State v. Jerrett

307 S.E.2d 339, 309 N.C. 239, 1983 N.C. LEXIS 1391

• Court: Supreme Court of North Carolina
• Decided: September 27, 1983
• Docket: 228A82
• Status: Published

Opinions

BRANCH, Chief Justice.

Defendant assigns as error the denial of his pretrial motion for change of venue by Judge Davis and the denial of his motion for change of venue by the trial judge. We find merit in these assignments of error and hold that the denial of these motions requires a new trial.

A motion for a change of venue, or for a venire from another county, is addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court and its ruling thereon will not be disturbed absent a showing of abuse of discretion. State v. Oliver, 302 N.C. 28, 274 S.E. 2d 183 (1981); State v. See, 301 N.C. 388, 271 S.E. 2d 282 (1980). G.S. 15A-957 provides, in pertinent part:

Motion for change of venue. —If, upon motion of the defendant, the court determines that there exists in the county in which the prosecution is pending so great a prejudice against the defendant that he cannot obtain a fair and impartial trial, the court must either:

(1) Transfer the proceeding to another county in the judicial district or to another county in an adjoining judicial district, or

(2) Order a special venire under the terms of G.S. 15A-958.

This Court has consistently held that the burden of proving that a fair and impartial trial cannot be received due to pretrial publicity falls on the defendant. State v. Dobbins, 306 N.C. 342, 293 S.E. 2d 162 (1982); State v. Oliver, supra. In Sheppard v. Maxwell, 384 U.S. 333, 86 S.Ct. 1507, 16 L.Ed. 2d 600 (1966), the United States Supreme Court held that due process mandates that criminal defendants receive a trial by an impartial jury free from outside influences. The Court also held that where there is a reasonable likelihood that prejudicial pretrial publicity will prevent a fair trial, the trial court should remove the case to another county not so permeated with publicity. In State v. Boykin, 291 N.C. 264, 229 S.E. 2d 914 (1976), we adopted this test and held that it applied not only to cases involving pretrial publicity by the media, but also to cases “where the prejudice alleged is attributable to word-of-mouth publicity.” Id. at 269-70, 229 S.E. 2d at 918.

In support of his motion in instant case, defendant introduced eight newspaper articles which he contends were highly prejudicial and inflammatory. He also presented evidence from Mr. Nelson Harrill, sales manager of WCOK radio station, of radio broadcasts about the murder. These broadcasts were aired numerous times during the weekend following the murder. The contents of these broadcasts were not included in the record. We have reviewed the articles in question and conclude that they were factual, informative, and noninflammatory in nature. Accordingly, these articles do not provide a basis for our holding that the trial court abused its discretion in denying defendant’s motion. See State v. Oliver, supra.

Had these articles been the extent of defendant’s evidence in support of his motion, resolution of this assignment of error would be short and simple. There was, however, additional evidence pertinent to decision of this assignment of error tending to show that Judge Davis erred in denying defendant’s pretrial motion.

After Mr. Harrill testified concerning the broadcasts, he was questioned by the court. In response to these questions, Mr. Harrill indicated that his employment took him to various points throughout Alleghany County.¹ In his opinion, most county residents had heard about and discussed the case. He did not believe defendant could get a fair trial in the county.

Deputy Sheriff Joe Vickerman also testified. He stated:

In my duties I get a lot of unsolicited information talking to people. They request my views on things, and I have never given my view on the case in question but they give me theirs and I don’t attempt to stop them. I’ve heard it discussed by nearly everyone out in the county who knows I’m a law enforcement officer.

Vickerman stated that he did not believe a jury without prior knowledge of the case could be found. He also stated that he believed “quite a few people” had made up their minds on the ultimate issue in the case.

Woodros Estep, a magistrate, testified that in his capacity as a judicial officer, as well as in other jobs, he had occasions to talk with people throughout the county; that he had heard a lot of discussion about this case from all over the county; and that he did not believe a jury could be found that would be impartial. On cross-examination and recross-examination, he stated that the jury would follow the law and do their duty as jurors. On redirect-examination, he stated that he did not think a jury could be obtained in Alleghany County which would be totally independent and not know anything about the case.

Mr. Edmund Adams, an attorney who was subsequently appointed to serve as co-counsel for defendant but who had no connection with the case at the time of the hearing, testified that he had often heard this case discussed and that people in the community were intensely interested in the case. In his opinion, it was not possible for defendant to get a fair trial in Alleghany County. He also stated that he believed it would be very difficult to get an impartial jury and that the people in the community were mad about the murder of Mr. Parsons. He recalled at least three occasions when people came into his office and said, “I sure do hope they fry this man” (referring to defendant). Adams had also talked to people who purported to know what the actual facts in the case were. Before he was excused, the trial court asked Mr. Adams:

Based on the information which you have heard, . . . don’t you think the people in this county have a right to be mad?

Adams answered affirmatively.

Mr. Arnold Young, also an Alleghany County attorney, testified that he had heard the case discussed and commented upon by people from all over the county. In his opinion, defendant could not obtain a fair and impartial jury or a fair trial in Alleghany County. The reason for his opinion was that:

Everyone in the county, or at least a great majority of the people, have heard of the case, and, as Mr. Adams said, they’re mad about it.

