FOURTH D I VI SI ON

DOYLE, P. J.

, COOM ER and M A R KLE, 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

June 12, 2019



# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A1 9 A0 75 7 . HOLZHEUSER v . THE STATE. DO-0 2 5 C

D O Y LE , Pres i d i n g J u d g e.

Fo l l owi n g a j u ry t ri al

, Ro b ert Ho l zh eu s er was co n v i ct ed o f ch i l d m o l es t at i o n 1

an d pu b li c in d ecen cy

. 2 Ho l zh eu s er n o w ap p eal s fro m t h e den i al o f h i s m o t i o n fo r n ew

t ri al

, co n t en d i n g t h at (1 ) h e recei v ed i n effect i v e as s is t an ce o f co u n s el wi th res p ect to

(a) th e ad m i s si o n of cert ai n web s i t e i m ag es ad m i t t ed at t ri al

, (b ) t he ad m i s s i o n o f h i s

reco rd ed co n fes si o n t o p o l i c e

, a n d (c) t h e fai l ure t o req u es t a d own ward d ev i at i o n

fro m m an d at o ry s en t en ci n g u nd er OCGA § 1 7 -1 0 -6 .2 ; an d (2 ) t h e t ri al co u rt erred by

1 OCGA § 1 6 -6 -4 (a) (1 ).

2 OCGA § 1 6 -6 -8 (a) (2 ). Th e i n d ecen cy co u n t m erg ed in t o t h e m o l es t at i o n

co u nt

.ad m i t t i ng cert ai n s i m il ar t ran s act i o n ev id en ce p u rs uan t t o O CGA § 2 4 -4 -4 1 4

. Fo r t h e

reas on s t h at fo l l o w, we affi rm

.

C o n s t r u ed i n fav o r o f t h e v erd i ct

, 3 t h e ev i d en ce sh o w s th at a fam i l y w a s

s h o p pi n g at a h o m e i m

p ro v em en t s t o re wh en t h e 9 -y ear-o l d d au g h t er b ecam e u p s et

an d as k ed h er m o t h er t o leav e t h e s to re i m m ed i at el y

. Th ey l eft

, an d th e d au g h t er s o o n

d i s cl os ed t o h er fat h er t h at a m al e s t ran g er h ad l i ft ed u p h i s s weat s h i rt an d ex p o s ed

h i s p en i s t o h er wh i l e t hey w ere i n t h e s t o re. Th e fam i l y ret urn ed t o t h e s t o re, wh i ch

e v e n t u al l y was ab l e t o p ro du ce a s u rv ei l l an ce v i d eo o f th e in ci d en t aft er t he fam i l y

fi led a p o l i ce rep o rt

. Bas ed on t h e v i d eo an d o t h er s t o re reco rd s

, t h e s t o re an d p o l i ce

were ab l e t o d et erm in e t h at th e su s p ect i n t h e vi d eo p urch as ed a g i ft card u si ng a d eb i t

card i ss u ed t o Ho lzh eu s er.

Ho l zh eu s er was i d en t i fi ed as an act i v e m e m b e r of t he U. S. Nav y

, s o p o l i ce

co n tact ed Sp eci al Ag en t J as o n Bo s wel l

, an i n v es t ig at o r wi t h t h e Nav al Cri m i n al

In v e s t i g at i ve Serv i ce. Bo s wel l co n t act ed Ho l zh eu s er’ s co m m an di n g o ffi cer an d

arran g ed a t i m e t o i n t erv i ew H o l zh eu s er t hat wo u l d n o t i n t erfere wi t h Ho l zh eu s er’ s

m i l i tary d u t i es

.

3 See S h o rt v. S t a t e , 2 3 4 Ga. Ap p

. 6 3 3

, 6 34 (1 ) (5 0 7 SE2 d 5 14 ) (1 9 9 8 ).

2A t t h e ap p o i n ted t i m e, Ho l zh eu s er rep ort ed t o th e i n t erv i ew, w h i ch was

co n du ct ed b y Bo s wel l an d p o l i ce d et ect i v e Bri an A l l go o d

. Bo s wel l read Ho l zh eu s er

a fo rm t it l ed “ M il i t ary Su s p ect ’ s Ack n o wl ed g m en t an d W ai v er o f Ri g h t s .” Bo s wel l

read t h e fo rm t o Ho l zh eu s er, wh o s i g ned t h e w a i v e r a c k n o w l ed g i n g : t h at h e was

s u s p ect ed o f co m

m it ti n g i nd ecen t ex p o su re, t h at h e h ad a ri gh t t o rem ai n s i l en t an d

n o t an s w er an y qu es t i o n s

, t h a t a n y s t at em en t s co u l d b e u s ed ag ai n s t h i m in a co u rt

m art i al o r ot h er t ri al

, t hat h e co u l d h av e an at to rn ey p res en t

, t h at h e co u ld t erm i n at e

t h e i n t erv i ew at an y ti m e, an d t h at h e was free t o l eav e at an y t i m e. Aft er Ho l zh eu s er

s i gn ed th e wai v er, t h e i n t erv i ew b eg an , an d Ho l zh eu s er u l ti m at el y ad m i t t ed t h at h e

ex p os ed h i m s el f t o a m i n o r at t h e h o m e i m p ro v em en t s t o re. He al s o ad m i t ted t h at h e

h ad v i e w e d c h i l d p o rn o g rap hy

, an d “ I k n o w t h at th ere i s ch il d p o rn o g rap h y o n m y

p h o n e.

. . . I’ m n ot g o i n g t o d en y t h at t h ere h av e b een s i n g l e[-] d ig i t [ag e] ch i l d ren o n

m y p h o n e.”

Bas ed o n t h e in t erv i ew an d ot h er i n ves t i g at i o n

, Ho lzh eu s er was i nd i c t e d in

s u p eri o r co u rt fo r co m

m i t t in g o n e co u nt each o f ch i l d m o l es t at i o n an d p u b l i c

i n d ecen cy

. Pri o r t o t ri al

, he m o v ed t o ex cl u d e cert ai n sex u al i m ag es o f ch i l d ren fo u n d

i n co n nect i o n w it h a s earch o f h i s cel l p h on e, wh i ch m o t i o n was d en i ed . Fo l l o wi n g

a ju ry t ri al

, h e w as fo u n d g u i l t y o n b o t h co u n t s

, an d t h e t ri al co u rt m erg ed t h e

3i n d ecen cy co u nt i nt o t h e ch i l d m o l es t at i o n co u n t

. Ho l zh eu s er m o v ed fo r a n ew t ri al

,

an d aft er an ev i d en t i ary h eari n g

, t h e t ri al co u rt d en i ed h i s m o t i o n

, g i vi n g ri s e t o t h i s

ap p eal

.

