State v. Berryman

LAKE, Chief Justice.

The issue presented for review in this case is whether a six-year delay in the preparation of a trial transcript for appellate review violates a criminal defendant’s constitutional or statutory right to an appeal.

Steve Lawrence Berryman (“defendant”) was indicted on 18 November 1997 for: (1) robbery with a dangerous weapon in violation of N.C.G.S. § 14-87; (2) possession of crack cocaine in violation of N.C.G.S. § 90-95(a)(3); and (3) being an habitual felon under N.C.G.S. § 14-7.1. The underlying facts of these charges are described in the Court of Appeals’ opinion below,…