An unpublished opinion of the North Carolina Court of Appeals does not constitute controlling legal authority. Citation is disfavored, but may be permitted in accordance with the provisions of Rule 30(e)(3) of the North Carolina Rules of Appellate Procedure.
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF NORTH CAROLINA
No. COA23-811
Filed 4 June 2025
Cabarrus County, No. 19 CRS 53376
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
v.
JASON HARKEY, Defendant.
Appeal by Defendant from judgment entered 10 October 2022 by Judge Athena
Fox Brooks in Cabarrus County Superior Court. Heard in the Court of Appeals 24
January 2024.
Attorney General Jeff Jackson, by Assistant Attorney General Thomas H. Moore, for the State.
Attorney William D. Spence, for defendant-appellant.
PER CURIAM.
This case involves the shooting of an armed individual during an intrafamily
dispute. Jason Harkey (“Defendant”) appeals from final judgment, claiming the trial
court committed prejudicial and reversible error by denying his motion to dismiss the
charge of second-degree murder and by instructing the jury on the aggressor doctrine.
Federal and North Carolina jurisprudence confirms the natural right of self-defense STATE V. HARKEY
Opinion of the Court
is available unless one acts in a manner that merits forfeiture. See District of
Columbia v. Heller, 554 U.S. 570, 592, 128 S. Ct. 2783, 2797 (2008) (“[I]t has always
been widely understood that the Second Amendment, like the First and Fourth
Amendments, codified a pre-existing right.”). See also State v. Huntly, 25 N.C. 418,
422 (1843) (“While [the bill of rights in this State] secures to [every man] a right of
which he cannot be deprived, it holds forth the duty in execution of which that right
is to be exercised.”). The General Assembly codified and supplanted the common law
right to perfect self-defense in enacting N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 14-51.2–.4 (2023). See
State v. McLymore, 380 N.C. 185, 190, 868 S.E.2d 67, 72 (2022) (“Although not
expressly stated, the General Assembly’s intention to abolish the common law right
to perfect self-defense is unmistakable.”). North Carolina law establishes that one
acting as the initial provocateur of the use of force against oneself—the aggressor—
in a confrontation, stands to lose their claim of self-defense. See N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-
51.4; see also State v. Hicks, 385 N.C. 52, 60, 891 S.E.2d 235, 241 (2023). The result
of this case thus hinges on the actions of Defendant and whether there is threshold
evidence that he acted as the aggressor. See State v. Mumma, 372 N.C. 226, 239 n.2,
827 S.E.2d 288, 297 (2019). A meticulous examination of the record leads us to
conclude the trial court did not commit error by denying Defendant’s motion to
dismiss, but did commit error by instructing the jury on the aggressor doctrine. Since
the record does not contain the jury’s rationale underlying its verdict—showing
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whether it employed the erroneous instruction to reach its decision—we vacate the
judgment and remand for a new trial.
I. Background
On the evening of 19 August 2019, law enforcement officers and other
emergency responders were dispatched to a residence in Cabarrus County in
reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Deputy Jacob
Hickman observed Defendant “with his hands up in the yard . . . walking in [his]
direction.” Deputy Hickman detained Defendant. Inside the house where the
shooting took place (“Thompson residence”), a paramedic with Cabarrus County
Emergency Medical Services (“EMS”) found Mr. Arthur Lynn Thompson (“Mr.
Thompson”) lying on the kitchen floor. Mr. Thompson had no pulse and was not
breathing. In response, EMS attempted to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(“CPR”). A cardiac monitor reading, which measures the electrical activity of the
heart, determined Mr. Thompson had “flat line[d].” The State’s expert witness, a
medical examiner and forensic pathologist, later determined Mr. Thompson’s cause
of death resulted from a single .25 caliber gunshot wound to his chest.
Two .380 caliber handguns and one .44 caliber revolver were found in the
kitchen with Mr. Thompson. Both .380 caliber handguns were holstered on Mr.
Thompson’s person. The .44 caliber revolver was in Mr. Thompson’s right hand—
with his finger inside of the trigger guard—until Mrs. Judy Thompson (“Mrs.
Thompson”) removed it to give him CPR. Law enforcement located a .25 caliber
-3- STATE V. HARKEY
derringer pistol in the bed of a truck. The truck was parked in a shared driveway
located between the Thompson residence and Defendant’s residence. The .25 caliber,
single action, “two-shot pistol” belonged to Defendant, who is Mr. Thompson’s stepson
and Mrs. Thompson’s son. On 9 September 2019, a grand jury returned a true bill of
indictment charging Defendant with second-degree murder. On 3 October 2022,
Defendant’s jury trial commenced.
The only witness to the shooting was Mrs. Thompson—Defendant’s mother and
Mr. Thompson’s wife of seven years. Mrs. Thompson’s testimony tended to show the
following: Around 8:30 p.m. on 19 August 2019, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were
watching television in their living room when the doorbell rang. Although Mrs.
Thompson “normally [ ] answered the door,” Mr. Thompson responded on this
occasion. She “did not hear any arguing at all,” but became concerned because “it
seemed like it was taking just a little bit longer,” and thought “well, who is it[?]” Mrs.
Thompson “started to the door” and passed Mr. Thompson in the kitchen as he said,
“It’s [Defendant] . . . You need to take care of this or I’ll take care of him.” Mr.