1

. Ho l zh eu s er fi rs t arg u es t h at he recei v ed co n s ti t u t i on a l l y i n effect i v e

a s s i s t a n ce o f t ri al co u n s el o n t h ree g ro u n d s : (a) t h e ad m i s si o n o f cert ai n web s i t e

i m ag es

, (b ) t he ad m i s s i o n o f hi s reco rd ed p o l ice in terv i ew, an d (c) hi s t ri al co u n sel ’ s

fai l u re t o req u es t a d o wn ward d ev i at i o n fro m t h e m an d at ory s en t en ci n g p ro v i s i o n in

OCGA § 1 7 -1 0 -6 .2

.

Un d er S tr ic k

l and v

. W a s h i n g t o n

, 4 to su cceed on an i n effect i v e as s is t an ce cl ai m

,

a cri m i n al defen dan t m

u st d em o n s t rat e b o t h t hat h i s t ri al co u ns el ’ s p erfo rm an ce was

d efi ci en t an d “ t h at t h ere i s a reas o n a b l e p r o b ab i l i t y t h at

, bu t fo r co u n sel ’ s

u n p ro fes s i o n al erro rs

, t h e res ul t o f t h e p ro ceed i n g wo u l d hav e b e e n d ifferen t

. ” 5

“ Th ere i s a s t ro n g p res um pt i o n t h at t h e p erfo rm an ce o f t ri al co u n s el fal l s w i t h i n t h e

wi d e ran g e o f reas o n ab l e p ro fes s i o n al as si s t an ce. Th e reas o n ab l en es s o f t h e co n d u ct

4 4 6 6 U. S. 6 68 (1 0 4 SCt 2 0 5 2 , 8 0 LE2 d 6 74 ) (1 9 8 4 ).

5 See i d . at 6 8 7 -6 8 8 , 6 9 4 (III) (A)-(B).

4i s v i ewed at t h e t i m e of t ri al an d u n d er t he ci rcu m s tan ces of t h e cas e.” 6 If an ap p el l an t

fai l s t o m eet h i s b urd en of p ro v i n g ei t h er p ro n g o f t he S t r i ckl a n d t es t

, t he rev i ewi n g

co u rt n eed no t ex am i ne t h e o t h er p ro n g

. 7 In rev i ewi n g t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s d eci s io n

, “ [w] e

accep t t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s fact u al fi n d in g s an d cred i b i l i t y d et erm i n at i o ns u n l es s cl earl y

erro neo u s , b u t we i n dep en den t l y ap p l y t h e l eg al p ri n ci p l es t o t he fact s

. ” 8

W i t h t h i s fram ewo rk i n m i nd , we t u rn t o Ho l zh eu s er’ s s p eci fi c arg u m en t s o n

ap p eal

.

(a) Fa i l ur e t o o b

ject to t h e a d

mi s s i o n of web s i t e ima g es

. At t r i a l

, t h e St at e

ex am i n ed Bo s wel l ab o u t t h e i n v es t i g at i o n h e co nd u ct ed aft er t h e p o l i ce rel ay ed t h e

f a m i l y ’ s co m

pl ai n t ab o u t Ho l zh eu s er. Bo s wel l ex p l ai n ed t h at part o f t he i n v es t i g a tion

i n cl u d ed rev i ewi n g t h e co n t en t s o f H o l zh eu s er’ s s m art p h o n e, b as ed o n Ho l zh eu s er’ s

ad m i s s i o n d u ri n g t h e p o li ce i n t erv i ew t h at h e h ad v i ewed ch i l d p o rn o g rap h y o n h i s

6 (Ci t at i o n an d p u n ct uat i o n o m i t t ed .) W il l ia ms v. S t a t e

, 2 7 7 Ga

. 8 5 3

, 8 5 7 (6 )

(5 9 6 SE2 d 5 9 7 ) (2 0 0 4 ).

7 See S t r i ckl a n d

, 4 6 6 U. S. at 6 9 7 (IV); F u l l er v. S t a t e

, 2 7 7 Ga. 5 05

, 5 0 7 (3 )

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

8 ( Pu n ct u at io n o m i t t ed .) Ro b i n s o n v. S t a te

, 2 7 7 G a. 7 5

, 7 6 (5 8 6 SE2 d 3 1 3 )

(2 0 0 3).

5p h o n e. 9 As p art o f t h at s earch

, Bo s wel l o b t ai n ed a li s t o f t h e web s it es t hat h ad b een

v i ewed o n H o lzh eu s er’ s p h o n e as w el l as In t ern et s earch t erm s an d n o t es s t o red i n a

n o t e-t ak i n g ap p li cat i o n

. In cl u d ed i n t h is in fo rm at i o n w ere s ex u al ly s u g g es t i v e

u n i fo rm res o u rce l o cat o rs ( “ UR L s ” 1 0 ) an d s earch es wi t h t erm “ l i t t l e g i rl s ” i n t h em

.

Bo s wel l fu rt h er ex p l ai ned t h at h e en t ered t h e s earch t erm s an d URLs on a d ed i cat ed

i n v es t i g at i v e co m

p u t er an d p ri n t ed o u t s creen s h o t s o f t he res u lt s

, i ncl u d i n g a s m al l

n u m b er o f “ rep res en t at i v e i m ag es ” h e s el ect ed i nd ep en d en t l y

. Th ere was al s o at l eas t

o n e s u g g es t i ve web s i t e URL s av ed i n Ho lzh eu s er’ s n o t e-t ak i n g ap p l i c at i o n

, an d

Bo s wel l p ri n t ed ou t s creen s h o ts o f t h e res ul t s wh en h e vi s i t ed th at web si te as p art o f

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

.

Acco rd i ng t o Bo s wel l

, t h e i m ag es an d web si t es fro m t h es e s earch es feat u red

“ i m ag es [o f] co ns i s t en t l y y o u ng [] g irl s i n t h ei r u n d erwear o r li ng eri e.” As p art o f h i s

t es t i m o ny , Bo s wel l carefu l ly ex p l ai n ed t h at t h es e were i m ag es t hat di s p lay ed wh en

h e s earch ed t h e t erm s an d URLs fo u n d o n Ho l zh eu s er’ s p h o n e; h e d i d n o t cl ai m t h at

9 Po l ice d i d an initia l, p erfu n ct ory search p u rs u an t to H o l zh eu s er’ s co n s en t

, an d

t h ey l at er d i d a m o re t h o ro u g h s earch p u rs u an t t o a warran t.

