SECOND DI VI SI ON

BA RNES, P. J.

, BOGGS and DI LLA RD, JJ.

N O T IC E : M otions for r e c ons i de r a tion m us t be

ph y sic a l ly r e ce iv ed i n our c le r k ’s offic e w ithin te n

da y s of the da te of de c is ion to be de e m ed tim e ly file d.

http://w w w .ga a ppe a l s .us /r ule s

Nov em ber 9, 2016



# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A1 6 A0 23 6 . GRIER v . THE STATE.

B A R N E S , Pres i d i n g J ud g e.

Fo l l owi n g t h e d en i al o f h i s m o t i o n fo r n ew t ri al

, Rafer Gr i e r ap p eal s h i s

co n vi ct i o n s on fo ur co u n ts o f ag g rav a t e d c h il d m o l es t at i o n an d s t at u t o ry rap e. On

ap p eal

, Gri er rai s es s ev eral erro rs rel at ed t o h i s acces s t o t he v i ct i m ’ s reco rd s wi t h t h e

Dep art m en t o f Fam i l y an d Ch i l d ren Serv i ces (“ DF A C S ” )

, a r guing th at h e was en t i t l ed

t o t he reco rd s pu rs u an t t o OCGA § 1 7 -1 6 -1 , an d t h at t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n fi n d i n g

t h at t here was n o ex cu l p at o ry ev i d en ce i n th em

. He al s o co n ten d s t h at h i s t ri al

co u ns el w as i n effect i v e, t h at th e t ri al co u rt erred i n ad m i t t in g o t her act s ev i d en ce, an d

t h at h i s ri g ht s u n d er t h e Eq u al Pro t ect i o n cl au s e were v io l at ed

. Fo l lo wi n g o u r rev i ew,

we affi rm

.

Vi ewed i n t h e l i g h t m o s t fav o rab l e t o t he v erd i ct

, Da vi s v. St a t e

, 2 75 G a. Ap p.

7 1 4

, 71 5 (1 ) (6 2 1 SE2 d 8 1 8 ) (2 0 0 5 ), t h e ev id en ce d em o n st rat es t h at G r i e r was a

Sp an i s h t each er at St ep h en s o n M i d d le Sch o o l wh en h e i n i t i at ed a s ex u al rel at i o n s h ipwi t h th e fo urt een -y ear-o ld v i ct i m

, wh o was i n fo s t er care u n d er DFACS cu s t o d y

. Th e

s ex u al en co u n ters i n cl u ded s od o m y an d i n t erc o u r s e an d o ccu rred m ul t i p l e t i m es in

Gri er’ s cl as s ro om

, an d

, o n at leas t o n e o ccas i o n, o u t s id e o f s ch o o l

, fro m J an u ary 2 0 0 8

u n t i l t h e v i ct i m

rep o rt ed t he s ex u al rel at io n sh i p i n Ap ri l 2 0 0 8

.

1

. In t wo rel at ed en um erat i o n s

, G ri er co n t e n d s t h at h e was en t i t l ed t o t h e

v i ct i m ’ s DFACS reco rd s p u rs u an t t o OCGA § 1 7-1 6 -1 et s eq

., an d th at t h e t ri al co u rt

erred i n ru l i n g t h at t h ere was n o ex cu l p at o ry ev i d en ce i n t h em

.

(a) Gri er m ai nt ai n s t h at t he en act m en t o f t h e reci pro cal di s co very act ex p an d ed

d i s co v ery t o i n cl u d e D FACS reco rd s

. Ho wev er, co n trary t o h i s as s ert io n

, t h e act d o es

n o t p ro vi d e an i nd ep en d en t s t at u t o ry b as i s fo r th e d i s co v ery o f DFCS fi l es

. Ho r n e v.

S t a t e

, 1 9 2 G a. Ap p. 5 2 8

, 53 1 (4 ) (a) (3 8 5 SE2 d 7 0 4 ) (1 9 8 9 ). See El l i s v. St a t e

, 2 8 9

Ga. Ap p

. 4 5 2

, 4 5 6 (2 ) (6 5 7 SE2 d 5 6 2 ) (2 00 8 ) (“ co n t rary t o [ap p el l an t ’ s ] co nt en t i o n s

,

t h e reci p ro cal d is co v ery act d o es n o t p ro v i d e an i nd ep en d en t s tat u t o ry b as i s fo r t h e

d i s co v ery o f [t he t h erap is t ’ s] fi l es .”) Th u s

, acces s t o t h e D FACS fi l es “ i s p ro h i b i t ed

ex cep t as [o t h erwi s e] p ro v i ded b y s t at u te.” Da vi d s o n v. S t at e

, 1 8 3 Ga. Ap p

. 5 5 7

, 5 5 9

(4 ) (b ) (3 5 9 SE2 d 3 7 2) (1 98 7 ).

To t h at en d

, OCGA § 4 9 -5 -4 0 (b ) p ro vi d es t ha t “ [e] ach an d ev ery reco rd

co n cern in g rep o rt s o f ch i l d ab u s e . . . wh ich i s i n t h e cu s t od y o f t h e [Dep art m en t o f

2Hu m an Serv ices ] o r o t h er s tat e o r l o cal ag en cy

, o r ch i l d ad v o cacy cen t er i s d ecl ared

t o b e co n fi d en t i al

, an d acces s t h eret o i s p ro h i bi t ed ex cep t as p ro vi d ed i n Co d e Sect i o n

4 9 -5 -4 1 an d Co d e Sect i o n 4 9 -5 -4 1 .1 .”

OCGA § 49 -5 -4 1 (a)[(1 1 )] g ran t s acces s to s u ch reco rd s to (a) co u rt

, b y

s u b p o en a, u p o n i t s fi n d i n g t h at acces s t o s u ch reco rd s m ay b e n eces s ary

fo r d et erm i n at i o n of an i ss u e b efo re su ch co u rt ; p ro v id ed

, h o wev er, t hat

t h e co u rt sh al l ex am in e s u ch reco rd in cam era, u n l es s t h e co u rt

d et erm i nes t h a t p u b l i c d i s cl o s u re o f t h e i n fo rm at i o n co n tai n ed t herei n

i s n eces s ary fo r t h e res o l u t i o n o f an i s s u e t h en b efo re i t an d t h e reco rd

i s o t h erwi s e ad m i s s i bl e u n der t h e ru les o f ev i d en ce. 1

Do d d v. S t a t e , 2 93 Ga. Ap p . 8 1 6 , 8 2 1 (4 ) (6 6 8 SE2 d 3 1 1 ) (2 0 0 8 ).

