State v. Cannady

VAUGHN, Judge.

Although this case was tried before the decision in State v. Lynch, 279 N.C. 1, 181 S.E. 2d 561, which interpreted portions of Article 36 of Chapter 7A of the General Statutes, its disposition is controlled by that case.

As a result of information received at the scene of the crime an extensive search was instituted for the defendant by the law enforcement officers. While the search by the officers of the police and sheriff departments was in progress, the defendant came to the sheriff’s office and surrendered. Before officers would talk to defendant, they fully advised him of his rights under Miranda and defendant stated that he understood his rights. Had the defendant then voluntarily proceeded to give a narrative statement, under Lynch such a statement could have been properly admitted into evidence. Instead the record discloses that the only information given was during an interrogation by one of the officers. Defendant was asked if he shot Joe Nathan Moore. His response was “yes.” Defendant was asked ’.what weapon he used. His response was “a sawed-off shotgun.” At that point defendant refused to answer additional questions, and the interrogation was terminated. Although the court’s conclusions as to the voluntariness of defendant’s statement was fully supported by the record, there must be a new trial by reason of admission of defendant’s statement as evidence. Upon voir dire no inquiry was made as to whether defendant was indigent on 5 December 1970, the date he made the statement, and there are no findings in this regard. If, on that date, he was indigent within the meaning of the statute, he was entitled to the services of counsel at the interrogation. G.S. 7A-457.

We cannot say that the admission of the statement was harmless error beyond a reasonable doubt as was the case in State v. Doss, 279 N.C. 413, 183 S.E. 2d 671. The thrust of defendant’s defense at trial was that he did not shoot the deceased but that he struck at deceased with the gun and it “just went off.” Evidence that the defendant was guilty of the crime of which he was convicted was plenary. For the reasons stated, however, there must be a new trial. If, at the new trial, defendant’s statement to the officers is offered, the trial court must follow the procedure set out in State v. Lynch, supra.

New trial.

Judges Brock and Britt concur.