Justia Georgia Supreme Court Opinion Summaries

Appellant Jonathan Smith appealed his convictions for murder and related offenses arising out of the beating death of sixteen-year-old Cheyenne Hair and her unborn child. On appeal, Appellant argued only that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction for false imprisonment. Finding no error, the Georgia Supreme Court affirmed. View "Smith v. Georgia" on Justia Law

Appellant James Hightower was convicted of malice murder, two counts of aggravated assault, one count of aggravated battery, a firearm offense, and misdemeanor obstruction in connection with the shooting death of Anthony Bowers, the aggravated assaults of Demetrius Cosby and Myeisha Brown, and the aggravated battery of Cosby. Appellant argued on appeal to the Georgia Supreme Court that the trial court erred by making a comment that improperly bolstered an expert witness’ credibility and that his trial counsel provided ineffective assistance by failing to object to the comment. Appellant also argued his conviction for aggravated assault of Cosby should have been merged into his conviction for aggravated battery of Cosby. Finding no error, the Georgia Supreme Court affirmed. View "Hightower v. Georgia" on Justia Law

In 2015, a grand jury charged Dantevoise Doleman with a series of offenses including murder, armed robbery and possession of a firearm. He was convicted in a jury trial and appealed that conviction, arguing the trial court made certain evidentiary errors, and that the evidence was insufficient to support the verdict. Finding no reversible error, the Georgia Supreme Court affirmed Doleman's convictions. View "Doleman v. Georgia" on Justia Law

Appellant R’Shon Chauncey Blake challenged the trial court’s denial of his plea in bar, based on double jeopardy, after the court declared a mistrial over Blake’s objection of his murder trial during jury deliberations. The Georgia Supreme Court found the trial court determined that “jury-wide discussion of improper information about legal terminology compromised the integrity of a verdict and manifestly necessitated a mistrial.” Having reviewed the record, the Supreme Court concluded that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in declaring a mistrial. View "Blake v. Georgia" on Justia Law

In this case's first appearance before the Georgia Supreme Court in 2014, Wayne Welbon was found guilty of malice murder and other crimes in connection with the 2013 shooting death of Taurean Reeves. After the trial court sentenced Welborn and denied his motion for. Anew trial, Weldon appealed, contending he received ineffective assistance of trial counsel by failing to move to strike a certain prospective juror for cause, and that the trial court erred by allowing the State to present testimony regarding statements Welbon allegedly made to the police involuntarily. The Court found the evidence sufficient to support the conviction. Nevertheless, the Court vacated the trial court's order denying a new trial and remanded the case for the trial court to consider Welbon's involuntariness claim under the proper legal standard, and to make appropriate factual findings. The trial court did so on remand, and denied the motion for a new trial a second time, concluding the State carried its burden of demonstrating the voluntariness of Welbon's statements by a preponderance of the evidence. Finding no error, the Supreme Court again affirmed, finding the evidence sufficient to sustain Welbon's convictions. View "Welbon v. Georgia" on Justia Law

Appellant Frank Henderson was convicted of felony murder and related offenses in connection with the beating death of Monica Davis. On appeal, Appellant contended that the Georgia Supreme Court should grant him a new trial, that trial counsel was ineffective, and that the trial court erred in admitting certain testimony. Finding no error, the Supreme Court affirmed Henderson's conviction. View "Henderson v. Georgia" on Justia Law

In 2014, Willie Mizell was convicted by jury of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and for concealing the death of another in connection with the death of Cassandra Bryant. For these crimes, Mizell was sentenced to a life sentence plus 10 years. He argued on appeal to the Georgia Supreme Court that the trial court erred in denying a motion to suppress evidence. Finding no reversible error, the Supreme Court affirmed Mizell's conviction. View "Mizell v. Georgia" on Justia Law

Judge Tammy Stokes was publicly reprimanded for admitted violations of the Georgia Code of Judicial conduct. The Georgia Supreme Court found Judge Stokes violated Rule 1.2(A), which required judges to “act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the independence, integrity and impartiality of the judiciary” by habitually starting court late or being absent with no good cause to excuse her behavior. View "Inquiry concerning Judge Tammy Stokes" on Justia Law

James Harris was convicted by jury for murder and related crimes. He appealed, contending he received ineffective assistance of counsel. Finding no constitutionally deficient assistance of counsel, the Georgia Supreme Court affirmed Harris’ conviction and sentence. View "Harris v. Georgia" on Justia Law

In 2016, a jury found Edwin Williams guilty of felony murder and criminal attempt to commit armed robbery in connection with the death of Tyler Johnson. Williams was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole. He appealed the trial court’s denial of his amended motion for new trial, asserting that the evidence was insufficient to convict him as a party to the crime. Finding that the evidence was sufficient, the Georgia Supreme Court affirmed most of the judgment but vacated a portion of the sentence and remanded for resentencing. A separate sentence for the criminal attempt to commit armed robbery was not authorized because that count merged with the felony murder count as a matter of law. View "Williams v. Georgia" on Justia Law