1 0 A URL r e f

e r s t o a p art i cu l ar w eb s i t e ad d res s o n t he In tern et

. See

h t t p s : // www.m erri am -web s ter.co m / d i ct i o nary / URL (web si te l as t acces s ed M ay 5,

2 0 1 9 ).

6t h e i m ag es t h em s el v es were fo u n d o n Ho l zh eu s er’ s p h o n e. E s sen t i al l y

, “ I op en ed u p

t h ree of t h e l i n k s t o g et a g i s t o f wh at i s on t he web s i t e o r w h ere i t t ak es y ou

. An d t h at

was en o u g h fo r m e.” He al s o t es t i fi ed t h at t h ere were n o i m ag es t h at h e b el i ev ed to

b e p orn og rap h i c s av ed o n t h e p h o n e i t s el f, an d o n cro s s -ex am i n at i o n

, Bo s wel l ag reed

t h at he d i d n o t k n o w wh et h er Ho l zh eu s er act ual l y vi ewed an y o f t h e p art i cu l ar i m ag es

p res en t ed at t ri al

.

(i ) Au t h en ti ca t i o n

. Ho l zh eu s er arg ues t h at hi s t ri al co u n s el sh o u l d h av e

o b ject ed t o t he cap t ured i m ag es i n t ro d u ced d u ri n g Bo s wel l ’ s t es ti m o n y becau s e t h ey

were n o t p ro perl y au th en t i cat ed

. Ho l zh eu ser ci t es U n i t ed S t a t es v. Ba n sa l

, 1 1 arg u i n g

i n h i s bri ef t h at t h e Fed eral Ru l es o f Ev i d en ce “ req u i re[] t h e u s e of an i n t ern et arch i v e

t o s h o w h o w t h at web s i t e ap p eared a t t h e t i m e o f acces s

. . . .” W hi l e th at cas e d id

i n v o l v e t e s t i m o n y o f a wi t n es s d es cri b i n g an i n t ern et arch i v e cal l ed t h e “ W ay b ack

M ach i n e,” t h e cas e d i d no t pu rp o rt t o es t ab l i s h t h e cl ear ru l e t h at H o l zh eu s er u rg es

h ere. In s t ead

, B a n s al m erel y rei t erat es o n e way t o s at i s fy Fed eral Ru l e o f Ev i d en ce

9 0 1

, wh i ch s t at es t h at “ [t ] o s at i s fy t h e req ui rem en t o f au t h en t i cat in g o r i d en ti fy i n g an

1 1 6 6 3 F3 d 6 3 4 , 6 6 7 (VII) (D) (2 ) (3 d Ci r. 2 0 1 1 ).

7i t em o f ev i d en ce, th e pro po n en t m u s t p ro du ce ev id en ce s uffi ci en t to s u p p ort a fi n d i n g

t h at t h e i t em

i s wh at t h e p ro p o nen t cl ai m s i t i s .” 1 2

Th e ap p l i cab le ru l e i n Geo rg i a is OCGA § 24 -9 -9 01 (a): “ Th e req u irem en t o f

au t h en t i cat i o n o r i d en ti fi cat i o n as a co n d i ti o n p reced en t t o ad m i s si b i l i t y s h al l b e

s at i s fi ed by ev i d en ce s u ffi ci en t t o s u pp o rt a fi nd i n g t h at t h e m at t er i n q u es t i o n i s wh at

i t s p ro p o n en t cl ai m s

. ” T h i s c an b e s h own b y “ [t ] es t im on y o f a wi t n es s wi th

k n o wl ed g e th at a m at t er i s wh at i t i s cl ai m ed t o b e,” 1 3 o r b y a do cu m en t ’ s

“ [a ]p p e a ran ce, co n t en t s

, s u bs t an ce, i n t ern al p at t ern s

, or o t h er d i s t i n ct i v e

ch aract eri s ti cs , t ak en i n co n ju n ct io n wi t h ci rcu m s t an ces .” 1 4 Th u s , t h ere i s n o b ri g ht

l i ne ru le s p eci fi cal l y req ui ri ng t h e u s e o f an In t ern et arch i v e, an d b as ed o n Bo s wel l ’ s

t es t i m o ny

— t h at th e screen s h o t s accu rat el y d ep i ct ed th e i m ag es Bo s w el l v i ewed an d

p ri n t ed o u t

, n o t t h at t h ey h ad b een v i ewed b y Ho l zh eu s er at a p art i cu l ar t i m e

—

Ho l zh eu s er’ s arg um en t f a i l s as t o an au th en t ici t y o b ject i o n reg ard i n g t h o s e

1 2 Id

.

1 3 OCGA § 2 4 -9 -9 0 1 (b ) (1 ).

1 4 OCGA § 2 4 -9 -9 0 1 (b ) (4 ).

8d o cu m en t s

. 1 5 Th e ad m i s s io n o f ev i d en ce i s rev i ewed o nl y fo r an ab u s e o f t h e t r i a l

co u rt ’ s d is cret i o n

, 1 6 an d b as ed o n t h e reco rd b efo re u s, Ho l zh eu s er’ s arg u m en t d o es

n o t d em o n s t rat e d efi ci en t p erfo rm an ce o n t h e p art o f h i s t ri al co u n s el

. 1 7

(i i) Rel eva n ce

. Ho l zh eu s er s i m i l arl y arg u es t h at h i s t ri al co u n s el s ho u l d h av e

o b ject ed o n t h e g ro u n d t hat t h e web s i t e i m ag es were no t rel ev an t t o t h e i ss u es at t ri al

b ecau s e t h ere w as no ev i d en ce t h at Ho l zh eu s er v iewed t h em

. R e l ev an t ev i d en ce i s

“ e v i d en ce h av i n g an y t en d en cy t o m ak e t h e ex i s t en ce o f an y fact t hat i s o f

co n seq u en ce t o t h e d et erm i nat i o n o f t h e act i o n m o re p ro b ab l e o r l es s p ro bab l e t h an

i t w o u ld b e wi t h o ut t h e ev i den ce.” 1 8

Th e i m a g e s t h e St at e i n t ro d u ced t h ro u g h Bo s wel l were ad m i tt ed

, i n p art

, to

s h o w Ho l zh eu s er’ s s ex u al i n ten t i n ex p o si n g hi m s el f to a y o u n g g i rl

. D em on s t rat i n g

1 5 See Co t t o n v. S t a t e

, 2 9 7 Ga. 2 57

, 25 9 (3 ) (7 7 3 SE2 d 24 2 ) (2 0 1 5 )

(“ [D] o cu m en t s fro m el ect ro n i c s o u rces s u ch as t h e p ri nt ou t s fro m a web s i te .