The Court then engaged in the following dialogue with Mr. Young:

COURT: I’d like to ask you a question.

You said the people in this county are real mad about somebody committing the crime which was committed, not at this particular individual. Is that correct?

WITNESS: Yes, Sir.

COURT: Don’t you think that the people who live in Alleghany County have the unbridled right to try anybody that commits a crime in this county?

WITNESS: Yes, Sir, but I feel that the defendant does have a right to an impartial jury and I don’t feel that an impartial jury can be found in Alleghany County in this particular case, Your Honor.

Defendant then indicated that he was prepared to call more witnesses. He stated, however, that their testimony would be merely cumulative.

The trial judge questioned Mr. Murray, an attorney who was appearing with the State in behalf of the Parsons family. Mr. Murray stated that he believed it would be difficult to find a jury which “had not heard anything about the case and therefore have formed an opinion.” Mr. Murray informed the court that he heard people throughout the county talking about this case. He referred to it as a cause celebre. He further stated:

The combination of events, the combination of the person who was killed, the combination of the regard in which the family is held, I think would make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to get that many people to make a jury. I think if you got a jury you could be assured of a fair jury. I’m just not sure you could ever find enough people who had not heard something about it and therefore formed an opinion.

Thereafter, the court heard arguments from, and engaged in discussions with, attorneys representing the State and defendant. At one point His Honor stated:

I just don’t like to move cases. I think people who live in a county ought to try everybody that commits a crime in that county.

Later on in the discussion, the court said that:

[T]he citizens of this county are entitled to consideration, too, and they shouldn’t have to travel all the way to some other county to see a trial of one of their friends and neighbors being tried.

A review of the motion transcript compels us to conclude that in ruling on the motion, the trial court placed undue and prejudicial emphasis on the right of county residents to try a defendant in the county where a crime was committed, even referring to this right as “unbridled.” We agree that county residents have a significant interest in seeing criminals who commit local crimes being brought to justice. For this reason, only in rare cases should a trial be held in a county different from the one in which a crime was allegedly committed.

The legitimate concern of county residents in trying criminal defendants locally is not, however, the test for determining whether venue should be changed. The test, as stated above, is whether, due to pretrial publicity, there is a reasonable likelihood that the defendant will not receive a fair trial. Sheppard v. Maxwell, supra; State v. Boykin, supra. Stated otherwise, a defendant’s motion for a change of venue should be granted when he establishes that it is reasonably likely that prospective jurors would base their decision in the case upon pretrial information rather than the evidence presented at trial and would be unable to remove from their minds any preconceived impressions they might have formed. See State v. McDougald, 38 N.C. App. 244, 248 S.E. 2d 72 (1978), disc. rev. denied, appeal dismissed, 296 N.C. 413, 251 S.E. 2d 472 (1979). When such a likelihood is shown to exist, a defendant’s right to a fair trial by an impartial jury far outweighs the interest local residents have in trying a defendant in that county.

The evidence presented by defendant prior to jury selection was clearly sufficient to show that there was considerable discussion of this case throughout Alleghany County. Every witness who testified at the hearing on defendant’s motion indicated that they believed it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to select a jury comprised of individuals who had not heard about the case. The evidence also indicated that due to the publicity surrounding this case, potential jurors were likely to have formed preconceived opinions about defendant’s guilt and that defendant would not receive a fair trial by an impartial jury.

This evidence notwithstanding, the State, in effect, contends that the application of recognized principles of law regarding the selection of jurors in a homicide case requires that we find that defendant’s motions for change of venue were properly denied.

Our cases indicate that a defendant, in meeting his burden of showing that pretrial publicity precluded him from receiving a fair trial, must show that jurors have prior knowledge concerning the case, that he exhausted peremptory challenges and that a juror objectionable to the defendant sat on the jury. State v. Dobbins, supra; State v. Harrill, 289 N.C. 186, 221 S.E. 2d 325, death sentence vacated, 428 U.S. 904, 96 S.Ct. 3212, 49 L.Ed. 2d 1211 (1976). In deciding whether a defendant has met his burden of showing prejudice, it is relevant to consider that the chosen jurors stated that they could ignore their prior knowledge or earlier formed opinions and decide the case solely on the evidence presented at trial. See State v. Richardson, 308 N.C. 470, 302 S.E. 2d 799 (1983).

We are of the opinion that the holdings in the cases above referred to are correct and are consistent with the language in Estes v. Texas, 381 U.S. 532, 542, 85 S.Ct. 1628, 1632-33, 14 L.Ed. 2d 543, 550, reh. denied, 382 U.S. 875, 86 S.Ct. 18, 15 L.Ed. 2d 118 (1965), that “in most cases involving claims of due process deprivations we require a showing of identifiable prejudice to the accused.” However, under the particular circumstances of this case, we are not convinced that a showing of identifiable prejudice is required.

In Sheppard v. Maxwell, supra, after acknowledging that a defendant must show identifiable prejudice, the Court qualified this acknowledgment with the following language:

Nevertheless, at times a procedure employed by the State involves such a probability that prejudice will result that it is deemed inherently lacking in due process.

