Turning State's

In this episode, Hyde and Holbrook discuss three cases decided by the North Carolina Court of Appeals on June 3, 2026. In State v. Phelps, No. COA25-934 (N.C. Ct. App. June 3, 2026), the Court of Appeals ruled that simultaneous possession of multiple weapons constitutes a single instance of possession of a weapon of mass death and destruction. In State v. Metcalf, No. COA25-624 (N.C. Ct. App. June 3, 2026), the Court of Appeals found that repeated unanswered phone calls in violation of a DVPO constitutes felony stalking. And in State v. Tyson, No. COA25-604 (N.C. Ct. App. June 3, 2026), the Court of Appeals held that sexual exploitation of a minor by solicitation does not require that the material solicited actually exist.

What is Turning State's?

Turning State's is a podcast for North Carolina prosecutors and others interested in the criminal justice system in North Carolina. It is hosted by Joseph L. Hyde, prosecutor advisor with the University of North Carolina School of Government, and Jonathan Holbrook, director of training with the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys. The podcast follows the format of a case update. Each episode features Hyde and Holbrook discussing a few criminal cases recently decided by North Carolina appellate courts. Listeners can expect to stay up to date on relevant criminal caselaw and receive expert advice on how this caselaw can inform and advance other prosecutions.

Turning State's is produced in the recording studio at the University of North Carolina School of Government. The podcast is a collaboration between the School of Government and the Conference of District Attorneys.