Case ID: ga-app_28/html/0757-02.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Bloodworth, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

13643.
    Willis v. The State.
   Bloodworth, J.

1. The only special ground of the motion for a new trial is as follow's: “That under the evidence for the State in the trial of the case against him, he w'as guilty, if guilty at all, of the offense charged -only as principal in the second degree, the undisputed evidence showing that Thomas Dell Gato actually perpetrated the offense, and that movant merely aided and abetted in the act. Movant says that after his conviction the said Thomas Dell Rato, having been' jointly indicted with movant, w’as put upon his trial, and was acquitted. Movant contends that under the law' the acquittal of the said Thomas Dell Gato, the principal in the first degree, operates as an acquittal of movant.” Under the ruling in Maughon v. State, 9 Ga. App. 559 (2) (7 S. E. 922), there is no merit in this assignment of error. Being satisfied with the conectness of the ruling in the Maughon case just referred to, the request of counsel for plaintiff in error that it be reviewed and overruled is denied.

2. “ Under the facts as disclosed by the record, this court cannot say that the verdict of the jury is without support from the testimony or so far contrary to it as to authorize this court to determine that the trial judge abused his discretion in refusing to grant a new' trial. The law allows him to refuse or grant new' trials in the exercise of a legal discretion, but it does not give this court any discretion in the matter. It can only grant new trials when errors of law have been committed, or when the trial judge has abused his discretion in refusing a new trial.” Smith v. State, 91 Ga. 188 (17 S. E. 68); Owens v. State, 27 Ga. App. 322 (4) (108 S. E. 208).

Decided July 11, 1922.

Indictment for burglary; from Baldwin superior court — Judge Park. April 24, 1922.

Allen & Pottle, for plaintiff in error.

Doyle Campbell, solicitor-general, contra.

Judgment affirmed.

Broyles, C. J., and Luke, J., concur.