In t h i s cas e

, G r i er’ s t ri al co u n sel t wi ce s u b p oen aed t he vi ct im ’ s DFACS

reco rd s

, bu t in each i n s t an ce, rat h er t h an req u es t an i n cam era i n s p ect i on b y t h e t ri al

co u rt as m an d at ed b y s tat u t e, t h e s u b p o en a d irect ed t h at t h e f i l e s be s en t t o t h e

at t o rn ey ’ s o ffi ce. DFACS fi l ed a m o t i o n t o q u as h

, t o wh i ch Gri er’ s t ri al co u n s el d id

1 Th e co u rt

, “ b y s u b p oen a t hat i s fi l ed co n t em p o ran eo u sl y w i th a m o t i o n

s eek i n g reco rd s an d req u es t i ng an i n cam era in s p ect i o n o f s u ch reco rd s

, m ay m ak e

s u ch reco rd s av ai l ab l e t o a part y s eek i n g s u ch reco rd s wh en

. . . [s ] u ch m o t i o n i s fi l ed

[an d ]

. . . [s ] u ch m o ti o n i s s erv ed

. . . [o ] n al l p art i es t o t h e act i o n . . . an d

. . . [a] ft er

an in cam era i n s p ect i o n o f s u ch reco rd s

, t h e co u rt fi n d s t hat acces s t o s uch reco rd s

ap p ears reas on ab l y cal cu l at ed t o l ead t o t h e d i s co v ery o f a dm issible ev i den ce” OCGA

§ 4 9-5 -4 1 (a) (1 1 ).

3n o t res p o n d

, a nd u l t im at el y t ri al co un s el n ev er rev i ewed t h e v ict i m ’ s DFACS reco rd s

.

Acco rd in g ly

, b ecau s e Gri er’ s t ri al c o u n sel d i d n ot fo l l o w t h e s t at u t o ri l y p res cri b ed

p ro ced ure fo r ob t ai n i n g t h e D F A C S fi l es

, an d g iv en t h at OCGA § 1 7 -1 6 -1 et seq

.,

d o es n o t ex p an d d i s co v ery o f DFACS reco rd s in d ep en d en t o f th e p ro ced u re p ro v i d ed

fo r i n OCGA § 4 9 -5 -4 0 (b ), t h i s en u m erat io n fai l s.

(b ) Th e t ri al co u rt c o n d uct ed an i n cam era in s p ect i o n o f t he DFACS reco rd s

aft er t ri al an d b efo re th e h eari n g o n Gri er’ s m ot i o n fo r n ew t ri al

. In it s o rd er d en y i n g

t h e m ot i o n fo r n ew t ri al

, t h e t ri al co u rt fo u nd t h at “ t h ere i s n o ex cu l pat o ry i n fo rm at i o n

co n tai n ed [ i n t h e v ict i m ’ s DFACS fi l e]

, [an d ] th at an y i n fo rm at i o n i n t h e DFACS

reco rd s was ei t h er i rrel ev a n t o r cu m u l at iv e o f o t h er ev i den ce i n th e cas e.” Gri er

co n ten d s t h at t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n fi n d i n g t h at t here was n o ex cu l pat o ry i n fo rm at i o n

i n t he fi le. W e d o n o t ag ree.

“ A defen d an t wh o i s d en i ed acces s to cert ai n i nfo rm at i o n aft er t h e co u rt

p erfo rm s an i n c am era in s pect i o n h as t h e b u rd en o n ap p eal o f sh o w i n g b o t h t h e

m at eri al i t y an d t h e fav o rab l e nat u re o f t h e ev i d en ce s o u g ht

. ” (Fo o t no t e o m i t t ed .)

S t ep h en s v. S t a t e

, 3 0 5 Ga. Ap p

. 3 3 9

, 3 4 3 (3 ) (6 9 9 SE2 d 5 5 8) (2 0 10 ). Ev id en ce i s

m at eri al “ o n l y i f t h ere i s a reas o n ab l e p ro b ab il i t y t hat

, had t h e ev i d e n c e b een

d i s cl os ed t o t h e d efen s e, t h e res u l t of t h e p r o c e ed i n g wo u l d h av e b een d i fferen t

. A

4‘ reas o n ab l e pro bab i l i t y ’ i s a p ro b a b i l i t y s u ffi ci en t t o u n d erm i n e co n fi d en ce i n t h e

o u t co m e.” (Ci t at i o n an d p un ct u at i o n o m i t ted .) Y o u n g v. S t a t e

, 29 0 Ga. 4 4 1

, 4 4 3 (2 )

(7 2 1 SE2 d 8 3 9 ) (2 0 1 2 ). Th i s Gri er h as n o t d on e. Hi s c o r e co n t en t i o n ap p ears t o b e

t h at t h e v i ct i m l ack ed cred i b il it y an d t h at t h e DFACS r e c o rd s ch ro n i cl ed h er p ri o r

m i s co n du ct

, a n d were t h u s ex cu l p at o ry

. Bu t, as n o t ed b y t h e tri al co u rt

, t h i s

i n fo rm at i o n was m erel y cu m ul at i v e o f t es t i m o n y ab o u t t h e v i ct im ’ s m i s co n d u ct

p res en t ed at t ri al . Fu rt h er, Gri er h as n o t m et h i s b u rd en o n ap p eal o f d em on s t rat i n g

wh at ex cl u d ed m at eri al i n t he D FACS reco rd s

, wh i ch are i ncl u d ed in th e reco rd o n

ap p eal

, wo u l d h av e b een s o m at eri al th at t h ere i s a reas o n ab l e o p p o r t u n i t y t h at t h e

o u t co m e o f h i s cas e wo u l d hav e been d i fferen t i f t he reco r d s h ad b een d is cl o s ed at

t ri al

.

M o rev er, Gri er’ s co n ten t i o n t h at d u e p ro ces s p er Br a dy v. Ma r yl a n d

, 3 7 3 U.S.

8 3 (8 3 SCt 1 19 4

, 1 0 L E 2 d 2 1 5 ) (1 9 6 3 ), req u i res t h at h e h av e acces s t o an y

ex cu lp at o ry i n fo rm at i o n reg ard l es s o f i t s d u pl ic a t i v e n at u re i s al s o m eri t l es s

. Th i s

Co u rt h a s f

o u n d t hat t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s i n cam era i n s p ect i o n of ev i d en ce s at i s fi es t h e

req u i rem en t s of B r a dy b eca u s e th i s p ro ced u re b al an ces t h e pu b li c’ s i nt eres t in

p ro t ect i n g t h e co nfi den t i al i t y o f th o s e reco rd s an d t h e d efen d an t ’ s ri g h t t o d u e

p ro ces s

. D a vi d

s o n v. S ta t e

, 18 3 Ga. Ap p

. 5 57 (3 5 9 SE2 d 3 7 2 ) (1 9 8 7 ). As prev i o u s l y

5n o t ed

, o n ap p eal Gri er h as th e b u rd en o f s h o wi n g b o t h t h e m at eri al i t y an d t h e

fav o rab l e n at u re o f t h e ev id en ce s o u g h t

. Y o u n g v. S t a t e

, 2 9 0 G a

. a t 4 4 3 (2 ).

