State v. Moore

BRADY, Justice.

Defendant William Joseph Moore pleaded guilty to the first-degree murder of Pamela Spruill Virzi on 27 February 2006 and, following a sentencing proceeding, was sentenced to death on 26 April 2006. On appeal, defendant assigns error to the trial court’s acceptance of his waiver of the right to counsel on 14 November 2005. We hold that the trial court did not make an adequate determination pur suant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-1242 whether defendant’s decision to proceed pro se was knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily made. Because this error was prejudicial, defendant is entitled to…