384 U.S. at 352, 86 S.Ct. at 1517, 16 L.Ed. 2d at 614 [quoting Estes v. Texas, 381 U.S. 532, 542-43, 85 S.Ct. 1628, 1633, 14 L.Ed. 2d 543, 550 (1965) (emphasis added) ]. The Court emphasized that “our system of law has always endeavored to prevent even the probability of unfairness.” 384 U.S. at 352, 86 S.Ct. at 1517, 16 L.Ed. 2d at 614 [quoting In re Murchison, 349 U.S. 133, 136, 75 S.Ct. 623, 625, 99 L.Ed. 942, 946 (1955)].

In Sheppard, the Court viewed the totality of the circumstances and concluded that under the facts of that case, there was such a probability that prejudice would result that defendant was denied due process. It is clear that the totality of the circumstances in this case mandate a similar conclusion.

The evidence at the pretrial hearing, standing alone, was sufficient to reveal a reasonable likelihood that defendant could not receive a fair trial in Alleghany County due to the deep-seated prejudice against him.² In so concluding, we think it extremely significant to note that here, the crime occurred in a small, rural and closely-knit county where the entire county was, in effect, a neighborhood. This fact distinguishes instant case from United States v. Haldeman, 559 F. 2d 31 (D.C. Cir. 1976), cert. denied, 431 , 97 S.Ct. 2641, 53 L.Ed. 2d 250, rehearing denied, 433 U.S. 916, 97 S.Ct. 2992, 53 L.Ed. 2d 1103 (1977), and others where although the publicity was great, the crimes occurred and the trials were held in large urban areas.

The probability of irreversible prejudice in instant case is further illustrated by the actual jury voir dire. The record of the voir dire reveals more than the fact that a great number of the potential jurors had some prior knowledge of this case.³ Approximately one-third of the potential jurors stated that, in some manner, they knew or were familiar with Mr. Parsons or some member of the Parsons family. At least two of the potential jurors summoned were related in some way to the Parsons family. Many of the potential jurors stated that due to the fact that they knew Mr. Parsons or his family they could not give defendant a fair trial or that they would at least be influenced by their relationship with the Parsons. Many of the persons summoned stated that they knew potential State’s witnesses. Of this group, some indicated that they would give more weight to the testimony of these witnesses. Some potential jurors indicated that they had already formed an opinion or that they felt they already knew what the facts of the case were. At least one person examined stated that he had visited the Parsons home shortly after the incident and talked with Tom Parsons, a robbery victim. At least one person stated that she was a neighbor of the Parsons.

Of the jury that actually decided the case, as noted above, ten of the twelve and both alternate jurors had heard about the case. Four of the twelve jurors who decided the question of defendant’s guilt knew or were at least familiar with the Parsons family or relatives. The foreman of the jury, Mr. Tom Douglas, stated that he heard a relative of Mrs. Parsons emotionally discussing the case. Six members of the twelve-person jury knew or were at least familiar with State’s witnesses.

Additionally, we point out that the jury was examined collectively. Prior to jury selection defendant moved that the jury be individually selected pursuant to G.S. 15A-1214(j). The trial judge denied this motion. Though the denial of this motion is a separate assignment of error brought forward by defendant, we consider it only in relation to our review of the totality of the circumstances in instant case.

The adverse effect of the denial of defendant’s motion is apparent on the facts. Potential jurors and jurors previously selected were seated in the courtroom where they heard many other potential jurors state that they knew the victim, that they knew potential State’s witnesses, that they had already formed opinions in the case or that they could not give defendant a fair trial. Potential jurors and jurors previously selected heard the statement by Mr. Douglas that he heard a relative of Mrs. Parsons emotionally discussing the case and were further exposed to a statement by a potential juror that the opinions he heard were “not to [defendant’s] benefit.” We also note that counsel’s inquiry into the extent of the familiarity many jurors had with the case was' limited due to the presence in the courtroom of previously selected jurors and potential jurors.

The totality of the circumstances in the case before us clearly reveals that the population of Alleghany County was infected with prejudice against this defendant. Based on the evidence presented at the pretrial hearing and our review of the voir dire examination of potential jurors, we conclude that defendant fulfilled his burden of showing that a reasonable likelihood existed that he would not receive a fair trial before an Alleghany County jury.

We therefore hold that the totality of the particular circumstances in this case requires that defendant be awarded a new trial before a jury drawn from a county other than Alleghany.

Notwithstanding the necessity for a new trial, we deem it necessary to discuss certain questions which may arise at the next trial.

Guilt-Innocence Phase

Defendant argues that the trial court erred in submitting the issue of first-degree kidnapping to the jury. Defendant contends that the indictment charging him with kidnapping was insufficient to allege kidnapping in the first degree and that the evidence was insufficient to support a conviction of first-degree kidnapping.

We first consider whether the indictment was sufficient to allege first-degree kidnapping.⁴

The established rule is that an indictment will not support a conviction for a crime unless all the elements of the crime are accurately and clearly alleged in the indictment. State v. Perry, 291 N.C. 586, 231 S.E. 2d 262 (1977); State v. Taylor, 280 N.C. 273, 185 S.E. 2d 677 (1972). The Legislature may prescribe a form of indictment sufficient to allege an offense even though not all of the elements of a particular crime are required to be alleged. See, e.g., G.S. 15-144.1 (authorizing a short-form indictment for rape) and G.S. 15-144 (authorizing a short-form indictment for homicide). The Legislature has not, however, established a short-form indictment for kidnapping. Accordingly, the general rule governs the sufficiency of the indictment to charge the crime of kidnapping.

