THI RD DI VI SI ON

M C FA DDEN, C. J.

, D OYLE, P. J.

, and HODGES, J.

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.

https ://w w w

. ga a ppe a ls .us /r ule s

D E A D LIN E S A R E N O LO N G E R TO LLE D IN T

H I S

C O U R T. A LL FILIN G S M U ST B E S U B M I TTE D WITH IN

TH E TIM E S S E T B Y

O U R C O U R T R U LE S

.

June 23, 2020



# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A2 0 A0 22 9 . PARHAM v . THE STATE.

M C F A D D E N , Ch i ef J u d g e.

Aft er a ju ry t ri al

, Tri s t on Parh am was co n v i ct ed o f ag g rav at ed as sau l t

, arm ed

ro b b ery

, an d p o ss es s i o n o f a fi rearm d u ri n g t h e co m m i s s i o n o f a fel o n y

. T h e t ri al

co u rt s en t en ced Parh am t o s erv e a 4 5 -y ear t erm o f i n carcerat i o n. Parh am ap p eal s t h e

d en ial o f h is m o t i o n fo r n ew t ri al , rai s i n g fo u r arg u m en t s.

Parh am arg ues t h at th e ev i d en ce do es no t su p po rt h i s co n v i ct i o ns

, b ut we h o ld

t h at t h e ju ry was au t h o ri zed t o fi n d t hat t h e ev i d e n c e, t h o u g h ci rcu m s t an t i al

, was

s u ffi ci en t t o e x c l u d e ev ery reas o n ab l e h y p o t h es i s s av e t h at o f gu i l t

. Parh am arg u es

t h at t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n ad m i t t i n g ev i d en ce o f t hree o t h er act s

, b u t we h o l d t h at t h e

t ri al co u rt d i d n o t ab u s e h i s d i s cret i o n as t o t wo o f t h em an d an y erro r i n ad m i s s i o n

o f t h e t h i r d w as h arm l es s

. Parh am arg u es t h at h i s t ri al co u n s el ren d ered i n effect i v eas s i s tan ce, b u t w e h o l d t h at Parh am h as fai l ed t o s h o w b o t h d efi ci en t p e r f o r m a nce

an d preju d i ce. Fi n al l y

, Parh am arg u es t h at t h at t h e t ri al co u rt p l ai n l y erred b y g i v i n g

an i m p ro p er b urd en -s h i ft i n g c h a rg e t o th e ju ry

, b u t we h o l d t h at an y erro r d i d n ot

m i s l ead t h e ju ry

, g i ven t h e ch arg e as a wh o le. So we affi rm

.

1

. Evi d en ce

.

Vi ewed i n t h e li g h t m o s t fav o rab le t o s u p p ort t h e ju ry’s v e rd i ct

, s ee Ja cks o n

v. Vi r g in i a

, 4 4 3 U. S. 3 0 7 (9 9 SCt 2 7 8 1

, 6 1 LE2 d 5 6 0 ) (1 9 79 ), t h e st at e’ s ev i d en ce

s h o wed t h at i n a th ree-h o u r p eri o d on Ap ri l 2 2

, 20 1 4

, Parh am an d an acco m p l i ce

en g ag ed in a cri m e s p ree, co m m i t t in g or at t em

p t i n g t o co m

m it t h ree arm ed ro b b eri es

t arg et i n g Hi s p an i c vi ct i m s an d Hi s p an i c co m m u ni t i es

. Th e v i ct im i n t h e cas e o n t ri al

,

wh o i s fro m Ho n d u ras

, t es t i fi ed t h at h e wa s w a l k i n g t o wo rk b efo re s i x i n t h e

m o rn i n g wh en a fo u r-d o o r, s il v er o r g ray car p as s ed h i m

, m ad e a U-t u rn i n t h e

s h i p p i n g area o f h i s p lace o f em p l o y m en t

, an d p u l l ed u p t o t h e v i ct i m

. A m an g o t o ut

o f t h e car, ap p ro ach ed t h e v i ct i m

, b ran di s h ed a b l ack weap o n

, an d d em an ded t h at t h e

v i ct i m g i v e h i m ev ery t hi n g i n th e v i ct im ’ s p o s s es s i o n

. Th e v ict i m an d th e m an fro m

t h e car b eg an t o fi g h t . An o th er m an , arm ed wi t h a s i l ver h an d g u n, ex i t ed t h e car.

Th e two m en as s au l t ed t h e v i ct i m w i t h a s t u n g un an d h e fel l t o t h e g ro un d

. Th e

m en t o o k t h e v ict i m ’ s b l ack cel l p h on e, h i s b o o t s

, an d ab o ut $ 1 2 0 i n cas h

. Th e v i ct i m

2ran t o h i s wo rk pl ace. O n e o f th e m en fo l l o w ed t h e v i ct i m

, t h reat en i n g t o k i l l h i m

, b ut

t h en ret reat ed

. Th e p erp et rat o rs l eft t h e s c e n e o f t h e cri m e an d t he p o li ce were

co n tact ed

.

A p o l i ce o ffi cer res p o n d ed t o a d i s p at ch an d m et t h e v i ct i m at h i s wo rk p l ace.

Th e v i ct i m d es cri b ed t h e race, h ei g ht

, wei gh t

, an d cl o t hi n g o f t h e p erp et rat ors as wel l

as t he fo u r-d o o r car. Bu t h e was u n ab l e t o i d en t i fy t he p erp et rat o rs i n a p h o to l i n e u p.

Les s t h an fi v e h o u rs l at er, t h e o ffi cer was p at ro l li n g t h e area wh en he s aw a

m an h e h ad arres t ed s ev eral t im es befo re l ean i n g i n t o a fo u r-d o o r, s i l v er car an d

t al k i n g t o t h e fro n t p as s en g er

. A s s o o n as t h e p ers on l ean in g in t o t h e car s aw t h e

o ffi cer, he beg an to wal k away

. Th e o ffi cer wal k ed u p t o t h e car an d b eg an s p eak i n g

t o Parh am , wh o was i n t h e d ri ver’ s s eat

. Parh am ’ s acco m p l i ce was i n th e p as s en g er

s eat

. Th e o ffi cer as k ed Parh am wh at t h e m an w an t ed an d t o ld Parh a m t h a t t h e area

was a h i g h -cri m e area. Th e o ffi cer as k ed fo r i d en t ifi cat i o n fro m t h e o ccu p an t s o f t h e

car. Parh am

g av e t h e o ffi cer h i s Geo rg i a co rrect io n s card

.

