State v. Crabb

Graham, J.'

Defendant’s court appointed counsel has filed a brief in which he sets forth no arguments and states that he does not contend the appeal has merit. He does request, however, that this court review the record and award a new trial if any error is found.

An appeal itself is an exception to the judgment and presents for review error appearing on the face of the record. *335State v. Ayscue, 240 N.C. 196, 81 S.E. 2d 403; State v. Williams, 235 N.C. 429, 70 S.E. 2d 1; State v. Hitchcock, 4 N.C. App. 676, 167 S.E. 2d 545. The record proper in a criminal case consists of the bill of indictment…