“ Ev i d en ce i s co n s t i t u t i o n al l y m at eri al wh en it s ex cu l p at o r y v a l u e is

. . . o f s u ch a

n at u re t hat a defen d an t wo u l d b e u n ab l e t o o b tai n o t h er co m p arab l e ev i den ce b y o t h er

reas on ab l y av ai l ab l e m ean s

. ” (Ci t at i o n o m i t t ed .) S t a t e v. Mu s s ma n

, 2 8 9 Ga. 5 8 6

, 5 9 0

(2 ) (7 13 SE2 d 8 2 2) (2 0 1 1 ). Gri er h as n o t dem o n s trat ed t h at t h e ev i d en ce h e co n t en d s

was co n t ai n ed i n t h e DFACS fi l e m eet s t h i s s t an d ard

, an d t h u s t h i s arg um en t s fai l s

.

2

. G r i e r c o n t en ds th at h i s t ri al co u n sel w as i neffect i v e i n s ev eral reg ard s

rel at i n g t o t h e DFACS reco rd s

. He m ai n tai n s t h at h i s t ri al co un s el w as i n effect i v e by

fai l i n g t o o b t ai n t hem

, fai l i n g to arg u e t hat p o rt io n s o f t h e reco rd were di s co v erab l e

u n d er O CGA § 1 7 -1 6 -1 et s eq .; an d fai l in g t o o b j ect an d req u es t t h e DFACS reco rd s

wh en t h e St at e’ s ex pert t es t i fi ed t h at h e h ad v i ewed p o rt i o n s o f t h e reco rd s

.

To p rev ai l o n a cl ai m

o f i n effect i v e as si st an ce, Gri er

m u s t s h o w co u n s el ’ s p erfo rm an ce was d efi ci en t an d t h at t h e d efi ci en t

p erfo rm an ce p reju di ced h i m to t h e p o i n t t h at a reas on ab l e p ro b a b i l i t y

ex i s ts t h at

, b ut fo r co u n s el ’ s erro rs

, t he ou t co m e of th e t ri al wo ul d h av e

b een d i fferen t

. A s t ro n g p res u m p t i o n ex i s t s th at co u ns el ’ s co n d u ct fal l s

wi t h in t h e b ro ad ran g e o f p ro fes s i o n al co n d u ct

.

6(Ci t at i o n an d p u n ct uat i o n o m i t t ed .) Pr u i t t v. S ta t e

, 28 2 G a. 3 0

, 34 (4 ) (6 4 4 SE2 d 8 3 7 )

(2 0 0 7). If h e fai ls t o m eet hi s b u rd en o n on e p ro ng o f t h e t wo -p ro n g tes t

, t h en t h e

ap p el l at e co u rt n eed no t rev i ew t h e o t h er p ro n g

. W ri gh t v. S t a t e

, 2 9 1 G a. 8 6 9, 8 7 0 (2 )

(7 3 4 SE2 d 8 7 6 ) (2 0 1 2 ).”W e a c c e p t t h e t ri al co urt ’ s fact u al fi n di n g s an d cred i b i l i t y

d et erm i n at i o n s u nl es s cl earl y erro n eo u s

, b u t we i n d ep en d en t l y ap p l y t h e l eg al

p ri n ci p l es t o t h e fact s .” (Ci t at i on an d p u n ct u at i on om i t t ed .) Ro b i n s o n v. S t a t e

, 2 7 7

Ga. 7 5 , 7 6 (5 86 SE2 d 3 1 3 ) (2 0 0 3 ).

(a) Gri er co n t en d s t h at h is t ri al co u n s el was i n effect i ve fo r fai l i n g t o su b p o en a

t h e reco rd s t o t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s ch am b ers i ns t ead o f to co u n sel ’ s o ffi ce, fo l l o wi n g t h e

p ro ced ure es t ab l i s h ed in Da vi d s o n

, 1 8 3 Ga. A p p

. at 55 9

. Ho w ev er, h e d id no t as s ert

t h i s cl ai m o f i n effect i v en es s i n h i s m o t i on fo r n ew t ri al

, n o r d i d th e t ri al co u rt ru l e o n

i t

. T h u s

, “ t h i s as p ect o f h i s i n effect i v e as si s t an ce cl ai m was wai v ed b ecau s e i t was n ot

rai s ed at t h e h eari n g o n t h e m o t i o n fo r n ew t ri al

. ” Th o mp ki n s v. S t a t e , 2 72 Ga. 8 3 5,

8 3 6 (2 ) (c) (5 3 6 SE2 d 7 4 7) (2 00 0 ).

M o reo v er, ev en i f th i s cl ai m were n o t wai v ed

, G r i e r has fai led t o sh o w h o w

t h i s d efi ci en cy p reju di ced h i m “ t o t h e p o i n t t h at a reas o n ab l e p ro b ab i li t y ex i s t s t h at

,

b u t fo r co u n sel ’ s erro rs

, t h e o u t co m e o f t h e tri al wo u l d h av e b een d i fferen t .” Pr u i t t

, 2 8 2 Ga. at 3 4 (4 ). T h e t ri al co u rt rev iewed t h e reco rd s b efo re ru l i ng o n t h e m o t i o n

7fo r new t ri al an d h el d t h at t h ere was “ n o ex cu l p at o r y e v i d e n ce co n t ai n ed t h erei n.”

Th u s, Gri er has n o t sh o wn t hat t h e t r i a l c o u rt w o u ld h av e reach ed a d i fferen t

co n cl u s i o n i f i t h ad v i ewed t h e reco rd s b efo re t ri al

.

(b ) Gri er al s o co nt en d s t h at h i s t ri al co u n s el w as i neffect i v e fo r fai l i n g t o arg u e

t h at p o rt i o n s of t he r e co rd were d i s co v erab l e u n d er O CGA § 1 7 -1 6 -1 et s eq

., t h e

reci pro cal d i s co v ery

act

. Ho wev er, as n o t ed p rev i o u s l y , t h e act d o es n o t p ro v i d e an

i n d ep en den t s t at u t o ry bas is fo r t h e d i s co very o f DFCS fi l es

. Ho r n e v. St a t e

, 1 9 2 Ga.

Ap p

. 52 8

, 5 3 1 (4 ) (a) (3 8 5 SE2 d 7 0 4 ) (1 9 8 9 ). A m eri t l es s arg u m en t p ro v i d es n o b as i s

fo r an i neffect i v en es s cl ai m

.

(c) Gri er co nt en d s t hat hi s t ri al co u ns el was in effect i v e fo r fai l i n g t o o b ject an d

req u es t a co n t i n u an ce aft er t he St at e’ s ex p ert t es t i fi ed t h at s h e h ad v iewed p o rt i on s

o f t h e v i ct i m ’ s DFACS reco rd s . W e d o n o t ag ree.