Thompson relayed that Defendant had said, “This light . . . . It’s so bright. It’s all
over my house.” Mrs. Thompson told Mr. Thompson to “just go on,” and she would
“take care of it.” Mrs. Thompson went to the door to tell Defendant, “Just go on home”
because she would “handle it.”
When answering the door, Mrs. Thompson did not see a gun in Defendant’s
hand. Next, she heard Defendant exclaim, “Mom, he’s got a gun.” She also saw a gun
-4- STATE V. HARKEY
in Mr. Thompson’s hand and heard him say, “something about shooting.” Defendant
“moved [Mrs. Thompson] out of the way because he said [Mr. Thompson’s] arm was
going up with a gun in it.” At that point, Defendant fired a single round from the .25
caliber handgun at Mr. Thompson. Mrs. Thompson turned around to see Mr.
Thompson’s right hand raised, holding a gun, while his left hand grabbed his shirt.
She noted, Mr. Thompson’s gun was “up,” and no longer “down by his side.” Mrs.
Thompson added she did not hear Defendant threaten Mr. Thompson, nor did he
appear aggressive, “just upset.” She stated Defendant “was wanting to know . . . what
he had done to bring [Mr. Thompson] back to putting the light back up . . . to start
this all over again . . . .” Mrs. Thompson called 911 and attempted to perform CPR
on Mr. Thompson. Before attempting CPR, Mrs. Thompson removed the .44 caliber
revolver from Mr. Thompson’s hand. When doing so, she observed that Mr.
Thompson’s finger was “inside the trigger well,” and he “was holding [the firearm] as
tight as he could . . . .”
Mrs. Thompson also gave a statement to law enforcement just after the events
on 19 August 2019, which was received into evidence by the trial court during her
direct examination. Mrs. Thompson noted the statement was mostly correct,
“[e]xcept with a few flaws in it.” One flaw she cited in the statement was that she
“began to push [Defendant] back.” At trial, Mrs. Thompson said, “I never did push
[Defendant] . . . I put my hands up. I never did push him.” She clarified, “[w]hen
[Mr. Thompson] came around and I heard him say something about shoot, and I said,
-5- STATE V. HARKEY
[n]o. And that’s when I put my hands up and [Defendant] pushed my hands.” She
further explained, “Not pushed. He just moved me gently.” The remaining flaw noted
during Mrs. Thompson’s testimony concerned the statement: “No one else had come
to the house except police and EMS.” At trial, Mrs. Thompson corrected her account
to include that two other family members came into the Thompson residence to
administer CPR on Mr. Thompson.
After the events on 19 August 2019, Defendant was transported to the
Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office and interviewed by Detective Chris Smith. That
interview was recorded. It was received into evidence by the trial court and played
on a television for the jury’s viewing. Defendant’s interview tended to show: Mr. and
Mrs. Thompson married shortly after Defendant’s biological father had passed away.
After Mr. and Mrs. Thompson married, they resided in Defendant’s childhood home—
the Thompson residence. On 19 August 2019, a bright light from next door was
shining in Defendant’s house. Defendant went to the Thompson residence and
knocked on the door to request that the light be turned off. In conformity with Mrs.
Thompson’s testimony, Defendant stated he had a .25 caliber pistol concealed in his
pocket. Mr. Thompson answered the door with two .380 caliber handguns holstered
on either side of his person. Defendant stated Mr. Thompson carried one or two
firearms “all the time.” He claimed, “it’s a normal thing for [Mr. Thompson] to carry
pistols on both sides like a damn cowboy.”
-6- STATE V. HARKEY
Since Mrs. Thompson initially did not hear anything, the only account of the
events leading to Mr. Thomspon retrieving a third firearm come from Defendant:
[DEFENDANT]: I went up there and I knock on the door.
DETECTIVE SMITH: Side door over by the carport?
[DEFENDANT]: Yeah, by the carport. [H]e come out, can I help you? I said, can you please turn I said, it’s the same thing. I said, you do that to antagonize me and piss me off because you want some kind of reaction. I said, just turn the lights off please. And then, well you need to leave, you need to get out of my house. I said, I’m standing on the step outside your door.
DETECTIVE SMITH: Out in the carport.
[DEFENDANT]: On the carport.
DETECTIVE SMITH: Okay.
[DEFENDANT]: I said, and plus, I got verbal confirmation from my mother to be here because you know, I’ve been here longer than you . . . . I understand you’re married to my mom or whatever, but this is my childhood home. I said, can you please turn the lights off or go get mom and let me talk to her. At least she can talk to you. So . . . he shut the door and I went to try to leave and the door opened up again. He come out, you better not try to come in here. . . . He wears like a gun here, two guns here or one and two and this and that.
DETECTIVE SMITH: All that regular--
[DEFENDANT]: All the time.
...
[DEFENDANT]: So, I was talking to my mom and when she came to the door and he disappeared and when he came
-7- STATE V. HARKEY
back, he was brandishing a handgun in his hand.
After Mrs. Thompson arrived at the door, Defendant recalled:
[DEFENDANT]: Well, [Mr. Thompson] . . . walked up behind her with the gun and [ ]he’s like, you better get him outta here, I’m gonna shoot him. . . .
