State v. Harrison

610 S.E.2d 407, 169 N.C. App. 257, 2005 N.C. App. LEXIS 608

• Court: Court of Appeals of North Carolina
• Decided: April 5, 2005
• Docket: COA04-515
• Status: Published

Opinions

TIMMONS-GOODSON, Judge.

Defendant appeals his conviction for second-degree kidnapping and obtaining habitual felon status. For the reasons discussed herein, we hold that defendant received a trial free of prejudicial error.

The State’s evidence presented at trial tends to show the following: On 4 August 2002, Karen Denise Robinson (“Robinson”) was walking in High Point when she was approached by defendant, who asked Robinson if “the street back there” was Centennial Street. Robinson replied that it was, and continued walking down the street. Defendant initially walked away from Robinson, but soon “turned around and ran and caught up with” her. Upon approaching Robinson for the second time, defendant asked Robinson where “the shelter” was located. Robinson provided defendant with directions to “aplace where they house men” and then “turned around from [defendant] to walk off[.]” However, defendant grabbed Robinson around her shoulder area and then attempted to drag her to the opposite side of the street. Robinson began screaming, and after defendant dragged her across the street, Robinson dropped to her knees to prevent defendant from further dragging her. Defendant then pushed Robinson to the ground and “dived on top of [her].” Robinson testified that, after pushing her to the ground, defendant reached his hand inside Robinson’s shirt and “fondled and put his hands all over me up here, and everywhere.”

Marcie Ruth Craig (“Craig”), who lived in a nearby residence, heard Robinson’s screams and yelled out of her window, “Ma’am, I’m calling the police right now.” A few minutes later, Craig returned to the window and yelled, “Ma’am, the police are on their way.” At this point, defendant “jumped up and ran . . . straight on out toward Centennial.”

High Point Police Department Officer Christy Gambill (“Officer Gambill”) was the first law enforcement officer to arrive at the scene. When Officer Gambill arrived, Robinson was “distraught, crying, upset” and talking to Craig and Craig’s husband. Robinson told Officer Gambill which direction her assailant had run, and Robinson stated that the individual “was wearing a white shirt and white pants.” Approximately thirty minutes after Officer Gambill arrived at the scene, High Point Police Department Officer Otis Hamilton (“Officer Hamilton”) radioed Officer Gambill and informed her that he had located an individual fitting the description of Robinson’s assailant. High Point Police Department Lieutenant Lawrence L. Casterline, Jr. (“Lieutenant Casterline”), directed Officer Gambill to drive Robinson to Officer Hamilton’s location “to do a show-up to see if that was the person.”

When Officer Gambill and Robinson arrived at Officer Hamilton’s location, defendant was sitting in the rear seat of Officer Hamilton’s patrol car. Immediately upon seeing defendant, Robinson told Officer Gambill, “ ‘That’s him, that’s him,’ and [Robinson] became very emotional and distraught.” Officer Gambill asked Robinson if she was “absolutely sure” that defendant was the individual who attacked her, and Robinson replied, “yes.” Defendant was then placed under arrest and transported to the High Point Police Department.

Upon arrival at the High Point Police Department, defendant was placed in a holding cell. While Officer Hamilton spoke with Lieutenant Casterline, defendant knocked on the door of the holding cell and told Officer Hamilton and Lieutenant Casterline that he would like to speak to them “about what had took place and what he was involved in.” Defendant then “voluntarily made several statements” to Officer Hamilton and Lieutenant Casterline, including telling the officers, “I’m your man, I’m your man.” According to Officer Hamilton, defendant told the officers “he approached a female after seeing her in the area of Kivett and North Centennial [,] . . . did follow her, and . . . approached [her] to ask her for directions.” Defendant told the officers that as the female gave him directions, he “grabbed her by the throat and began choking her.” Defendant “stated that it was important for him to be honest and to be accountable for his involvement in this incident[,]... [and] that he would just deal with the consequences of his actions.” He also explained that the female “was wearing a very short skirtf,] . . . that women in short skirts have always turned him on sexually[,] .. . that he had recently just gotten out of jail, and that he also had a girlfriend that was also locked up, and he missed her very dearly.” Defendant then provided the officers with the following written statement:

I asked this lady for direction^], and when I got up close to her I attacked her by grabbing her around the neck and choking her for no reason at all.

On 22 November 2002, defendant was indicted for misdemeanor assault on a female and second-degree kidnapping for the purpose of facilitating the commission of a felony. On 8 May 2003, a superceding indictment was filed, by which defendant was again charged with misdemeanor assault on a female and second-degree kidnapping. However, the superceding indictment alleged that defendant kidnapped Robinson “for the purpose of terrorizing” her rather than for the purpose of facilitating the commission of a felony. On 4 June 2003, defendant was indicted for obtaining habitual felon status.