Parh am co n s en t ed t o a s earch o f t h e car. Th e o ffi cer op en ed t h e fro n t p as s en g er

car d o o r t o beg i n a s earch wh en Parh am rev o k ed h i s co n s en t

. Ho wev er, wh en h e

o p en ed t h e d o o r

, th e o ffi cer s aw w h at ap p eared t o b e a m ari ju an a ci g aret t e. So t h e

o ffi cer s earch ed t h e car, wh ere h e f o u n d a s i l v er rev o l v er an d a red w al l et wi t h a

3wo m an ’ s d ri v er’ s l i cen s e an d fi n an ci al d o cu m en ts i n it

. Parh am t o l d t h e o ffi cer t h at

t h e rev o l v er b el o n g ed t o h i s acco m p l i ce an d t h at a wo m an h ad l eft t he wal l et i n t h e

car t h e n i g h t b efo re, b u t t h e n am e Parh am g av e h i m fo r th e wo m an was no t th e n am e

o n t h e d ri v er’ s l i cen s e an d t h e d o cu m en t s i n t h e wal l et

. Th e o ffi cer s u bs eq u en t l y

l earn ed t h at t h e o wn er o f t h e red wal l et h ad b een t h e v i ct im of an arm ed ro b b ery t h at

s am e d ay

.

Th e offi cer arres ted Parh am an d t h e acco m p l i ce. Th e o ffi cer s earch ed Parh am

,

wh o h ad ab o ut $ 3 0 0 w o r t h o f M ex i can p es o s o n h i s p ers o n

. Th e o ffi cer fo u n d t h e

v i ct i m ’ s b l ack cel l p h o n e an d a s t u n g u n o n t h e acco m p l i ce.

Th e s t at e p res en t ed ev i den ce o f two cri m es t h at o ccu rred s h o rt l y aft er t h e cri m e

fo r wh i ch Parh am wa s b e i n g t ri ed

. Aro un d 7 : 4 0 t h e s am e m o rn i ng as t h e 6 a.m

.

ro b b ery o f t h e v i ct i m h ere, Parh am h ad at t em p ted an arm ed ro bb ery of a Hi s p an i c

wo m an i n a trai l er p ark

. Th e wo m an t es t ifi ed t h at wh en s he was d ri v i ng h o m e fro m

t ak i n g h er ch i l d t o s ch o o l

, a fo u r-d o o r, s i l v er o r g ray car was b l ock in g t h e ro ad i n h er

t rai l er p ark

. A m an i n a n eo n gree n s h i rt ap p ro ach ed h er v eh i cl e, as k ed h er i f s h e

k n ew a p art i cu l ar p ers o n

, to l d h er t o ro l l d o wn h er wi n d o w, an d t h en p o in t ed a s i l v er

g u n at h er an d d em an d ed m o n ey o r h er p u rs e. Sh e s ai d sh e d i d no t hav e an y t h i n g an d

t o s earch h er v eh i cl e i f h e d id n o t b el i ev e h er. Sh e g o t ou t of h er v eh icl e, an d t h e m an

4s earch ed t h e v i ct i m ’ s v eh icl e, d i d n o t fi n d an y t h in g

, an d g o t i n t o t he p as s en g er s i d e

o f t h e s i lv er o r g ray

car. An o t her m an was i n t he d ri v er’ s s eat

.

Th e at t em p t ed arm ed ro b b ery vi ct i m ’ s n ei g h b o r h ap p en ed t o t ak e p h o t o g rap h s

o f t h e at tem

p t e d a r m e d r o bb ery as i t was h ap p en i n g

, an d t h e p h o t o grap h s s h o wed

Parh am weari n g a s h irt an d so ck s o f t h e sam e d i s t i n ct i v e, b ri g h t co l o r as t h e s h i rt an d

s o ck s t h at h e was weari n g at t h e t i m e o f h i s arres t

. Th e v ict i m was ab l e t o reco rd t h e

l i cen se p l at e n u m

b er o f t h e car, an d th at l i cen s e pl at e was o n t h e car Parh am was

o ccu py in g at t h e t i m e o f h i s arres t

. Th e v i ct i m o f t h e at t em p t ed arm ed ro b b ery

i d en t i fi ed Parh am

as t h e p erp et rat o r fro m

a p ho t o l in e u p

.

Th e own er of th e red wal l et fo u nd i n th e car fro m wh i ch Parh am was arres t ed

al s o t es t i fi ed

. Sh e t es t i fi ed th at b et ween 8 : 00 an d 9 : 3 0 t h a t s a m e m o rn i n g as t h e

ro b b ery at is s u e an d t h e at t em p t ed a r m e d r o b b ery

, s h e was ret u rn i ng t o h er

p red o m i n at el y Hi s p a n i c t r ai l er p ark fro m t ak i n g her ch i l dren t o s ch o o l

. On ce s h e

reach ed h er t rai l er an d wa s s t an d i n g o n h er p o rch

, s h e n o ti ced a fo u r-d o o r, s i l v er,

wh i te, o r g ray

car.

A m an ex it ed t h e pas s en g er s i d e o f t h e car, ap p ro ach ed t h e v i ct im

, an d as k ed

w h e t h e r s h e kn ew a p art i cu l ar p ers o n

. He t hen p oi n t ed a “ s il v er b l ack ” g u n at h er

s t om ach an d t o o k h er wal l et

, t h e s am e w al l et th at was fo u n d in th e car wh en Parh am

5was arres t ed

. Th e v i ct i m ’ s h u sb an d o p en ed t h e d o o r an d p u l l ed h er i n to t h e t rai l er,

an d th e ro b b er fl ed b eh i nd t he trai l er. T h e v i ct i m was ab l e t o i d en t i fy t h e p erp et rat o r

fro m a p ho t o l i n e u p

.

Th e s t at e al s o p res en t ed ev i d en ce o f an arm ed ro bb ery co m m i t t ed b y Parh am

i n 2 0 0 4

. Th e v i ct i m in t h at cas e t es t i fi ed t h at h e was ro b b ed at g u n p oi nt wh en h e wen t

t o s ee hi s d au gh t er a n d ex -wi fe i n a p red o m i n at el y Hi s p an i c t rai ler p ark

. As t h e

v i ct i m wai t ed o u t s i d e fo r h i s dau g h t er, a car wi t h t wo m en p ul l ed u p

, on e o f t h e m en

ju m p ed o u t o f t h e p as s en g er s i d e o f t h e car, p o i n t ed a ri fl e in th e vi ct i m ’ s face, an d

t o o k s o m e m o n ey

. Th e v i ct im cal l ed 91 1 an d

, wi t h i n m in u t es

, l aw en fo rcem en t

o ffi cers s aw th e p erp et rat o r s ’ veh i cl e ju s t aft er i t l eft th e t rai l er p ark

. Th ey p u rs u ed

t h e v eh i cl e, n ev er l o s i n g s i g h t o f i t. Th e o ffi cer s w e r e ab l e t o d et ai n t h e o ccu p an t s

,

o n e o f wh o m was Parh am

. P a r h am was ch arg ed w i t h arm ed ro b b ery

, ag g rav at ed

as s au l t , an d o b s t ru ct i o n

.

