State v. Lawson

EXUM, Justice.

In this appeal defendant contends the trial court erred by failing to exclude certain evidence and by improperly expressing its opinion to the jury. He also asks us to declare North Carolina’s death penalty statute unconstitutional. We find no merit in any assignment and leave undisturbed the judgments entered by the trial court.

I

In December 1980, Burén Shinn resided in a house on Old Salisbury Road approximately three miles from Concord. Buren’s son Wayne lived in a house located about 100 yards away. Burén and Wayne worked together in a family electrical business.

After driving…