On 29 September 2003, defendant filed a motion to suppress the evidence of Robinson’s identification of him. The trial court denied defendant’s motion, and defendant’s trial began the same day. At the close of the State’s evidence, defendant moved the trial court to dismiss the charge of second-degree kidnapping and to instruct the jury on false imprisonment. The trial court denied both motions and instructed the jury on second-degree kidnapping as well as misdemeanor assault on a female. On 30 September 2003, the jury found defendant guilty of second-degree kidnapping and misdemeanor assault on a female, and defendant pled guilty to obtaining habitual felon status. The trial court arrested judgment on the misdemeanor assault conviction and subsequently sentenced defendant to a total of 151 to 191 months incarceration. Defendant appeals.

We note initially that defendant’s brief contains arguments supporting only five of the eight original assignments of error. Pursuant to N.C.R. App. P. 28(b)(6) (2004), the three omitted assignments of error are deemed abandoned. Therefore, we limit our present review to those assignments of error properly preserved by defendant for appeal.

The issues on appeal are: (I) whether defendant received ineffective assistance of counsel; (II) whether the trial court erred by denying defendant’s motion to dismiss the charge of second-degree kidnapping; and (III) whether the trial court erred by denying defendant’s motion to instruct the jury on false imprisonment.

Defendant first argues that he is entitled to a new trial because he received ineffective assistance of counsel. Defendant asserts that his trial counsel’s failure to properly file a motion to suppress resulted in reversible error, in that his arrest resulted from an impermissibly suggestive identification procedure and any statements made by him were the fruit of a poisonous treé. We disagree.

“When a defendant attacks his conviction on the basis that counsel was ineffective, he must show that his counsel’s conduct fell below an objective standard of reasonableness.” State v. Braswell, 312 N.C. 553, 561-62, 324 S.E.2d 241, 248 (1985). In order to meet this burden, defendant must satisfy the following two-part test, expressed in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674, 693 (1984):

First, the defendant must show that counsel’s performance was deficient. This requires showing that counsel made errors so serious that counsel was not functioning as the “counsel” guaranteed the defendant by the Sixth Amendment. Second, the defendant must show that the deficient performance prejudiced the defense. This requires showing that counsel’s errors were so serious as to deprive the defendant of a fair trial, a trial whose result is reliable.

On appeal, this Court “engages in a presumption that trial counsel’s representation is within the boundaries of acceptable professional conduct.” State v. Roache, 358 N.C. 243, 280, 595 S.E.2d 381, 406 (2004). “The fact that counsel made an error, even an unreasonable error, does not warrant reversal of a conviction unless there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s errors, there would have been a different result in the proceedings.” Braswell, 312 N.C. at , 324 S.E.2d at 248. “Thus, if a reviewing court can determine at the outset that there is no reasonable probability that in the absence of counsel’s alleged errors the result of the proceeding would have been different, then the court need not determine whether counsel’s performance was actually deficient.” Id. at 563, 324 S.E.2dat 249.

In the instant case, the trial court rejected as untimely defendant’s motion to suppress the identification by Robinson. The trial court noted that defendant’s trial counsel filed the motion the day of trial and without an accompanying affidavit, despite the requirement that sworn affidavits accompany such motions and that such motions be made prior to trial and by 15 September 2003. After reviewing the record in the instant case, we conclude that even if defendant’s trial counsel’s actions were deficient, defendant is not entitled to relief because there was no meritorious basis to support the suppression of Robinson’s identification of him.

“Identification evidence must be excluded as violating a defendant’s right to due process where the facts reveal a pretrial identification procedure so impermissibly suggestive that there is a very substantial likelihood of irreparable misidentification.” State v. Harris, 308 N.C. 159, 162, 301 S.E.2d 91, 94 (1983). In the instant case, Robinson identified defendant during a “show-up,” an often-criticized practice whereby a suspect is shown singularly to a witness or witnesses for the purposes of identification. “This identification procedure may be inherently suggestive for the reason that witnesses would be likely to assume that the police presented for their view persons who were suspected of being guilty of the offense under investigation.” State v. Turner, 305 N.C. 356, 364, 289 S.E.2d 368, 373 (1982). However, “[p]retrial show-up identifications . . . even though suggestive and unnecessary, are not per se violative of a defendant’s due process rights.” Id. “The primary evil sought to be avoided is the substantial likelihood of irreparable misidentification.” Id. Thus, where “[a]n unnecessarily suggestive show-up identification does not create a substantial likelihood of misidentification... under the totality of the circumstances surrounding the crime, the identification possesses sufficient aspects of reliability” to withstand a motion to suppress. Id.

