State v. Rogers, No. 7127SC469

Decision Date04 August 1971
Docket NumberNo. 7127SC469
Citation182 S.E.2d 660,12 N.C.App. 160
PartiesSTATE of North Carolina v. Max V. ROGERS.
CourtNorth Carolina Court of Appeals

Atty. Gen. Robert Morgan by Staff Atty. William L. Sauls, Raleigh, for the State.

Jeffrey M. Guller, Gastonia, for defendant.

BROCK, Judge.

Defendant has been supplied with court-appointed counsel for two trials and two appeals. Counsel was successful in obtaining a new trial for defendant after his first conviction but defendant nevertheless undertook to vilify counsel and undertook to partially represent himself on his second trial. Despite defendant's conduct counsel has diligently pursued this appeal. Indigent defendants are constitutionally entitled to have counsel to represent them, but this constitutional right in no way gives a defendant the right to insult and degrade counsel merely because he is unable to obtain a verdict of acquittal. Defendant's conduct produces the evidence upon which the jury passes, and he has no one to blame but himself if his conduct constitutes a crime of which he is found guilty.

Defendant assigns as error the admission of certain testimony and certain exhibits in evidence. We have examined these carefully and conclude that no prejudicial error is shown.

Defendant assigns as error certain portions of the judge's charge to the jury. We have carefully reviewed the charge and in our opinion it fairly submits the case to the jury upon appropriate principles of law. Prejudicial error is not shown

Defendant assigns as error that the trial judge allowed defendant to examine and cross-examine some of the witnesses himself. This was at defendant's request, and so long as defendant conducted himself within customary rules it was discretionary with the trial judge to allow defendant to examine witnesses. No prejudicial error or abuse of discretion has been shown.

Defendant had a fair trial, free from prejudicial error.

No error.

VAUGHN and GRAHAM, JJ., concur.

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4 cases
  • State v. Jones
    • United States
    • North Carolina Court of Appeals
    • December 5, 1989
    ... ... State v. Rogers, 9 N.C.App. 702, 704, 177 S.E.2d 301, 302, app. on oth. grounds, 12 ... N.C.App. 160, 182 S.E.2d 660, cert. denied, 279 N.C. 513, 183 S.E.2d 690 ... ...
  • State v. Moorefield, 7630SC828
    • United States
    • North Carolina Court of Appeals
    • April 20, 1977
    ...386 (1964). However, the trial court in its discretion may permit a defendant himself to cross examine a witness. State v. Rogers, 12 N.C.App. 160, 182 S.E.2d 660 (1971). The trial court in its discretion also may permit the defendant to conduct the defense and at the same time be furnished......
  • State v. Rogers
    • United States
    • North Carolina Supreme Court
    • October 5, 1971
    ...Jeffrey M. Guller, for defendant. Petition for writ of certiorari to review the decision of the North Carolina Court of Appeals, 12 N.C.App. 160, 182 S.E.2d 660. ...
  • State v. Ward, 713SC502
    • United States
    • North Carolina Court of Appeals
    • August 4, 1971

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