STATE v. STANLEY

MARTIN, Justice.

Attorneys for the defendant have raised seventeen issues on appeal, based on twenty-two assignments of error. We have examined the entire record on appeal. For reasons which follow, we find that this defendant received a fair trial, free of prejudicial error.

In this opinion, assignments of error will be grouped together where clarity dictates; further facts in the case will be related as relevant issues are considered.

Defendant's first two assignments of error concern the following decision and comments by Judge Thornburg immediately after the jury had been impaneled, just prior to the calling of the first witness:

Defendant argues that the trial judge "singled out the State for a special privilege," in violation of N.C.G.S. 15A-1225, when he permitted two of the state's corroborating witnesses who later testified to remain in the courtroom during Christy Deal's testimony, while excluding one of defendant's chief witnesses who also later testified. Furthermore, defendant argues, it was error for the trial judge to comment in the presence of the jury that the two witnesses for the state were "law enforcement officers ... instrumental in the preparation of the case." This comment improperly bolstered the later testimony of these witnesses and also gave more credence to the child's testimony, prejudicing the defendant, in violation of N.C.G.S. 15A-1222 and -1232.

We find each of these contentions to be meritless.

With respect to the sequestration of witnesses at this trial, the pertinent statute provides:

N.C.Gen.Stat. § 15A-1225 (1983) (emphasis added). It is well settled that this practice is discretionary with the judge and is not a matter of right. State v. Mason, 295 N.C. 584, 248 S.E.2d 241 (1978), cert. denied, 440 U.S. 984, 99 S.Ct. 1797, 60 L.Ed.2d 246 (1979); State v. Cross, 293 N.C. 296, 237 S.E.2d 734 (1977); State v. Taylor, 280 N.C. 273, 185 S.E.2d 677 (1972); 1 Brandis on North Carolina Evidence § 20 (1982). A ruling on this matter is therefore not reviewable on appeal absent a showing of an abuse of discretion. State v. Woods, 307 N.C. 213, 297 S.E.2d 574 (1982); State v. Royal, 300 N.C. 515, 268 S.E.2d 517 (1980); State v. Mason, supra.

Defendant has neither argued nor shown abuse of discretion by the trial court, nor do we find it from the record. The statute allows the trial judge to exclude "all or some" of the witnesses. We find no error in the trial court's decision to permit Wanda Cook, Macon County Department of Social Services worker, and juvenile officer Gene Ledford to remain in the courtroom during the testimony of Christy Deal.

That the trial judge made the ruling on his own motion, rather than upon motion of counsel, is of no moment. The trial judge has this discretionary power in the absence of the statute. Lee v. Thornton, 174 N.C. 288, 93 S.E. 788 (1917) (Chief Justice Clark giving a thorough review of the question).1 The judge's power to control the progress and, within the limits of the adversary system, the shape of the trial has long included the broad power to sequester witness before, during, and after their testimony. Geders v. United States, 425 U.S. 80, 96 S.Ct. 1330, 47 L.Ed.2d 592 (1976); Holder v. United States, 150 U.S. 91, 14 S.Ct. 10, 37 L.Ed. 1010 (1893).

With regard to the propriety of the trial judge's references to the witnesses excused from the sequestration, we note that the one objection made at trial to the court's order went clearly and solely to the decision to allow Cook and Ledford to remain in the courtroom. No objection was made to the court's subsequent explanatory comments. The alleged impropriety should have been brought to the judge's attention at trial. "He who would save his rights must be reasonably prompt and diligent in asserting them." State v. Randall, 170 N.C. 757, 762, 87 S.E. 227, 229 (1915). Defendant has waived his right to challenge these remarks on appeal. State v. Jones, 303 N.C. 500, 279 S.E.2d 835 (1981); State v. Monk, 291 N.C. 37, 229 S.E.2d 163 (1976); State v. McAllister, 287 N.C. 178, 214 S.E.2d 75 (1975). Furthermore, defendant has failed to argue or demonstrate any prejudice. State v. Jones, 278 N.C. 259, 179 S.E.2d 433 (1971); N.C.Gen.Stat. § 15A-1443(a) (1983).

