State v. Kassouf

HEDRICK, Judge. Defendant, by his first assignment of error, contends that the trial court erred in failing to allow his motion to quash the warrant and in allowing the State’s motion to amend the warrant over defendant’s objection. “Under our practice, our courts have the authority to amend warrants defective in form and even in substance; provided the amended warrant does not change the nature of the offense intended to be charged in the original warrant.” Carson v. Doggett and Ward v. Doggett, 231 N.C. 629, 58 S.E. 2d 609 (1950). See also, State v. Young, 13 N.C. App. 237, 185 S.E. 2d 4 (1971). We hold that the court did not err in allowing the amendments to the warrant. Furthermore, State v. Tarlton, 208 N.C. 734, 182 S.E. 481 (1935), which defendant cites in his brief in support of this assignment of error is readily distinguishable from the instant case in that in Tarlton the State did not move to amend the warrant until after the verdict had been returned in the Superior Court. Next, defendant asserts that the trial court erred in denying his motion to dismiss for failure to afford the defendant a speedy trial. In Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514 (1972), the United States Supreme Court listed the factors to be considered in determining whether a defendant has been denied the right to a speedy trial. These factors include: (1) the length of delay; (2) the reason for delay; (3) the defendant’s assertion of his right to a speedy trial; and (4) how such delay has prejudiced the defendant. The record reflects that any delay in the trial was precipitated by defendant’s own acts; that defendant at no time demanded a trial; and, that defendant has not shown any [188] prejudice resulting from such delay. Considering these factors we conclude that the trial court properly denied defendant’s motion. Next, defendant assigns as error that portion of the judge’s charge to the jury which is set forth below: “(I charge for you to find the defendant guilty of gambling, the State must prove two things: the State must prove one of two things beyond a reasonable doubt. First, that the defendant bet money on a game of chance. A game of chance is a game of chance if the element of chance predominates over the element of skill. I instruct you card games on which money is bet are considered games of chance under our laws.) To the above paragraph in parentheses, defendant objects and excepts. Exception #10. (Second, the State does not have to satisfy you beyond a reasonable doubt if they saw that the defendant engaged in a game of chance and money was being bet on it. That would be enough for yqu to find the defendant guilty if you are satisfied of that beyond a reasonable doubt.) To the above portion of charge in parentheses, defendant objects and excepts. Exception #11.” We agree with defendant’s contention that this part of the charge is in erroit The primary purpose of a charge is to give a clear instruction which applies the law to the evidence in such a fashion as to assist the jury in comprehending the case and in reaching a proper verdict. State v. Williams, 280 N.C. 132, 184 S.E. 2d 875 (1971) ; State v. Biggs, 224 N.C. 722, 32 S.E. 2d 352 (1944). In the case at bar, that portion of the charge which is quoted above is confusing and very easily could have misled the jury with regard to the quantum of proof which was necessary to convict the defendant. For this reason the defendant must be afforded a New trial. Judges Britt and Carson concur.