State v. Bruton’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

83 state decisions

Most-quoted passages

The sentences later courts lift from this opinion, ranked by how many decisions quote each — the parts of the opinion doing the work. These counts are smaller than the citation total above because most of the 83 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. ““On a motion to nonsuit, the defendant’s evidence which explains or makes clear the evidence of the State may be considered. (Citing authorities.) On a motion for nonsuit, the foregoing rule also permits the consideration of defendant’s evidence which rebuts the inference of guilt when it is not inconsistent with the State’s evidence.””

   3 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. State v. Blizzard · State v. Benton

2. ““In the case of S. v. Ham, 238 N.C. 94 , 76 S.E. 2d 346 , this Court, in substance, held that in order to render one who does not actually participate in the commission of the crime guilty of the offense committed, there must be some evidence tending to show that he, by word or deed, gave active encouragement to the perpetrator or perpetrators of the crime, or by his conduct made it known to such perpetrator or perpetrators that he was standing by to render assistance when and if it should become necessary. In S. v. Birchfield, 235 N.C. 410 , 70 S.E. 2d 5 , Ervin, J., speaking for the Court, said: ‘The mere presence of a person at the scene of a crime at the time of its commission does not make him a prinicpal in the second degree; and this is so even though he makes no effort to prevent the crime, or even though he may silently approve of the crime, or even though he may secretly intend to assist the perpetrator in the commission of the crime in case his aid becomes necessary to its consummation. S. v Hart, 186 N.C. 582 , 120 S.E. 345 ; S. v. Hildreth, 31 N.C. 440 , 51 Am. D. 369 .’ See also S. v. Burgess, 245 N.C. 304 , 96 S.E. 2d 54 and S. v. Banks, 242 N.C. 304 , 87 S.E. 2d 558 .””

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. State v. Walden · State v. Walden

3. ““Upon a motion for judgment as of nonsuit or for a directed verdict at the close of the State’s evidence, and renewed by the defendant after the introduction of his own evidence, all the evidence upon the whole record tending to sustain a conviction will be considered in the light most favorable to the State, and the State is entitled to every reasonable inference to be drawn therefrom. (Citations omitted.)” State v. Bruton, 264 N.C. 488 , 142 S.E. 2d 169 (1965). See also, State v. Davis, 246 N.C. 73 , 97 S.E. 2d 444 (1957) and State v. Gay, 224 N.C. 141 , 29 S.E. 2d 458 (1944).”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. State v. Bauler