Defendant's third and fourth assignments of error are concerned with the trial testimony of Christy Marie Deal. At the time of this trial, the child was six years old. A series of introductory questions and answers about details of her schooling, living arrangment, and persons to whom she had spoken about this case showed that this witness understood questions put to her and could answer these questions. Defendant argues that having established her ability to so testify, there was no further justification for the leading questions then addressed to this witness. Direct evidence of defendant's criminal activity was provided by this sole witness, argues defendant, by way of improper leading questions which were used to establish the essential elements of the crime for which he was charged.

Examples of the challenged testimony follow:

Q. How were you laying?

A. I was laying on my back.

A. In front.

A leading question is generally defined as one which suggests the desired response and may frequently be answered yes or no. State v. Britt, 291 N.C. 528, 231 S.E.2d 644 (1977); State v. Greene, 285 N.C. 482, 206 S.E.2d 229 (1974); 1 Brandis, supra, § 31. We note that, by definition, the question must suggest the proper response; it is not leading simply because it may be answered yes or no. State v. Britt, supra; State v. Watkins, 283 N.C. 504, 196 S.E.2d 750 (1973). Examining the direct testimony of Christy Deal in its entirety, we find that in virtually no instance did the questioner suggest the proper response.

We note, furthermore—and defendant concedes—that questions which are clearly leading are often necessary and permitted on direct examination when the witness "has difficulty in understanding the question because of immaturity, age, infirmity or ignorance or where ... the inquiry is into a subject of delicate nature such as sexual matters." State v. Greene, supra, 285 N.C. at 492, 206 S.E.2d at 236. Here the trial judge was concerned with a six-year-old child as a prosecuting witness and with unnatural sexual acts. In any event, rulings by the trial court on the use of leading questions are discretionary and reversible only for abuse of discretion. State v. Smith, 290 N.C. 148, 226 S.E.2d 10, cert. denied, 429 U.S. 932, 97 S.Ct. 339, 50 L.Ed.2d 301 (1976); State v. Payne, 280 N.C. 150, 185 S.E.2d 116 (1971) (and cases cited therein).

Defendant's assignments of error are overruled.

By his fifth assignment of error, defendant contends that the trial court erred in refusing to allow Christy Deal to testify on cross-examination regarding the relationship of her mother, Carolyn Stanley, to the defendant. The questions involved hearsay and were incompetent. For example: "Your Mama doesn't want him to come back, though, does she?" "Your Mama told you she didn't want him to come back?"

Defendant argues that "[t]he excluded testimony was necessary so that Defendant could argue to the jury a reason as to why the child would lie." We note that the record reveals ample support by evidence received elsewhere during the trial for defendant's argument regarding Mrs. Carolyn Stanley's behavior toward him. Even though defendant argues that the testimony was necessary to his defense, evidence must be competent before it is admissible. The testimony was hearsay and not admissible. This assignment is overruled.

At trial, the state offered testimony of three witnesses in corroboration of the chief prosecuting witness, Christy Deal. As each witness testified, the trial judge cautioned the jury as follows: "Members of the jury, this evidence is offered and admitted for the sole purpose of corroborating or strengthening the testimony of the witness Christy Deal, if you find that it does or tends to do so. It may not be considered by you for any other purpose."

Defendant argues that these instructions were improper in that they required the jury to conclude that Christy Deal's testimony had been strengthened even if the evidence of corroboration in the jury's mind was so slight it would reject it.

There is no merit to this contention.

The quoted instruction did not improperly express an opinion on the evidence to the jury. To the contrary, the instruction made it quite clear that it is for the jury to decide whether the evidence in fact corroborated the witness. 1 Brandis, supra, § 52; State v. Alston, 307 N.C. 321, 298 S.E.2d 631 (1983); State v. Lester, 294 N.C. 220, 240 S.E.2d 391 (1978). The instructions adequately defined the function of corroborative testimony. State v. Rogers, 299 N.C. 597, 264 S.E.2d 89 (1980); State v. Case, 253 N.C. 130, 116 S.E.2d 429 (1960).

At no time did defendant object at trial to these instructions as improper or incomplete. He cannot be heard now to so complain. State v. Lee, 248 N.C. 327, 103 S.E.2d 295 (1958) (court in its charge did not explain difference between substantive and corroborative evidence; no grounds for exception where no request for such instruction had been made).

We further note that defendant had, and took full advantage of, his opportunity to cross-examine each of the corroborating witnesses.

