Smith's Criminal Case Compendium
Table of Contents
Criminal Procedure
Indictment & Pleading Issues
Arrest, Search, and Investigation
Criminal Offenses
Drug Offenses
State v. Hill, 247 N.C. App. 342 (May. 3, 2016)
In this case involving breaking and entering, larceny and other charges, the trial court did not err by failing to exclude the testimony of two law enforcement officers who identified the defendant in a surveillance video. The officers were familiar with the defendant and recognized distinct features of his face, posture, and gait that would not have been evident to the jurors. Also, because the defendant’s appearance had changed between the time of the crimes and the date of trial, the officer’s testimony helped the jury understand his appearance at the time of the crime and its similarity to the person in the surveillance videos.