State v. Johnson

BEASLEY, Justice.

**871 The Court of Appeals concluded that defendant's inculpatory statements to law enforcement were given under the influence of fear or hope caused by the interrogating officers' statements and actions and were therefore involuntarily made. State v. Johnson , --- N.C.App. ----, ----, 795 S.E.2d 625 , 639-40 (2017). The unanimous Court of Appeals panel held that the confession should have been suppressed but concluded the error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt due to the overwhelming evidence of defendant's guilt. Id. at ----, 795 S.E.2d at 641 . For the reasons stated…