. . are

s u b ject t o t h e sam e ru les o f au t h en t i cat io n as ot h er m o r e t rad i t io n al d o cu m en t ary

ev i d en ce an d m ay

b e au t h en ti cat ed t h ro u g h ci rcu m s t an ti al ev i d en ce.”).

1 6 See, e.g

., S

p en cer v. S t a t e

, 2 8 7 Ga. 43 4

, 4 3 6 (2 ) (a) (6 9 6 SE2 d 6 1 7 ) (2 0 1 0 )

(n o t i ng t h at we rev i ew a t ri al co u rt ’ s d eci s i o n o n t he ad m i s s i o n or e x c l u s i o n o f

ev i d en ce fo r an ab u s e o f d i scret i o n ).

1 7 See Fa u s t v. S t a t e

, 3 02 Ga. 2 1 1

, 21 8 (4 ) (a) (8 0 5 SE2 d 8 2 6 ) (2 0 1 7 ) (h o l d i n g

t h at “ co un s el was n ot i n effect i ve fo r fai l in g t o m ak e a m eri tl es s o b ject i o n ”).

1 8 OCGA § 2 4 -4 -4 0 1

.

9a pru ri en t i n t eres t i n u n d erag e g i rl s wo u l d s u p p o rt a fi nd i n g t h at Ho l zh eu s er i n t en d ed

t o ex p o s e h i m s el f fo r t h e p urp o s e o f s ex u al g rat i fi cat i o n

, wh i ch i s an el em en t o f ch i ld

m o les t at i o n

. 1 9 Ho l zh eu s er d e n ied an y s ex u al i nt en t d u ri n g hi s po l i ce i n t erv i ew, s o

ev i d en ce t en d i n g t o p ro v e t h at fact wo u l d b e rel ev an t

. Acco rd i n g l y

, a rel ev an ce

o b ject i on wo u l d h av e b e e n m eri t l es s an d can n o t s u p po rt Ho l zh eu s er’ s i n effect i v e

as s i s tan ce cl ai m

. 2 0

(i ii ) Ru le 4 0 3

. Ho l zh eu s er n ex t arg u es t h a t h i s t ri al co u n s el s h ou l d h av e

o b ject ed o n t h e gro un d th at t h e i m ag es were i n ad m i s s ab l e u nd er OCGA § 2 4 -4 -4 0 3:

“ Rel ev an t ev i d en ce m ay b e ex cl u d ed i f i t s p ro b at i v e v al u e i s s ubsta ntia lly ou t wei g h ed

b y t h e d an g er of u n fai r p reju d i ce, co n fu s io n o f t h e i s su es

, o r m i s l ead i n g t h e ju ry o r

b y co n s i d erat i o n s o f u n du e del ay

, w as t e o f t i m e, o r n eed l es s pres en t at i o n o f

cu m u l at i v e ev i d en ce.”

Ho l zh eu s er p o in t s t o t h e fact t h at t h ere was n o ev i den ce t h at he act u al l y v i ewed

t h e s p eci fi c i m ag es at i s s u e, an d h e u rg es t h at th i s d ep ri v ed th e ev id en ce o f pro b at i v e

1 9 See OCGA § 1 6 -6 -4 (a) (“ A p ers o n co m m i t s t h e o ffen s e o f ch i l d m o l es t at i o n

wh en s u ch p ers o n : (1 ) Do es an y im m oral o r i n d ecen t act t o o r in t h e p res en ce o f o r

wi t h an y ch i ld u n d er th e ag e o f 1 6 y ears wi t h t h e i n t en t to aro u s e o r sat i s fy t he s ex u al

d es i res o f ei t her t h e ch i l d o r t h e p ers o n . . . .”).

2 0 See Fa us t

, 3 0 2 Ga. at 2 1 8 (4 ) (a).

10v al u e. Ho l zh eu s er m is ap p reh en d s t he p u rp o se o f t h e ev i d en ce. Th e St at e d i d n ot

arg u e th at t h e i m a g e s were o n Ho l zh eu s er’ s ph o n e or t hat Ho l zh eu s er vi ewed t h e

p art i cu l ar i m ag es p ro ffere d t h r o u g h Bo s wel l ’ s tes t i m on y

. In s t ead

, t h e St at e arg u ed

t h at t h e ev i d en ce was rep res en t at i v e o f t h e t y pe o f i m ag es av ai l ab l e o n t h e web s it es

Ho l zh eu s er ad m it t ed t o v i s i t i n g as wel l as o n URLs s t o red o n Ho l zh e u s e r ’s p h o ne.

Po l i ce fo u n d n o s ex u al l y ex p l i ci t i m ag es act u al ly s t ored o n Ho l zh eu s er’ s p h o n e, s o

t h e ev i d en ce was u s efu l t o s h o w t h e t y p e of co n t en t d i s p l ay ed wh en s o m eo n e v i s i t ed

t h e URLs an d u s ed th e s earch t erm s s av ed o n Ho l zh eu s er’ s p h o ne. Fu t h er, th e i m ag es

were pro b at iv e of t h e fact t h at Ho l zh eu s er s o u g h t s ex u al g rat i fi cat i o n b y v i e w i n g

s ex u al l y s u g g es t i v e i m ag es of un d erag e g irl s

. A s n ot ed ab o v e, t h i s wo ul d b e rel ev an t

t o h i s i n t en t i n co m

m i t t i ng t h e act s al l eg ed i n t h e i n d i ct m en t

.

Th e h arm t h at Ru le 4 0 3 s eek s t o m i n i m i ze i s n o t m e r e p reju d i ce, b u t “ u n fai r

p reju d i ce,” 2 1 s u ch as b y i n t ro d u ci n g i n fl am m at o ry m at eri al t h at h as n o b eari n g o n t h e

i s su es at t ri al

. Bu t h ere, Ho l zh eu s er ad m i t t ed t o p o l i ce t h at h e h ad v i e w e d c h i ld

ero t i ca o n h i s p h o n e, an d t h e i m ag es w ere t h e res u l t o f v i s i t s t o t h e URLs o n

2 1 See, e.g

. , U

n i t e d S t a tes v. Mees t er

, 7 6 2 F2 d 8 6 7

, 8 75 (II) (A) (1 1 t h Ci r.

1 9 8 5 ) (“ Rel ev an t ev i d en ce i s i n h eren tl y p reju d i ci al ; bu t i t i s o n l y un f a i r p reju d i ce,

s u b s t a n t i a l l

y o u t wei g hi ng p ro b at i v e v al u e, wh i ch p erm i t s e x cl u s i on o f rel ev an t

m at t er[.] ”) (ci t at i on an d p un ct u at i o n o m it t ed ; em p h as is i n o ri gi n al ) (ap p l y i n g Fed

. R.