[DEFENDANT]: [W]henever [Mr. Thompson] said, get him outta here, I’m gonna shoot him. [Mrs. Thompson’s] like, put your gun up, he’s got one too. [Mr. Thompson’s] like, I’m gonna shoot him. And when [Mr. Thompson] said that, I mean, he’s standing behind my mom. And –
DETECTIVE SMITH: How many times did you shoot?
[DEFENDANT]: Once.
Defendant stated he was in fear for his life and his mother’s life because Mr.
Thompson “had the gun in his hand behind her back.” He elaborated, Mr. Thompson
“has threatened me multiple times . . . and I was in fear for my life.” Defendant also
said, “I never wanted to hurt [Mr. Thompson] and I don’t think [Mr. Thompson] ever
wanted to hurt me.” Defendant explained that his gun remained concealed in his
pocket. But Defendant saw Mr. Thompson openly “brandish[ ] his weapon” and his
“arm moving.” In response, Defendant fired a shot toward Mr. Thompson. Defendant
maintained he “never opened the door,” “never went into” the Thompson residence,
and “never tried to force [his] way in or anything like that.” He “turned and walked
off because . . . if [Mr. Thompson] was gonna shoot back, [he] wasn’t gonna hang
around and wait for it.” Defendant’s wife then called 911 to report the incident and
-8- STATE V. HARKEY
he placed his weapon on the tailgate of his truck because he “tried to get prepared
and be respectful.”
During Defendant’s trial, he moved to dismiss the second-degree murder
charge at the close of the State’s evidence, arguing that it had not presented sufficient
evidence. The trial court denied Defendant’s motion. Defendant renewed his motion
to dismiss at the end of all evidence. His motion was again denied. The trial court
instructed the jury on second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter. It also
instructed the jury on self-defense. Over Defendant’s objection during the charge
conference, the trial court instructed the jury on the aggressor doctrine. After
deliberating, the jury found Defendant guilty of second-degree murder. The jury’s
verdict sheet does not show whether the jury disbelieved Defendant had acted in self-
defense, or thought he was the aggressor. Instead, it simply shows a check mark by
the selection of guilty of second-degree murder. For his conviction of the B1 felony
and having no prior criminal record, the trial court sentenced Defendant to a
minimum term of imprisonment of 220 months and maximum term of 276 months.
Defendant entered his notice of appeal in open court.
II. Jurisdiction
This Court has jurisdiction to consider Defendant’s appeal pursuant to N.C.
Gen. Stat. §§ 7A-27(b)(1) (2023) (“From any final judgment of a superior court . . . .”)
and 15A-1444(a) (2023) (“A defendant who has entered a plea of not guilty to a
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criminal charge, and who has been found guilty of a crime, is entitled to appeal as a
matter of right when final judgment has been entered.”).
III. Analysis
Defendant first argues the State presented insufficient evidence allowing the
trial court to submit the charge of second-degree murder to the jury. Defendant next
argues the trial court committed error by instructing the jury on the aggressor
doctrine because insufficient evidence supports the inference that he was the
aggressor.
A. Motion to Dismiss
Defendant contends the trial court erroneously denied his motion to dismiss
because the State presented insufficient evidence as to the elements of second-degree
murder. More specifically, Defendant maintains the State’s evidence is insufficient
to demonstrate that he unlawfully shot and killed Mr. Thompson because he acted in
self-defense. After careful consideration, we disagree.
“Whether the State presented substantial evidence of each essential element
of the offense is a question of law; therefore, we review the denial of a motion to
dismiss de novo.” State v. Crockett, 368 N.C. 717, 720, 782 S.E.2d 878, 881 (2016).
“Under a de novo review, the court considers the matter anew and freely substitutes
its own judgment for that of the lower tribunal.” State v. Clemons, 274 N.C. App. 401,
409, 852 S.E.2d 671, 676 (2020) (citation omitted).
- 10 - STATE V. HARKEY
“Upon defendant’s motion for dismissal, the question for the Court is whether
there is substantial evidence (1) of each essential element of the offense charged, or
of a lesser offense included therein, and (2) of defendant’s being the perpetrator of
such offense.” State v. Fritsch, 351 N.C. 373, 378, 526 S.E.2d 451, 455 (2000).
“Substantial evidence is such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept
as adequate to support a conclusion.” State v. Smith, 300 N.C. 71, 78–79, 265 S.E.2d
164, 169 (1980). If the record contains “substantial evidence, whether direct or
circumstantial, or a combination, ‘to support a finding that the offense charged has
been committed and that the defendant committed it, the case is for the jury and the
motion to dismiss should be denied.’” State v. Winkler, 368 N.C. 572, 575–76, 780
S.E.2d 824, 826 (2015) (quoting State v. Locklear, 322 N.C. 349, 358, 368 S.E.2d 377,
383 (1988)). But, if “the evidence raises no more than a suspicion of guilt, a motion
to dismiss should be granted.” State v. Bradshaw, 366 N.C. 90, 93, 728 S.E.2d 345,
347 (2012) (citation omitted).
“In ruling on a motion to dismiss, the trial court must view all of the evidence
in the light most favorable to the State, giving the State the benefit of every
reasonable inference to be drawn from the evidence.” State v. McAllister, 138 N.C.
