Rule 3.1(e); no-merit brief; independent review of the record; termination of parental rights; best interest of the children; sufficient findings of fact and conclusions law; no abuse of discretion; no reversible error.

3.1; termination of parental rights; no-merit brief

Void marriage, annulment, hearsay, judicial estoppel, equitable estoppel

trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying defendant's motion to amend complaint for apparent reason of undue delay and where amendment would have unduly prejudiced plaintiff

Defamation; motion for judgment on the pleadings, N.C. Gen. Stat. 1A-1, Rule 12(c); motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim, N.C. Gen. Stat. 1A-1, Rule 12(b)(6); qualified privilege defense; fair report privilege defense

Zoning; digital billboards; interpretation that harmonizes conflicting provisions; ambiguous language in zoning ordinances construed in favor of free use of real property

no error in admitting challenged Rule 404(b) evidence; trial court improperly considered the defendant's exercise of his constitutional right to demand a trial by jury in deciding to impose three consecutive sentences

Plea agreement; Plea arrangement; Withdrawn plea; Withdrawal; Alford plea; N.C. Gen. Stat. ? 15A-1024; Plea Bargain; Consideration; Inducement; Constitutional right; Benefit of the bargain; Sentencing.

Exploitation of a disabled or elderly person while in a business relationship; Obtaining Property by False Pretenses; Confrontation Clause; Cross-examine; Opportunity to cross-examine; Hearsay, Hearsay exception; N.C. Gen. Stat. ? 8C-1, Rule 804; Witness unavailable; Former testimony; Crawford; Testimonial statements; No-Contact Order; Absent from trial; Due Process; Sixth Amendment; Right to inspect; Weatherford.

Violent Habitual Felon Statute; mandatory LWOP; Juvenile conduct; eighth amendment; ineffective assistance of counsel; motion for appropriate relief