State v. Oakes

JACKSON, Judge.

Eric Alan Oakes (“defendant”) appeals from the 26 August 2008 judgment entered upon a jury’s verdict finding him guilty of first-degree murder and sentencing him to life imprisonment without parole in the custody of the North Carolina Department of Correction. For the reasons set forth below, we hold no error.

On or about 6 July 2002, defendant and Joey Forehand (“Forehand”), defendant’s friend from the Army, visited a bar in Ahoskie, North Carolina. Forehand spoke with a black male at the bar about purchasing ecstasy. Forehand entered the man’s vehicle, a yellow Cavalier, and…