State v. Smith, 230 N.C. App. 387 (Nov. 5, 2013)

The defendant was not denied effective assistance of counsel in a case where defense counsel had a meeting with the State’s witnesses in which they offered to drop the charges against the defendant in exchange for compensation. Defense counsel cross-examined the witnesses extensively about their visit to his office and the resulting discussion, including that defense counsel did not give them any money or otherwise cooperate with their demands. Through cross-examination and closing argument, counsel called issues with the witnesses’ credibility to the attention of the jury. Counsel was able to make the required points without serving as a witness in the defendant’s trial.