Some of the factors that may be examined in determining the reliability of a showup identification are (1) the witness’ opportunity to observe the accused, (2) the witness’ degree of attention, (3) the accuracy of the witness’ description, (4) the witness’ level of certainty, and (5) the time elapsed between the crime and the confrontation.

State v. Lee, 154 N.C. App. 410, 414-15, 572 S.E.2d 170, 174 (2002) (quoting In re Stallings, 318 N.C. 565, 571, 350 S.E.2d 327, 330 (1986)).

In the instant case, Robinson had ample opportunity to observe defendant during the incident, as she was within close proximity of defendant when he twice spoke to her on the street and then grabbed her and threw her to the ground. Although Robinson testified at trial that she “didn’t really pay . '. . no attention” to what defendant was wearing during the incident, Officer Gambill and Officer Hamilton both testified that Robinson informed officers at the scene that defendant was wearing a white shirt and white pants. When Officer Hamilton apprehended defendant approximately thirty minutes after the incident, defendant was dressed in white clothing. Robinson was immediately taken to defendant’s location, where, as discussed above, Robinson told Officer Gambill, “ ‘That’s him, that’s him,’ and became very emotional and distraught.” When Officer Gambill asked Robinson whether she was “absolutely sure” that defendant was the individual who attacked her, Robinson said, “yes.” In light of the totality of the circumstances, we conclude that the facts of the instant case do not support defendant’s contention that the show-up was so impermissibly suggestive that it created a substantial likelihood of irreparable misidentification. Furthermore, defendant has failed to demonstrate a “reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694, 80 L. Ed. 2d at 698. Therefore, defendant’s first argument is overruled.

Defendant next argues that the trial court erred by denying his motion to dismiss the charge of second-degree kidnapping. Defendant asserts that the State produced insufficient evidence at trial to support an element of the charge. We disagree.

“In ruling on a motion to dismiss, the trial court must examine the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, and the State is entitled to every reasonable inference that can be drawn therefrom.” State v. Vick, 341 N.C. 569, 584, 461 S.E.2d 655, 663 (1995). “[T]he trial court is to determine only whether there is substantial evidence of each essential element of the offense charged and of the defendant being the perpetrator of the offense.” State v. Vause, 328 N.C. 231, 236, 400 S.E.2d 57, 61 (1991). “Whether evidence presented constitutes substantial evidence is a question of law for the court.” Id. “Substantial evidence is ‘such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.’ ” Id. (quoting State v. Smith, 300 N.C. 71, 78-79, 265 S.E.2d 164, 169 (1980)).

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-39 (2003) defines the law; of kidnapping in pertinent part as follows:

(a) Any person who shall unlawfully confine, restrain, or remove from one place to another, any other person 16 years of age or over without the consent of such person, or any other person under the age of 16 years without the consent of a parent or legal custodian of such person, shall be guilty of kidnapping if such confinement, restraint or removal is for the purpose of:

(3) Doing serious bodily harm to or terrorizing the person so confined, restrained or removed or any other person[.]

Where the victim is released in a safe place or has not been seriously injured or sexually assaulted, the offense is second-degree kidnapping. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-39(b).

In the instant case, defendant contends that the State produced insufficient evidence to demonstrate that he kidnapped Robinson with the intent to terrorize her. “Terrorizing is defined as ‘more than just putting another in fear. It means putting that person in some high degree of fear, a state of intense fright or apprehension.’ ” State v. Davis, 340 N.C. 1, 24, 455 S.E.2d 627, 639 (1995) (quoting State v. Moore, 315 N.C. 738, 745, 340 S.E.2d 401, 405 (1986)). “In determining the sufficiency of the evidence, ‘the test is not whether subjectively the victim was in fact terrorized, but whether the evidence supports a finding that the defendant’s purpose was to terrorize’ the victim.” Davis, 340 N.C. at 24, 455 S.E.2d at 639 (quoting Moore, 315 N.C. at 745, 340 S.E.2d at 405). “[T]he victim’s subjective feelings of fear [during the incident], while not determinative of the defendant’s intent to terrorize, are relevant.” State v. Baldwin, 141 N.C. App. 596, 604, 540 S.E.2d 815, 821 (2000). “The presence or absence of the defendant’s intent or purpose to terrorize [the victim] may be inferred by the fact-finder from the circumstances surrounding the events constituting the alleged crime.” Id. at 605, 540 S.E.2d at 821.