“ Qu es t i on s ab ou t t h e reas o n ab len es s o f o t h er h y p o th es es i n cas e s b a s e d o n

ci rcu m s t an t i al ev i d en ce . . . are fo r t h e t ri er o f fact t o d eci d e. . . . In s u ch a cas e, t h e

ju ry ’ s fi n d i n g wi l l n o t be d is t u rb ed u n l es s t h e v erd i ct o f g ui l t y i s i n s u p p ort ab l e as a

m at t er o f l aw.” S t a t e v. Ho l mes

, 3 0 4 Ga. 5 2 4

, 5 2 6 (1 ) (8 20 SE2 d 2 6 ) (2 0 1 8) (ci t at i on s

a nd punc tua tion om itte d ). H ere, “ [t ] h e ev i d en ce, t ho u g h ci rcu m s t an t i al

, was suf f ic ie nt

6t o ex cl u d e ev ery reas o n ab le h y p o t hes i s ot h er t h an [P a r h a m ’ s] g u i l t

. . . an d fo r a

rat i o nal t ri er o f fact t o fi n d b ey o n d a r e as o n ab l e d o u b t t hat [Parh am ] was g u i l t y o f

[ t h e ch arg ed cri m es ] ”. Ca r so n v. S t a te

,

__ Ga.

_

_,

_ _ (1 ) (_

_ SE2 d

_ _ ) (Cas e N o

.

S2 0 A0 28 8

, d eci ded M ay

1 8 , 2 0 2 0 ) (ci t at i o ns o m i t t ed ). See al s o Br a d sh a w v. S t a t e

,

2 9 6 Ga. 6 5 0

, 6 5 2 -6 5 3 (2 ) (7 6 9 SE2 d 8 9 2 ) (2 0 15 ) (“ [I] n d et erm i n in g t he s u ffi ci en cy

o f t h e ev i d en ce, a rev i ewi n g co u rt m u s t co n s i der al l o f t h e ev i d en ce ad m i t t ed b y t h e

t ri al co u rt

, [i n cl u d i n g ev i d en ce o f o t h er act s ,] reg ard l es s o f wh et h er t h at ev i d en ce was

ad m i t t ed erro n eo u s ly .”) (ci t at i o n an d p u nct u at i o n o m i t t ed ).

2

. Th e a d mi s si o n o f t he o t h er a ct s evi d en ce

.

Parh am arg u es t h at t h e t ri al co urt co m m it t ed rev ers i b l e erro r b y al l o wi n g t h e

s t at e t o p res en t ev i d en ce o f t h e t h ree o th er act s . W e d i s ag ree.

W e h o l d th at t wo o f t h e t h ree o t her act s were i n t ri n s i c ev id en ce b ecau s e t h ey

were p art o f t h e cri m e sp ree an d t h at t h ei r p ro b at i v e v al u e o u twei g h ed an y p reju d i ce.

W e h o l d t h at an y

erro r i n ad m i t t i n g ev i d en ce o f t h e t h ird o t her act was h arm l es s

.

(a) In t r i ns i c evi d

en ce

.

W e rev i ew d eci s i o n s t o ad m i t ev i d en ce fo r a cl ear ab u s e o f d i s cret i o n

. Reeves

v. St a te

, 2 9 4 Ga. 6 7 3

, 6 7 6 (2 ) (7 5 5 SE2 d 69 5 ) (2 0 1 4). O CGA 2 4 -4 -4 0 4 ( b ) (“ Ru l e

4 0 4 (b )”) “ g en eral l y co n t ro l s t h e a d m i s si o n o f ot h er act s ev i d en ce, al s o k n o w as

7ex t ri ns i c ev i d en ce[.] ” Br o wn v. S t a t e

, 3 0 7 Ga. 2 4

, 2 9 (2 ) (8 3 4 SE2 d 4 0 ) (2 0 1 9 )

(p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed ). Ru l e 4 0 4 (b ) pro v i d es t h at s u ch extr insic ev i d en ce of o t h er act s

“ s h al l no t b e ad m i s si b le t o p ro v e t he ch aract er o f a p ers o n i n o rd er to s ho w act i o n in

co n fo rm i t y t h erewi t h

. It m ay

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

, i n cl u d i n g,

b u t n o t l i m i t ed t o, p ro o f o f m o t iv e, o p p o rt u n i t y

, i n t en t

, prep arat io n

, p l an

, k no wl ed ge,

i d en t i t y , o r ab s en ce o f m i st ak e o r acci d en t .” Bu t Ru le 4 04 (b ) d o es n o t ap pl y

wh ere t h e ev i d en ce o f o t h er cri m es

, wro n gs

, o r act s [i s ] i nt ri ns i c t o th e

ch arg ed o ffen s e. E v i d en ce i s i n t ri n s ic if i t i s (1 ) an u n ch a r g e d o f fen s e

wh i ch aro s e o ut o f t h e s am e t ran s act i o n o r s eri es o f t ran s act i o n s as t he

ch arg ed o ffen s e, (2 ) n eces s ary t o co m p l et e t h e s t o ry o f th e cri m e, o r (3 )

i n ex tri cab l y i n t ert wi n ed wi t h t h e ev i d en ce r eg ard i n g t h e ch arg ed

o ffen s e. W het h er offered u n d er Ru l e 4 0 4 (b ) o r as i n t ri n s i c ev i d en ce, th e

[t ri al ] co u rt m

u s t fi n d t h at t h e p ro bat i v e v al u e o f t h e p ro ffered ev i d en ce

i s n o t su bs t an t i al l y o u twei g h ed b y u n fai r preju d ice an d t h at i t m eet s th e

o t h er req u i rem en t s o f OCGA § 2 4 -4 -4 0 3 (‘ Ru l e 4 0 3 ’ ).

Br o wn v. S t a t e

, 3 5 0 G a. Ap p

. 1 0 4

, 1 08 -1 0 9 (2 ) (a) (8 2 8 SE2 d 11 0 ) (2 0 19 ) (ci t at i on s

an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed ).

