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Mapp v. State

Court of Appeals of Georgia
May 4, 1989
382 S.E.2d 618 (Ga. Ct. App. 1989)

Opinion

A89A1189.

DECIDED MAY 4, 1989. REHEARING DENIED MAY 22, 1989.

Simple assault. Rockdale State Court. Before Judge Nation.

John J. Martin, Jr., for appellant.

Robert F. Mumford, District Attorney, Cheryl F. Custer, Assistant District Attorney, for appellee.


James Edward Mapp was convicted of two counts of simple assault upon his wife, Laura.

1. On appeal his attorney has filed a motion to withdraw as counsel, a brief, and an enumeration of errors pursuant to the requirements of Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 ( 87 SC 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493) (1967), and Bethay v. State, 237 Ga. 625, 626 ( 229 S.E.2d 406) (1976).

Counsel's motion is denied. Pursuant to the holding in Fields v. State, 189 Ga. App. 532 ( 376 S.E.2d 912) (1988), this court no longer entertains Anders motions. We will therefore address the enumerations of error raised by counsel.

2. The court below did not err in failing to advise Laura Mapp of the marital privilege. OCGA § 24-9-23 provides that one spouse is competent to testify against the other, but the State cannot compel this testimony. The privilege of refusing to testify belongs to the witness and not to the accused. James v. State, 223 Ga. 677, 683 ( 157 S.E.2d 471) (1967). When the witness voluntarily takes the stand and testifies, it is presumed that this act is done pursuant to a waiver of the privilege. Wiley v. State, 150 Ga. App. 607, 608 ( 258 S.E.2d 286) (1979).

3. Appellant further asserts as error the trial court's charge of the whole of OCGA § 16-5-21 (2), which defines the manner in which aggravated assault can be committed. He claims that the court should have given the jury limiting instructions because he was indicted on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

It is usually not reversible error for the trial court to charge an entire Code section even though a part of the charge may be inapplicable under the facts in evidence. Smith v. State, 178 Ga. App. 19, 20 ( 341 S.E.2d 901) (1986). Appellant has not shown that he sustained any harm because this charge was given. See Durham v. State, 179 Ga. App. 636 ( 347 S.E.2d 293) (1986). Indeed, he was convicted of the lesser included offense of simple assault on both counts.

4. In view of the fact that this appeal was filed with an Anders motion attached, we have made an independent review of the transcript and proceedings below and find no error. A rational trier of fact was authorized by the evidence adduced at trial to find Mapp guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307 (99 SC 2781, 61 L.Ed.2d 560) (1979).

5. Appellant has filed a pro se brief and enumeration of errors. Under our holding in Seagraves v. State, 191 Ga. App. 207 ( 381 S.E.2d 583) (1989), and the Supreme Court's holding in Seagraves v. State, 259 Ga. 36 ( 376 S.E.2d 670) (1989), Mapp does not have a right to make a pro se appearance in this court while represented by counsel.

Judgment affirmed. Birdsong and Benham, JJ., concur.

DECIDED MAY 4, 1989 — REHEARING DENIED MAY 22, 1989 — CERT. APPLIED FOR.


Summaries of

Mapp v. State

Court of Appeals of Georgia
May 4, 1989
382 S.E.2d 618 (Ga. Ct. App. 1989)
Case details for

Mapp v. State

Case Details

Full title:MAPP v. THE STATE

Court:Court of Appeals of Georgia

Date published: May 4, 1989

Citations

382 S.E.2d 618 (Ga. Ct. App. 1989)
382 S.E.2d 618

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