The challenged indictment reads as follows:

The Jurors For The State Upon Their Oath Present that on or about the 25th day of July, 1981, in Alleghany County Bruce Franklin Jerrett unlawfully and wilfully did feloniously kidnap Edith Parsons, a person who had attained the age of 16 years, by unlawfully removing her from one place to another, without her consent and for the purpose of facilitating the flight of Bruce Franklin Jerrett following his participation in the commission of a felony, Murder.

The North Carolina kidnapping statute, G.S. 14-39, in pertinent part, provides:

(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:

(1) Holding such other person for ransom or as a hostage or using such other person as a shield; or

(2) Facilitating the commission of any felony or facilitating the flight of any person following the commission of a felony; or

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

(b) There shall be two degrees of kidnapping as defined by subsection (a). If the person kidnapped either was not released by the defendant in a safe place or had been seriously injured or sexually assaulted, the offense is kidnapping in the first degree and is punishable as a Class D felony. If the person kidnapped was released in a safe place by the defendant and had not been seriously injured or sexually assaulted, the offense is kidnapping in the second degree and is punishable as a Class E felony.

Defendant contends that the language of G.S. 14-39(b) not only creates two degrees of kidnapping, but also creates and establishes the elements of each degree. He maintains that in order to have properly indicted him for first-degree kidnapping, it was necessary for the State, in addition to having alleged the essential elements of kidnapping provided in G.S. 14-39(a), to have alleged at least one of the elements of first-degree kidnapping listed in G.S. 14-39(b), to wit, that he did not release Mrs. Parsons in a safe place, that he seriously injured Mrs. Parsons or that he sexually assaulted her. The failure to so allege, he contends, requires the reversal of his conviction for first-degree kidnapping.

Urging this Court to apply the rule of State v. Williams, 295 N.C. 655, 249 S.E. 2d 709 (1978) to instant case, the State maintains that the indictment was sufficient to allege first-degree kidnapping.

In Williams, this Court was called upon to determine whether the language of then existing G.S. 14-39(b) created essential elements of “aggravated kidnapping.” At the time of the Williams decision, G.S. 14-39(b) provided:

Any person convicted of kidnapping shall be guilty of a felony and shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than 25 years nor more than life. If the person kidnapped, as defined in subsection (a), was released by the defendant in a safe place and had not been sexually assaulted or seriously injured, the person so convicted shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than 25 years, or by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or both, in the discretion of the court.

This Court held that subsection (b) did not create two kidnapping offenses — simple kidnapping and aggravated kidnapping. Subsection (a) was held to create the offense of kidnapping. Subsection (b) was held to relate only to matters which could be shown in mitigation of punishment and not to create separate offenses or add any additional elements to the offense of kidnapping.

State v. Williams, supra, is not dispositive of the questions here presented. By amending G.S. 14-39(b), the Legislature manifested its intent that there would be two degrees of kidnapping. The language of subsection (a) creates and defines the offense of kidnapping. The language of subsection (b) addresses the degree of the crime and dictates that the kidnapping will be first-degree kidnapping if the defendant does not release the victim in a safe place, or if he seriously injures the victim or sexually assaults the victim. The two subsections must be read together to determine the elements of first-degree kidnapping.

We therefore hold that the language of G.S. 14-39(b) states essential elements of the offense of first-degree kidnapping and does not relate to matters in mitigation of punishment. In order for the State to properly indict a defendant for first-degree kidnapping, the State must allege the applicable elements of both subsection (a) and subsection (b). See State v. Baldwin, 61 N.C. App. 688, 301 S.E. 2d 725 (1983).

By this assignment of error, defendant also contends that the trial court’s instruction on first-degree kidnapping was erroneous. The particular instruction defendant contends was error is as follows:

Members of the Jury, if you find that the defendant did not release her, that is let her go voluntarily in a safe place and you find those other elements, that would be first degree kidnapping.

However, if you find that the defendant voluntarily turned her loose down at the Pantry, that would reduce it to second degree kidnapping if you find all the other elements that I enumerated.

(Emphasis added.)

Defendant argues that the court’s instruction added the element of voluntary release to the definition of the offense of kidnapping. We do not agree.

While it is true that G.S. 14-39(b) does not expressly state that defendant must voluntarily release the victim in a safe place, we are of the opinion that a requirement of “voluntariness” is inherent in the statute. G.S. 14-39(b) provides that in order for the offense to constitute kidnapping in the second degree, the person kidnapped must be released “in a safe place by the defendant . . .” (emphasis added). This implies a conscious, willful action on the part of the defendant to assure that his victim is released in a place of safety.

We further note that defendant’s argument is more theoretical than real for it is difficult to envision a situation when a release of the victim by the defendant could be other than voluntary. It seems the defendant would either release the victim voluntarily, or the victim would reach a place of safety by effecting an escape or by being rescued.

We now consider whether the evidence was sufficient to sustain defendant’s conviction of first-degree kidnapping. Defendant does not dispute the fact that the evidence was sufficient to allow the jury to reasonably find that he kidnapped Mrs. Parsons. Rather, his contention is that the State failed to prove the existence of any of the elements of first-degree kidnapping provided in G.S. 14-39(b).