Th e cri m es on t ri al an d t h e o t h er act s co m m i t t ed a few h o u rs l at er were p art o f

t h e sam e s eri es o f t ran s act i o n s ; ev i d en ce o f th e o t her act s co m p l et ed t h e s to ry o f t h e

cri m es o n t ri al ; an d t h e ot h er act s were i n ex t ri cab l y i nt ert wi n ed wi th t h e cri m es o n

8t ri al

. So ev id en ce o f t he o t h er act s was i n t ri n s i c. Th e o t h er act s an d t h e cri m es o n t ri al

were al l part o f a d is t i n ct i v e ro b b ery sp ree. Parh am co m m i t t ed t h e ot h er act s wi t h in

t h ree ho u rs o f t h e cri m es on t ri al , i n t h e g ap o f t im e b et w een t h e co m m i s si o n o f t h e

cri m es o n t ri al an d Parh am ’ s arr e s t fi v e h o urs l at er. Th e v i ct i m i n t hi s cas e i s

Hi s p an i c, t h e v i ct im in t h e at t em p t ed arm ed ro b b ery is H i s p an i c, an d t h e o wn er o f t h e

red w a l l e t l i v e d i n a trai l er p ark wi t h al m o s t al l Hi s p an i c res id en t s

. Ph o t o g rap h s o f

t h e at t em p t ed arm ed ro b b ery s h o wed Parh am weari n g a s h i rt an d s o ck s o f t h e s am e

d i s t i n ct i v e, b ri g ht co l o r as t h e s h i rt an d s o ck s t h at h e was weari n g at t h e t i m e o f h i s

arres t

. Th e l icen s e p l at e o n t h e car i nv o l v ed i n t h e at t em p t ed arm ed ro bb ery was t h e

s am e li cen s e p l at e o n t h e car Parh am was o ccu p y i n g at t h e t i m e h e was arres t ed

. Th e

cel l p ho n e o f t h e v i ct i m o f t he cr i m e o n t r i al an d th e s t u n gu n us ed t o as s au l t h i m

were fo u n d o n t h e acco m p li ce, wh o was i n t h e c a r w i t h Parh am

. Th e w al l et o f t h e

v i ct i m o f t h e o t h er-act arm ed ro b b ery was fo u n d i n t h e car. Th e t h r e e v i ct i m s ’

d es cri p t io n s o f t h e p erp et rat o r’ s car m at ch ed t h e car Parh am was d ri v i ng at t h e t i m e

o f h is arres t

. “ [T] h e ev i d en ce

. . . was a l i n k i n t h e ch ai n of ev en t s l e a d i n g u p to

[Parh am ’ s arres t ] an d co m p l et ed t h e s t ory o f t h e cri m es fo r t he ju ry .” Br o wn

, 3 0 7 Ga.

at 2 9 (2 ). See al s o U

n it ed S t a t es v. Ca s t r o

, 7 9 5 Fed

. Ap p x

. 6 3 5

, 6 5 2 (II) (E) (1 1 t h Ci r.

2 0 1 9 ) (ev i d en ce o f o t her hei s t s i n d efen dan t ’s ro b b ery s p ree was i n t ri n s i c); Un i t ed

9S t a t es v. S

a u n d er s

, 19 6 Fed

. Ap p x

. 8 7 3

, 87 5 -8 7 6 (1 1 t h Ci r. 2 00 6 ) (“ ev i d en ce, n o t p art

o f t h e cri m e ch arg ed b u t p ert ai n in g t o t h e ch ai n o f ev en t s ex pl ai n i n g t h e co n t ex t

,

m o t i v e an d s et -u p o f t he cri m e, i s p ro perl y ad m it t ed i f i t i s l i n ked i n t i m e a n d

ci r c u m s t an ces wi t h t h e ch arg ed cri m e, o r fo rm s an i n t eg ral an d n at u ral p art o f an

acco u n t o f t h e cri m e, o r is n eces s ary t o co m pl et e t h e s t o ry o f t h e cri m e fo r t h e ju ry ”)

(ci t at i o n an d p u nct u at io n o m i t ted ).

Fu rt her, g i v en t h e i n a b i l i t y o f t h e vi ct i m o f t h e cri m es o n t ri al t o id en t i fy h i s

as s a i l an t s

, “ t he p ro b at i v e v al u e o f ev i d en ce co n cern i ng [t he o t h er cri m es ] was n ot

s u b s t an t i al l y o u t wei g h ed b y t h e d an g er o f u n fai r p reju d i ce. As s uch

, t he t ri al co u rt d id

n o t ab us e i t s d i s cret i o n h ere.” Br o wn , 3 0 7 Ga. at 3 0 (2 ).

(b ) Ad mi s s i o n o f t h i r d o t h er a ct

.

Th e t h i rd ot h er act t he tri al co u rt al l o wed w as th e 20 0 4 arm ed ro b b ery

. “ [E] v en

as s u m in g t hat [t hi s ] ev i d en ce was i m p r o p e rl y ad m i t t ed

, an y s u ch ev i den t i ary erro r

was h arm l es s .” Ho wel l

v. S t a t e , 3 07 Ga. 8 6 5, 8 7 5 (3 ) (8 3 8 SE2 d 8 3 9 ) (2 0 2 0 ).

An y erro r i n th e ad m is s io n o f t h e 2 0 0 4 arm ed ro b b ery “ was ev i d en t i ary an d n ot

o f co ns t it u t i o n al d im en s io n s

, an d t h e tes t fo r d et erm i n i n g n o n co n s t i t u t i o n al h arm l es s

erro r i s wh et h er i t i s h i g h l y p ro b ab 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 .”

Ja cks o n v. S t a te

, 3 06 Ga. 69

, 8 0 (2 ) ( c ) ( 8 2 9 SE2 d 1 4 2 ) (2 0 1 9 ) (ci t at i o n an d

10p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed ). See al s o OCGA § 24 -1 -1 03 (a) (“ Erro r s h al l n o t b e p red i cat ed

u p o n a ru l i n g wh i ch a d m i t s o r ex cl u d es ev id en ce u n l es s a s u b s tan t i al ri g h t o f t h e

p art y is affect ed [.] ”). “ In d et erm i n i n g wh et h er t h e [al l eg e d] erro r w as h arm l es s

, we

rev i ew t h e rec o r d d e n o vo an d wei g h th e ev i d en ce as we w ou l d ex p ect reas o n ab l e

ju ro rs t o h av e d o n e s o .” Ja cks o n

, 3 0 6 Ga

. a t 8 0 (2 ) (c) (ci t at i o n an d pu n ct u at i o n

o m it t ed ). Th e ev i den ce o f Parh am ’ s g ui l t as i de fro m t h e 2 0 0 4 arm ed ro b b ery was

s t ro n g

. See Ed

wa r d s v. S t a t e

,

_

_ Ga.

