State v. Lowery, 228 N.C. App. 229 (Jul. 2, 2013)

The evidence was sufficient to establish assault by strangulation. The victim testified that the defendant strangled her twice; the State’s medical expert testified that the victim’s injuries were consistent with strangulation; and photographic evidence showed bruising, abrasions, and a bite mark on and around the victim’s neck. The court rejected the defendant’s arguments that the statute required “proof of physical injury beyond what is inherently caused by every act of strangulation” or extensive physical injury.