State v. Bearthes

MEYER, Justice.

On Wednesday afternoon, 2 September 1987, in front of at least four witnesses including two of defendant’s children, defendant stabbed his estranged wife, Freddie Mae, thirty-four times, and she died as a result thereof. On 9 November 1987, defendant was indicted for first-degree murder pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 14-17. The case was tried before a jury at the 22 May 1989 Criminal Session of Superior Court, Rowan County. At defendant’s capital trial, defendant was convicted of murder in the first degree. During the sentencing phase, the jury found that the seven mitigating…