Ev i d

. 4 03 ).

11Ho l zh eu s er’ s p h o n e an d i n h i s n o t e-t ak i n g ap p

. Th u s

, t h e m at eri al o ffered by Bo s wel l

was p art o f t h e s u b

ject m at t er o f th e p o l i ce in t erv i ew, an d i t was h el p fu l in

d em o n s t rat i n g t he t y

p e o f co n t en t in Ho l zh eu s er’ s p h o n e an d web act iv i t y

. 2 2 Bo s wel l

was carefu l t o ex p l ai n wh at t he i m ag es were as wel l as wh at t h ey were n o t , an d t h e

S t a t e d i d n o t at t em

p t t o co nfu s e t he ju ry as t o wh at t h e i m ag es rep res en t ed

. Un d er

t h es e ci rcu m s t an ces

, th e ch al l en g ed ev id en ce di d n o t p re se nt a ri s k of u nd u e p reju d i ce

t h at s u b s tan t ial l y o u t wei g h ed i t s p ro b at iv e val u e. Acco rd i n g ly

, t ri al co u n s el ’ s fai l u re

t o m ak e an o b

ject io n o n Ru l e 4 0 3 g ro u n d s d o es n o t m eet Ho l zh eu s er’ s b u rd en u n d er

S t r i ckl a nd

.

( b ) (i ) Fa i l u r e t o o bj ect t o a d mi s s i o n o f p o l i ce i n t er vi ew b as ed o n a f e a r o f

l o s i n g e m p l o ymen t

. Pri o r t o t ri al

, Ho l zh eu s er’ s t ri al co u ns el m o v ed to ex cl u d e t h e

p o l i ce i n t erv i ew, an d t h e t ri al co u rt h el d a Ja cks o n -Den n o 2 3 h eari ng at wh i ch Bo s wel l

t es t i fi ed

. Th e t ri al co u rt d en i ed Ho lzh eu s er’ s m o t i o n t o ex cl u de t h e i n t erv iew, fi n d i n g

i t vo l un t ary

. On ap peal

, Ho l zh eu s er c o n t en d s t h at h i s t ri al co u n sel sh o ul d h av e

o b ject ed t o ad m i s s i on o f t h e i n terv i ew o n t h e g ro u n d t hat Ho l zh eu s er co n s en t ed t o t h e

2 2 See g en eral ly S t i n s ki v. S t a t e

, 2 8 1 Ga. 7 8 3, 7 8 6 (3 ) (6 42 SE2 d 1 ) (2 0 0 7 )

(“ [P] h o t o g rap h s are i nh eren t l y m o re p ers u as iv e reg ard i n g t h e ex i st en ce o f t h e t h i ng s

t h ey d ep i ct t h an t es t i m on y reg ard i n g t h o s e s am e t h i n g s.”).

2 3 Ja cks o n v. Den n o , 3 7 8 U. S. 3 6 8 (8 4 SCt 1 7 7 4 , 1 2 LE2 d 9 0 8 ) (1 9 6 4 ).

12i n t erv i ew o n l y b ecau s e h e reas o n ab l y feared h e wo ul d l o s e h i s d u ty -req u i red s ecu ri t y

cl earan ce i f h e d i d n ot s peak t o p o l i ce.

As s u p p ort

, Ho l zh eu s er ci t es G a r r i t y v. New Jer

s ey

, 2 4 wh ich ad d res s ed p o l i ce

o ffi cers accu s ed o f fi x i n g t r a f f i c t i ck et s

. As p art o f an i n v es t i gat i o n o rd ered b y t h e

Su p rem e Co u rt o f N ew J ers ey

, t h e s t a t e at t o rn ey g en eral i n t erv iewed t h e o ffi cers

,

warn i n g t h em t h at th ey h ad a ri g h t t o refu s e to an s wer t h e q ues t i o n s

, b u t i f t h ey

refu sed

, t h ey wo u l d b e s u b ject t o rem o v al fro m t h ei r jo b s p u rs u an t t o a st at e st at u t e. 2 5

Th e Un i t ed St at es Su p rem e Co u rt r u l ed t h at th e i n t erv i ews were n o t v o l u n t ary

b ecau s e “ t h e ch o i ce i m

p o sed o n [t h e o ffi cers ] was o n e b et w een s el f-i ncri m i n at i o n o r

jo b fo rfei t u re.” 2 6

H e r e, Bo s wel l ex p lai n ed t h e i n terv i ew s cen ari o i n t h i s cas e. At t h e o u t s et

,

Bo s wel l ex p lai n ed t o Ho l zh eu s er t h at h e was n o t i n cu s t o d y : “ Th e d o o r i s n o t l o ck ed

.

Yo u ’ re f r e e t o l eav e at an y t i m e.” H o l zh eu s er rep l i ed t h at h e “ d efi n i t el y

u n d ers t [o o ] d

. ” Bo s w el l t h en read Ho l zh eu s er an ack n o w l ed gem en t an d wai v er o f

ri gh t s s t at i n g :

2 4 3 8 5 U. S. 4 9 3 (8 7 SCt 6 1 6 , 1 7 LE2 d 5 6 2) (1 96 6 ).

2 5 See i d . at 4 9 5

.

2 6 Id . at 49 6

.

13I h av e t h e ri g h t t o rem a i n s i l en t an d m ak e n o st at em en t at al l [.] An y

s t at em en t I m ak e can be u s ed ag ai n s t m e in a t ri al b y co u rt -m ars h al l o r

o t h er ju d i ci al o r ad m i n i s t rat i v e p ro ceed i n g [.] I h av e t h e ri gh t t o co n s u l t

wi t h a l awy er p ri o r t o an y q u e s t i o n i n g

. Th i s l awy er m ay b e a ci v i l ian

l awy er ret ai n ed b y m e at n o co s t t o t h e Un i t ed St at es

, a m i l i t ary l awy er

a p po i n t ed to act as m

y co u n s el at n o co s t t o m e, o r b o t h [.] I h av e th e

ri gh t t o h av e m

y ret ai n ed l awy er an d/ o r ap p oi n t ed m i l i t ary l awy er

p res en t d u ri n g t h i s i n t erv i ew[.]

. . I m ay term i n at e t h i s i n t erv i ew at an y

t i m e, fo r an y reas o n

. . . W i t h t h at u n d ers tan d i n g

, I hav e d eci d ed t h at I d o

n o t d es i re t o rem ai n s i len t

, co ns u l t wi t h a

. . . l awy er, o r h av e a l awy er

p res en t at t h is t im e. I m ak e th i s d e c i s i o n freel y an d v o l u n tari l y

. No

t h reat s o r p ro m i s es h av e b een m ad e t o m e.