App. 252, 259, 530 S.E.2d 859, 864 (2000). In determining whether evidence is
substantial, a court must apply the following test:
The trial court is not required to determine that the evidence excludes every reasonable hypothesis of innocence prior to denying the defendant’s motion to
- 11 - STATE V. HARKEY
dismiss. The test of the sufficiency of the evidence to withstand the motion is the same whether the evidence is direct, circumstantial or both. That test is whether a reasonable inference of the defendant’s guilt may be drawn from the evidence. If so the evidence is substantial and the defendant’s motion to dismiss must be denied.
State v. Malloy, 309 N.C. 176, 178–79, 305 S.E.2d 718, 720 (1983) (internal citations
omitted).
“Second-degree murder is defined as ‘(1) the unlawful killing, (2) of another
human being, (3) with malice, but (4) without premeditation and deliberation.’” State
v. Arrington, 371 N.C. 518, 523, 819 S.E.2d 329, 332 (2018) (citation omitted).
Second-degree murder is “a general intent crime.” State v. Coble, 351 N.C. 448, 449,
527 S.E.2d 45, 46 (2000). “General-intent crimes are crimes which only require the
doing of some act.” State v. Oakman, 191 N.C. App. 796, 800, 663 S.E.2d 453, 457
(2008) (citation omitted). “Intent to kill is not a necessary element of second-degree
murder, but there must be an intentional act sufficient to show malice.” State v. Rich,
351 N.C. 386, 395, 527 S.E.2d 299, 304 (2000) (quoting State v. Brewer, 328 N.C. 515,
522, 402 S.2.2d 380, 385 (1991)).
Defendant contends he had a reasonable belief it was necessary to kill Mr.
Thompson to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself. E.g., State v. Hamilton,
77 N.C. App. 506, 513, 335 S.E.2d 506, 510–11 (1985) (“Of the . . . elements of murder
and voluntary manslaughter, only the unlawfulness of the killing is seriously
disputed here. Defendant’s contention is that the killing was justified as a matter of
- 12 - STATE V. HARKEY
law by self-defense . . . .”). “A person who kills another is not guilty of murder if the
killing was an act of self[-]defense.” Id. “The concept of self-defense emerged in the
law as a recognition of a ‘primary impulse’ that is an ‘inherent right’ of all human
beings.” State v. Moore, 363 N.C. 793, 796, 688 S.E.2d 447, 449 (2010) (citation
omitted). North Carolina recognizes two types of self-defense: perfect and imperfect.
State v. Reid, 335 N.C. 647, 670, 440 S.E.2d 776, 789 (1994).
Perfect self-defense applies “when the evidence presented at trial tends to show
that, at the time of the killing”:
(1) it appeared to defendant and he believed it to be necessary to kill the deceased in order to save himself from death or great bodily harm; and
(2) defendant’s belief was reasonable in that the circumstances as they appeared to him at the time were sufficient to create such a belief in the mind of a person of ordinary firmness; and
(3) defendant was not the aggressor in bringing on the affray, i.e., he did not aggressively and willingly enter into the fight without legal excuse or provocation; and
(4) defendant did not use excessive force, i.e., did not use more force than was necessary or reasonably appeared to him to be necessary under the circumstances to protect himself from death or great bodily harm.
State v. Harvey, 372 N.C. 304, 307–08, 828 S.E.2d 481, 483 (2019) (citations omitted);
see also State v. Kirby, 206 N.C. App. 446, 452–53, 697 S.E.2d 496, 500–01 (2010)
(providing the elements of perfect self-defense because the defendant argued “the
- 13 - STATE V. HARKEY
trial court erred by denying his motion to dismiss the charge of second-degree murder
. . . on the ground that he acted in self-defense”).
“The doctrine of imperfect self-defense applies when the evidence supports a
determination that only the first two elements in the preceding quotation existed at
the time of the killing, in which case the defendant would be guilty of the lesser
included offense of voluntary manslaughter.” Harvey, 372 N.C. at 308, 828 S.E.2d at
484 (citation omitted); see also State v. Hairston, 269 N.C. App. 52, 56–57, 837 S.E.2d
157, 162 (2019) (providing the elements of imperfect self-defense because the
defendant argued “that the evidence warranted dismissal under the doctrine of self-
defense”).
“[A]fter the General Assembly’s enactment of N.C. [Gen. Stat.] § 14-51.3, there
is only one way a criminal defendant can claim perfect self-defense: by invoking the
statutory right to perfect self-defense.” McLymore, 380 N.C. at 191, 868 S.E.2d at
72. Indeed, “[s]ection 14-51.3 supplants the common law on all aspects of the law of
self-defense addressed by its provisions.” Id. “Therefore, when a defendant in a
criminal case claims perfect self-defense, the applicable provisions of N.C. [Gen. Stat.]
§ 14-51.3—and, by extension, the disqualifications provided under [Gen. Stat.] § 14-
51.4—govern.” Id. at 191, 868 S.E.2d at 73. That said, “[s]ection 14-51.3 closely
tracks th[e] earlier common law definition of the right to self-defense in providing
that an individual may use force ‘against another when and to the extent that the
person reasonably believes that the conduct is necessary to defend himself or herself
- 14 - STATE V. HARKEY
or another against the other’s imminent use of unlawful force.’” Id. at 191, 868 S.E.2d
at 72 (citation omitted).
