State v. Jernigan

56 S.E.2d 599, 231 N.C. 338, 1949 N.C. LEXIS 516

• Court: Supreme Court of North Carolina
• Decided: December 14, 1949
• Status: Published

Opinion

Stacy, C. J.

There was no error in submitting the case to the jury. Even on the defendant’s own statement, S. v. Edwards, 211 N.C. 555, 191 S.E. 1, it was a question for the twelve whether he used excessive force or was justified in taking the life of the deceased. S. v. DeGraffenreid, 223 N.C. 461, 27 S.E. 2d 130; S. v. Baker, 222 N.C. 428, 23 S.E. 2d 340; S. v. Marshall, 208 N.C. 127, 179 S.E. 427. Moreover, giving the defendant full benefit of all he says, his statement hardly brings him within the principle of self-defense, certainly not as a matter of law dispensing with any determination of the facts by the jury. S. v. Terrell, 212 N.C. 145, 193 S.E. 161; S. v. Koutro, 210 N.C. 144, 185 S.E. 682; S. v. Marshall, supra; S. v. Glenn, 198 N.C. 79, 150 S.E. 663; S. v. Robinson, 188 N.C. 784, 125 S.E. 617.

The defendant relies on the cases of S. v. Ray, 229 N.C. 40, 47 S.E. 2d 494; S. v. Coffey, 228 N.C. 119, 44 S.E. 2d 886; S. v. Watts, 224 N.C. 771, 32 S.E. 2d 348; S. v. Fulcher, 184 N.C. 663, 113 S.E. 769, but in none of these cases was there a question of self-defense, or circumstances calling for explanation or exculpation on the part of the defendant. They are clearly distinguishable. Self-defense is an affirmative plea, with the burden of satisfaction cast upon the defendant. S. v. DeGraffenreid, supra; S. v. Harris, 223 N.C. 697, 28 S.E. 2d 232; S. v. Baker, supra; S. v. Benson, 183 N.C. 795, 111 S.E. 867.

The exceptions to the charge on reasonable doubt are feckless in the light of the verdict, the defendant’s confession, and the record. S. v. Wood, 230 N.C. 740, 55 S.E. 2d 491; S. v. Bryant, ante, 106.

No disturbance of the result of the trial is required by any of the assignments brought forward on the record.

No error.