Bo s wel l ex p lai n ed t o Ho lzh eu s er t h at t h es e ri g h t s “ are n o t g o i n g away

. . . . [I] f y o u

wo u l d l i k e t o s p eak wi th u s o r y o u h av e an y t h in g t h at y o u wan t t o s ay

, we’ re o p en to

h ear i t

. Bu t i f y ou d e c i d e t h at y o u do n ’ t

, y o u can al way s ex erci s e [t h e ri gh t n o t to

s p eak ]

. Yo u can t urn i t o ff fo r an y reas o n at an y t i m e.” Ho l zh eu s er ag reed t o s i g n t h e

wai v er.

W i t h res p ect t o t h e ci rcu m s t an ces s urro u n d i n g t h e i n t erv iew, at t ri al Bo s wel l

ex p lai n ed t h at Ho l zh eu s er was no t i n cu s t o d y at t h e t i m e of th e i n t erv i ew, b u t m i l it ary

p r o t o c o l req u ires th at s u s p ect s b e read t h e ack n o w l ed g m en t o f ri g h t s du e t o t h e

i n fl u en ce o f co m

m an d :

14[M i l it ary s u s pect s] are u n d er au th o ri ty o f a co m m an d in g o ffi cer. He h ad

t o co m e t o o u r o ffi ce th at m o rn i n g

. W e t al ked t o h i s co m m an d i n g

o ffi cer. [Ho l zh eu s er] was s en t t h ere. On ce h e get s t o t h e b u i l d i n g

, th at ’ s

d o n e. He d o es n ’ t h av e t o s p eak to u s

, bu t we h av e t o ex p l ai n t h a t

, y o u

were t o l d to co m e h ere. Yo u are n o t i n cu st od y

. Yo u are n o t u nd er arres t

.

Th e d o o r is n o t l ock ed

. Yo u are free t o l eav e at an y ti m e. W e wo u l d l ik e

t o s p eak t o y o u

. I’ m go i n g t o g o o v er y o u r

. . . ri gh t s

. O n ce y o u ’ ve

ack n o wl ed ged t h os e, we’ l l h av e a co n v ers at io n i f y o u wan t t o.

. .[W ] h i l e

t h ey t o l d y o u t o co m e h ere, ag ai n, y ou r p art i s o v er.

As ex p l ai n ed b y Bo s wel l

, Ho l zh eu s er w as u n der an o b l i g at i o n t o rep o rt t o t h e

i n t erv i ew b y v i rt u e o f t h e m i l i t ary co m m an d au t h o ri ty

, b u t h e w a s n o t u n d er

o b l i g at i o n to s p eak or s u b s t an t i v el y en g ag e i n t he i n t erv i ew, an d h e co u l d in v o k e h i s

ri gh t t o rem ai n s i l en t o r l eav e at an y t i m e. Ho l zh eu ser ci t es n o reg u l at i o n o r o t h er l aw

req u i ri n g h i m t o s ub m i t t o t h e i n t erv i ew p r o c es s an d an s wer t h e i nv es t i g at o rs ’

q u es ti o n s

. T h i s m at eri al l y d i s t i n g u i sh es t h e fact s o f t h i s cas e fro m t h os e i n Ga r r i t y

,

wh ere th e o ffi cers were u nd er a s t at u t o ry o b l i g at i on t o f o l lo w t h ro ug h wi t h t h e

s u b s t an ce o f t h e i n t e r v i e w o r b e s u b ject t o di s ci p l i n e fo r n ot d o i n g s o

. 2 7 T h at

Ho l zh e u s e r m i g h t b e s u b ject t o d i s ci p l i n e fo r th e co n ten t o f h is in t erv i ew d i d n ot

ren d er t h e i n t erv i ew i n v o lu n t ary ; i f an y th i n g, i t wo ul d m i li t at e ag ai ns t p art i ci p at i n g

2 7 See i d

.

15i n t h e in t erv i ew, wh ich Ho l zh e u s e r el ect ed t o d o wi t h k n o w l ed g e o f hi s ri g h t to

rem ai n s i l en t

. Fu rt h er, Bo s wel l’ s u rg i n g H o l zh eu ser t o t el l t he tru t h i n t h e in t erv i ew

t o h el p h i m s el f in t h e ey es o f h i s co m m an d i n g o ffi cers o r el i g i b i l i t y fo r d u t y s t at u s

was no t i m

p ro p er. 2 8 Un d er t hes e ci rcu m s t an ces

, an o b ject i o n p u rs u an t to Ga r ri t y

wo u l d n o t req u i re ex cl u s i o n o f t h e i n t erv i ew, an d t h i s arg um en t d em o n s tr a te s n o b as i s

fo r rev ers al

.

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

j ect t o t h e p o l ice i n t er vi ew o n t h e g ro u n d t h a t Ho l z h eu s er wa s

r eq u ir ed t o wa ive h i s Mi r an d a r ig h t s t o ma ke a vo lu n t a r

y s t a t emen t

. Nex t

,

Ho l zh eu s er arg u es t h at h is t ri al co u n s el sh o u l d h av e arg u ed t h at h e was m i s l ed i n to

wai v i n g hi s ri g h t s b ecau s e, as s t at ed i n h i s ap p el l at e b ri ef, H o l zh eu s er “ wo u l d n eed

t o w ai v e hi s ri g h t s t o sp eak t o Ag en t Bo s wel l as h e [h ad ] b een o rd ered t o d o wh en h i s

‘ Sk i pp er cal l ed h im

i n .’ ” H ol zh eu ser p o in t s to Bo s wel l’ s s t at em en t t h at “ b efo re we

can real l y g et in t o wh at h as g o n e o n

. . . we n eed y o u t o ack n o wl ed g e y o u r ri g h t s

b efo re [we] g et i n t o t h at

. Th ey ’ re n o t g o i n g away .” Bas ed o n th i s

, Ho lzh eu s er arg u es

t h at h e was o b l i g at ed t o wai v e h i s ri g h t s i n o rd er t o s p e a k t o i n v es t i g at ors

, wh i ch

2 8 See Pr i ce v. S t a te

,

__ Ga.

_ _ (2 ) (8 25 SE2 d 1 7 8 ) (2 0 1 9 ) (“ [I] t i s p erm i s s i b l e

fo r t h e p o l i ce t o t el l a s u s p ect th at t h e t ri al ju dg e m ay [fav o rab l y ] co n si der h i s t ru t h fu l

co o perat i o n w i t h th e p ol ice.”) (p u n ct u at i o n o m i tt ed ); Mo ra l es v. S t a t e

, 3 3 7 Ga. Ap p.

