State v. Swinney

The defendant entered a plea of nolo contendere to the charge of involuntary manslaughter. While the plea' is- not a confession of guilt for all purposes, State v. Thomas, 236 N.C. 196, *13372 S.E. 2d 525, nevertheless it has the same effect insofar as punishment is concerned as a plea of guilty. State v. Cooper, 238 N.C. 241, 77 S.E. 2d 695; State v. Shepherd, 230 N.C. 605, 55 S.E. 2d 79. Punishment for involuntary manslaughter may be by fine or imprisonment or both in the discretion of the court. G.S. 14-18; State v. Adams, 266 N.C. 406, 146 S.E. 2d 505; State v. Blackmon, 260 N.C. 352, 132 S.E.…