This assignment is overruled.

Defendant's next three assignments of error concern the expert opinion testimony of Dr. Frederick Berger and Dr. Joseph Williams.

Dr. Berger, having been accepted by the court with no objections as an expert in the field of pediatrics, testified in part as follows:

When asked whether he had an opinion as to whether or not Christy's vagina had been penetrated, Dr. Berger answered, over defendant's objection: "I believe that the large opening which is extremely unusual in one her age is compatible with penetration of the vagina."

On cross-examination, Dr. Berger acknowledged that at the time of his examination of Christy, he found no trauma around either the rectum or the vagina. He noted:

Dr. Joseph Williams, accepted by the court with no objections by defendant as an expert in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, did conduct a pelvic examination of the child. Dr. Williams testified, with no objections, that as a result of his examination, he found evidence of vaginal penetration as well as venereal or perineal warts. His internal examination of Christy did not reveal significant intravaginal scarring. Over defendant's objection, Dr. Williams went on to testify that the size of Christy Deal's vagina when compared to that of another six year old, was "grossly enlarged." Dr. Williams was then asked the following:

Defendant argues that Dr. Berger's opinion testimony regarding vaginal penetration of the child and Dr. Williams's testimony regarding her vaginal size and the transmission of venereal warts were erroneously admitted by the trial court.

In each instance, claims defendant, the opinion lacked a proper foundation: There had been no internal examination to substantiate Dr. Berger's vaginal penetration opinion; Dr. Williams had never testified that he had examined or studied other six-year-old females as a basis for his opinion as to Christy's comparative vaginal size; finally, his testimony regarding the transmission of venereal warts was not based on his personal knowledge of the child but on what "usually occurs."

We reject defendant's argument. It is well settled that a physician who is properly qualified as an expert may offer an opinion as to whether the victim in a rape prosecution has been penetrated and whether internal injuries have been caused thereby. State v. Starnes, 308 N.C. 720, 304 S.E.2d 226 (1983); State v. Galloway, 304 N.C. 485, 284 S.E.2d 509 (1981); State v. Atkinson, 278 N.C. 168, 179 S.E.2d 410, death sentence vacated, 403 U.S. 948, 91 S.Ct. 2283, 29 L.Ed.2d 859 (1971). Dr. Berger's opinion with regard to vaginal penetration was entirely proper. Dr. Berger had twice examined the child; his opinion testimony limited as it was to "the compatibility" of the size of her vagina with possible penetration did not exceed the bounds of his examination, attempting neither to opine about the exact nature or the cause of the penetration.

We also find that Dr. William's testimony regarding the size of Christy's vagina and the generally accepted means whereby venereal warts such as those he observed on the child are transmitted was well within the bounds of permissible medical expert testimony. The proper analysis has been summarized by this Court as follows, and governs this issue:

State v. Wilkerson, 295 N.C. 559, 568-69, 247 S.E.2d 905, 911 (1978).

Dr. Williams's "personal knowledge," or lack thereof, of the specific cause of this child's venereal warts was not the subject of the question put to him at trial, nor, in any event, is it determinative of the admissibility of his testimony. See State v. Wade, 296 N.C. 454, 251 S.E.2d 407 (1979); State v. DeGregory, 285 N.C. 122, 203 S.E.2d 794 (1974). See generally 1 Brandis, supra, § 136.

These assignments of error are overruled.

Defendant next assigns as error the trial court's admission, over his objection, of the testimony of Ms. Edith Parkerson, Christy Deal's first grade schoolteacher at the time of this trial. In the course of a very brief series of questions and answers, this witness testified that at the beginning of the school year, around 12 August 1982, Christy "seemed like a shy little girl"; that "she didn't do well in the beginning," as far as her grades were concerned; that the child noticeably began to improve by about the middle of October and is a "good, average student."

Defendant argues that this testimony is not relevant to the issues before the court and that its admission was prejudicial: "To a jury panel naturally expecting to see evidence of psychological damage in a sexually abused child, and with nothing else appearing, such evidence would have a great impact...."

In examining Ms. Parkerson's testimony, we disagree with both of defendant's conclusions.

When defendant was arrested in September, Christy was physically examined and intensively questioned, and this case was brought to trial. This witness's testimony was relevant with respect to the condition of Christy during this period of time.