Du ri n g Gri er’ s cro s s -ex am in at i o n o f th e St at e’ s ex p ert

, h i s t ri al co u n s el as k ed

h er i f sh e h ad v i ewed t h e v i ct im ’ s fo ren s i c i n t erv i ew, an d s he res p on d ed t h at s h e h ad

.

Co u n s el l at er as k ed h er i f s h e h ad rev i ewed an y o f t h e s t at em en t s t h at th e v i ct i m g av e

t o “ d o ct ors o r n urs es wh en s h e was ex am i ned ,” an d sh e res p o n d ed

, “ I b el iev e i n t h e

cas e fi le, wh en s h e w as fo ren s i cal l y ex am i n ed

, i t was i n t hat rep o rt

. ” Gri er’ s co u n s el

8t h en qu es t i o n ed t h e ex p ert ab o ut wh at d o cu m en ts s h e had rev i ewed t o p rep are fo r h er

t es t i m o ny , an d t he fo l l o w i n g ex ch an g e t o o k p l ace:

[COUNSEL] : As a p art o f y o u r p rep arat i on t o co m e i n an d t es t i fy ab o u t

t h i s cas e . . . were y o u g i v en acces s t o [t h e v i ct i m ’ s] DFACS reco rd s ?

[EXPERT] : Th e fu l l fi l e DFACS, n o

.

[COUNSEL] : W ere y o u g i v en acces s t o h er s ch oo l reco rd s ?

[EXPERT] : Th e fu l l reco rd s , I was n o t

.

[COUNSEL] : An y

o f t hem fro m s ch o o l ?

. . .

[EXPERT] : I d i d n o t as k

. M y u n d ers t an di n g o f t es t i m o n y i s n o t s o m u ch

as t o fact i n t h i s part i cu l ar cas e, b u t

, rat h er, m y ex p eri en ce in t h e area o f

ch i l d s ex u al ab u s e. If I were t o h av e b een as k ed t o as ses s a b u ck et l o ad

o f reco rd s

, I wo u l d b e hap p y t o d o s o

. . . . [I] n t h is p art icu l ar cas e, I w as

g i v en a co p y o f d i s co v ery

, an d i n t h at d i s co v ery was i n cl u d ed th e areas

o f t h e i n v es t i g at i o n

, a s y n o p si s of t h e g en eral m ed i cal

, th e f o ren s i c

i n t erv i ew, t h e s t ep s o f wh en t h e cas e was d i s cl o s ed

, wh en t h e o u t cry w as

m ad e an d as su ch

. An d s o

, n o

, I d i d n o t a sk f o r t h e f u l l DFACS r eco r d

s

n o r d i d I a s k f o r t h e f u l l s ch o o l r eco r d s . (em p h as i s s u pp l i ed .)

Co n trary t o Gri er’ s as s ert i o n

, t h e ex p ert ’ s t es t i m o n y d i d n o t rev eal t h at s h e h ad

acces s t o an y

reco rd s o t h er t h an t h o s e s u p p li ed to h i m i n d i s co v ery

, o r t h at s h e h ad

9v i ewed t h e DFACS reco rd s in wh o l e or p art

. Fu rt h er

, G r i e r d i d n o t s u b po en a t h e

ex p ert fo r t h e h eari n g o n h i s m o t i o n fo r n ew t ri al t o as cert ai n wh et h er s h e v i ewed an y

D F A CS reco rd s

. Tri al co u n s el t es t i fi ed t h at h e d i d n o t recal l hi s reas o n i n g fo r n o t

o b ject i ng t o t h e t es t i m on y o r r e q u e s t i n g a co n t i n u an ce. He t es ti fi ed

, “ I d o n ’ t k n o w

wh et h er at t h e t i m e I t o o k t hat t o m ean t h at s h e d i d n ’ t as k fo r or d i d n ’t r e c e i v e an y

o f t h e reco rd s at al l o r wh et h er at t he t i m e I’ m t h i n k i n g t h at s h e h ad g o t t en s o m e o f

t h e reco rd s b ut n o t

. . . t h e fu l l reco rd s. I ju st d o n ’ t rem em b er wh at I was t h i n k i n g at

t h at t i m e.”

W e n eed n o t d et erm i n e wh et h er co un s el ’ s p erfo rm an ce was d efi ci en t i f

we d et erm i ne t h at t h e p reju d i ce p ro n g i s n o t s at i s fi ed i n an y ev en t. T he

g en eral req u i rem en t i s t h at t h e d efe n d an t m us t affi rm at i v el y p ro ve

p reju d i ce, b ecau se at t o rn ey erro rs co m e i n an i n fi n i t e v ari et y an d are as

l i kel y t o b e u t terl y h arm l es s i n a part i cu l ar cas e as t h ey are t o be

p reju d i ci al

. Co n s eq u en t l y, m ere s p ecu l at i on o n t h e d efen d an t ’ s p art i s

i n s u ffi ci en t t o es t ab l i s h S t r i ckl a n d p reju d i ce.

(Ci t at i o n s an d p u nct u at i o n om i t t ed .) P i er ce v. S t a t e

, 2 8 6 Ga. 1 9 4

, 1 9 7 -1 9 8 (4 ) (6 8 6

SE2 d 6 5 6) (2 0 0 9).

In t h is cas e, Gri er’ s m ere s p ecu l at i o n t h at th e St at e’ s ex pert ma y h av e rev i ewed

DFACS reco rd s an d h i s t ri al co u n s el ’ s fai lu re t o o b ject t h eret o do es n o t d em o n s t rat e

10p reju d i ce t o t h e po i n t t h at a reas o n ab l e pro b ab i l i t y ex i s t s t h at t h e o u t co m e o f h i s t ri al

wo u l d h av e b een d ifferen t

.

3

. Gri er m ai n tai n s t hat t h e s o d o m y s t at u t e i s un co ns t i t u t io n al l y v ag u e, b ecau s e

t h e s t at u t e was n ev er am en d ed t o refl ect t h e red efi n i t i o n o f t h e o ffen s e i n Po wel l v.

