The stepdaughter saw Thomas physically abuse her mother. See Richardson v. State , 277 Ga. App. 429, 430 (2), 626 S.E.2d 518 (2006). Thomas would discipline the stepdaughter by beating her with his fists and striking her with a belt or other objects, leaving bruises that at times were so severe that she had to stay home from school.
Instead, he simply said that it had the appearance of cocaine residue. And White did not object that the officer had no basis on which to opine that the substance had the appearance of cocaine residue, nor did he voir dire the officer on his experience with cocaine residue. It appears, therefore, that the objection made at trial was without merit, and White cannot raise a new objection on appeal. See Richardson v. State, 277 Ga. App. 429, 431 (4) ( 626 SE2d 518) (2006) (argument waived where ground for objection raised on appeal is different from ground raised at trial). In any event, even assuming that it was improper for the officer to testify that the digital scales found in White's pocket "appears to" have cocaine on it, we conclude that any error in allowing the testimony was harmless.