State v. Jackson

WEBB, Judge.

Defendant’s sole assignment of error is that the trial court erred in allowing Lillian Kerns to testify with respect to statements made by defendant. Lillian Kerns is the mother of the victim. She is also the defendant’s aunt, and a minister. Mrs. Kerns visited defendant several times while he was in jail. She testified in court that defendant admitted his guilt to her during these visits. Defendant now contends the admission of this testimony violated the clergy-communicant privilege of G.S. 8-53.2.

G.S. 8-53.2 provides:

No priest, rabbi, accredited Christian Science practitioner,…