In the instant case, the evidence presented at trial tends to show that defendant restrained Robinson against her will and attempted to drag her across the street and toward nearby bushes. Defendant grabbed Robinson from behind and choked her, repeatedly telling her that she “better shut up.” At one point during the incident, defendant pushed Robinson to the ground, dove on top of her, and “fondled and put his hands all over” her chest. Robinson pleaded for defendant to let her go, and she screamed repeatedly for help from nearby residents. When defendant was alerted that law enforcement officers were on their way to the scene, he quickly let Robinson go and fled the scene. Officer Gambill testified that Robinson was “very emotional and distraught” after the incident, and Craig stated that Robinson was “hysterical” following the incident, “crying and shaking real bad[.]” Craig described Robinson “struggling to get free . . . she was being dragged from not only the head, but hugging around the neck, just being grabbed any which way she could.” Craig saw defendant “try to force [Robinson] into the bushes” and later “just drop[] her to the concrete.” In light of the foregoing evidence, we conclude that the State introduced sufficient evidence from which the jury could have concluded that defendant acted with the purpose of terrorizing Robinson. Therefore, we also conclude that the trial court did not err in denying defendant’s motion to dismiss the charge of second-degree kidnapping, and, accordingly, we overrule defendant’s second argument.

Defendant next argues that the trial court erred in instructing the jury. Defendant asserts that the trial court was required to instruct the jury regarding the lesser-included offense of false imprisonment. We disagree.

“The crime of false imprisonment is a lesser included offense of the crime of kidnapping.” State v. Lang, 58 N.C. App. 117, 118, 293 S.E.2d 255, 256, disc. review denied, 306 N.C. 747, 295 S.E.2d 761 (1982). “When there is evidence of guilt of a lesser offense, a defendant is entitled to have the trial court instruct the jury with respect to that lesser included offense[.]” Id. In State v. Claypoole, 118 N.C. App. 714, 717-18, 457 S.E.2d 322, 324 (1995), this Court distinguished second-degree kidnapping from false imprisonment as follows:

The difference between kidnapping and the lesser-included offense of false imprisonment is the purpose of the confinement, restraint, or removal of another person. If the purpose of the restraint was to accomplish one of the purposes enumerated in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-39, then the offense is kidnapping. However, if the unlawful restraint occurs without any of the purposes specified in the statute, the offense is false imprisonment.

As discussed above, the record in the instant case tends to show that defendant restrained Robinson for the purpose of terrorizing her. However, defendant contends that the record also tends to show that defendant had “an intent to commit a sexual assault” upon Robinson. In support of this contention, defendant cites his statements to law enforcement officers following the incident, in which he informed the officers that Robinson was wearing a short skirt, that short skirts “turned him on sexually,” and that he missed his recently-incarcerated girlfriend. According to defendant, these statements, when coupled with his actions during the incident — including his fondling of Robinson’s chest and diving upon her — support a conclusion that he restrained Robinson with the intent to sexually assault her rather than terrorize her. Thus, defendant argues, a jury instruction regarding false imprisonment was necessary. We cannot agree.

We note that “ ‘kidnapping is a specific intent crime’ ” and that “ ‘the State is restricted at trial to proving the purposes alleged in the indictment.’ ” Baldwin, 141 N.C. App. at 603, 540 S.E.2d at 820-21 (quoting Moore, 315 N.C. at 743, 340 S.E.2d at 404). However, we also note that

The purposes specified in G.S. 14-39(a) are not mutually exclusive. A single kidnapping may be for the dual purposes of using the victim as a hostage or shield and for facilitating flight, or for the purposes of facilitating the commission of a felony and doing serious bodily harm to the victim. So long as the evidence proves the purpose charged in the indictment, the fact that it also shows the kidnapping was effectuated for another purpose enumerated in G.S. 14-39(a) is immaterial and may be disregarded.

State v. Hall, 305 N.C. 77, 82, 286 S.E.2d 552, 555 (1982), overruled on other grounds by State v. Diaz, 317 N.C. 545, 346 S.E.2d 488 (1986); see also Moore, 315 N.C. at 743, 340 S.E.2d at 404 (“Although the indictment may allege more than one purpose for the kidnapping, the State has to prove only one of the alleged purposes in order to sustain a conviction of kidnapping.”).

In the instant case, defendant contends that he was entitled to an instruction on the lesser-included offense of false imprisonment because the evidence tends to show that he intended to sexually assault Robinson. However, as discussed above, the superceding indictment charged defendant with kidnapping Robinson for the purpose of terrorizing her, and the State presented sufficient evidence at trial to support each element of that charge, including defendant’s intent to terrorize Robinson. We are not convinced that the trial court was required to instruct the jury regarding false imprisonment merely because the evidence indicates defendant also intended to sexually assault Robinson. Therefore, we conclude that the trial court did not err in denying defendant’s request to instruct the jury regarding the lesser-included offense, and, accordingly, we overrule defendant’s final argument.

In light of the foregoing conclusions, we hold that defendant received a trial free of prejudicial error.

No error.

Judge HUDSON concurs.

Judge STEELMAN dissents.