_ _ ,

_ _ (3 ) (8 3 9 SE2 d 5 9 9 ) (2 0 2 0) (p ret erm i t t i n g

q u es ti o n o f erro r in ad m is s i o n o f o t h er act s ev i den ce wh ere st ro ng ev i d en ce o f g u i l t

m ad e an y s u ch erro r h arm l es s ). It s h o wed th at Parh am en g ag ed i n a t hree-h ou r cri m e

s p ree t ar ge ting H isp an i c peo p l e an d co m m u n i t i es

. He was p os i t i v el y i d en ti fi ed

— an d

ev en p h o t o g rap h ed

— i n o n e o f t h e cri m es i n t he s p ree. H e was arres t ed i n a car t h at

m at ch ed t h e d es cri p t io ns g i ven b y t h e t h ree v i ct i m s i n th e s p ree (an d wi t h t h e l i cen s e

p l at e reco rd ed b y o n e o f t h e v i ct i m s ). Th e weap o n d es cri b ed b y t h e t h ree v i ct i m s

, t h e

cel l p h o ne b el o n g i ng t o th e v i ct i m o f t h e i n s tan t cri m e, an d t h e s t u n g u n u s ed o n t h e

v i ct i m were fo u n d i n t h e car o r o n t h e acco m pl i ce, wh o was i n t he car.

As t o th e p o t en t ial h arm fu l effect o f t h e o th er act s ev i d en ce, th e

t ri al co u rt i n s t ru ct ed t h e ju ry ex t e n s i v el y b o t h b efo re t h e [s ] t at e

p res en t ed t h e ev i d en ce o f t h e [2 0 0 4] i n ci d en t an d ag ai n d u ri n g th e fi nal

ch arg e [ab o u t th e l i m i t ed p u rp o s e o f t h e ot h er act ev i d en ce; t hat t h e ju ry

11co u l d n o t m ak e in feren ces ab o u t Parh am ’ s ch aract er fro m t he ev i d en ce;

an d t h at P a r h am was o n t ri al on l y fo r th e o ffen s es ch arg ed i n th e

i n d i ct m en t

, n ot an y o t h er act s ]

. W e o rd in ari l y pres u m e t h at ju ro rs fo ll o w

t h ei r i ns tru ct i o n s

.

Ho wel l

, 3 0 7 Ga. at 8 7 5 (3 ). “ Co n s i d eri n g al l o f t h es e ci rcu m s t an ces

, we co n cl u d e t h at

i t i s h i g h l y p ro b ab l e t h at t he ad m i s s i o n o f th e [2 0 0 4 o t h er act s] ev i d en ce, ev en i f

erro neo u s , d i d n o t co n t ri b u t e t o t he ju ry ’ s g u i l ty v erd i ct s.” Id . at 8 7 6 (3 ).

3

. Ef f ect i ve a s s i s t a n ce o

f co u n s el

.

Parh am arg u es th at t ri al co u n s el w as i n effect i v e fo r f a i l i n g t o o b

ject t o t h e

s t at e’ s o p en i n g s t at em en t an d cl o s i n g arg u m en t ; fo r fai l i n g t o o b ject t o an d m o v e fo r

a m i s t ri al b ecau s e o f h ears ay i n t h e arres t i n g o ffi cer’ s t es ti m o n y ; an d fo r fai l i n g to

o b ject t o t es t i m o n y t h at i m

p l i cat ed h i s ch aract er. To p rev ai l o n t h es e cl ai m s

, Parh am

“ m u s t s h o w th at co u n s el ’ s p erf o r m a n ce was d efi ci en t an d t h at th e d efi ci en t

p erfo rm an ce s o p reju d i ced [h i m ] t h at th ere i s a reas o n ab l e l i k el i h o o d t h a t

, b u t fo r

co u ns el ’ s erro rs

, t h e o u t co m e o f t h e t ri al wo u l d h av e b een d i fferen t .” Pu cket t v. S t a t e

,

3 4 2 Ga. A p p

. 5 1 8, 5 2 5 (2 ) (8 0 4 SE2 d 6 48 ) (2 0 1 7 ) (ci t at i on o m i t ted ). Becau s e Parh am

m u st sh o w b o t h d efi ci en t p erfo rm an ce an d p reju d i ce, “ an i n su ffi ci en t s h owi n g o n

ei t h er o f t h es e p r o n g s rel i ev es t h e rev i ewi ng co u rt o f t h e n eed t o ad d res s t h e o t h er

12p ro n g.” Id

. (ci t at i o n an d pu nct u at i on o m i t ted ). W e h o l d t h at Parh am h as n o t s h o wn

b o t h d efi ci en t p erfo rm an ce an d p reju d i ce fo r an y o f h is cl ai m s

.

(a) Fa i l u r e t o o b

j ect t o t he s t a t e’s i mp r o

per a r g u men t s.

(i ) Al l eg ed

g o l d en r u le vi o l a t i o n s

.

Parh a m a r g u e s t h at t h e p ro s ecu t o r t wi ce v i o l at ed t h e “ g ol d en ru l e,” wh i ch

fo rb i ds an y arg u m en t “ th at

, reg ard l es s o f t h e no m en cl at ure u s ed

, as k s t h e j u ro rs to

p l ace t hem s el v es i n a v i ct im ’ s p o s i t io n [,] ” Br ai t h wa i t e v. S t a t e

, 2 75 Ga. 8 8 4, 8 8 5 (2 )

(b ) (5 7 2 SE2 d 6 12 ) ( 2 0 0 2 ) (fo o t n o t e o m it t ed ), an d t h at t ri al co u n s el p erfo rm ed

d efi ci en tl y b y

fai l in g t o o b

j ect

.

Th e fi rs t i ns t an ce ab o u t wh i ch Parh am co m p l ai ns o ccu rred i n th e p ro s ecu to r’ s

o p en in g st at em en t

. Th e pro secu t o r b eg an as fo l l ows : “ I wo k e u p t h i s m o rn i n g

. I g ot

d res s ed

. I d ro ve t o wo rk

. I g o t m y t h i n gs

. I cam e t o co u rt un h ar m e d

, u n b o t h ered

.

Ev ery o n e i n t h i s ro o m g o t u p t h i s m o rn i n g

. W e al l pas s ed t h e 6 : 0 0 a.m

. ho u r. W e m ay

h av e h ad t raffi c i ss ues

, b u t we’ re al l i n t h i s ro o m u n h arm ed .” Th i s arg um en t d i d n ot

as k t h e j u r o r s to p l ace t h em s el v es i n t he v i ct i m ’ s p os i t i o n, an d t h u s was n o t an

i m p erm i s s i b le go l d en ru l e arg u m en t

. Led f o r d v. S t a t e

, 2 8 9 Ga. 7 0

, 8 6 (1 7 ) (7 0 9 SE2 d

2 3 9 ) (2 0 1 1 ) (arg u m en t as k i n g t he ju ry t o t h i n k ab o u t t h e u np l eas an t way i n wh i ch t h e

v i ct i m had d i ed d i d n o t v i o l at e t h e g o l d en ru l e), di s ap pro v ed i n p art on o th er g ro u nd s

13i n Wi l l i s v. S t a t e

, 3 0 4 Ga. 6 86

, 7 0 6 n

. 3 (1 1 ) (a) (8 2 0 SE2 d 6 4 0 ) (2 0 1 8 )

. S o “ t h e

fai l u re t o o bject

. . . co u l d no t h av e b een p at en tl y u n reas o nab l e, an d [Parh am ] h as n ot

s h o wn i neffect i v e as s i s t an ce i n t h i s reg ard .” Fa u s t v. S ta t e

, 3 0 2 Ga. 2 1 1

, 2 2 0 (4 ) (c)

(8 0 5 SE2 d 82 6 ) (2 0 1 7 ) (p ro s ecu t o r’ s urg i n g ju ro rs t o s p eak o n b eh al f o f t h e

co m m u n it y was n o t an i m

p erm i s s i b l e g o l d en ru l e arg u m en t).

