residual hearsay exception, plain error, appointed appellate counsel

kidnapping, servitude, jury instructions, plain error

PWC; certiorari; jurisdiction; defect; substantive argument; de novo; light most favorable; prejudice; N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-51.2; self-defense; castle doctrine; defense of habitation; lawful occupant; occupant; force; entering; had entered; presumption; discontinued; motor vehicle; statutory interpretation; plain language; dictionary; spirit; object; legislative intent; intent; curtilage; dwelling; within; as a whole; absurd; bizarre; reason; common sense; reasonable possibility; excessive force

First-degree murder; concealing death; dismembering human remains

Failure by trial court to advise def of right to open and close closing arguments; sexual offense

ineffective assistance of counsel, special sentencing condition, motion to sever, expert witness

Invited error; plain error review; second-degree murder; overwhelming evidence of self-defense; number, size, and manner of display of text messages and photographs; enlargement of sexually explicit photographs; irrelevant evidence; highly prejudicial; inflaming jury’s passion; needless presentation of cumulative evidence; unfair prejudice; new trial granted.

Sixth Amendment, speedy trial, sufficiency of the evidence, malice, Harbison error

speedy trial, Barker analysis, curative instruction, prejudicial evidence

interlocutory appeal, substantial right, discovery order, discovery requests, discovery responses, sanctions, production of documents, request to translate documents to English