State v. Young case brief

State v. Young case brief summary
325 S.E.2d 181 (1985)

CASE SYNOPSIS

Defendant sought review of a judgment of the Criminal Superior Court, Watauga County (North Carolina), which convicted him of first-degree murder, first-degree burglary, and robbery with a dangerous weapon. Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-2000(a)(1), defendant was sentenced to death.

CASE FACTS
Defendant was convicted of first-degree murder, first-degree burglary, and robbery with a dangerous weapon and sentenced to death, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-2000(a)(1).

DISCUSSION

• On appeal, the supreme court determined that the state was not required to list in a bill of particulars the aggravating circumstances it intended to prove because aggravating circumstances did not constitute factual information under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-925(b). 
• The court held that the trial court had not abused its discretion in denying defendant's motion to have the state's witnesses sequestered. 
• The court held that a constructive breaking through fraud or deception was enough to accomplish the requisite element for burglary. 
• The court found that the aggravating circumstance that the murder was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel was constitutional on its face. 
• The court held that the facts of the case resembled cases in which the jury recommended life imprisonment rather than the death sentence. 
• The court affirmed the conviction of the trial court, vacated the death sentence, and imposed a sentence of life imprisonment.

CONCLUSION
The supreme court affirmed a judgment of the trial court, which convicted defendant of first-degree murder, first-degree burglary, and robbery with a dangerous weapon. The court vacated the death sentence and imposed a sentence of life imprisonment.

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