Tоmmy Lee Brown, appellant, was indicted in Putnam County for the murder of Ronnie Lee Nelson. Following a trial by jury he was fоund guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. Following a denial of his motion for new trial as amended he aрpeals to this court assigning six enumerations of error.
We affirm.
1. Enumerations numbered 1 and 2, what are generally referred tо as general grounds, have not been argued by appellant nor supported by any citation of authority. Nevertheless, this court has examined the entire record in the case, and we find the evidence, when viewed in thе light most favorable to the verdict, is amply sufficient to enable any rational trier of fact to find the defendаnt guilty of murder beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia,
2. Appellant contends the trial court erred in denying his motion for new trial since the court allowed an improper juror to serve on the panel of twelve, over appellant’s timely and proper objection, even though the State failed to establish that the juror had not been prejudiced by conversations with third persons who were witnesses. The record shows that after thе jury was selected, they were allowed to disperse with appellant’s consent until the next morning. They were sрecifically instructed not to discuss the case among themselves, with anyone else, or to “overhear any con-, versations about it.” When court reconvened the next morning appellant’s counsel, with the court’s permission, questioned one juror regarding her conversations with two of the State’s potential witnesses. The juror stаted, on oath, that she did not discuss the case with the witnesses, nor did she discuss the case with anyone else. Further she did not let anybody discuss the case with her because “the court had told her not to and she didn’t.” It appears that shе merely spoke to two persons, telling them that she had to go to the courthouse and at the time did not know thеy were witnesses in
*252
the case. No harm or unlawful conduct was demonstrated. The examination reveals a tоtal absence of any improper activity. Because of appellant’s consent to dispersal of the jury there is no burden upon the State to further demonstrate lack of harm resulting from such conduct.
Mason v. State,
Additionally, counsel for appellant requested the trial court to caution the juror in an attempt to get it in her mind.that she must try to be fair, regardless of what happened that morning. Thereupon the court did instruct the juror individually and appropriately, saying in part as follows: “In this particular case,. . . thе court does not feel that you have heard anything or have broken the instructions which I gave you yesterday. But I ask because you were, you know, asked about it individually that you not let that fact influence your decision onе way or the other in consideration of this case. It is a very important case and we just want to be very sure thаt nobody breaks those instructions.”
Following those instructions, appellant’s counsel made no further objection. Having acquiesced in the court’s instructions, we conclude that he cannot now complain on appeal. See:
Tucker v. State,
3. Appellant also contends that the trial court erred in failing to charge voluntary manslaughtеr after the State offered to recommend such a plea but withdrew its offer after appellant’s acceptance. Appellant made several written requests to charge, most of which dealt with his contеntion that he acted in self-defense or with justification. He made no written request to charge on voluntary manslaughter. Absent a timely written request the trial court does not commit reversible error by not charging the law of a lessеr included offense.
State v. Stonaker,
4. Plea bargaining on behalf of a prosecuting attorney does not alter the above rule.
5. Appellant contends that the trial court erred in sentencing him to life imprisonment plus probation to be served under the supervision of the sentencing court. Offenses punishable by death or life imprisonment are expressly omitted from the provisions of the Statewide Probation Act, Code Ann. § 27-2702, et seq. Under the facts of this case Code Ann. § 27-2709 which gives the superior court the power to place individuals on probation is not applicable. Counsel for the State agree but contend that that part of the sentence complained of is mеre surplusage. We conclude that it is not proper *253 for the trial court to attempt to retain probationary authority in these circumstances. Thus, the sentence imposed is reversed, and the matter is remanded to the trial court for resentencing with direction that this portion of the sentence be eliminated.
6. Appellant also contends that the trial сourt erred in not conducting a presentence hearing as mandated by Code Ann. § 27-2503. Upon conviction for murder where the death penalty is not sought, the only punishment to be lawfully imposed is that of life imprisonment. Code Ann. § 26-1101 (c). Thе law will not require unnecessary procedure of the trial court. Where there is a conviction for a single count of murder, Code Ann. § 27-2503 is not applicable. There is no necessity to conduct a pre-sentencе hearing on the issue of punishment as the trial court possesses no discretion in such an instance.
Judgment affirmed, but with direction that the sentence be remanded to the trial court for correction as pointed out in Division 5 above.