Current:Home > ContactNorth Carolina judge properly considered jurors’ request in murder trial, justices decide -Blueprint Wealth Network
North Carolina judge properly considered jurors’ request in murder trial, justices decide
View
Date:2025-04-16 08:46:22
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina judge properly used his discretion in declining to provide testimony transcripts to jurors deliberating in a murder trial, the state Supreme Court has ruled.
A majority of justices on Thursday overturned the state Court of Appeals’ order of a new trial for Tevin Demetrius Vann.
Vann was convicted in 2019 of first-degree murder in 2016 death of Ashley McLean, who was found dead inside a Wilmington hotel room. The jury also found Vann guilty of felony murder of McLean’s unborn child and robbery with a dangerous weapon. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
While Superior Court Judge Henry Stevens provided to jurors other trial-related documents, including a transcript of Vann’s interview with detectives, he declined to give them the opportunity to review trial testimony of Vann, a police detective and the medical examiner.
Stevens told jurors “it’s your duty to recall their testimony. So you will have to remember that. We’re not – we can’t provide a transcript as to that.”
A Court of Appeals panel determined in 2022 that Stevens’ decision was prejudicial error against Vann, particularly because his testimony differed from his earlier interrogation with police when he admitted to striking McLean and fleeing the hotel room with her cell phone. On the stand, he asserted he did not attack McLean and only previously confessed to avoid being charged with murder.
In Thursday’s opinion backed by five court members, Associate Justice Phil Berger wrote there was no prejudicial error because the case record showed the trial court “understood and properly exercised its discretion.” He cited in part how Stevens handled previous requests from the deliberating jurors.
Associate Justice Anita Earls wrote a dissenting opinion, saying a new trial was proper because it was clear Stevens believed he could not provide the transcripts of Vann’s testimony, which she said was crucial and central to the case.
In a separate opinion, Associate Justice Allison Riggs wrote that while Stevens erred on the request, it was wrong to order a new trial because there lacked a reasonable possibility that jurors would have reached a different result based on other evidence against Vann.
veryGood! (428)
Related
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- Fireworks can scare dogs. Vets explain why and how to calm your pet's anxiety.
- New UK prime minister Keir Starmer vows to heal wounds of distrust after Labour landslide
- Russia says forces seize part of key Ukraine town of Chasiv Yar as deadly airstrikes continue
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- 'Attitude just like mine': Serena Williams pays emotional tribute to Andy Murray
- New panel charged with helping Massachusetts meet its renewable energy goals
- 1 dead, 3 injured after severe thunderstorm tears through state park in Kansas
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- Martha Stewart posted photos of her beige living room, and commenters took it personally
Ranking
- Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
- Best compact SUVs and crossovers for 2024: Everyday all-rounders
- Lynx forward, Olympian Napheesa Collier injures foot
- World Aquatics executive subpoenaed by US government in probe of Chinese doping scandal
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- AP Week in Pictures: Global
- 4 swimmers bitten by shark off Texas' South Padre Island, officials say
- Jill Ellis responds to abuse allegations against her, San Diego Wave
Recommendation
Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
Residents of small Missouri town angered over hot-car death of police dog
How a unique Topeka program is welcoming immigrants and helping them thrive
Are shark attacks on the rise? | The Excerpt
'Most Whopper
Horoscopes Today, July 5, 2024
See Brittany and Patrick Mahomes Ace Wimbledon Style
Spain advances to Euro 2024 semifinals with extra time win over Germany