S t a t e

, 2 7 0 Ga. 32 7

, 3 35 (5 10 SE2 d 1 8 ) (1 9 98 ). T h e s t at u t e s t il l s t at es t hat “ [a] p ers o n

co m m i t s t h e o ffen s e o f s o d o m y wh en h e o r s h e p erfo rm s o r s u b m it s t o an y s ex u al act

i n v o l v i n g t h e s ex o rg an s o f o n e p ers on an d t he m o ut h o r an u s o f an o t h er,” OCGA §

1 6 -6 -2 ( a ) ( 1 )

, b u t Gri er arg u es t h at b ecau s e t he co u rt i n Po wel l decri m i n al i zed

s o d o m y b et ween co n sen ti n g ad ul t s

, a p ers o n o f o rd i n ary i n t el l i g en ce wo ul d b e m i s l ed

b y th e s t at u t e i n t o t hi n k i n g t h at an y o n e en g ag i n g i n an y act o f s o d o m y

, reg ard l es s o f

t h e o t h er p art i ci p an t ’ s ag e, i s co m m i t t i ng a cri m e. He fu rt h er arg u es t h at u nd er OCGA

§ 16 -6 -2

, t h e s en t en ce fo r a co n v i ct i o n o f en g ag in g i n an act o f so d om y w it h s o m eo n e

y o u n g er t h an 1 6 i s 1 t o 2 0 y ears wi t h t h e po s si b i l i t y of p aro l e o r p ro b at i o n

, i n co n t ras t

t o th e sen t en ce fo r ag g rav at ed ch i l d m o l es t at i o n b as ed o n an act o f s o d o m y

. OCGA

§ § 16 -6 -4 (c), (d ) an d 1 7 -1 0 -6 .1 (b ) (2 ) (C) p ro v i d e t h at th e s en t en ce fo r a co n v i ct i o n

o f ag g rav at ed ch i l d m o l es t a t i o n b as ed o n an act o f s o d o m y wi t h s om eo n e y o u n g er

11t h an 1 6 i s a m an d at o ry m i n i m u m o f 2 5 y ears t o li fe i m

p ri s o n m en t , fo l l o wed b y l i fe

o n p aro l e, an d n o n e o f t h e p ri s on t i m e i n t h e s en t en ce can b e p ro b at ed o r p aro l ed

. 2

Ho wev er, o u r Su p rem e Co u rt h as ex cl us i v e ap p el lat e j u ri sd i c t i o n o v er “ [a] l l

ca s e s

. . . i n wh ich t h e co n s t i t u t i o n al it y o f a l aw, o rd i n an ce, o r co n s t i t u t i o n al

p ro v is i o n h as b een d rawn i n q u es t i o n

. ” Ga. Co n s t

. 1 9 8 3, Art

. VI, Sec. VI, Par. II (1 ).

Th i s Co u rt ’ s ju ri sd i ct i o n o v er co n s t i t ut i o n al q u es t i o n s d o es no t r e a c h cas es t h at

“ ‘ i n v o lv e co n s t ru ct i o n o f s o m e co n s t it u t i on al pro v i si o n d i r e c t l y i n q ues t i o n an d

d o u b t fu l ei t her u nd er i t s o w n t erm s o r u n d er t h e d e c i s i o n s of [t hi s Co u rt ] o r t h e

Su p rem e Co urt o f t he Un i ted St at es .’ [Ci t .] ” W at s o n v. S ta te

, 2 83 Ga. Ap p

. 6 3 5

, 6 3 7

(2 ) (6 4 2 SE2 d 3 28 ) (2 0 0 7). Mo reo v er, we no t e t h at o u r Su p rem e Co u rt h as i n s t ru ct ed

t h at ch al l en g es t o t he co n s t i t u t i o n al i t y o f a s t at u te “ ‘ m u s t b e m ad e at t h e fi rs t

o p p o rt u ni t y

, an d it i s t oo l at e t o rai s e s u ch qu es t i o n aft er a g ui l t y v e r d i c t h as b een

ret u rn ed b y

t h e ju ry .’ [Ci t .] ” La cey v. S t a t e

, 2 7 0 Ga. 3 7 (1 ) (5 0 7 SE2 d 4 4 1 ) (1 9 9 8 ).

See al s o Gl ea n v. S ta t e, 2 68 G a. 2 6 0

, 2 6 3 (2 ) (b ) (4 8 6 SE2 d 1 7 2 ) (1 9 9 7 ). Gri er d id

2 O CGA § 16 -6 -2 (d ) (2 ) p ro v i d es an ex cep t i o n to t h e m an dat o ry m i n i m u m

fel o n y s en t en ci n g i f t h e v i ct i m i n an ag grav at ed ch i l d m ol es t at i o n co n v i ct io n b as ed

o n so d o m y i s at l eas t 1 3 an d y o u n g er t h an 1 6 an d t h e defen d an t is 1 8 o r y o un g er an d

n o t m o re t h an 4 y ears ol der t h an t h e v i ct i m

. Un der t h o se ci rcu m s t an ces

, t h e cri m e i s

a m i s d em ean o r an d t he s en t en ce i s n o t s u bject t o t h e r e s t ri ct i o n s o n p ro b at i o n an d

p aro l e s et o u t i n OCGA § 1 7-1 0 -6

. 1

.

12n o t rai s e t h i s co n st i t ut io n al i ss u e b efo re t he ju ry ret u rn ed i t s v erd ict

, an d th i s co u rt

h as n o ju ri sd ict i o n o v er t h i s i s s u e. Th i s en um erat i o n t h u s fai l s

.

Fu r t h er, wh i le Gri er arg u es h i s t ri al co u ns el were i n effect i v e fo r fai l i n g to

arg u e t h at OCGA § 1 6 -6 -2 was u n co n s t i t u t i o n al

, Gri er al s o d i d n o t arg u e t h at i s s u e

i n h i s m o t i o n fo r n ew t ri al

, an d d i d n ot ex am i n e Gri er’ s t ri al co u n s e l a b o u t i t

.

Al l eg a t i o n s o f i n effect i v e as s i s t an ce t h at were n o t rai s ed b efo re t h e tri al co u rt are

p ro ced ural ly b arred

. S

ees e v. S t a t e

, 2 3 5 G a. A p p

. 1 8 1

, 1 8 3

- 1 8 4 (3 ) (5 09 SE2 d 9 4 )

(1 9 9 8). See Fel i

x v. S t a t e , 2 7 1 Ga. 5 3 4

, 53 9 (5 2 3 SE2 d 1 ) (1 9 9 9 ) (“ An erro r o f l aw

h as as i t s b as i s a s p e c i fi c ru l i n g m ad e by th e t ri al co u rt .”) Acco rd i ng l y

, we d o n ot

co n si d er t h i s i n effect i v e as s i s t an ce cl ai m

.

4

. Gri er al s o as s ert s t h at h i s t ri al co u n s el was in effect i v e “ fo r fai l i n g to

u n d ers t an d h o w Po wel l [, 2 7 0 Ga. 3 2 7 ,] i m p act ed t h e cri m e o f ag g r a v a t e d ch i ld

m o les t at i o n ” i n Gri er’ s cas e. O u r Su p rem e Co u rt i n P o wel l l i m i t e d t h e cri m e o f

s o d o m y t o act s co m

m it t ed i n p u b l i c, f

o r m on ey

, o r wi t h s o m eo n e un d er t h e ag e o f

co n sen t

. 27 0 Ga. at 33 5. G ri er m ai n t ai ns th at aft er Po wel l

, t h e cri m e of ag g rav at ed

ch i l d m o les t at i o n b as ed on an act o f s o d o m y u n d er O CGA § 1 6 -6 -4 (c) an d t h e cri m e

o f s od o m y b as ed o n an al l eg at i o n t h at t h e v i ct i m was a ch i l d un d er 1 6 u n d er OCGA

§ 1 6 -6 -2 are i d en t i cal an d r e d u n d a n t

. Th erefo re, he arg u es

, h e s ho u l d h av e b een

13p u n i s h ed u n d er t he les s-s ev ere s en t en ci n g pro v i s i o n s o f t h e s o d o m y st at u t e. He

m ai n t ai n s t h at h i s t ri al co u n sel was i n effect i ve fo r fai li n g t o m ak e t h at arg u m en t

, an d

al s o fo r fai li n g t o a req u es t a ch arg e o n s o d om y as a l es s er i n cl u ded o ffen s e.