In the context of murder and voluntary manslaughter, when self-defense is
asserted, “[t]he State bears the burden of proving that [the] defendant did not act in
self-defense.” Hamilton, 77 N.C. App. at 513, 335 S.E.2d at 511; see also State v.
Herbin, 298 N.C. 441, 445, 259 S.E.2d 263, 267 (1979); see also State v. Ammons, 167
N.C. App. 721, 725, 606 S.E.2d 400, 403 (2005). “To survive a motion to dismiss, the
State must therefore present sufficient substantial evidence which, when taken in
the light most favorable to the State, is sufficient to convince a rational trier of fact
that defendant did not act in self-defense.” Hamilton, 77 N.C. App. at 513, 335 S.E.2d
at 511; see also Kirby, 206 N.C. App. at 453, 697 S.E.2d at 501; see also State v.
Madonna, 256 N.C. App. 112, 116, 806 S.E.2d 356, 361 (2017); see also State v.
Presson, 229 N.C. App. 325, 329, 747 S.E.2d 651, 655 (2013); see also Ammons, 167
N.C. App. at 725, 606 S.E.2d at 403.
Here, Mrs. Thompson’s testimony and statement, and certain portions of
Defendant’s interview, may have established he reasonably believed it to be
necessary to kill Mr. Thompson to save himself or Mrs. Thompson from death or great
bodily harm. See Harvey, 372 N.C. at 307–08, 828 S.E.2d at 483; see also McLymore,
380 N.C. at 191, 868. S.E.2d at 72. Yet other evidence tended to show a discrepancy
in Defendant’s contention that he had a reasonable belief of the necessity to kill Mr.
Thompson. For example, sometime during his interview with Detective Smith,
- 15 - STATE V. HARKEY
Defendant stated Mr. Thompson “has threatened me multiple times . . . and I was in
fear for my life.” But Defendant also stated during the interview, “I don’t think [Mr.
Thompson] ever wanted to hurt me.”
Our precedents establish contradictions or discrepancies are best left for
resolution by the jury. See Fritsch, 351 N.C. at 379, 526 S.E.2d at 455
(“Contradictions and discrepancies do not warrant dismissal of the case but are for
the jury to resolve.”); see also Malloy, 309 N.C. at 179, 305 S.E.2d at 720
(“[C]ontradictions and discrepancies are to be resolved in favor of the State.”); see also
State v. Revels, 153 N.C. App. 163, 168, 569 S.E.2d 15, 18 (2002) (“The evidence
offered by defendant provided a conflicting account of what occurred and indicated
that defendant acted in self-defense. However, contradictions in the evidence remain
for the jurors to resolve.”). “In ‘borderline’ or close cases, our courts have consistently
expressed a preference for submitting issues to the jury, both in reliance on the
common sense and fairness of the twelve and to avoid unnecessary appeals.”
Hamilton, 77 N.C. App. at 512, 335 S.E.2d at 510 (citations omitted); see also State v.
Yisrael, 255 N.C. App. 184, 193, 804 S.E.2d 742, 747 (2017).
Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, a juror could
reasonably infer that Defendant did not “believe[ ] it to be necessary to kill the
deceased in order to save himself from death or great bodily harm.” Harvey, 372 N.C.
at 307–08, 828 S.E.2d at 483 (citation omitted); see also McLymore, 380 N.C. at 191,
868. S.E.2d at 72. We thus hold the State presented substantial evidence to survive
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Defendant’s motion to dismiss. Hamilton, 77 N.C. App. at 513, 335 S.E.2d at 511.
Defendant’s argument on this ground is overruled.
B. Jury Instructions
Defendant argues the trial court erroneously instructed the jury on the
aggressor doctrine. In particular, Defendant maintains the inclusion of the aggressor
doctrine amounts to reversible error because the State presented insufficient
evidence that he was the initial aggressor, and as a result, he suffered prejudice. See
N.C. Gen. Stat §§ 14-51.4 and 15A-1443(a) (2023). Having meticulously considered
the evidence, in a light most favorable to the State, we agree.
1. Standard of review
“It is the duty of the trial court to instruct the jury on all substantial features
of a case raised by the evidence.” State v. Shaw, 322 N.C. 797, 803, 370 S.E.2d 546,
549 (1988). “Where a defendant properly objects at trial to jury instructions, a
defendant’s arguments ‘challenging the trial court’s decisions regarding jury
instructions are reviewed de novo by this Court.’” State v. Scarboro, 287 N.C. App.
