Smith's Criminal Case Compendium
Table of Contents
Criminal Procedure
Indictment & Pleading Issues
Evidence
Arrest, Search, and Investigation
Criminal Offenses
Drug Offenses
State v. Phillips, 365 N.C. 103 (Jun. 16, 2011)
The trial court erred by submitting the (f)(4) mitigating circumstance (defendant was an accomplice in or accessory to the capital felony committed by another person and his participation was relatively minor) to the jury where it was not supported by substantial evidence. However, in the absence of “extraordinary facts,” the court concluded that the error was harmless.