State v. Gulledge

207 N.C. 374

Opinion

Stacy, O. J.

Tbe special verdict is fatally defective in tbat it fails to find tbe facts essential to an adjudication of tbe defendant’s guilt or innocence. S. v. Yount, 110 N. C., 597, 15 S. E., 231; S. v. Finlayson, 113 N. C., 628, 18 S. E., 200; S. v. Colonial Club, 154 N. C., 177, 69 S. E., 771; S. v. Hanner, 143 N. C., 632, 57 S. E., 154, 24 L. R. A. (N. S.), 1. Hence, a venire de novo must be ordered. S. v. Blue, 84 N. C., 807. Tbe case stands as if there bad been a mistrial. S. v. Curtis, 71 N. C., 56.

Rut defective as it is, tbe verdict is such as to warrant an appeal by tbe State. C. S., 4649; S. v. Ewing, 108 N. C., 755, 13 S. E., 10; S. v. Robinson, 116 N. C., 1046, 21 S. E., 701; S. v. Gillikin, 114 N. C., 832, 19 S. E., 152.

Venire de novo.