Summary
In Robinson, supra, the prior inconsistent statement was given to the police, and this court found no error in using such a statement for purposes of impeachment.
Summary of this case from Young v. StateOpinion
57556.
ARGUED APRIL 3, 1979.
DECIDED JULY 10, 1979.
Voluntary manslaughter. Fulton Superior Court. Before Judge McKenzie.
Grace W. Thomas, for appellant.
Lewis R. Slaton, District Attorney, Joseph J. Drolet, Richard E. Hicks, Benjamin H. Oehlert, III, Assistant District Attorneys, for appellee.
Appellant was tried for murder and convicted of voluntary manslaughter. On appeal, we affirm.
1. Appellant contends that the trial court erred in denying her motions for a directed verdict of acquittal and for a new trial on the general grounds, arguing that there was no evidence to support the jury's conclusion that she intended to shoot the deceased.
"After the jury has returned a verdict of guilty, and the defendant seeks a reversal of [her] conviction on appeal by arguing either that the trial court erred in failing to direct a verdict of acquittal or denying a motion for new trial on the general grounds, the only question presenting itself to the appellate court is whether there is any evidence to support the verdict." Watts v. State, 239 Ga. 725 (1) ( 238 S.E.2d 894).
As there was evidence authorizing the jury to conclude that appellant acted with intent to shoot the deceased, the trial court did not err in overruling appellant's motion for a directed verdict or for a new trial on the general grounds.
2. Appellant contends that the trial court erred in failing on its own motion to declare a mistrial on the grounds that the rule of sequestration had been violated.
Pretermitting whether the rule of sequestration had been violated, as appellant failed to move for a mistrial, the complained of actions of the trial court cannot be considered as grounds for reversal on appeal. Key v. State, 146 Ga. App. 536 (4) ( 246 S.E.2d 723); Hankinson v. State, 129 Ga. App. 568 (2) ( 200 S.E.2d 315).
Moreover, even assuming there was a violation of the sequestration order and a proper objection thereto, this court will not disturb the trial court's administration of the rule of sequestration in the absence of a showing of an abuse of discretion. As appellant has failed to make such a showing, appellant's complaint is substantively without merit. Watts v. State, supra.
3. When the state claimed that it had been entrapped by its own witness, whose testimony at trial allegedly conflicted with a prior statement given by that witness to the police, the trial court permitted cross examination by the state. Contrary to appellant's contentions, we find no error in this ruling.
"Georgia law recognizes the right to impeach one's own witness when `he can show the court that he had been entrapped by said witness by a previous contradictory statement.' Code § 38-1801. Recent decisions have broadly construed the right to impeach one's own witness under this section. Ellenburg v. State, 239 Ga. 309 (1) ( 236 S.E.2d 650) (1977); Wilson v. State, 235 Ga. 470 ( 219 S.E.2d 756) (1975). A statement by the district attorney that he has been surprised by the testimony is sufficient, in the absence of a showing to the contrary, to show entrapment. [Cit.]" Thomas v. State, 239 Ga. 734 (3) ( 238 S.E.2d 888).
Appellant's contentions to the contrary notwithstanding, the trial court was justified in permitting the cross examination and impeachment of the witness.
4. Appellant contends that the trial court erred in refusing to charge the law on the lesser included crime of involuntary manslaughter. We disagree.
As appellant did not submit a written request to charge on the law of involuntary manslaughter, the trial court's failure to so charge is not error. State v. Stonaker, 236 Ga. 1 ( 222 S.E.2d 354). See also Morgan v. State, 240 Ga. 845 (2) ( 242 S.E.2d 611).
5. Enumeration 6 is not supported by argument or authority. Therefore, it is deemed abandoned. Brown v. State, 146 Ga. App. 286 (3) ( 246 S.E.2d 370).
6. Contrary to appellant's contentions, the trial court did not err in allowing the jury to disperse during the trial under appropriate instructions, as the state did not seek the death penalty in this case. Kessel v. State, 236 Ga. 373 (7) ( 223 S.E.2d 811); Dean v. State, 238 Ga. 537 (3) ( 233 S.E.2d 789).
7. Appellant contends that her sentence is excessive. "Any question as to the excessiveness of a sentence, which in this case was within the legal limits, should be addressed to the appropriate sentence review panel. [Cit.]" Porter v. State, 148 Ga. App. 505 (9) ( 251 S.E.2d 574). See also Spruell v. State, 148 Ga. App. 99 (4) ( 250 S.E.2d 807). This enumeration is without merit.
8. In her last enumeration of error, appellant argues that she was denied effective assistance of counsel. We disagree.
"[T]he effectiveness of counsel cannot be fairly measured by the results of a criminal trial or appeal, but upon the reasonable effectiveness of counsel at the time the services were rendered." Pitts v. Glass, 231 Ga. 638, 639 ( 203 S.E.2d 515).
"`We interpret the right to counsel as the right to effective counsel. We interpret counsel to mean not errorless counsel, and not counsel judged ineffective by hindsight, but counsel reasonably likely to render and rendering reasonably effective assistance.'" Id., p. 639.
The record reveals that defense counsel cross examined witnesses, objected frequently and presented appellant as a witness at both the guilt and sentencing phases of the trial. See Dobbs v. State, 235 Ga. 800 (4) ( 221 S.E.2d 576); Fortson v. State, 240 Ga. 5 (1) ( 239 S.E.2d 335). "The fact that the case could have been tried differently on behalf of the defendant does not mean that [she] failed to receive a vigorous and competent defense." Fortson, supra. Burns v. State, 145 Ga. App. 357 (2) ( 243 S.E.2d 746).
As the foregoing enumerations of error are without merit, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Judgment affirmed. Deen, C. J., and McMurray, P. J., concur.