Here there is no evidence of sexual assault or serious injury to the victim. Therefore, we only decide whether there was sufficient evidence from which the jury could reasonably infer that defendant did not release Mrs. Parsons in a safe place.

In resolving this question, we must be guided by the familiar rule that the evidence must be considered in the light most favorable to the State, giving the State every reasonable inference which may be drawn therefrom. State v. Williams, 307 N.C. 452, 298 S.E. 2d 372 (1983). The evidence relevant to the question presented by this assignment of error tends to show that after arriving at “The Pantry,” defendant and Mrs. Parsons walked toward the store building. Defendant, carrying a pistol concealed within his shirt, walked a few feet behind Mrs. Parsons. Upon entering the store, Mrs. Parsons walked toward Officer Caudle and then to the rear of the building where she locked herself in a storage room. Defendant did not attempt to stop Mrs. Parsons after they entered the store. Meanwhile, defendant went to the counter and was in the process of purchasing gas when he was confronted and subsequently arrested by Officer Caudle.

Although this evidence presents a close question as to whether defendant released Mrs. Parsons in a safe place, we are of the opinion that it was sufficient to permit the jury to reasonably infer that Mrs. Parsons escaped or that she was rescued by the presence and intervention of the police officer. Conversely, this evidence would have permitted the jury to reasonably infer that defendant released Mrs. Parsons in a safe place. It was for the jury to resolve the conflicting inferences arising from this evidence.

We therefore hold that the evidence was sufficient to carry the case to the jury on the question of first-degree kidnapping.

By his next assignment of error, defendant contends that the trial court should have instructed the jury that even if it did not find that he was legally insane at the time the crimes were committed, it could find that, due to his abnormal mental condition, he did not have the requisite intent to commit armed robbery.

Defendant did not request this instruction and according to Rule 10(b)(2), he thereby waived his right to assign as error the trial judge’s failure to give the instruction. Considering the gravity of the crime charged, however, we elect in our discretion to review this question. See State v. McDougall, 308 N.C. 1, 301 S.E. 2d 308 (1983).

In essence, defendant maintains that he was entitled to an instruction upon diminished capacity or responsibility. We have consistently held that an instruction on diminished capacity is not required in first-degree murder cases involving specific intent to kill. State v. Kirkley, 308 N.C. 196, 302 S.E. 2d 144 (1983); State v. Anderson, 303 N.C. 185, 278 S.E. 2d 238 (1981); State v. Shepherd, 288 N.C. 346, 218 S.E. 2d 176 (1975). We believe it appropriate to apply the same rule to armed robbery since specific intent is also an issue in such cases. We therefore hold that the failure of the trial court to instruct on diminished capacity or responsibility was not error.

Defendant next assigns as error the trial court’s refusal to instruct on the defense of unconsciousness.

Although the trial judge failed to give the requested instruction, he did instruct the jury as follows:

Now, Members of the Jury, it would also be your duty to return a verdict of not guilty if you are satisfied from the evidence that the defendant was suffering from blackouts at the time of those alleged offenses and that the defect so impaired his mental capacity that he either did not know the nature or quality of those acts as he was committing them and if he did know, he did not know those acts were wrong, it would be your duty to return a verdict of not guilty.

The rule in this jurisdiction is that where a person commits an act without being conscious thereof, the act is not a criminal act even though it would be a crime if it had been committed by a person who was conscious. State v. Boone, 307 N.C. 198, 297 S.E. 2d 585 (1982); State v. Caddell, 287 N.C. 266, 215 S.E. 2d 348 (1975); State v. Mercer, 275 N.C. 108, 165 S.E. 2d 328 (1969). The defense, while related to insanity, is different from insanity inasmuch as unconsciousness at the time of the act need not be the result of a mental disease or defect. State v. Caddell, supra. Unconsciousness, sometimes referred to as automatism, is a complete defense to a criminal charge. State v. Mercer, supra. This is so because “[t]he absence of consciousness not only precludes the existence of any specific mental state, but also excludes the possibility of a voluntary act without which there can be no criminal liability.” Id. at 116, 165 S.E. 2d at 334 [quoting 1 Wharton’s Criminal Law and Procedure (Anderson), § 50, p. 116]. Unconsciousness is an affirmative defense and the burden is on the defendant to prove its existence to the satisfaction of the jury. State v. Caddell, supra; State v. Williams, 296 N.C. 693, 252 S.E. 2d 739 (1979).

The State takes the position that the only evidence that defendant suffered from a blackout in the morning hours of 25 July 1981 is his own self-serving and uncorroborated testimony. The State urges us to adopt the rule formulated in Bratty v. Attorney General for Northern Ireland, All E.R. 3 (1961) 523, and quoted in State v. Caddell, 287 N.C. 266, 288, 215 S.E. 2d 348, 362 (1975), that:

The evidence of the man himself will rarely be sufficient unless it is supported by medical evidence which points to the cause of the mental incapacity. It is not sufficient for a man to say “I had a black-out:” for “black-out” as Stable, J., said in Cooper v. McKenna [1960] Qd. R. at p. 419, “is one of the first refuges of a guilty conscience and a popular excuse.” The words of Devlin, J., in Hill v. Baxter [1958], 1 All E.R. at p. 197 [1958], 1 Q.B. at 285, should be remembered:

“I do not doubt that there are genuine cases of automatism and the like, but I do not see how the layman can safely attempt without the help of some medical or scientific evidence to distinguish the genuine from the fraudulent.”

