State v. Martin

205 S.E.2d 583 (1974)

21 N.C. App. 645

STATE of North Carolina v. Gary MARTIN.

No. 7420SC250.

Court of Appeals of North Carolina.

June 5, 1974.

*585 Atty. Gen. Robert Morgan by Asst. Atty. Gen. Charles M. Hensey, Raleigh, for the State.

Joseph G. Davis, Jr., Rockingham, for defendant appellant.

MORRIS, Judge.

Defendant assigns error to the denial of his motions for a bill of particulars, a new venire and two motions for continuances. These motions are addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court, and they are not subject to review on appeal absent an abuse of discretion. Under the facts of the case before us, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the motions.

G.S. § 15-143 provides that:

"In all indictments when further information not required to be set out therein is desirable for the better defense of the accused, the court, upon motion, may, in its discretion, require the solicitor to furnish a bill of particulars of such matters."

That a motion for a bill of particulars is addressed to the trial court's discretion has been well established in the decisions of the Supreme Court. State v. Banks, 263 N.C. 784, 140 S.E.2d 318 (1965); State v. Thornton, 251 N.C. 658, 111 S.E.2d 901 (1960). The granting or denial of such a motion is not subject to review on appeal except for palpable and gross abuse of discretion. State v. Cameron, 283 N.C. 191, 195 S.E.2d 481 (1973); State v. Spence, 271 N.C. 23, 155 S.E.2d 802 (1967). It has been held that where all the information surrounding the commission of the crime is contained in the bill of indictment or can be obtained by examination of the State's witnesses, there is no abuse of discretion in the denial of the motion. State v. Cameron, supra.

The function of a bill of particulars is to inform the defendant of the nature of the evidence the State proposes to offer. State v. Overman, 269 N.C. 453, 153 S.E.2d 44 (1967). The indictment contained the following information: (1) the name of the defendant, (2) the date of the alleged offense, (3) the type of controlled substance possessed, and (4) the county in which the alleged offense occurred. Following *586 the denial of the motion for a bill of particulars, defendant was given the following information at a pretrial conference in chambers: (1) the time of the alleged offense, (2) the specific location of the alleged offense, (3) the quantity of the controlled substance, and (4) the names of the prospective witnesses for the State. In addition, the record shows that counsel and his law partner were present at the preceding trial where the witnesses stated that their testimony against defendant Martin would be substantially the same as their testimony against defendant Baxley. The information thus provided defendant is as adequate as the information furnished defendant in State v. Cameron, supra, and we hold that defendant has shown no abuse of discretion in the denial of his motion for a bill of particulars.

Defendant assigns error to the trial court's allowing the jury to try this case in spite of its exposure to the case of State v. Kevin Baxley. This assignment of error is grounded, inter alia, on exceptions to denials of challenges for cause, and the denial of a motion for a new venire. Neither can be sustained. The rulings on the competency of jurors is discretionary in the court and will not be reviewed unless accompanied by an imputed error of law. Highway Comm. v. Fry, 6 N.C.App. 370, 170 S.E.2d 91 (1969). In that case, the trial court denied the Commission's motion to dismiss jurors who had served in the immediately preceding condemnation trial. In affirming the trial court's denial, this Court noted that the trial court carefully questioned two jurors who had served in the previous case. Both stated that their service in the previous case would not prevent their giving the present parties a fair trial. The fact that a juror has served in a case which has similarity to the case he is now asked to serve does not automatically disqualify him as to the latter trial. Whether a special venire should be called in such a case is a matter resting in the sound discretion of the court. Id.

In State v. Haltom, 19 N.C.App. 646, 199 S.E.2d 708 (1973), defendant moved prior to selection of a jury for a continuance because the jury panel had been in the courtroom in the immediately preceding case where counsel for defendant had represented a different defendant charged with the same offense as was Haltom. The jury panel was thus able to hear counsel in his arguments outside the presence of the jury as well as observe the trial in its entirety. In affirming, we held that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the motion for continuance under the circumstances.

Defendant in the case subjudice has shown no abuse of the court's discretion. The court's rulings on the competency of the jurors is affirmed.

Defendant's final assignment of error is to the denial of a motion for a continuance on the ground that the State's undercover agent testified that two persons were with defendant at the time of the alleged offense. He contends that since he relies upon alibi as a defense, he is precluded from knowing the names of accomplices, aiders or abettors. Without discussing the logic of this position, we hold that, like the above motions, this motion was addressed to the court's discretion, State v. Robinson, 283 N.C. 71, 194 S.E.2d 811 (1973). Since no abuse of discretion has been shown, it is likewise affirmed. In State v. Hughes, 5 N.C.App. 639, 169 S.E.2d 1 (1969), defendant moved for a continuance until the next day because of the absence of a witness. In affirming the denial of the motion, we stated:

"The granting of a continuance is a matter entirely within the discretion of the trial judge and not reviewable unless there is a clear abuse of discretion. Dupree v. Virginia Home Insurance Co., 92 N.C. 417, 418; State v. Banks, 204 N.C. 233, 167 S.E. 851, and State v. Murphy, 4 N.C.App. 457, 167 S.E.2d 8. We think this rule is in accord with sound policy. *587 In this day of crowded court calendars, Judges, with the aid of attorneys, should and must take steps to insure the smooth flow of cases." Id., at 642, 169 S.E.2d at 3.

No error.

CAMPBELL and VAUGHN, JJ., concur.