In re Foreclosure of a Deed of Trust Executed by Helms

VAUGHN, Judge.

Respondent-mortgagors make several assignments of error. They first contend the trial court erred in admitting into evidence photocopies of the promissory note and deed of trust. They argue that under the “best evidence” rule, the originals should have been required. We disagree.

The rationale behind the “best evidence” rule is that the original instrument best identifies its own contents. 2 Stansbury, N.C. Evidence § 190 (Brandis rev. 1973). When the opposing party, however, admits that the documents shown him are correct copies of the original, the original need not be…