Justia Criminal Law Opinion Summaries

The issue before the Supreme Court in this case centered on whether the Court of Appeals erred by reversing a trial court's suppression of evidence order relating to defendant's refusal to submit to chemical testing. The appellate court found that the testing police officer failed to convey the entire substance of the implied consent notice required by Georgia law. Upon review of the matter, the Supreme Court held that the appellate court erred in its order, and reversed. View "Sauls v. Georgia" on Justia Law

Appellant Vernon Ryans and Sandy Washington, Jeremy Williams and Andre Madison were all indicted for malice murder, felony murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime in connection with the shooting death of Jeffrey Ellison. Appellant was separately indicted for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, but that charge was nolle prossed. Appellant was tried separately, and Madison testified against him. The jury found Appellant guilty on the remaining charges. On appeal of his conviction to the Supreme Court, Appellant argued the trial court erred by allowing certain testimony, and in denying his motion for a mistrial after his character was allegedly placed into issue improperly. Finding no error in the trial court record, the Supreme Court affirmed. View "Ryans v. Georgia" on Justia Law

Antoine Wimes was convicted of felony murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime in relation to the shooting death of Obiakor Onyemaechi. He contended on appeal that the State failed to disclosed it gave a deal to its most important witness, and failed to correct that witness's false testimony regarding the criminal charges pending against him. The Supreme Court found no such deal to the witness. Furthermore, the Court concluded that while the witness' understood the witness himself was charged with "robbery" (not "armed robbery"), Wimes did not show that the witness' misunderstanding was perjured or material or otherwise served as an indication of the strength of his motivation to testify favorably for the State. View "Wimes v. Georgia" on Justia Law

Appellant Ninja Wheeler was convicted of murder, armed robbery, and other crimes related to the shooting death of Steven Green. The trial court denied his motion for a new trial, and he appealed, arguing the evidence presented against him at trial was insufficient to support his conviction. Finding no error, the Supreme Court affirmed. View "Wheeler v. Georgia" on Justia Law

Charles Bulloch was convicted for the murder of Paul McKeen, Jr. On appeal of that conviction, Bulloch argued that the trial court erred in admitting certain testimony, and in denying his motion for a new trial on the grounds of ineffective assistance of counsel. Finding the evidence sufficient to support his conviction, and that Bulloch's trial counsel's performance was "more than adequate," the Supreme Court affirmed his conviction. View "Bulloch v. Georgia" on Justia Law

Joseph Brunson was convicted of felony murder in connection with the shooting death of Derek Milton. The trial court instructed the jury on "accident" and "voluntary manslaughter," but refused an instruction on "self-defense." Brunson argued on appeal to the Supreme Court that the trial court erred in refusing the self-defense instruction. Finding that the evidence did not support the self-defense instruction, the Supreme Court concluded the trial court did not err in its refusal. View "Brunson v. Georgia" on Justia Law

Appellant Joseph Barnes was found guilty of malice murder in 1993. His conviction was affirmed but his death sentence vacated based on a finding that the trial court improperly restricted the scope of mitigating evidence at sentencing. After remand for resentencing, Appellant moved for a sentencing agreement in exchange for the State's withdrawing the death penalty. In 1999 pursuant to that agreement, Appellant was sentenced to life without parole. Appellant subsequently made a pro se motion for an out-of-time appeal which was denied. He appealed that denial, contending his sentence for malice murder was illegal. In 2012, Appellant asked for appointed counsel to withdraw his plea. Finding that because the sentences were imposed in 1993 and 1999, Appellant's 2012 motion was untimely filed, leaving the trial court without jurisdiction to hear his appeal. The Supreme Court affirmed denial of Appellant's motion. View "Barnes v. Georgia" on Justia Law

David Edenfield was convicted by a jury for murder and several other crimes for his role in the brutal sexual assault and death of six-year-old Christopher Barrios. Edenfield received the death penalty. He unsuccessfully moved for a new trial, and appealed the denial of that motion to the Supreme Court. Finding no reversible error, the Supreme Court affirmed Edenfield's conviction and sentence. View "Edenfield v. Georgia" on Justia Law

Willie Coe was convicted for malice murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. He challenged the sufficiency of the evidence presented against him at trial, as well as the trial court's denial of his motion for a mistrial. Finding no reversible error, the Supreme Court affirmed his conviction and sentence. View "Coe v. Georgia" on Justia Law

Appellant Craig Armstead was convicted of murder and related offenses for the stabbing death of a co-worker, Kerri Harris. Appellant's defense at trial was that he was guilty by reason of insanity because he was operating under a delusional compulsion. On appeal to the Supreme Court, Appellant argued the trial court erred when it denied his motion in limine and in allowing certain witnesses to testify at trial. Finding no error, the Supreme Court affirmed the denial of the motion. View "Armstead v. Georgia" on Justia Law