184, 186, 882 S.E.2d 139, 142 (2022) (citation omitted). “Under a de novo review, the
court considers the matter anew and freely substitutes its own judgment for that of
the lower tribunal.” Clemons, 274 N.C. App. at 409, 852 S.E.2d at 676 (citation
“Additionally, we review such challenges for harmless error.” State v. Pierre,
269 N.C. App. 90, 94, 837 S.E.2d 151, 154 (2019); see also State v. Leaks, 379 N.C. 57,
- 17 - STATE V. HARKEY
61, 864 S.E.2d 217, 220 (2021) (“When a party properly preserves an objection to a
jury instruction, appellate courts review the instruction for harmless error pursuant
to N.C. [Gen. Stat.] § 15A-1443(a).”). To that end, our Supreme Court previously
determined:
As a general proposition, a defendant seeking to obtain appellate relief on the basis of an error to which he or she lodged an appropriate contemporaneous objection at trial must establish that “there is a reasonable possibility that, had the error in question not been committed, a different result would have been reached at the trial out of which the appeal arises.” However, the history of this Court’s decisions in cases involving the submission of similar erroneous instructions and our consistent insistence that jury verdicts concerning a defendant’s guilt or innocence have an adequate evidentiary foundation persuade us that instructional errors like the one at issue in this case are exceedingly serious and merit close scrutiny to ensure that there is no “reasonable possibility” that the jury convicted the defendant on the basis of such an unsupported legal theory.
State v. Malachi, 371 N.C. 719, 738, 821 S.E.2d 407, 421 (2018) (quoting N.C. Gen.
Stat. § 15A-1443(a)).
At trial, Defendant objected to the inclusion of the aggressor doctrine in the
instructions submitted to the jury. In doing so, he argued the evidence offered was
insufficient to support the inference he was the aggressor and preserved his objection.
Accordingly, we proceed with harmless error review. See Leaks, 379 N.C. at 61, 864
S.E.2d at 220; see also Malachi, 371 N.C. at 738, 821 S.E.2d at 421.
- 18 - STATE V. HARKEY
2. The Aggressor Doctrine
“[T]he defenses pursuant to N.C. [Gen. Stat.] §§ 14-51.2 and 14-51.3 ‘[are] not
available to someone who [i]nitially provokes the use of force against himself or
herself.’ This is what is commonly known as the aggressor doctrine.” Hicks, 385 N.C.
at 60, 891 S.E.2d at 241 (second and third brackets in original) (quoting N.C. Gen.
Stat. § 14-51.4 (2021)). Put another way, “[t]he aggressor doctrine provides that a
defendant may not receive the benefit of self-defense if he was the aggressor.” State
v. Lee, 258 N.C. App. 122, 126, 811 S.E.2d 233, 236 (2018). A defendant is properly
classified as an aggressor if he “aggressively and willingly enter[s] into the fight
without legal excuse or provocation[.]” State v. Norris, 303 N.C. 526, 530, 279 S.E.2d
570, 572 (1981). A defendant may also be considered an aggressor if there is “evidence
from which the jury could find that defendant voluntarily entered a fight with the
deceased based on her use of abusive language calculated to bring on such a
fight . . . .” State v. Temples, 74 N.C. App. 106, 109, 327 S.E.2d 266, 268 (1985).
Indeed, “a person is entitled under the law of self-defense to harm another only if he
is ‘without fault in provoking, or engaging in, or continuing a difficulty with another.’”
State v. Hunter, 315 N.C. 371, 374, 338 S.E.2d 99, 102 (1986) (citation omitted).
“In determining whether a self-defense instruction should discuss the
aggressor doctrine, the relevant issue is simply whether the record contains evidence
from which the jury could infer that the defendant was acting as an aggressor at the
time that he or she allegedly acted in self-defense.” Mumma, 372 N.C. at 239 n.2,
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827 S.E.2d at 297 (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). “[T]he evidence
must be considered in the light most favorable to the State. The State must be given
the benefit of every reasonable inference to be drawn from the evidence and any
contradictions in the evidence are to be resolved in favor of the State.” Hicks, 385
N.C. at 61, 891 S.E.2d at 241 (citations omitted).
When assessing which party was the aggressor, our courts consider a battery
of different factors, “including the circumstances that precipitated the altercation; the
presence or use of weapons; the degree and proportionality of the parties’ use of
defensive force; the nature and severity of the parties’ injuries; or whether there is
evidence that one party attempted to abandon the fight.” State v. Corbett, 269 N.C.
App. 509, 566, 839 S.E.2d 361, 403 (2020) (citations omitted). “When there is no
evidence that a defendant was the initial aggressor, it is reversible error for the trial
court to instruct the jury on the aggressor doctrine of self-defense.” State v. Juarez,
369 N.C. 351, 358, 794 S.E.2d 293, 300 (2016). But “[w]hen there is conflicting
evidence as to which party was the aggressor, the jury, as the finders of fact, are . . .
entitled to determine which of the parties, if either, is the aggressor.” Lee, 258 N.C.
App. at 127, 811 S.E.2d at 237 (citation omitted).
The previous decisions of our courts demonstrate an inquiry of this nature is
fact-intensive, and our analysis thus rests on what a juror could reasonably infer from
the record evidence. See Hicks, 385 N.C. at 61–62, 891 S.E.2d at 242 (“Properly
viewed, the record contained significant evidence from which the jury could
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reasonably infer that [the defendant] acted as the aggressor.”); see also State v.
Vaughn, 227 N.C. App. 198, 204, 742 S.E.2d 276, 280 (2013) (“[W]e hold that the
evidence presented at trial was insufficient to support the [aggressor]
instruction . . . .”); see also Corbett, 269 N.C. App. at 573, 839 S.E.2d at 407 (“In the
instant case, the undisputed evidence—viewed in the light most favorable to the
State—simply does not support that anyone but [the decedent] was the aggressor in
the altercation on 2 August 2015.”). Here, we are tasked with determining whether
the record contains sufficient evidence from which the jury could infer Defendant was
acting as an aggressor at the time he allegedly acted in self-defense. Mumma, 372
N.C. at 239 n.2, 827 S.E.2d at 297.
