State v. Ferrell

BRANCH, Chief Justice.

The threshold question presented for review in this case is whether a sentence of imprisonment for ten years to life is a sentence of “imprisonment for life” within the meaning of G.S. 7A-27(a) so as to create a direct appeal of right to this Court from the superior court. In dismissing the appeal for lack of jurisdiction, the Court of Appeals reasoned that a sentence of imprisonment of ten years to life was essentially a life sentence and therefore appeal lay directly to this Court from the trial court. We disagree.

G.S. 7A-27 governs appeals of right from the trial…