Th e s eco nd in s t an ce ab o u t wh i ch Parh a m c o m p l ai n s occu rred i n t h e

p ro s ecu to r’ s cl o s i n g arg um en t

. Referri ng t o t h e v i ct i m wh o s e wal l et was st o l en

, t h e

p ro s ecu to r s ai d,

rem em b er 6 : 0 0

, 8 : 0 0

, 9 : 0 0

, 1 0 : 4 4

. W e’ v e g o n e t h ro u gh 6 : 00

. W e’ ve

g o n e t h ro u g h 8 : 00

. W e n o w m o v e t o t h e 9 : 0 0 o’ cl o ck h ou r. A n d y o u

h eard th e ev i d en ce, an d s h e t el l s y o u

— t h i s is [t h e v i ct i m wi t h th e

wal l et ]

. No w, wh at I t h in k y o u al l g et fro m h er i s th at s h e was au t h en t i c.

Sh e k ep t it 1 00 p ercen t real

. Sh e was m o re co n cern ed w i t h h o w i s s he

g o i n g t o b e ab l e t o feed h er k i d s at t h e p oi n t o f b ei n g ro b b ed

, an d al s o

t r y i n g t o m ak e su re t h at h er b ab i es o n t h e in s i d e wo u l d n o t co m e o u t

d u ri ng t h i s al t ercat i on

. Lad i es an d g en t l em en of t h e ju ry

, p ut y o u rs el f i n

t h at m i n d fram e. Sh e s ai d I h ad t o feed m y k id s b ecau s e m

y k i d h ad h i s

m o n ey i n i t ; th at was h i s

.

“ Pret erm i t t i ng wh et h er [t h e s t at em en t “ p u t y o u rs el f i n t hat m i n d fram e”] wo u l d h av e

g i v e n ri s e t o a v al id o b

ject i o n at t ri al

, we fi n d

, gi ven t h e i s o l at ed n at u re o f [t h e ]

rem ark [] an d t h e wi de l at i t u d e affo rd ed co u n s el i n cl os i n g arg u m en t

, t h at t ri al co u n s el

14d i d n o t perfo rm in an ob ject i v el y u n reas o n ab l e m an n er i n fai l i n g to o b ject t h eret o

, n o r

d i d [Parh am ’ s ] d efen s e s u ffer p reju d i ce t h erefro m

. ” F a vo r s v. St at e

, 2 96 G a. 8 4 2

, 8 4 7

(4 ) (b ) (7 7 0 SE2 d 8 5 5 ) (2 0 1 5 ) (i n v i t i n g ju ro rs t o “ i m a g i n e wh at wo u l d be g o i n g

t h ro u g h t h ei r m i nd s

, [t h e m u rd er v i ct i m ’ s ] m i nd ”). Th i s i s p art i cu l arl y t ru e g i v en t h e

t ri al co u rt ’ s i n s t ru ct i o n s t h at t h e ju ro rs w ere n o t “ t o s h ow fav o r o r s y m p at h y t o o n e

p art y o r ot h er” bu t i n st ead were “ t o co ns i d er t h e fact s ob ject i v el y

, wi t h ou t f

a v o r,

affect i o n

, o r s y m

p at h y t o ei t her p art y .” See M o s l ey v. St a t e

, 2 9 5 Ga. 1 2 3

, 1 25 (2 ) (7 5 7

SE2 d 8 2 8 ) (2 0 1 4 ) (as s u m in g t ri al co u n s el p erfo rm ed d efi ci en t l y b y n o t ob ject i n g to

al l eg ed g o l d en ru le ar g u m e n t

, t h ere was n o p reju d i ce i n li gh t o f t h e s t ren g t h o f t h e

ev i d en ce o f ap p el l an t ’ s g u i lt an d o f t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s ch arg e t o t h e ju ry t h at i t was to

b as e i t s v erd i ct on th e ev i d en ce a n d t he l aw g i v en i n th e co urt ’ s ch arg e an d n o t o n

“ fav o r, affect i o n, o r s y m

p at h y t o ei t her p art y .”).

(i i) Us e o f t h e wo r d “r a ci s m.”

Parh am arg ues t h e p ro s ecu t o r cal led h im a raci s t i n h i s o p en i n g st at em en t

, an d

t ri al co u n s el was in effect i v e fo r fai l i n g t o o b ject

.

Aft er s t at in g t h at t he ev i d en ce w o u l d s h o w t h at Parh am “ wen t o n an arm ed

ro b b ery s p ree, t arg et i n g t h e Hi s p an i c co m m u n i t y

, ” t h e pro s ecu t or s t at ed : “ Th i s cas e

i s ab o u t raci s m

. No w

, m an y o f y o u m ay b e su rp ri s ed o r m ay b e ev en rai s e an ey eb ro w.

15W h y am I t al k in g ab o u t raci s m ? Becau s e t h at ’ s wh o t h e v ict i m i s i n t h i s p art i cu l ar

cas e, raci s m t h at h as im

p act ed o n e i n d i v i d u al

, s t art i ng at 6 :0 0 a.m

. o n 24 A p ri l 2 2 n d.”

Tri al co u n s el d i d n o t o b

ject

, b u t he l at er m o v ed fo r a m i s t r i al b ecau s e o f t h e

referen ce t o raci sm

. Th e t ri al co u rt ad m o ni s h ed t h e p ro s ecu t o r t h at al t h o u g h h e co u ld

arg u e t h at t h e ev i den ce s h o wed Parh am t arg et ed Hi s p an ic peo p l e an d co m m u n i t i es

,

h e co u l d n o t refer t o raci s m ag ai n

. Th e c o u r t w a r n e d t he p ro secu t o r t h at “ I’ l l d res s

y o u d o w n i n fro nt o f t h e ju ry i f t h is h ap p en s d u ri n g cl o s i n g s t at em en t s .” Th e

p ro s ecu to r d i d n ot m en t io n raci s m ag ai n

.