Here, Mrs. Thompson’s testimony tended to show: (1) although both parties
were armed at the start of the encounter, Mr. Thompson was the only person to
brandish a firearm after he retrieved his revolver from the bedroom; (2) Mr.
Thompson uttered the phrase “shoot” or “shooting” towards Defendant before
Defendant discharged his weapon; (3) after being shot, but before collapsing, Mr.
Thompson’s revolver was raised in Defendant’s direction; and (4) when Mrs.
Thompson went to Mr. Thompson’s aid after he collapsed, she found his finger inside
“the trigger well,” and “he was holding [the gun] as tight as he could.”
As to Defendant’s recorded interview, the evidence tends to show: (1) Mr.
Thompson was the first person to introduce a deadly weapon to the conversation; (2)
Defendant introduced his firearm after Mr. Thompson retrieved the .44 caliber
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revolver from the bedroom and brandished it; (3) after retrieving the .44 caliber
revolver, Mr. Thompson verbally threatened Defendant by stating to Mrs. Thompson,
“you better get him outta here, I’m gonna shoot him”; and (4) Defendant only fired
his weapon at Mr. Thompson after he saw Mr. Thompson’s “hand moving in an
upward position” while holding the .44 caliber revolver.
Considering factors employed by our Courts, the evidence is insufficient to
permit a juror to infer that Defendant was the aggressor when he shot Mr. Thompson.
Corbett, 269 N.C. App. at 566, 839 S.E.2d at 403. Defendant’s statement and Mrs.
Thompson’s testimony establish that Mr. Thompson first brandished a weapon, the
.44 caliber revolver, and raised his arm after uttering the phrase “shoot” or “shooting.”
This evidence supports the inference that the only party to threaten the use of a
weapon was Mr. Thompson. See id. It also shows that Mr. Thompson “precipitated
the altercation,” and Defendant fired his weapon in response to Mr. Thompson’s
escalation. See id. Finally, from these facts, a juror could also infer that Defendant’s
resulting use of defensive force was proportional—having fired only once. See id.
Without evidence tending to show Defendant was the aggressor, the trial court’s
aggressor jury instruction was in error. Mumma, 372 N.C. at 239 n.2, 827 S.E.2d at
297.
The State argues the evidence supported the inference that Defendant was the
aggressor since Defendant showed up at the Thompson residence armed and
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uninvited, argued with Mr. Thompson, and refused to leave despite being asked on
several occasions. We are unpersuaded.
The evidence shows throughout the disagreement, Mrs. Thompson stepped in,
and Defendant repeatedly expressed a desire to converse only with her. Although the
parties disagreed over the light, and even argued, no evidence supports the inference
that Defendant used “abusive language” that was calculated for the purposes of
bringing on a fight. Temples, 74 N.C. App. at 109, 327 S.E.2d at 268. When Mr.
Thompson refused to turn off the light, Defendant responded, “just . . . get [Mrs.
Thompson]. . . . I don’t want to talk to you anymore, I wanna talk to my Momma.”
Contrary to the State’s arguments, the record evidence does not support the inference
that Defendant “provoke[d] the use of force” against himself. Hicks, 385 N.C. at 60,
891 S.E.2d at 241 (citation and quotation marks omitted).
Although Defendant was armed with a two-shot .25 caliber derringer in his
pocket when he approached the Thompson residence, Defendant never exposed the
firearm or threatened to use it. Our courts have previously determined the mere
possession of a firearm, standing alone, is not evidence that a defendant was the
aggressor in the affray. See Corbett, 269 N.C. App. at 569, 839 S.E.2d at 405 (“The
mere fact that a defendant was armed is not evidence that he was the aggressor if he
made no unlawful use of his weapon.”); see also State v. Alston, 228 N.C. 555, 557, 46
S.E.2d 567, 568 (1948) (awarding a new trial because “the fact that the defendant had
a pistol in his pocket, but had made no unlawful use of it prior to the attack upon him
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by the deceased, would not deprive the defendant of his legal right of self-defense.”);
see also State v. Tann, 57 N.C. App. 527, 531, 291 S.E.2d 824, 827 (1982) (“The [S]tate
urges upon us that defendant, who anticipated the confrontation, armed himself with
a .38 caliber pistol, and failed to avoid the fight, was somehow responsible for causing
the altercation. These observations do not in any way suggest that defendant was
the provocator, however.”); see also Vaughn, 227 N.C. App. at 203, 742 S.E.2d at 279–
80 (“Defendant’s decision to arm herself and leave the vehicle, while perhaps unwise,
was not, in and of itself, evidence that she brought on the difficulty, ‘aggressively and
willingly’ entered the fight, or intended to continue the altercation.”).
Viewing all of the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, we hold
that the trial court erred by instructing the jury on the aggressor doctrine. See Hicks,
385 N.C. at 61, 891 S.E.2d at 241. The only available evidence to determine whether
Defendant was the aggressor comes from Defendant’s recorded interview, Mrs.