In State v. Mercer, supra, Justice Bobbitt (later Chief Justice), speaking for the Court, stated:

Where defendant’s evidence, if accepted, discloses facts sufficient in law to constitute a defense to the crime for which he is indicted, the court is required to instruct the jury as to the legal principles applicable thereto. What weight, if any, is to be given such evidence, is for determination by the jury.

275 N.C. at 116, 165 S.E. 2d at 334. See also State v. Lawrence, 262 N.C. 162, 136 S.E. 2d 595 (1964).

We are cognizant of the fact that in State v. Caddell, supra, this Court, relying on Bratty, questioned whether the uncorroborated and unexplained testimony of a defendant that he was unconscious at the time the alleged crime was committed was sufficient to require an instruction on the defense of unconsciousness. We need not determine, however, whether Mercer was correctly decided because here there was corroborating evidence tending to support the defense of unconsciousness. In addition to the testimonial corroborating evidence, defendant’s very peculiar actions in permitting the kidnapped victim to repeatedly ignore his commands and finally lead him docilely into the presence and custody of a police officer lends credence to his defense of unconsciousness.

We therefore hold that the trial judge should have instructed the jury on the defense of unconsciousness. The instruction given by Judge Rousseau referring to defendant’s blackouts amounted only to a partial instruction on the defense of insanity and did not explain the law of unconsciousness or apply that law to the facts of the case.⁵

Defendant’s argument that the trial judge prejudicially misstated his contentions in instructing the jury does not warrant discussion. At trial, defendant did not object to the instruction he now maintains was erroneous. At the new trial, defendant should adhere to the dictates of Appellate Rule 10(b)(2) and our case law to insure that his contentions are fully and correctly stated. See State v. Silhan, 302 N.C. 223, 275 S.E. 2d 450 (1981).

Defendant next takes the position that it was error to exclude for cause fourteen jurors who unequivocally stated their opposition to the death penalty. The thrust of defendant’s argument is that prior to voir dire examination of prospective jurors, the trial court must explain in detail the procedural and substantive aspects of the sentencing process.

Defendant acknowledges that a similar argument was addressed to this Court, but not discussed, in State v. Pinch, 306 N.C. 1, 292 S.E. 2d 203, cert. denied, — U.S. —, 103 S.Ct. 474, 74 L.Ed. 2d 622 (1982), reh. denied, — U.S. —, 103 S.Ct. 839, 74 L.Ed. 2d 1031 (1983). He requests that we reconsider the “implicit” rejection of this argument in Pinch and vacate his death sentence.

Defendant cites no authority on point and we find his reasoning unpersuasive. This assignment of error is without merit.

Sentencing Phase (Murder)

Our holding that defendant is entitled to a new trial also entitles him to a new sentencing hearing if convicted of first-degree murder. State v. Jones, 296 N.C. 495, 251 S.E. 2d 425 (1979). Even so, there are several issues raised by defendant relating to sentencing which we deem necessary to discuss.

We first consider defendant’s broadside assault on the constitutionality of G.S. 15A-2000 et seq., the North Carolina death penalty statute. We find these arguments to be meritless and discuss them only briefly.

Defendant contends that the death penalty statute violates his constitutional right to privacy, a right recognized by the United States Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113, 93 S.Ct. 705, 35 L.Ed. 2d 147, reh. denied, 410 U.S. 959, 93 S.Ct. 1409, 35 L.Ed. 2d 694 (1973).

Defendant has failed to cite a decision by any court holding or even suggesting that the imposition of a death sentence violates a defendant’s right to privacy. We find defendant’s argument to be without merit.

Defendant also argues that the North Carolina death penalty scheme is unconstitutional because of our holding in State v. Harris, 290 N.C. 718, 228 S.E. 2d 424 (1976). In Harris, we held that when a defendant is tried for first-degree murder on the theory of premeditation and deliberation, the trial judge must submit to the jury the offense of second-degree murder, even though the evidence does not support this offense. It is his position that the holding in Harris permits the jury to capriciously, arbitrarily, and subjectively decide which defendants charged with first-degree murder will live and which will die. The Harris rule, which was in effect when defendant was tried, was overruled by this Court in State v. Strickland, 307 N.C. 274, 298 S.E. 2d 645 (1983).

In instant case, defendant was convicted of felony murder and found not guilty of murder based upon premeditation and deliberation. A person convicted of felony murder is guilty of murder in the first degree, irrespective of premeditation and deliberation or malice aforethought. State v. Hairston, 280 N.C. 220, 185 S.E. 2d 633, cert. denied, sub nom., McIntyre v. North Carolina, 409 U.S. 888, 93 S.Ct. 194, 34 L.Ed. 2d 145 (1972).

In all probability, defendant will be tried on the theory of felony murder at the new trial. If so, Harris has no application. Even if the State should elect to try defendant on the theory of premeditation and deliberation, Harris would have no application in light of our ruling in State v. Strickland, supra.6

We now consider defendant’s contention that in the course of his closing argument, the prosecutor made improper disparaging characterizations of him which were not supported by the evidence and which were calculated to prejudice the jury.

