pre-trial waiver of right to counsel, N.C.G.S. 15A-1242, range of permissible punishment

Self-Defense, Rule 404(b)

Jury instructions; first degree murder by torture; involuntary manslaughter

ineffective assistance of counsel, necessary defense, voluntary intoxication

Obtaining property by false pretenses; Jury instruction; Plain error.

motion to suppress - probable cause; DWI; N.C.G.S. § 20-138.1

Drug-trafficking; search and seizure; confidential informant; motion to suppress; reasonable suspicion; probable cause; factors of reliability; search warrant; warrant exception; automobile exception

Jury instructions; actual possession; constructive possession

Robbery with a dangerous weapon; Denial of motion to dismiss; Sufficiency of evidence of use of dangerous weapon; Guilty plea to habitual felon status; Required statutory colloquy under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1022

first-degree murder; second-degree murder; insufficient evidence; premeditation; deliberation; motion to dismiss; substantial evidence; legal provocation; direct evidence; circumstantial evidence; grossly excessive force; headlock; malice; express hatred; inherently dangerous act; failure to instruct jury; involuntary manslaughter; preservation; Rule 10; custodial statement; pretrial motion