Thompson’s written statement, and Mrs. Thompson’s testimony at trial. Since the
evidence does not tend to show Defendant using abusive language, seeking the fight,
or precipitating the altercation, the trial court’s instruction of the aggressor doctrine
instruction was erroneous. See Corbett, 269 N.C. App. at 566, 839 S.E.2d at 403.
3. Prejudice
In final support of his contention, Defendant submits that “had the jury
instructions [omitted] the aggressor language, there is a reasonable possibility that
the jury would have reached a different result.” Our previous decision in State v.
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Tann is particularly instructive on the issue of prejudice as it relates to an erroneous
aggressor doctrine instruction. 57 N.C. App. 527, 291 S.E.2d 824.
In that case, the defendant “was tried for assault with a deadly weapon
inflicting serious injury” after he shot the victim twice during an altercation. Id. at
528, 291 S.E.2d at 826. On appeal, the defendant contended that the trial court “erred
in its instructions to the effect that self[-]defense was unavailable to the defendant if
he was the aggressor.” Id. at 530, 291 S.E.2d at 827. The defendant explained that
the evidence offered tended to support the inference that another person was “the
initial assailant.” Id. In rebuttal, the State argued that the defendant, “who
anticipated the confrontation, armed himself with a .38 caliber pistol, and failed to
avoid the fight, was somehow responsible for causing the altercation.” Id. at 531, 291
S.E.2d at 827.
Our Court agreed with the defendant and held that the evidence did not
support the inference that he had started the fight. Id. at 530, 291 S.E.2d at 827. As
to the State’s argument, the Court determined that possessing a firearm does “not in
any way suggest that defendant was the provocator . . . .” Id. at 531, 291 S.E.2d at
827. The Court noted that although the defendant received “an instruction on self[-
]defense,” he was “prejudiced by the further instruction that he could not avail
himself of the doctrine of self[-]defense if he . . . used excessive force or was the
aggressor.” Id. (citation omitted). The Court concluded the defendant had suffered
prejudice because “it could not be assumed ‘that the jury was more discriminating
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than the judge and ignored the erroneous instruction while applying the correct one.’”
Id. (quoting State v. Ward, 26 N.C. App. 159, 163, 215 S.E.2d 394, 397 (1975)).
Consequently, the Court awarded the defendant a new trial. Tann, 57 N.C. App. at
532, 291 S.E.2d at 827.
Here, Defendant requested that the trial court omit similar language from its
instruction to the jury as did the defendant in Tann: “The defendant is not entitled
to the benefit of self-defense if the defendant was the aggressor with the intent to kill
or inflict serious bodily harm upon the deceased.” “We have long held that a jury is
presumed to follow the instructions given to it by the trial court.” State v. Wiley, 355
N.C. 592, 637, 565 S.E.2d 22, 52 (2002). As in Tann, we cannot “assume[ ] ‘that the
jury was more discriminating than the judge and ignored the erroneous instruction
while applying the correct one.’” 57 N.C. App. at 531, 291 S.E.2d at 827 (quoting
Ward, 26 N.C. App. at 163, 215 S.E.2d at 397).
We also note the jury’s verdict sheet does not indicate whether it determined
Defendant was guilty of second-degree murder because it disbelieved Defendant had
acted in self-defense, or thought he was the aggressor. If the jury determined
Defendant did not act in self-defense and did not consider the aggressor doctrine, then
the verdict could stand because there would be no prejudice to Defendant. However,
the record contains no indication whether the jury concluded, in the alternative,
Defendant acted in self-defense but was the aggressor. If the jury concluded
Defendant was the aggressor, it would be unable to reach the issue of self-defense
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given the language included in the instructions: “The defendant is not entitled to the
benefit of self-defense if the defendant was the aggressor with the intent to kill or
inflict serious bodily harm upon the deceased.” Defendant was thus prejudiced by
the trial court’s inclusion of an aggressor instruction. See Vaughn, 227 N.C. App. at
204, 742 S.E.2d at 280 (citation omitted) (“[B]ecause it cannot be assumed ‘that the
jury was more discriminating than the judge and ignored the erroneous instruction
while applying the correct one,’ we hold that the court’s error was prejudicial and
award a new trial.”). Accordingly, we vacate the trial court’s judgment, entered on
Defendant’s conviction of second-degree murder, and remand for a new trial not
inconsistent with this opinion. See State v. Lee, 370 N.C. 671, 677, 811 S.E.2d 563,
567 (2018) (“Accordingly, we reverse the decision of the Court of Appeals and remand
this case . . . with instructions to vacate [the] defendant’s conviction and further
remand this case to the trial court for a new trial with proper instructions . . . .”).
IV. Conclusion
We hold the trial court did not commit prejudicial error by denying Defendant’s
motion to dismiss the charge of second-degree murder. However, since the record
does not contain evidence from which the jury could infer Defendant was the
aggressor, the trial court erroneously instructed the jury on the aggressor doctrine.
Further, since we cannot ascertain whether the jury considered Defendant the
aggressor, we vacate the judgment entered upon the jury’s verdict against Defendant
and remand for a new trial.
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NEW TRIAL.
Panel consisting of:
Judges TYSON, WOOD, and STADING.
Report per Rule 30(e).
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