6 1 4

, 6 1 7 (2 ) (b ) (7 8 8 SE2 d 53 5 ) (2 0 1 6 ) (h o l d i n g th at ex h o rt at i o n s t o t el l t h e t ru t h are

n o t i m p ro p erl y co erci ve).

16co n t r a v e n e s t h e h o l d i n g i n S t a t e v. Da r by : “ [A] su s p ect can al way s m ak e a

s p o n tan eo u s

, v o l u n t ary s t at em en t wh i ch wo u l d b e ad m i ss i bl e at t ri al

. . . [M o re fu l l y

,

a s us p ect can ] m ak e a v o l u n t ary s t at em en t

, b u t

. . . h e [can ] n o t be i n t erro g at ed b y t h e

o ffi cers , wi t h o u t s i g n i n g t h e wai v er.” 2 9

In l i g h t o f t h e fact s b efo re u s

, Ho l zh eu s er’ s arg u m en t d o es n o t req u i re rev ers al

.

In Da r b y

, t h e d efen d a n t m a d e a s p o n t an eo u s s t at em en t aft er i n v o k i n g h i s ri g h t to

co u ns el

, an d t h e o ffi cers res p o n d ed t h at “ If y ou wan t t o t el l u s y o u r si d e o f t h e s t o ry

y o u can — y o u k n o w

, y ou can s i g n o ff o n a wai v er an d t el l u s y o u r s i d e o f t h e

s t ory .” 3 0

Here, u n li k e i n Da r b

y

, [Ho l zh eu s er] d i d n o t m a k e a s po n t an eo u s

s t at e m en t o r i n di cat e t h at h e wan t ed t o d o s o

. In st ead

, t h e ag en t

ex p l ai n ed t h at h e was p res en t i n g h i m wi t h h i s ri gh t s b efo re pro ceed i n g

wi t h an “ i n t erv i ew” ab ou t wh at h ad o ccu rred

. . . . Aft er co n fi rm i n g t hat

[Ho l zh eu s er] u n d ers t o o d h i s ri g h t s

, th e ag en t b eg an q u es t i o n in g h i m

. 3 1

2 9 (Ci t at i o n o m i tt ed .) S t a t e v

. D a r b y

, 2 8 4 Ga. 2 7 1, 2 7 2 (1 ) (6 6 3 SE2 d 1 6 0 )

(2 0 0 8).

3 0 (Pu n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed .) Id . at 2 7 1

.

3 1 Fr a n ci s v. S t a t e

, 2 96 Ga. 1 9 0 , 1 9 5 -1 9 6 (3 ) (A) (7 6 6 SE2 d 5 2 ) (2 0 1 4 ).

17Th u s, t hi s s cen ari o p res en ts n o b as is fo r rev ers al

, h a d Ho l zh eu s er’ s t ri al co u n s el

o b ject ed p u rs u an t t o t h e ru l e i n Da r b y

. 3 2

(c) Fa i l ur e t o r eq u e s t a d o wn wa r d d

evi a t io n f r o m th e ma n d

at o ry mi n i u m

s en t en ce

. In h i s l as t i n e f

f ect i v e as s i s t an ce cl ai m

, H o l zh eu s er co n ten d s t h at h i s t ri al

co u ns el s h o u l d hav e req u es t ed a d o wn ward dev i at i o n i n h i s s en t en ce pu rs u an t to

OCGA § 1 7 -1 0 -6 .2 (c) (1 ) (C). Th at Co d e s ect io n p ro v i d es :

In t h e co u rt ’ s d i s cret i o n

, t h e co u rt m a y d ev iat e fro m th e m an d at o ry

m i n i m um sen ten ce 3 3 [ap p l i cab l e t o ce r t a i n s ex u al o ffen s es ]

, o r an y

p o rt io n t h ereo f, wh en th e p ro s ecu t i n g at t o rn ey an d t h e d efen d an t h av e

ag reed t o a sen ten ce t h at i s b el ow s u ch m an d at o ry m i ni m u m o r p ro v i d ed

t h at

. . . [t ] he co u rt h as n o t fo u n d ev i d en ce o f a rel ev an t s i m i l ar

t ran s act i o n. . . .

Ho l zh eu s er h as p ro v id ed n o ev i d en ce t h at t h e St a t e wo ul d h av e ag reed t o a

d o wn ward d ev i at i o n

, n o r has h e d em o n s trat ed t hat t h e t ri al co u rt fel t co n st rai n ed n ot

t o ex erci s e it s d i s cret i o n i n h i s fav o r b y h i s fai l u re t o req u es t a l o w e r sen t en ce.

3 2 See i d

.

3 3 Un d er OCGA § 1 7 -1 0 -6 .2 (b ), p ers o n s co n v i ct ed o f cert ai n sex u al o ffen s es

“ s h al l b e s en t en ced t o a s p l i t s en t en ce wh i ch sh al l i n cl u d e t he m i n i m u m t erm o f

i m p ri s o n m en t s peci fi ed i n t h e Co de s ect i on ap p li cab l e t o s u ch s ex ual o ffen s e. No

p o rt i on of t h e m an d at o ry m i n i m u m s en ten c e i m

p o s ed s h al l b e s u s p en d ed

, s t ay ed

,

p ro b at ed , d eferred , o r wi t hh el d b y t h e co u rt .”

18Nev ert h el es s

, e v e n as s u m i n g t h e tri al co u rt wo u l d ex erci s e i t s d i s cret i o n in

Ho l zh eu s er’ s fav o r, t h e tri al co urt wo ul d be au t h ori zed t o d o so o nl y i f i t d i d n o t fi n d

ev i d en ce o f a rel ev an t s im i lar t r a n s a c t i o n

. 3 4 Th e t ri al co u rt d i d fi n d s u ch ev i d en ce,

an d i n l i g h t o f o u r ho l d i n g b el o w i n Di v i si o n 2 affi rm i n g th at ru l i n g

, th e tri al co u rt

was n o t au th o ri zed to d ev iat e fro m th e s t at u t ory s en ten ci n g req ui rem en t i n OCGA §

1 7 -1 0-6

. 2

. Acco rd i ng l y, H o l zh eu s er’ s req u es t w o u ld h av e b een m eri tl es s, an d t h i s

arg u m en t fai l s

. 3 5

2

. H o l zh eu s er’ s l as t arg u m en t i s t h at t h e t ri al co u rt erred b y ad m it t i n g ev i d en ce

u n d er OCGA § 2 4 -4 -4 1 4

. T h i s ru l e p ro v id es t h at “ [i ] n a cri m i n al p ro ceed i n g i n wh i ch

t h e [d efen d an t ] i s a c cu sed o f an o ffen s e of ch i l d m ol es t at i o n

, ev i den ce o f t h e

accu s ed ’ s co m

m i s s i o n o f an o t h er o ffen s e o f ch i l d m ol es t at i on s h al l be ad m i s si b l e an d

m ay b e co n s i d ered fo r i t s b eari n g on an y m at t er t o wh i ch i t is rel ev an t .” 3 6 An “ o ffen s e

o f c h i l d m o l es t at i on ” i n cl u des t ran s m i t t i n g to a ch i ld u n d er 1 6 y ears o ld

, by m ean s

o f an el ect ro ni c d ev i ce, i m ag es o f a p ers o n en g ag i n g i n an i nd ecen t a c t “ wi t h t h e

3 4 See OCGA § 17 -1 0 -6 .2 (c) (1 ) (C).