Gri er was rep res e n t ed b y t wo at t o rn ey s at t ri al

. W hen as k ed ab o u t t h e

ap p li cat io n o f Po wel l

t o Gri er’ s cas e, o n e t ri al co u ns el t es t i fi ed t h at

i n m y m i n d at t h e ti m e, s o d o m y was n o t ap p li cab l e [t o]

. . . Gri er’ s cas e.

It was o n ly ap p l icab l e i n t h e c o n t ex t of i t ’ s ki n d o f a s u b d efi n it i on o f

t h e ag g rav at ed ch i l d m o l es t at i o n s t at u t e.

. . . I saw ag g rav at ed c h i l d

m o l es t at i o n an d s o d o m

y as t wo co m

p l e tel y s ep arat e an d d i s t i nct

o ffen s es as d efi n e d i n t h e co d e, an d i t n ev er o ccu rred t o m e to as k fo r

s o d o m y as a l es s er i n cl u d ed o ffen s e o f ch i l d m o l es t at i o n

.

Th e o t h er tri al co u n s el t es t i fi ed t h at i n h i n d si gh t he s h o u l d h av e as k ed fo r a l es s er

i n cl u d ed o ffen s e o f s o d o m y

, b u t h e wo u l d n o t h av e th o u g h t o f th at arg u m en t at t ri al

b ecau s e h e d i d n o t reco g n i ze t h e m eri t s o f t he arg um en t t h en

.

Th e s tan d a r d f

o r effect i ven es s o f co u n s el d o es n o t req u i re a l awy er t o

an t i ci p at e ch an g es i n t h e l aw o r p u rs u e n o v el t h eo ri es o f d efen s e. [Gri er]

h as n o t ci t ed

, an d we h av e n ot fo u n d

, an y cas e ad dres s i n g a si m i lar

. . .

ch al len ge t o OCGA § [§ 1 6 -6 -2 an d 1 6

- 6 -4 ]

. T ri al co u n s el ’ s fai lu re t o

rai s e t h i s n ov el l eg al arg u m en t d o es no t am o u n t t o i n effect i v e as si st an ce

o f co u n s el

.

14(Fo o tn o tes an d p u nct u at io n o m i t t ed .) Hu g hes v. S t a te

, 2 66 Ga. Ap p

. 6 5 2

, 6 5 5 (3 ) (a)

(5 9 8 SE2 d 4 3 ) (2 0 0 4 ).

5

. G ri er al s o m ai n t ai n s t h a t t h e t ri al co u rt erred b y ad m i t t i n g a p o rt i o n o f an

o u t -o f-co u rt s t at em en t t h at h e g av e to a d et ect i v e reco u nt i ng th at a fem al e s t u d en t h ad

o n ce fal s el y accu s ed h i m o f to u ch i n g h er, arg ui n g t h at th e s t at em en t was in ad m i s s i b l e

ev i d en ce o f a pri or b ad act t h a t w a r r a n t s a rev ers al of h i s co n v i ct i o n s

. W e d o n ot

ag ree.

Befo re t he d et ect i v e t es t i fi ed

, t h e ju ry was ex cu sed

. D uri n g an en s u in g b en ch

co n feren ce, Gri er req u es t ed t hat h i s t ap ed st at em en t b e s t o p p ed b efo re h e m en t i o n ed

t h at o t her k i d s h ad m ad e fal s e al l eg at i o n s ab o u t h im

, i n cl u d in g “ o n e g i rl s ai d I h el d

h er aft er cl as s an d t o u ch ed h er i n ap p ro p ri at el y .” He arg u ed th at th e s t at em en t wo u ld

b e m o re p reju d i ci al t h an p ro b at i v e. Gri er ack n o wl ed g ed t hat h e h a d b een p ro v i d ed

wi t h t h e s t at em en t t h e week b efo re h i s tri al b eg an

, b ut m ai n tai n ed t h at t h e St at e h ad

n o t fi l ed n o t i ce o f i t s i n ten t i o n t o i nt ro d u ce ev i d en ce o f p ri o r b ad a c t s a n d w a s

t h erefo re fo recl o s ed fro m o fferi n g t h e ev id en ce. Th e t ri al co u rt o v e r r u l ed h i s

o b ject i on an d al lo wed t h e St at e t o p l ay t h e en ti re s t at em en t

.

“ [T] h e ad m i s s i o n o f ev i d en ce i s a m at t er wh i ch res t s l arg el y wi t h in t h e s o u n d

d i s cret i o n o f t h e t ri al co u rt an d wi l l n o t be d i s t u rb ed ab sen t an ab u se o f d i s cret i o n.”

15(Ci t at i o n o m i t t ed ). Ba r cl a y v. S t a t e

, 3 0 6 Ga. Ap p

. 7 6 6

, 7 6 6 (7 0 2 SE2 d 9 0 7 ) (2 0 1 0 ).

In i t s o rd er d en y i n g Gri er’ s m o t i o n fo r n ew t ri al

, th e tri al co u rt fo u n d t h at th i s p o rt i o n

o f Gri er’ s s t at em en t was n o t p ri o r b ad act ev i d en ce s u b ject t o an al y s i s u n d er OCGA

§ 2 4 -4 -4 04 (b ), 3 b u t was r a t h e r a d ecl arat i o n ag ai n s t p en al i n t eres t an d ad m i s s i b l e

u n d er OCGA § 24 -8 -8 01 (d ) (2 ). 4

“ Th e t es t fo r d et erm i n i n g n o n co n s t i tu t i o n al h arm l es s er r o r i s wh et h er i t i s

h i g h l y p ro bab l e t h at t h e erro r d i d n o t co n t ri b u t e t o t h e v erd i ct .” Ri ver a v. S t a t e

, 2 9 5

Ga. 3 8 0

, 3 8 2 (7 6 1 SE2 d 3 0 ) (2 0 1 4 ). Pret erm i t t i n g wh et h er Gri er’ s s tat em en t t h at h e

h ad b een fal s el y accu s ed co n st i t u t ed p ri o r bad act ev i d en ce u nd er OCGA § 2 4 -4 -4 0 4

(b ) an d s h o u l d hav e b een ex cl u d ed

, w e fi n d t h is en um erat io n t o be wi th o u t m e r i t

.