Bank v. Stack, 179 N.C. 514, 516, 103 S.E. 6 (1920).

Counsel's questions to this witness were proper. Parkerson's responses in no sense were capable of creating undue sympathy or prejudice to defendant. On the contrary, the teacher's observations could be interpreted as benefiting defendant. The child was portrayed basically as a quite normal first-grader.

This assignment of error has no merit.

Defendant's next three assignments of error go to the question of the sufficiency of the evidence and the propriety of the trial court's refusal to dismiss the case at the close of the state's evidence, at the close of all the evidence, and after the return of the verdict. He argues that "[t]aking the State's evidence, even in the best of all possible lights, there was insufficient, substantial evidence in the present case to establish penetration of the vagina and to require submission of the case to the jury."

We do not so read the record in this case.

Christy Marie Deal testified directly, unequivocally, and knowingly that defendant had sexual intercourse with her. Her testimony was corroborated by her statements as recalled by trial witnesses Kathy Burkhart, Wanda Cook, and Carolyn Stanley. Medical expert testimony confirmed the compatibility of the child's testimony with her physical condition.

Any contradictions or ambiguities in this record regarding the essential element of penetration have to do with the question of degree only, not with whether penetration occurred. The slightest penetration of the sexual organ of the female by the sexual organ of the male is all that is required to prove vaginal intercourse. State v. Sneeden, 274 N.C. 498, 164 S.E.2d 190 (1968); State v. Jones, 249 N.C. 134, 105 S.E.2d 513 (1958).

The evidence is thus clear and unequivocal as to each essential element of the crime of rape in the first degree as set forth in N.C.G.S. 14-27.2 and as to defendant's being the perpetrator of the offense. State v. Earnhardt, 307 N.C. 62, 296 S.E.2d 649 (1982); State v. Roseman, 279 N.C. 573, 184 S.E.2d 289 (1971).

The motions to dismiss were properly denied.

Defendant next assigns as error rulings and comments of the trial court made in the course of defendant's own testimony. Brief relevant portions of the testimony follow:

Defendant objects, first, to the explanatory comment of the trial judge referring to "his relationship with his wife which, of course, also is not on trial in this particular case." This, he argues, was "a severe expression of the trial court's opinion not only as to this particular piece of testimonial evidence, but also an opinion as to the Defendant's main line of defense." Secondly, defendant says this same line of defense— that Carolyn Stanley induced Christy Deal to implicate him because of her "maniacal tendencies of jealousy" toward defendant— was improperly restricted by trial court rulings excluding his testimony regarding Carolyn's past efforts to use criminal process to control him. The excluded testimony was, he claims, relevant, competent, and admissible evidence.

These arguments must fail.

The decision of the trial judge to exclude irrelevant testimony relating to defendant's association with Linda Jones was entirely proper.

The remark by the trial judge was made in response to a question by defendant's counsel. If error, it was invited error of which defendant cannot complain. Brittain v. Blankenship, 244 N.C. 518, 94 S.E.2d 489 (1956). Furthermore, it does not necessarily follow that every ill-advised comment by a trial judge which may tend to impeach a witness is so harmful as to constitute reversible error. State v. Brady, 299 N.C. 547, 264 S.E.2d 66 (1980). Any such comment must be considered in light of all the facts and attending circumstances disclosed by the record. Whether defendant was deprived of a fair trial by the challenged remark must ultimately be determined by what was said and its probable effect upon the jury. The burden of showing prejudice is, of course, on the appellant. State v. Faircloth, 297 N.C. 388, 255 S.E.2d 366 (1979); State v. Arnold, 284 N.C. 41, 199 S.E.2d 423 (1973); N.C.Gen.Stat. § 15A-1443(a) (1983). The assignment of error is overruled.

For these same reasons, we find no prejudicial error in the trial court's exclusion of defendant's testimony regarding prior warrants taken out against defendant by Carolyn Stanley.

The trial judge's determination that this line of questioning exceeded the bounds of relevance or that the questions themselves were improperly leading, clearly does not present reversible error.

Defendant's remaining two assignments of error concern the trial court's denial of his motions for appropriate relief based upon the verdict being contrary to the weight of the evidence and the insufficiency of the evidence. For reasons dealt with elsewhere in this opinion, these assignments are overruled.

NO ERROR.