We do not consider it necessary to discuss defendant’s contention at length since such an argument may not be made at the new trial. Suffice it to say that we find no evidence in this record to support the prosecutor’s characterizations of defendant as a “conman” and a “disciple of Satan.” See State v. Johnson, 298 N.C. 355, 259 S.E. 2d 752 (1979).

Defendant contends that the judge erred in submitting the following aggravating circumstances to the jury:

1. Was the murder committed for pecuniary gain? G.S. 15A-2000(e)(6).

2. Was this murder part of a course of conduct in which the defendant engaged and did that course of conduct include the commission by the defendant of other crimes of violence against another person? G.S. 15A-2000(e)(ll).

These were the only aggravating circumstances submitted to the jury, and the jury found both to exist. Defendant argues that there was insufficient evidence to support either aggravating circumstance and therefore his death sentence should be vacated.

We first consider whether the aggravating circumstance set forth in G.S. 15A-2000(e)(6) was properly submitted.

It is now well established that when a defendant is convicted of felony murder in which the underlying felony was robbery, the court may submit the aggravating circumstance that the murder was committed for pecuniary gain if the circumstance is supported by the evidence. State v. Oliver, supra; State v. Taylor, 304 N.C. 249, 283 S.E. 2d 761 (1981); State v. Irwin, 304 N.C. 93, 282 S.E. 2d 439 (1981).

We therefore must determine whether there was sufficient evidence to support the submission of this aggravating circumstance.

The evidence tends to show that defendant robbed Tom Parsons of three dollars, took cartridges from the dwelling, took money from the murder victim’s pockets and then stole the Parsons’ automobile. Thus, there was plenary evidence to support a finding that the murder was committed for pecuniary gain.

We likewise find that there was ample evidence to support the submission of the aggravating circumstance that the murder of Dallas Parsons was part of a course of conduct in which defendant engaged, and the course of conduct included the commission by defendant of other crimes of violence against another person. G.S. 15A-2000(e)(11). Although defendant does not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence to support the charge that he kidnapped Mrs. Parsons, he argues that this was not a crime of violence. We disagree.

The evidence clearly shows that after defendant shot Dallas Parsons he pointed the gun at Mrs. Parsons and forced her to come to him. He then dragged her about the house and then to the Parsons’ automobile. During this time and during the drive to Sparta, he continued to threaten Mrs. Parsons verbally and by pointing the pistol at her.

We therefore hold that the trial judge properly submitted the aggravating circumstances set forth in G.S. 15A-2000(e)(6) and G.S. 15A-2000(e)(11).

We next consider defendant’s contention that the trial court erred by instructing the jury that it must return a verdict of death if it found that the aggravating circumstances outweighed the mitigating circumstances, thereby lowering the State’s burden of proof. The trial court instructed, in part, as follows:

So I charge that for you to recommend that the defendant be sentenced to death, the State must prove three things beyond a reasonable doubt. A reasonable doubt is a doubt based on reason and common sense, arising out of some or all of the evidence that has been presented, or lack or insufficiency of the evidence, as the case may be. Proof beyond a reasonable doubt is proof that fully satisfies you or entirely convinces you of each of the following things:

First, that one or more statutory aggravating circumstances existed;

Second, that the aggravating circumstance or circumstances found by you are sufficiently substantial to call for the imposition of the death penalty;

And third, that the aggravating circumstance or circumstances found by you outweigh any mitigating circumstance or circumstances found by you.

[If you unanimously find all three of these things beyond a reasonable doubt, it would be your duty to recommend that defendant be sentenced to death. If you do not so find, or if you have a reasonable doubt to one or more of these things, it would be your duty to recommend that the defendant be sentenced to life imprisonment.]

Exception No. 37

Defendant argues that the trial court should have also instructed the jury that before they could recommend a death sentence, they would have to determine that the aggravating circumstances outweighed the mitigating circumstances so substantially as to justify the death penalty beyond a reasonable doubt.

In State v. McDougall, 308 N.C. 1, 301 S.E. 2d 308 (1983), State v. Williams, 308 N.C. 47, 301 S.E. 2d 335 (1983), and State v. Kirkley, 308 N.C. 196, 302 S.E. 2d 144 (1983), we held that instructions substantially similar to that given in instant case were free from prejudicial error, but were not model instructions. The instruction approved by this Court in McDougall is one which includes an instruction to the jury that they must find the aggravating circumstance or circumstances sufficiently substantial to call for the imposition of death when considered with the mitigating circumstance or circumstances before the death penalty may be imposed. If, on retrial, defendant is convicted of first-degree murder, the trial court should instruct the jury at the sentencing hearing in accordance with the instruction approved in State v. McDougall, supra.

Sentencing (kidnapping and felonious breaking and entering)

Defendant assigns as error the trial court’s imposition of maximum sentences on the kidnapping and felonious breaking and entering charges.

In sentencing defendant for kidnapping and felonious breaking and entering, the trial judge imposed the maximum sentence allowed for each offense under the Fair Sentencing Act. He did so after finding that the aggravating factors in each case outweighed the mitigating factors. The trial judge found the same aggravating and mitigating factors in each case. The aggravating factors found were:

1. The defendant was armed with or used a deadly weapon at the time of the crime.

2. Lesser sentence would depreciate the seriousness of the crime.

3. This sentence is necessary to deter others from committing the same crime.

4. The defendant engaged in a pattern of violent conduct which indicated a serious danger to society.

The first aggravating factor was found to exist pursuant to G.S. 15A-1340.4(a)(1)i which states that “the defendant was armed with or used a deadly weapon at the time of the crime.”

