State v. Cates

LEWIS, Judge.

Defendant was tried at the 5 April 1999 Session of Durham County Superior Court for first-degree kidnapping, first-degree rape, and first-degree statutory sex offense. The jury returned a verdict on 9 April 1999, finding him guilty of second-degree kidnapping, attempted second-degree rape, and second-degree statutory sex offense. Defendant now appeals.

Defendant has brought forth six arguments on appeal. However, we will only address his first argument, as we find it to be dispositive. Defendant contends the trial court committed reversible error by beginning his trial the same…