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Sharp v. State

Court of Appeals of Georgia
Feb 14, 1980
265 S.E.2d 837 (Ga. Ct. App. 1980)

Opinion

59261.

SUBMITTED JANUARY 9, 1980.

DECIDED FEBRUARY 14, 1980.

Theft by taking. Clarke State Court. Before Judge Pittard.

Guy B. Scott, Jr., for appellant.

Ken Stula, Solicitor, for appellee.


In appealing the trial court's judgment entered on a verdict finding appellant guilty of theft by taking, appellant enumerates only the failure of the trial court to grant a mistrial. The basis of appellant's motion for mistrial was allegedly improper remarks by the solicitor in his closing argument. According to appellant — there being no transcript of the argument — the solicitor stated "I believe he was there snatching pocketbooks."

Since the record contains neither a transcript of the argument nor a stipulation as to the exact comments of the solicitor, it is not clear that this enumeration is subject to our review. See Montgomery v. State, 140 Ga. App. 286 ( 231 S.E.2d 108) (1976). However, even accepting appellant's version of the purportedly prejudicial comments, the trial court committed no error in failing to grant a mistrial. "It is permissible for the district attorney in his argument to draw deductions from the evidence which may be even illogical, unreasonable or even absurd." Dudley v. State, 148 Ga. App. 560, 563 ( 251 S.E.2d 815) (1978). See also Alexander v. State, 150 Ga. App. 41 ( 256 S.E.2d 649) (1979).

Furthermore, upon appellant's moving for a mistrial, the trial court immediately instructed the jury that it should disregard any expressions of opinion by the solicitor. "Whether to grant a mistrial after taking precautionary measures is within the court's discretion. Code Ann. § 81-1009. McCorquodale v. State, 233 Ga. 369 ( 211 S.E.2d 577) (1974); James v. State, 215 Ga. 213 ( 109 S.E.2d 735) (1959)." Green v. State, 242 Ga. 261, 266 ( 249 S.E.2d 1) (1978). The trial court did not abuse its discretion in refusing to grant a mistrial in this case.

Judgment affirmed. Quillian, P. J., and Shulman, J., concur.


SUBMITTED JANUARY 9, 1980 — DECIDED FEBRUARY 14, 1980.


Summaries of

Sharp v. State

Court of Appeals of Georgia
Feb 14, 1980
265 S.E.2d 837 (Ga. Ct. App. 1980)
Case details for

Sharp v. State

Case Details

Full title:SHARP v. THE STATE

Court:Court of Appeals of Georgia

Date published: Feb 14, 1980

Citations

265 S.E.2d 837 (Ga. Ct. App. 1980)
265 S.E.2d 837

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