Griffin v. the State, 331 Ga. App. 550

Griffin was convicted after a jury trial of cocaine trafficking and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
A search of a Clayton County apartment on January 13, 2011 uncovered cocaine, marijuana, cash, scales, paraphernalia, and firearms; Griffin was among about ten people present.
Griffin was found with cash and evidence suggesting involvement in drug distribution; a fellow codefendant testified Griffin funded purchases.
The state introduced drug testing results showing cocaine under multiple purities and weights; a statement Griffin made about a separate incident was admitted.
Griffin argued, among other things, that there was insufficient knowledge of the cocaine’s weight to sustain a trafficking conviction and challenged several trial-counsel decisions.
The trial court’s weight-based sufficiency analysis and the effectiveness questions are central to this appeal.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Sufficiency of the evidence	Griffin argues the state failed to prove knowledge of weight.	State contends the weight was established by circumstantial evidence.	Evidence sufficient under Jackson v. Virginia.
Ineffective assistance of counsel (a–f)	Griffin claims multiple trial-counsel failures prejudiced him.	State contends each claim lacks deficient performance or prejudice.	No deficient performance or prejudice shown; claims fail.
Judge’s comments on credibility	Griffin argues OCGA § 17-8-57 violation occurred via judge’s remarks.	State asserts remarks were brief and not prejudicial.	No violation; comments were permissible brief exchanges.
Admission of acquittals of codefendants	Griffin sought admission of codefendants’ acquittals.	State resisted; acquittals not essential to Griffin’s case.	Court did not abuse discretion; acquittals excluded.
Evidentiary rulings	Griffin challenges relevance rulings, including no-knock-warrant context and re-cross questions.	State argues rulings were within trial court’s broad discretion.	No reversible error; rulings within discretion.

Taylor v. State, 272 Ga. 559 (2000) (invocation reference not per se reversible error)
Morris v. State, 161 Ga. App. 141 (1982) (tagging evidence may be prejudicial when residence is at issue)
Spence v. State, 96 Ga. App. 19 (1957) (arrest ticket may be prejudicial error)
Jinks v. State, 229 Ga. App. 18 (1997) (unredacted documents can be reversible error)
Brown v. State, 195 Ga. App. 389 (1990) (listing of defendant’s name does not automatically prejudice)