3 5 See Fa us t

, 3 0 2 Ga. at 2 1 8 (4 ) (a).

3 6 OCGA § 2 4 -4 -4 1 4 (a).

19i n t en t t o aro u se o r s at i s fy t h e s ex u al d es i res o f ei t h er th e ch i l d o r t h e p ers o n .” 3 7

OCGA § 2 4 -4 -4 1 4 i s “ a ru l e o f i n cl u si o n

, wi t h a st ro ng p res u m p ti o n in fav o r o f

ad m i s s i b i l i t y

, an d t h e St at e can s eek t o ad m i t ev i den ce u n der t h es e p ro v is i o n s fo r an y

rel ev an t p u rp o se, i n cl u di n g pro p en s i t y

. An d a t ri al co u r t’ s d eci si on t o ad m i t o t h er act s

ev i d en ce wi l l b e o v ert u rn ed o n l y wh en t here i s a cl ear ab u s e o f d i s cret io n .” 3 8

Here, aft er t h e St at e p r o v i d e d no t i ce o f i t s i n t en t t o ad m i t ev i d en ce t h at

Ho l zh eu s er co m

m i t t ed a p ri o r act o f ch i l d m o les t at io n

, t h e c o u r t hel d a h eari n g,

rev i ewed t he po li ce rep o rt fro m t h e p ri o r i n ci d en t

, an d ad m it t ed t h e ev i d en ce. Th e

reco rd s h o ws t h at i n 2 0 1 3

, an 1 1 -y ear-o l d g i rl was s t ay i ng at a l ocal m ot el wi t h h er

fam i l y

. On s ev eral occas i o n s o ver t he co u rs e o f a week

, wh en th e g i rl wal k ed t o h er

s ch o ol b u s i n t h e m o rn i n g

, th e g i rl o b s erv ed no t es i n t he wi n d o w o f a n earb y h o t el

ro o m o ccu pi ed by Ho l zh eu ser. On e n o t e s ai d

, “ tap o n t h e wi n do w t o see m y D-I-CK,” an d an o t h er no t e s ai d “ I wan t t o l i ck y o u r P-U-S-S-Y.” An o t h er t i m e, t h e g i rl s aw

a p h on e res t i n g ag ai n s t th e wi n d o w an d d i sp l ay i n g a p h o t o o f a n u d e wo m an

recei v i ng o ral s ex

. Th e g i rl t o l d h er m o t h er, an d wh en t h ey im m ed i at el y cam e t o l o o k

3 7 OCGA § § 2 4-4 -4 1 4 (d ) (1 ); 1 6 -6 -4 (a) (2 ).

3 8 (Fo o t n o t es an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed .) Ki n g v. S t at e

, 3 4 6 Ga. A p p

. 36 2

, 3 6 4

(1 ) (8 16 SE2 d 3 90 ) (2 0 1 8 ).

20fo r t h e s ig n

, i t was g o n e. Th e m o t h er d ed u ced b y t h e t i m i ng o f t h e n ot es t h at t h ey

were d i rect ed at h er d au g h t er.

Th i s reco rd s up p o rt s a fi n d in g t h at Ho lzh eu s er d is p l ay ed i n decen t n o t es

,

i n cl u d i n g an in d ecen t i m ag e o n h i s p h o ne d ep i ct i n g o ral s ex

, t o th e 1 1 -y ear-o l d ch i ld

fo r s ex u al g rat i fi cat i on

. Acco rd i n g l y

, t h is wo ul d d em o n s t rat e a p ri o r act o f ch i l d

m o les t at i o n

, 3 9 m ak i n g t h e ev i d en ce ad m i s s i b l e fo r t h e p u rp o s e o f s h o wi n g

Ho l zh eu s er’ s l u s t f

u l i n teres t i n m in o r g i rl s o f ap p ro xi m at el y t h e s am e ag e as t h e

v i ct i m i n t h i s cas e. 4 0

Th e ex cep ti o n t o t h e g e n e r a l r u l e t h at ev id en ce o f o t h er cri m es i s n o t

ad m i s s i b l e h as b een m o s t l i b eral l y ex ten d ed i n t h e area o f s ex ual

o ffen s es [, p art i cu l arl y ag ai n s t m i n o rs ] : I n [s u ch cas es ]

, ev i den ce o f

s i m i l ar p rev i o u s tran s act i o n s i s ad m i s s i b l e t o s h o w t h e l u s t fu l

d i s p o s i t i o n o f t he defen d an t [t o ward u n d erag e ch il d ren ]

. T h ere n eed

o n l y b e ev i den ce t h at t h e d efen d an t was t h e p erp et rat o r o f b o t h cri m es

a n d s u ffi ci en t si m i lari ty o r co nn ect i o n bet ween t h e i n d ep en d en t c r i m e

an d t h e o ffen s es ch arg ed

. 4 1

3 9 See OCGA § 16 -6 -4 (a) (2 ).

4 0 See OCGA § 24 -4 -4 14 (d ) (1 ).

4 1 (Pu n ct u at i on o m i t t ed .) Pet er s o n v. S t a t e

, 3 3 7 Ga. Ap p. 7 0

, 7 4 ( 7 85 SE2 d

9 0 5 ) (2 0 1 6 ) (d eci d ed u n der p ri o r Ev i d en ce Co de).

21In l i g ht o f t h e targ et i n g o f s i m i l arl y -ag ed

, fem al e ch i l d v i ct i m s

, as wel l as t h e s em i

p u b l i c n at u re o f in d ecen cy i n each cas e, t h e t ri al co urt d id n o t ab u s e it s d i s cret i o n in

ad m i t t i ng t h e p ri o r act ev i d en ce u n d er OCGA § 2 4 -4 -4 1 4

.

Ju d g men t a f f i r m ed . Co o mer

a n d Ma r kl e, JJ., co ncu r

.

22