State v. Elliott

PARKER, Justice.

Defendant John Robert Elliott was tried capitally on an indictment charging him with the first-degree murder of Brandie Jean Freeman (“Brandie”). The jury returned a verdict finding defendant guilty as charged based on premeditation and deliberation. The jury also found defendant guilty of felony child abuse. Following a capital sentencing proceeding pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 15A-2000, the jury recommended that defendant be sentenced to death for the murder; and the trial court entered judgment accordingly. The trial court also sentenced defendant to a term of ten years’…