Appellant, 15 years old at the time of the commission of the crimes, 1 was convicted of malice murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery, and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony in connection with the fatal shooting of one man and the armed robbery of another in downtown Savannah at approximately 11:00 p.m. on July 4, 1991. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder conviction, and various terms of years for the remaining felony convictions. 2
1. The State presented evidence that appellant and a companion robbed one victim of money and jewelry at gunpoint and, minutes later, confronted their second victim, demanding money. That victim was killed by a gunshot to the head. The armed robbery victim, his companion, and the companion of the murder victim all selected appellant’s photograph from a display of six photos as one depicting the perpetrator. A witness testified that earlier on the evening of the crimes appellant, who was carrying a .38 caliber gun, and his co-indictee had left their companions in downtown Savannah for the avowed purpose of robbing people. Another witness testified that, af
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ter the shooting, appellant and his co-indictee told the witness appellant had shot the murder victim in self-defense. The evidence was sufficient to authorize a rational trier of fact that appellant was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the crimes charged.
Jackson v. Virginia,
2. Appellant contends the trial court erred when it allowed the evidence to be re-opened in response to a question posed by the jury 17 minutes into their deliberations. “[E]ven after jury deliberations have begun, the trial court, in the sound exercise of discretion, may reopen the evidence and allow the admission of new evidence.
State v. Roberts,
3. The State presented as a similar transaction evidence that, approximately one year before the events for which he was being tried, appellant was one of two young teenagers who approached a man sitting in a square in downtown Savannah at 10:00 p.m., and demanded money and jewelry while threatening the use of a gun. The independent crime was similar to the crimes for which appellant was on trial. Immediately preceding the introduction of the evidence, the trial court instructed the jury that they consider the independent crime evidence only for establishing the identity or the state of mind of the perpetrator. The contents of the instruction and the fact that it was given immediately before the introduction of the contested evidence reflect that the trial court ably made the essential preliminary determination as to whether the State was introducing the evidence for an appropriate purpose. See
Williams v. State,
4. Citing
Chambers v. Mississippi,
It is the long-standing rule in this state that declarations to third persons against the declarant’s penal interest, to the effect that the declarant, and not the accused, was the actual perpetrator of the offense, are not admissible in favor of the accused at his trial. [Cits.] [Timberlake v. State,246 Ga. 488 , 492 (271 SE2d 792 ) (1980).]
Since the co-indictee did not testify, the uncle’s recitation of the coindictee’s purported confession would fall squarely within Georgia’s
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hearsay rule (OCGA §§ 24-3-1; 24-3-52) and is not admissible pursuant to any hearsay exception.
Davis v. State,
5. The State’s attempts to impeach a defense witness through the use of contradictory statements were permissible under OCGA § 24-9-83. The State’s use of a certified copy of the witness’ plea of guilty to a charge of possession of cocaine was also a permissible method of impeachment. See Timberlake, supra at 499.
6. Appellant contends the trial court erred when it overruled his objections to the admission of the photo lineup displayed to the witnesses who selected appellant’s photo as that of their assailant. Even if we were to agree with appellant that the photospread was unduly suggestive, each witness testified that the in-court identification of appellant was based on the witness’ observations the night the crimes were committed, and the evidence supports that testimony. The trial court did not err when it refused to suppress the in-court identification of appellant.
Callaway v. State,
7. (a) Turning to the instructions given the jury by the trial court, appellant contends reversible error was committed because the trial court failed to charge on the presumption of innocence and that the State had the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The trial court thoroughly covered both principles in a preliminary charge given to the jury after it was sworn and prior to the opening statements. The trial court began its post-evidentiary instructions by reminding the jury of the pertinent portions of the preliminary instructions, reiterating that the defendant was presumed innocent and that the State had to overcome that presumption with evidence sufficient to convince the jury of his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The charge to the jury must be taken as a whole.
Hendrix v. State,
(b) The trial court properly refused to give appellant’s requested charges on the included offenses. There was no evidence of provocation to authorize a charge on voluntary manslaughter (see OCGA § 16-5-2 (a)); the unrefuted evidence that the shooting victim died precluded a charge on aggravated assault with intent to commit murder
(Sanders v. State,
8. Appellant takes issue with the action taken by the trial court with regard to two potential jurors. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in removing for cause a venireperson who expressed a religious belief that she would have to repent for having sat in judgment of another.
Robinson v. State,
9. Appellant points out that the trial court voiced its opinion, in a sidebar conference, that appellant was “guilty as sin,” and contends the trial court then violated OCGA § 17-8-57 by intimating that opinion to the jury through the rulings expounded on in Divisions 5, 6 (a), and 7, and by spelling the words “party” and “impeach” during its instructions to the jury. At no time during the trial did appellant assert that the trial court was making an impermissible expression or intimation of its opinion, and thereby waived the right to raise the issue on appeal.
Kimbrough v. State,
10. Appellant contends trial counsel was ineffective because he purportedly failed to discuss the case with witnesses whose names appellant provided; failed to adequately consult with appellant; and instructed appellant to pretend he was right-handed when the evidence was re-opened to take evidence on that issue. Evidence on the issue was presented at the hearing on the motion for new trial, and the trial court determined that
assistance at trial was effective and, indeed, was excellent. Trial counsel was energetic, skillful, experienced and effective despite the difficulties of a juvenile client, many adverse eye-witnesses, and concerned, intervening family members of the defendant.
Our review of the record leads us to conclude that the trial court’s conclusion was not clearly erroneous, and appellant’s assertion is
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without merit.
Smith v. State,
Judgment affirmed.
Notes
Appellant’s co-indictee, tried separately, was 13 years old at the time the crimes were committed.
The crimes were committed on July 4, 1991. Appellant was arrested on July 11, 1991, and indicted on July 17, 1991. He was tried March 23-26, 1992, and sentenced on April 14. Trial counsel filed a motion for new trial on April 15, which appellate counsel amended on June 30 and July 1. The motion for new trial was denied September 11, and the notice of appeal filed on September 25. The case was docketed in this court on November 25, and submitted for decision on January 22, 1993.