As s u m i ng th at t ri al co u ns el ’ s fai l u re t o o b ject t o t h e pro s e c u t or’ s u s e o f t h e

wo rd “ raci sm ” i n h i s o p en i n g s t at em en t am o un t s t o d efi ci en t p erfo rm an ce, we h o ld

t h at Parh am h as n o t s h o wn p reju d i ce. Th e s t at e’ s t h eo ry i n t hi s cas e was t hat Parh am

an d h is acco m

p l ice en g ag e d i n a cri m e s pree t arg et i n g Hi s p an i c p eo p l e an d

co m m u n it i es

. It i n t ro d uced ev i d en ce t o su p po rt t h i s t h eo ry

, i n c l u d i ng t h at

, as t h e

v i ct i m ’ s as sai lan t s ret reat ed

, o n e o f t h em s ai d t o t h e v i ct im

, “ M ex i can

, wh y are y o u

h ere? ”

Befo re o p en i n g s t at em en t s

, t h e t ri al co u rt i n st ru ct ed th e j u ry t h at an o p en i n g

s t a t e m en t i s n o t ev i d en ce an d wh at t h e l awy ers s ay i s n o t ev i d en ce. In h i s f i n a l

ch arg e, t h e t ri al co u rt rei t erat ed t h at o p en i n g s t at em en t s are n o t ev i d en ce. So “ ev en

16i f i t was erro r fo r [Parh am ’ s ] co u n s el n o t t o o b j ect [t o t h e pro s ecu t or’ s us e o f t h e wo rd

“ raci s m ” i n h i s o p en i ng s t at em en t ]

, t h ere i s n o reas o n ab l e li k el i h o od t h at t h e o u t co m e

o f t h e tri al wo u l d hav e b een d i fferen t i f h e h ad o b ject ed

. ” S i mmo ns v. S ta t e

, 2 9 1 Ga.

7 0 5

, 7 1 4 (1 0 ) (d ) (7 3 3 SE2 d 2 8 0 ) (2 0 1 2). See al s o P er er a v. S t at e

, 2 9 5 Ga. 88 0

, 8 8 4

(3 ) (a) (7 6 3 SE2 d 6 8 7 ) (2 0 1 4) (d efen d an t

, w h o was Mex i c a n

, d i d n o t d em o n s t rat e

h arm fro m co u n sel ’ s fai l ure t o o b ject t o p ro s ecu t o r’ s raci al co m m en t s ab o ut Mex i can

p eo pl e d u ri n g o pen i n g s t at em en t ).

(b ) Hea r s ay

.

Parh am arg u es t hat t ri al co u n s el was i neffect i v e fo r fai l i n g t o o b ject o r m o v e

fo r a m i s t ri al t o t wo i n s t an ces o f h ears ay i n t he arres t i n g o ffi cer’ s t es t i m on y

.

Th e fi rs t i n s t an ce o ccu rred wh en th e a r r e s t i n g o ffi cer t es ti fi ed t h at an o t h er

o ffi cer t o l d h i m

t h at an arm ed ro b b ery v i ct i m h ad b een ro b b ed o f a l arg e am o u n t o f

p es o s. (Th e arres t i n g offi cer h ad f o un d th e s am e am o u nt o f p es o s o n Parh am ’ s

p ers o n .) Co u n s el d i d o b

j ect t o t h i s t es t im o n y

o n h ears ay

g ro un d s an d th e t ri al co u rt

s u s t ai n ed t h e o b

j ect i o n

, bu t Parh am arg u es t hat t ri al co u ns el s h o u ld h av e m o v ed fo r

a m is t ri al

.

Th e reco rd s h o ws t h at t he t ri al co urt had gran t ed th e s t at e’ s m o ti o n t o in t ro d uce

ev i d en ce o f t h e arm ed ro b b ery i n wh i ch t h e vi ct i m was ro b b ed o f pes o s

, al th o u g h

, in

17t h e en d

, t h e s t at e d i d n o t p res en t t h at ev i den ce. So at t h e t i m e h e o b j ect ed t o t h e

o ffi cer’ s t e s t i m o n y o n h ears ay g ro u n d s

, i t was reas on ab l e fo r t ri al co u n s el to

an t i ci p at e t h at t h e v i ct i m ro b bed o f p es o s wo u l d t es t i fy

. An d tri al co u n s el t es t i fi ed at

t h e m o ti o n fo r n ew t ri al h eari n g t h a t he d i d n o t b el i ev e th e o ffi cer’ s t es t i m o ny

ju s t ifi ed m ov i n g fo r a m i s t ri al

. Parh am “ h as n o t sh o wn ei t h er t hat co u n s el ’ s t act i cal

d eci s i o n n o t t o m o ve fo r a m is t ri al was o u ts i d e t h e ran g e o f rea s o n a b l y effect i v e

as s i s tan ce o r t h a t a m i s t ri al wo u l d hav e b een g ran t ed b u t fo r co un s el ’ s d eci s i o n to

fo reg o req u es t in g o n e.” Sweet v. S t a t e

, 2 7 8 Ga. 3 2 0

, 3 2 5 (8 ) (6 0 2 SE2 d 6 0 3 ) (2 0 0 4 ).

Th e seco n d i ns t an ce o f h ears ay ab o u t wh ich Parh am co m p l ai n s i s t h e arres t i n g

o ffi cer’ s t es t i m o n y t h at t h e w al l et d i s co v ered i n th e car o ccu p i ed b y Parh am an d h i s

acco m pl i ce h ad b een st o l en in an arm ed ro b b ery

. Co u n s el ’ s fai lu re t o o b ject t o t h i s

t es t i m o ny d i d n o t p reju d i ce Parh am b ecau s e t h e v i ct im of t h at arm ed ro b b ery t es t i fi ed

at t ri al an d id en t i f

i e d t h e wal l et as h ers

. “ Gi ven t h e cu m u l at i v e n at ure o f t h i s

ev i d en ce, t h e fai l u re t o o b j ect t o t h e o ffi cer’ s t es t i m o ny

. . . do es n o t am o u n t to

d efi ci en t p erfo rm an c e

. ” R o s s er v. S t a t e

,

_ _ Ga.

_ _ ,

_ _ (4 ) (_

_ SE2 d

_ _ ) (Cas e No

.

S2 0 A0 10 3

, d eci d ed M ay

4

, 2 0 20 ).

(c) Fa i l u r e t o o b

j ect t o ch a r a ct er

evi d en ce.

