42 Ga. App. 451 | Ga. Ct. App. | 1931
We will enlarge upon the 1st headnote only. A motion to set aside the verdict was made on the ground, among others, that the indictment was void on its face and no verdict could be sustained thereon, because it failed to set forth any violation of the laws of Georgia. It was also alleged tjhat the verdict should be set aside because the indictment seeks to ^et forth in two counts thereof two separate and distinct offenses, it not being alleged that these offenses constituted one transaction. The indictment in this case is the same one under which B. H. Gaulden, who was jointly indicted with the accused, was convicted, and practically the same attack on the indictment was made in the Gaulden case as in this case; and this court in that case held that the indictment was good. See 41 Ga. App. 635 (154 S. E. 209).
It was further alleged that the verdict should be set aside because the defendant was not present in court at the time the evidence was being taken and had no opportunity of making a statement to the jury; that he was not absent from the court “of his own free will and accord,” but “left town because of fear for his own life and under duress and because of threats made to him orally and in writing.” It is the right of the defendant to be present at all stages of the trial. This rule was made for the benefit of the defendant, and if he, while under bond, voluntarily absents himself from the court during the progress of the trial he thus waives the right to be present and must take the chances of what happens in
Judgment affirmed.