State v. Stroud

LAKE, Justice.

The defendant was indicted on 17 May 1993 for the first-degree murder of Jocelyn Mitchell and on 7 November 1994 for the first-degree kidnapping of Mitchell. The defendant was tried capitally, and the jury found the defendant guilty of first-degree murder on the basis of felony murder and on the basis of murder by torture. The defendant was also found guilty of second-degree kidnapping. Following a capital sentencing proceeding pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-2000, the jury recommended that the defendant be sentenced to death. Judge Allen entered a prayer for judgment continued on…