State v. Hope

STROUD, Judge.

I. Factual Background

W.D. Hope (“defendant”) was indicted on 13 September 2010 for assaulting Mr. Thomas Goddard with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. Defendant pleaded not guilty and the case went to jury trial.

*470The State’s evidence presented at trial tended to show the following: On 23 April 2010, defendant went to Mr. Goddard’s house. Defendant was angry with Mr. Goddard either because he believed that Mr. Goddard had made a move on his wife or because he believed that Mr. Goddard owed him money (the evidence was inconsistent on this point). When…