State v. Moore

EXUM, Chief Justice.

The questions presented by this appeal are whether the hearing courts erred when they denied defendant’s pre-trial motions for the appointment of a psychiatrist and fingerprint expert to assist in the preparation and presentation of his defense. We hold that the hearing courts erred with regard to both motions and order a new trial on this account.

I

On 7 January 1986, the Gaston County grand jury returned indictments charging defendant with first degree sexual offense, first degree burglary, and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. All…