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Phillips v. State

Court of Appeals of Georgia
Dec 4, 1984
172 Ga. App. 864 (Ga. Ct. App. 1984)

Opinion

69159.

DECIDED DECEMBER 4, 1984.

Rape. Cherokee Superior Court. Before Judge Neville.

Philip C. Smith, for appellant.

Rafe Banks III, District Attorney, Wallace W. Rogers, Jr., Assistant District Attorney, for appellee.


The defendant appeals his conviction of the offense of rape. Held:

1. Defendant's first enumeration of error questions the sufficiency of the evidence. The victim (defendant's step-daughter who was 14-years-old at the time of the incident, 15 at the time of trial) testified that: She lived with her mother, step-father (the defendant) and siblings. Her mother had already gone to work and her brothers and sister to school when defendant prevented her from leaving for school. Somewhat later she again attempted to leave but defendant did not allow her to leave. Defendant then approached her, pulled down her jeans and underwear, forced her to the floor, held her down, and "[he] got on top of me and started moving up and down." There was further testimony by the victim clearly establishing penetration.

Although a medical examination of the victim provided no clear corroboration of the victim's testimony, such was not necessary. The victim's testimony was legally adequate to sustain a conviction. See Perry v. State, 154 Ga. App. 385 ( 268 S.E.2d 747); Neal v. State, 152 Ga. App. 395, 397 (1) ( 263 S.E.2d 185).

After reviewing the evidence, we find a rational trier of fact could reasonably have found the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the offense of rape. See Burrell v. State, 171 Ga. App. 648, 650 (6) ( 320 S.E.2d 810); Prescott v. State, 164 Ga. App. 671, 672-673 (1) ( 297 S.E.2d 362).

2. During the direct examination of a physician, who had examined the victim following the incident in question, defense counsel requested an opportunity to inspect the document from which the witness was refreshing her memory. The State replied that it had no objection to such an inspection, but the trial court refused to permit defense counsel to examine the document.

The trial court has a wide discretion in directing the course and procedure used at trial. Moore v. State, 153 Ga. App. 511, 512 (3) ( 265 S.E.2d 821); Smith v. State, 150 Ga. App. 498, 499 ( 258 S.E.2d 167); State v. Colquitt, 147 Ga. App. 627, 628 ( 249 S.E.2d 680). We find no abuse of discretion as the trial court has not taken away any right the defendant had under the law. State v. Colquitt, 147 Ga. App. 627, 628, supra; Estep v. State, 129 Ga. App. 909, 913 (3) ( 201 S.E.2d 809); Farley v. State, 145 Ga. App. 98, 104 (7) ( 243 S.E.2d 322). "The defendant had no right to examine the witness' report which was used to refresh his memory and which was not in evidence. [Cits.]" Williams v. State, 250 Ga. 664, 665 (1) ( 300 S.E.2d 685).

3. Defendant's final enumeration of error deals with the admission of evidence to which defendant objected at trial. However, the only grounds of objection stated by defendant at trial was that the evidence in question was "irrelevant." Defendant's objection is insufficient to show error requiring reversal. Jefferson v. State, 157 Ga. App. 324, 326 (2) ( 277 S.E.2d 317); Hicks v. State, 216 Ga. 574 (1) ( 118 S.E.2d 364).

Judgment affirmed. Deen, P. J., concurs. Sognier, J., concurs in the judgment only.


DECIDED DECEMBER 4, 1984.


Summaries of

Phillips v. State

Court of Appeals of Georgia
Dec 4, 1984
172 Ga. App. 864 (Ga. Ct. App. 1984)
Case details for

Phillips v. State

Case Details

Full title:PHILLIPS v. THE STATE

Court:Court of Appeals of Georgia

Date published: Dec 4, 1984

Citations

172 Ga. App. 864 (Ga. Ct. App. 1984)
324 S.E.2d 807

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