Un d er t h e h i g h l y

p ro b ab l e t es t

,

3 OCGA § 2 4 -4 -4 0 4 (b ) p ro v i d es :

E v i d e n c e o f o t h er cri m es

, wro n g s

, o r act s s hal l n o t be ad m i s s i b l e t o

p ro v e t h e ch aract er o f a p ers o n i n o rd er to s h o w act io n i n c o n f o rm i t y

t h erewi th

. It m ay

, h o wev er, b e ad m i s s ib l e fo r o t h er p urp o s es

, i n cl ud i n g

, but no t l i m i t ed t o

, pro of o f m o t i v e, op p ort u n it y

, i nt en t

, p rep arat i o n, p lan,

k n o wl ed g e, i d en t i t y , o r ab s en ce o f m i st ak e o r acci den t

.

4 OCGA § 2 4 -8 -8 0 1 (d ) (2 ) (A) p ro v i d es in p ert i n en t p art th at “ [a] n ad m i s s i o n

i s a s tat em en t offered ag ai n s t a p art y wh i ch i s

. . . [t ] h e p art y ’ s o wn s t at em en t, i n ei t h er

an i n d iv i d u al o r rep res en t at i v e cap aci t y .”

16a rev ers al i s n o t req ui red i f t he ev i d en ce of g u i l t i s o v erwh el m in g i n t hat

t h ere i s n o reas o n ab l e p ro b ab i li t y t h at th e v erd i ct o f th e ju ry w o u l d h av e

b een d i fferen t i n t h e ab s e n c e o f t hi s erro r. Hav in g rev i ewed th e

t ran s cri p t o f th e p ro ceed i n g s b el o w, we fi n d t h at . . . t h e [ad m i s s i o n o f

t h e] s t at em en t d o es n o t co n s t i t u te rev ers i b l e erro r, si n ce, v i ewi n g t he

p o s t u re o f th e en t i re reco rd

, we fi n d t h at i t i s h i g h ly p ro b ab l e t h a t [ i t s

ad m i s s i o n ] d i d n o t co n t ri b u t e t o t h e v erd i ct

.

(Ci t at i o n s an d pu n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed

. ) Lo wt h er v. S t a t e

, 2 63 G a. Ap p

. 2 8 2

, 2 8 3 (1 ) (5 8 7

SE2 d 3 3 5 ) (2 0 0 3) (ad m i s s i on of d efen d an t ’ s s t at em en t t o o ffi cer t h at h e w o u l d n ot

h av e been al o n e wi t h t h e 8 -y ear-o l d v i ct i m b ecau s e h e l earn ed h i s l es s o n aft er h e ran

o ff wi t h a 1 5 -y ear-o l d g i rl an d g o t h er preg n an t d i d n o t warran t rev ers al u n der h i g h l y

p ro b ab l e t es t .).

6

. Gri er l as t co n ten d s t h at h i s ri g h ts u n der t h e Eq u al Pro t ect i o n Cl au s e o f t h e

Un i ted St at es Co n s ti t u t i o n were v i o l at ed b y t h e g ro s s l y d i s p r o p o r t i o n at e an d t hu s

cru el an d u n u s u al s en t en ce fo r t h e cri m e o f ag g rav at ed ch i l d m o l es t at i o n b y s o d o m y

,

p art i cu l arl y co m

pared t o t h e m

u ch l es s er s en t en ce fo r t h e cri m e o f s o d o m y

. He fu rt h er

arg u es t h at h i s eq u al p ro t ect io n ri g h t s were v i o l at ed b ecau s e si m i larl y s i t u at ed p eo p l e

— t h o s e w h o co m

m i t t h e act o f s o d o m

y wi t h so m eo n e y o un g er th an 1 6

— m ay b e

ch arg ed u n d er ei t h er OCGA § 1 6 -6 -2 or OCGA § 1 6

- 6

- 4 ( c )

, res ul ti n g in wi d el y

d i s p arat e s en t e n c e s

. F i n al l y

, h e arg u es t h at b ecau s e h i s fu nd am en t al ri g h t t o eq u al

17p ro t ect i o n i s i m p l i cat ed b y t h i s s en t en ci n g di s p ari t y

, t h e St at e m us t d em o n s t rat e a

co m p el l i n g s t at e i nt eres t t hat req u i res th e rad i cal l y d i fferen t sen t en ces fo r t he s i m i l ar

cri m es

.

Ou r Su p rem e Co u rt p rev i o u s l y co n s i d ered t h e s l i gh t l y d ifferen t arg u m en t t h at

“ t h ere i s n o rat i on al b as i s fo r t reat i ng c h i l d m o l es t at i o n b as ed o n an act o f s o d o m y

d i fferen tl y fro m ch i l d m o l es t at io n b as ed o n o t her act s

, an d th e d i fferen t t reat m en t [fo r

t h e act o f s o d o m

y ] v i o l at es

. . . eq u al p r o t e c t i o n a n d du e p ro ces s ri g ht s un d er t h e

Un i ted St at es an d Geo rg i a Co n s t i tu t io n s .” Od et t v. S t a t e

, 2 7 3 Ga. 3 53

, 35 4 (2 ) (5 4 1

SE2 d 2 9 ) (2 0 0 1 ). Th e ap p el l an t i n Od et ts h ad arg u ed t h at “ i n l i g ht of Po wel l

, t h ere

i s n o rat i o n al b as i s fo r t reat in g ch i l d m o l e s t a t i o n b as ed o n an act o f s o d o m y

d i fferen tl y fro m ch i l d m o l es t at i o n b as ed o n o t h er act s

, an d t h e d i f feren t t reat m en t

v i o l at es h i s eq u al p ro t ect i o n an d d u e p ro ces s ri g ht s u n d er th e U n i t ed St at es an d

Geo rg i a Co n s t i t u t io n s .” Id

. Ou r Su p rem e Co u rt o b serv ed t h at Po wel l d i d n o t h o l d t h at

t h e ri g h t t o p ri v acy p ro t ect s s o d o m y g en eral l y

, t hat s ex u al co n d u ct wi t h a m i n o r i s n ot

p ro t ect ed b y an y p ri v acy ri g h t

, an d t h at

, “ [ a ]s t h e s t at u t e at is s u e d o es n o t affect a

fu n d am en t al ri g h t o r a s u s pect cl as s

, to s u rv i v e t h e ap p el l an t’ s co n s t i t u t i o n al

18ch al l en g e [OCGA § 1 6 -6 -4 (c)] n eed o nl y b ear a rat i o n al rel at io n s h i p t o s o m e

l eg i t i m at e s t at e p urp os e.” Id . It co n cl u d ed t h at t h e s t at u t e m et t h i s s t an dard

.