18Parh am arg u es t h at t ri al co u n s el p erfo rm ed defi ci en t l y b y fai li n g t o o b

ject t o

t wo i n st an ces o f ch aract er ev i d en ce. Parh am arg u es t h at t h e arres t i n g o ffi cer’ s

t es t i m o ny t h at t h e area wh ere Parh am was arres ted was kn o wn fo r p ro s ti t u t io n

, d ru g

s al es

, an d d ru g co n su m

p t i on i m p ro perl y i m

p l i cat ed h i s ch aract er. Tri al co u n s el

t e s t i f i e d at th e m o t i on fo r n ew t ri al h eari n g t h at h e d id n o t s ee t h e t es t i m o n y as

referen ci n g Parh am ’ s ch aract er b u t i n s t ead s aw i t as bei n g o ffered t o ex p l ai n wh y t h e

arres t i n g o ffi cer was i n t h e area i n t h e fi rs t p l ace. Gi v en t ri al co u n s e l ’s r eas o n ab l e

u n d ers t an d i n g o f t h e t es ti m o n y

, h i s fai l u re t o ob ject was n o t d efi ci en t

. See Gr i f f i n v.

S t a t e

, 2 6 6 Ga. Ap p

. 5 0

, 5 2 (2 ) (5 9 6 SE2 d 4 0 5) (2 0 0 4) (n o erro r wh ere t ri al co u rt

al l o wed s t at e’ s wi t n es s t o t es ti fy t h at area wh ere t h e cri m e o ccu rred was “ h i g h cri m e

area,” b ecau s e “ t h e s t at em en t s d i d n o t s u g ges t t h at t he [d efen d an t ] h ad hi m s el f b een

i n v o l v ed i n an y prev i o u s cri m i n al m i s co n d u ct at t h at or an y o t h er l o cat i o n ”) (ci t at i o n

an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed ).

Parh am arg u es t h at tri al co u n s el s ho u ld h av e o b ject ed wh en t h e a rres t i n g

o ffi cer tes t ifi ed t hat Parh am g av e h im a G eo rg i a co rrect io n s card as i d e n t i f i cat i o n.

“ Ho wev er, t hi s pas s i n g

. . . referen ce

. . . d i d n o t a m o u n t t o i m p ro p er ch aract er

ev i d en ce, an d tri al co un s el ’ s fai lu re t o o b ject do es n o t am o u nt t o d e fi ci en t

p erfo rm an ce.” Br o wn v. S t a t e , 3 0 7 Ga. 2 4 , 3 3 (6 ) (a) (8 34 SE2 d 4 0 ) (2 0 1 9 ).

19(d ) Cu m u la t i ve ef f ect o f a l l eg ed d ef i ci en ci es

.

W e ha v e co n s i d ered th e cu m u l at i v e effect o f t h e al l eg ed defi ci en ci e s of c ounse l

an d “ co n cl ud e t hat t hey d o n o t es t ab l i s h a reas on ab l e pro b ab i li t y t h at t h e res u l t o f

[Parh am ’ s ] t ri al wo u l d h av e b een d i fferen t i n t he ab s en ce o f t h e d efi ci en ci es al l eg ed .”

Ben tl ey v. S t a t e

, 3 0 7 Ga. 1 , 1 1 (2 ) (d ) (8 3 4 SE2 d 5 49 ) (2 0 1 9 ).

4

. Ju r y ch a r g e.

Parh am arg u es t h at t h e t ri al co u rt co m m i t t ed p l ai n erro r i n ch arg i n g t h e ju ry

.

He p o i n t s t o t h e fo l lo wi n g t w o s en t en ces i n t h e ch arg e: (1 ) “ Ho w ev er, th e s t at e i s n ot

re q u i r e d t o p ro v e t h e g ui lt o f t h e accu s ed b ey o nd a reas o n ab l e do u bt o r t o a

m at h em at i cal cert ai n ty .”; an d (2 ) “ If y o u d o n o t b el i ev e t h at d efen d an t i s g ui l t y o f an y

o f t h es e o ffen s es

, o r if y o u h av e reas o nab l e d o u bt as t o defen d an t ’s g u i l t

, t h en y o u

wo u l d b e au th ori zed to acq u i t t h e d efen d an t, i n w hi ch ev en t t he fo rm of y o u r v erd i ct

wo u l d b e, ‘ W e, t h e ju ry

, fi n d t he d efen d an t n o t g u i l ty .’ ”

Becau s e Parh am ’ s cl ai m i s rev i ewed fo r p l ai n erro r, “ we wi l l rev ers e t h e t ri al

co u rt o n l y if t h e in st ru ct i on al erro r was n o t affi rm at i v el y w ai v ed

, was o b v i o u s b ey o n d

reas on ab l e d i s p u t e, l i k el y affect ed t h e o u tco m e o f t he p ro ceed i n g s

, an d s eri o u s l y

a f fect ed t h e fai rn es s

, i n teg ri ty

, o r p u b l i c rep u t at i o n o f ju d i ci al p ro ceed i n g s

. ”

Her ri n gt o n v. S t a t e

, 3 0 0 Ga. 1 4 9

, 1 5 1 (2 ) (7 94 SE2 d 1 4 5 ) (2 01 6 ) (ci t at i o n an d

20p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed ). “ [G] i v en t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s rep eat ed i n s t ru ct i o n s as t o t h e [ s] t at e’ s

b u rd en o f p ro o f i n t h i s cas e, we d o n o t bel i ev e t h ere i s a reas o nab l e p o s s i b i l i t y t h at

t h e co u rt ’ s ap p aren t s l i p o f t h e to n g u e [t h at th e ‘ s tat e i s n o t req ui red to pro v e t h e g u i l t

o f t h e accu s ed b ey o n d a reas o nab l e d ou b t ’ ] m i s l ed t h e ju ry as t o t h e deg ree o f p ro o f

n eces s ary fo r co n v i ct i o n o r acq u i t t al .” Bu r n s v. St a te

, 2 4 6 Ga. Ap p. 3 8 3

, 3 8 4 (1 ) (5 4 0

SE2 d 6 40 ) (2 0 0 0 ). See al s o Ho ll i s v. S t a te

, 9 7 Ga. Ap p. 1 4 5

, 1 4 7 -1 4 8 (4 ) (1 0 2 SE2 d

6 1 0 ) (1 9 5 8 ) (u s e o f p h ras e “ au t h o ri zed t o acq u i t ” i s i n ap t as “ ju ry h as n o d i s cret i o n

b u t i s u nd er t he d u t y to acq u it or co n v i ct acco rd i n g t o wh et her o r n o t t h e [s ] t at e h as

carri ed i t s b u rd en of p ro v i ng t h e g u il t o f t h e accu s ed b ey o n d a reas on ab l e d o u b t ,” b ut

was n ot p reju d i ci al i n vi ew o f ch arg e as a wh o le).

Ju d g men t a f f i r m ed . Do yl e, P. J., a n d

Ho d g es , J., co n cu r

.

21