver, 329 N.C. 259, 404 S.E.2d 821 (1991); State v. Smith, 326 N.C. 792, 392 S.E.2d 362 (1990).\nHere, because the in-chambers discussion is not included in the record, we do not know the substance of the in-chambers conference held with the attorneys in defendant\u2019s absence. Consequently, we are unable to determine whether the error committed is harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. Because the in-chambers conference was not recorded, and the substance of the conference was not summarized on the record in open court, and the nature and content of the discussion cannot otherwise be gleaned from the record, the State has failed to meet its burden of showing the error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. Accordingly, we are required to order a new sentencing proceeding.\nFor the foregoing reasons, we vacate the sentences of death and remand this case to Superior Court, Cumberland County, for a new capital sentencing proceeding.\nDEATH SENTENCES VACATED; REMANDED FOR NEW CAPITAL SENTENCING PROCEEDING.", "type": "majority", "author": "ORR, Justice." } ], "attorneys": [ "Michael F. Easley, Attorney General, by William N. Farrell, Jr., Senior Deputy Attorney General, and Ellen B. Scouten, Special Deputy Attorney General, for the State.", "Malcolm Ray Hunter, Jr., Appellate Defender, by Staples Hughes, Assistant Appellate Defender, for defendant-appellant." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA v. JEFFREY KARL MEYER\nNo. 379A95\n(Filed 7 March 1997)\nConstitutional Law \u00a7 342 (NCI4th)\u2014 capital sentencing \u2014 jury selection \u2014 in-chambers conference without defendant\u2014 prejudicial error\nThe trial court violated defendant\u2019s nonwaivable right to be present at all stages of his capital trial by conducting an in-chambers conference with the attorneys present but without defendant during jury selection in this capital sentencing proceeding. Furthermore, the State has failed to meet its burden of showing that the error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt where the conference was not recorded, the substance of the conference was not summarized on the record in open court, and the nature and contents of the discussion cannot otherwise be gleaned from the record.\nAm Jur 2d, Criminal Law \u00a7 913.\nValidity of jury selection as affected by accused\u2019s absence from conducting of procedures for selection and impaneling of final jury panel for specific cases. 33 ALR4th 429.\nAppeal as of right pursuant to N.C.G.S. \u00a7 7A-27(a) from judgments imposing two sentences of death entered by Smith (Donald L.), J., at the 21 August 1995 Mixed Session of Superior Court, Cumberland County, upon a jury verdict of guilty of two counts of first-degree murder. Heard in the Supreme Court 11 February 1997.\nMichael F. Easley, Attorney General, by William N. Farrell, Jr., Senior Deputy Attorney General, and Ellen B. Scouten, Special Deputy Attorney General, for the State.\nMalcolm Ray Hunter, Jr., Appellate Defender, by Staples Hughes, Assistant Appellate Defender, for defendant-appellant." }, "file_name": "0619-01", "first_page_order": 673, "last_page_order": 677 }