The remaining three aggravating factors were found to exist pursuant to the language of G.S. 15A-1340.4(a) which, in pertinent part, provides:

In imposing a prison term, the judge, under the procedures provided in G.S. 15A-1334(b), may consider any aggravating and mitigating factors that he finds are proved by the preponderance of the evidence, and that are reasonably related to the purposes of sentencing, whether or not such aggravating or mitigating factors are set forth herein, . . .

(emphasis added).

Clearly, the trial judge properly found the aggravating factor provided for in G.S. 1340.4(a)(1)i since all of the evidence shows that defendant was armed with a deadly weapon.

The aggravating factor that defendant engaged in a pattern of violent conduct which indicated a serious danger to society was also correctly found. In State v. Ahearn, 307 N.C. 584, 300 S.E. 2d 689 (1983), we held that a defendant’s dangerousness to others was reasonably related to “the purposes of sentencing one of which is ‘to protect the public by restraining offenders.’ G.S. § 15A-1340.3.” Id. at 604, 300 S.E. 2d at 702, and could be considered as a factor in aggravation. Accord State v. Chatman, 308 N.C. 169, 301 S.E. 2d 71 (1983).

In instant case, the bizarre manner in which defendant perpetrated the crimes of murder and kidnapping was sufficient to support this finding. Further, his own testimony that he committed acts of violence upon his sister while “blacked-out” would support a finding that defendant engaged in a pattern of conduct which indicated a serious danger to society.

The second and third aggravating factors, however, are contrary to this Court’s recent decision in State v. Chatman, supra. In Chatman, as in instant case, the trial judge found as aggravating factors that the sentence imposed was necessary to deter others, and that a lesser sentence would unduly depreciate the seriousness of the crime. We held that the consideration of these factors in aggravation was error. Justice Meyer, writing for the Court, stated:

These two factors fall within the exclusive realm of the legislature and were presumably considered in determining the presumptive sentence for this offense. While both factors serve as legitimate purposes for imposing an active sentence, neither may form the basis for increasing or decreasing a presumptive term because neither relates to the character or conduct of the offender. See State v. Ahearn, [307 N.C. 584, 300 S.E. 2d 689 (1983)].

Id. at 180, 301 S.E. 2d at 78.

We therefore hold that the trial judge erred in finding the second and third aggravating factors in the kidnapping and felonious breaking and entering cases.

We do not discuss defendant’s remaining assignments of error, all of which concern questions which have been heretofore decided by this Court or questions which in all probability will not recur at defendant’s next trial. For the reasons stated, there must be a new trial in both the guilt-innocence phase and the sentencing phase.

New trial.

1 . The 1980 federal census disclosed that Alleghany County contained an area of 225 square miles and a population of 9,587 people. 1981 N.C. Manual, p. 129.

2 . In all fairness to the trial judge, it does not appear that he had before him the evidence that was offered at the pretrial hearing for change of venue.

3 . Many of the potential jurors called were never asked about whether they had been exposed to pretrial publicity because they were excused when they indicated that they could not vote to impose the death penalty under any circumstances or that they could not give defendant a fair trial.

4 . Our review of the record discloses that defendant did not challenge at trial the sufficiency of the indictment to allege first-degree kidnapping. This, however, does not preclude review by this Court. Under G.S. 15A-1446(d)(4), a party may assert as error in this Court that the pleading failed to state essential elements of an alleged violation even though no objection, exception or motion was made at trial. Further, in State v. Partlow, 272 N.C. 60, 157 S.E. 2d 688 (1967), we held that “if the offense is not sufficiently charged in the indictment, this Court, ex mero motu, will arrest the judgment.” Id. at 63, 157 S.E. 2d at 691. See also State v. Fowler, 266 N.C. 528, 146 S.E. 2d 418 (1966).

5 . For guidance on the instruction of unconsciousness, see Pattern Jury Instructions, N.C.P.I.-Crim.-302.10; State v. Mercer, 275 N.C. 108, 165 S.E. 2d 328 (1969); State v. Boone, 307 N.C. 198, 297 S.E. 2d 585 (1982).

6 . Query — Is the State precluded from prosecuting on the theory of premeditation and deliberation on retrial of this case? This question has not been briefed or argued and is therefore not properly before us. We find no North Carolina authority on this point. However, for discussion of this issue, see generally, Jackson v. Follette, 462 F. 2d 1041 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 409 U.S. 1045, 93 S.Ct. 544, 34 L.Ed. 2d 496 (1972); People v. Jackson, 20 N.Y. 2d 440, 231 N.E. 2d 722 (1967), cert. denied, 391 U.S. 928, 88 S.Ct. 1815, 20 L.Ed. 2d 668 (1968); People v. Bloeth, 16 N.Y. 2d 505, 208 N.E. 2d 177 (1965), cert. denied, 384 U.S. 1007, 86 S.Ct. 1940, 16 L.Ed. 2d 1020 (1966).