Here, Gri er co m

p ares t h e ag g rav at ed ch i l d m o l es tat i on sta tute by s o d o m

y t o t h e

g en eral s o d o m

y s t at u t e, b u t he p rev i o u sl y arg u ed t h at O CGA § 1 6

- 6

- 2 t o o b ro ad l y

d efi n es s o d o m

y b et ween an y o n e as a cri m i n al b ecau s e i t fai ls t o reco gn i ze t hat u n d er

Po wel l

, t h e cri m i n al i zat i o n o f p ri v at e, co n s en s u al

, n on -co m m erci al s o d o m

y b et ween

p eo pl e ov er t h e ag e o f co n s en t i s u n co n s t it u ti o n al

. If, u n d er P o wel l

, t h e St at e can n ot

co n vi ct s o m eo n e fo r cri m i n al s o d o m y u n l es s t h e act was ei t h er p u b l i c, perfo rm ed fo r

m o ney

, or p erfo rm ed o n s o m eo n e u n d er t h e ag e o f co n s en t, an d OCGA § 1 6-6 -2 (a)

( 2 ) d efi n es ag g rav at ed s o d om y as i n v o l v i n g a v i ct i m y o u ng er t han 1 0, 5 t h en G r i e r

co u ld n ot ev en b e co n v ict ed u n der t h at s t at u t e wi th an o ffen s e in v o l v i n g a 14 -y ear-o ld

v i ct i m

. T h e o n l y s t at u t e t hat p erm i s si b l y cri m i n al i zes th at co n d uct w i t h a v i ct i m o f

t h at ag e i s OCGA § 1 6 -6 -4 (c) an d (d ), an d t h u s Gri er h as n o v al i d eq u al p ro t ect i o n

arg u m en t

.

Fu rt her, ev en i f, as G ri er arg u es

, h e co u l d st il l b e ch arg ed un d er ei t h er t h e

s o d o m y s t a t u t e o r t h e ch i ld m o l es t at i on s t at u te an d t h at h i s eq u al p ro t ect i on ri g h t s

5 Th e o ffen se o f ag g rav at ed s o d o m y carri es t h e s am e s en t en ce as an o ffen s e o f

ag g rav at ed ch i l d m o l es t at i on

. See OCGA § § 1 6 -6 -2 (b ) (2 ), 1 6 -6 -4 (d ).

19were vi o l at ed b ecau s e th e sam e a c t o f c on s en s u al s o d o m y i s p u n i sh ed di fferen t l y

u n d er t h o s e s t at ut es

,

[u ] n d er OCGA § 1 6 -1 -7 (a), “ wh en t h e sam e co n d u ct o f an accu s ed m ay

es t ab l i sh th e co m

m is s i o n o f m o re t han o n e cri m e, t h e accu s ed m ay be

p ro s ecu t ed fo r each cri m e.” T h erefo re, as [Gri er’ s ] co n d uct sat i s fi ed th e

el em en t s of ag g rav at ed ch i l d m o l es t at i o n

, t h e arg u m en t t h at h e s h o u l d

h av e b een s en t en ced fo r th e l es s er cri m e of s i m p l e so d om

y i s u n av ai l i n g

.

Th e St at e i s n o t req u ired t o p ro s ecu t e o n l y a l es s er o ffen s e co m

m i t t ed

.

It m ay p r o s e c u t e t h e d efen d an t u n d er an y o r al l st at ut es t h at fi t th e

d e f en d an t’ s co n d u ct

. [Gri er’ s ] arg u m en t s th at t h e

. . . s od o m y s t a t u t e

co n fl i ct s wi th t h e ag g rav at ed ch il d m o l es t at io n s t at u t e, a n d tha t h i s eq ual

p ro t ect i o n ri g h t s were v i o l at ed as a res u l t

, are eq u al l y wi t h ou t m eri t

. T he

. . . s o d o m

y s t at u t e is i rrel ev an t h ere as Gri er w as no t ch arg ed wi th t hat

c r i m e. [He] w as ch arg ed wi t h ag g rav at ed ch il d m o l es tat i o n an d h i s

act i o n s sat i sfi ed t h e el em en t s o f t h at o ffen s e. See OCGA § 1 6-6 -4 (c).

Hu n t er v. S t a t e , 2 6 3 Ga. Ap p . 7 4 7 , 7 4 8 -7 4 9 (3 ) (5 8 9 SE2 d 3 0 6 ) (2 0 03 ).

Reg ard i n g Gri er’ s cl ai m t h at t h e m an d at o ry s en t en ce fo r ag g rav at ed ch i ld

m o les t at i o n co ns t i t ut es cru el an d u n u s u al p u ni s h m en t bas ed o n t h e d is pari t y b et ween

t h e s en t en ces fo r s o d o m

y an d ag g rav at ed ch i l d m o l es tat i o n

, fi rs t

, accep ti n g wi t h o ut

d eci d i n g t h at Gri er’ s arg u m en t t h at t h e cu rren t s o d o m y s t at u t e d o es n o t co m

p o rt wi th

Po wel l

, t h en h e co u l d no t b e ch arg ed u n der t h e s o d om y st at u t e wi th cri m i n al co n d u ct

fo r co m m i t t i n g t h e act o f s o d o m

y ag ai n st s o m eo ne o l d er t h an 1 0.

20Seco n d

,

[i ] f t he s en ten ce fal ls wi t h i n t h e s t at u to ry ran g e of p u n i s hm en t s et b y th e

l eg i s l at u re, t he pres u m

pt i o n i s t h at t h e s en ten ce d o e s n o t v i o l at e th e

Ei g h t h Am en d m en t

, an d t h e p res u m pt i o n rem ai n s u n t i l a d efen d an t s et s

f o rt h a fact u al pred i cat e s ho wi n g t h at s uch l eg i s l at i v el y au t h o ri z e d

p u n i s h m en t was so o v erl y s ev ere or e x ces si ve in p ro p o rt i o n t o th e

o ffen s e as t o s ho ck t h e co n s ci en ce.

(Pu n ct u at i on o m i t t ed ) Jo n es v. S t a t e , 3 2 5 Ga. Ap p . 8 4 5 (1 ) (7 5 5 SE2 d 2 3 8 ) (2 0 1 4 ).

Gri er h as fai l ed in s o d em o ns t rat i n g

. See P e p e

- F r a z i er v. S ta t e

, 3 3 1 Ga. Ap p

. 2 6 3,

2 7 2 (3 ) (c) (7 7 0 SE2 d 6 5 4) (2 01 5 ) (n o i n effect i v e as si st an ce fo r fai l i n g t o o b ject t o

ap p el l an t ’ s l i fe s en t en ce fo r o n e act o f o ral s ex wi t h 14 -y ear-o l d b ecau s e i t “ d o es n ot

rai s e a t h res h o l d i nferen ce o f g ro s s d is p ro po rt i o n al it y ”).

Ju d g men t a f f i r m ed . Bo g

g s a n d Di l l ar d , JJ., co n cu r

.

21