State v. Cranford

56 S.E.2d 423, 231 N.C. 211, 1949 N.C. LEXIS 500

• Court: Supreme Court of North Carolina
• Decided: November 30, 1949
• Status: Published

Opinion

Stacy, C. J.

Undoubtedly the record points an accusing finger at the appealing defendant as one of the participants in the crime here charged. But this would seem to be all. A careful scrutiny of the evidence leaves us with the impression that it falls short of the degree of proof required to convict a defendant in a criminal prosecution. It all may be true, and yet the appealing defendant may be innocent. S. v. Goodson, 107 N.C. 798, 12 S.E. 329; S. v. Tillman, 146 N.C. 611, 60 S.E. 902; S. v. Montague, 195 N.C. 20, 141 S.E. 285; S. v. Battle, 198 N.C. 379, 151 S.E. 927; S. v. Shu, 218 N.C. 387, 11 S.E. 2d 155; S. v. Penry, 220 N.C. 248, 17 S.E. 2d 4. In S. v. Penry, supra, it is said: “The State’s case fails at tbe first hurdle,” and in tbe present case we are inclined to tbe view tbat it does so in tbe end at least.

Tbe State must prove bis guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. S. v. Creech, 229 N.C. 662, 51 S.E. 2d 348; S. v. Harvey, 228 N.C. 62, 44 S.E. 2d 472; S. v. Warren, 228 N.C. 22, 44 S.E. 2d 207; S. v. Swing, 227 N.C. 535, 42 S.E. 2d 676; S. v. Godwin, 227 N.C. 449, 42 S.E. 2d 617; S. v. Harris, 223 N.C. 697, 28 S.E. 2d 232; S. v. Smith, 221 N.C. 400, 20 S.E. 2d 360; S. v. Miller, 212 N.C. 361, 193 S.E. 388; S. v. Schoolfield, 184 N.C. 721, 114 S.E. 466.

We bold tbat on tbe present record tbe prosecution bas failed to make out a case against tbe appealing defendant. His demurrer to tbe evidence or motion for judgment in case of nonsuit will be allowed here. G.S. 15-173; S. v. Ray, 229 N.C. 40, 47 S.E. 2d 494; S. v. Minton, 228 N.C. 518, 46 S.E. 2d 296; S. v. Wrenn, 198 N.C. 260, 151 S.E. 261.

Reversed.