State v. Cox

MARTIN, Justice.

Defendant, a convicted felon, confessed to possession of a firearm recovered by Goldsboro police officers ten to twelve feet from a car in which he was a passenger. Because defendant’s confession is supported by substantial independent evidence tending to establish its trustworthiness, the corpus delicti rule is satisfied. We reverse the decision of the Court of Appeals.

The Goldsboro Police Department conducted a DWI checkpoint from 11:00 p.m. on 30 October until 3:00 a.m. on 31 October 2009 at the intersection of Central Heights Road and Highway 13 North. The Department…