FI FTH DI VI SI ON

M C FA DDEN, C. J.

, M CM ILLI A N, P. J.

, and SENI OR A PPELLA TE JUDGE PHI PPS

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

M ar ch 13, 2020



# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A1 9 A2 01 6 . REDDING v . THE STATE.

M C M ILLI A N , Pres i d i n g J u d g e.

In J u l y 2 0 11

, a Fu l t o n Co u n t y gran d j u ry i nd i ct ed J av o rri s Red di n g

, al o n g wi th

fi ve co -i n d i ct ees

, o n on e co un t o f p art ici p at i o n i n cri m i nal s t reet gan g act i v i t y

, t h ree

co u nt s o f arm ed ro b b ery

, o n e co u n t o f ag g rav at ed as s au l t wi t h a dead l y weap o n

, an d

o n e co u n t o f p o s ses s i o n o f a fi re a r m d u ri n g th e co m m i s si o n o f a fel o ny

. 1 Each o f

Red di n g ’ s co -i n d i ct ees accep t ed a p l ea b arg ai n p ri o r t o t r i al

. Red d i n g ch o s e to

p ro ceed t o t ri al in Au g u s t 2 0 1 2 an d w a s c o n v i ct ed o n al l co u nt s ex cep t ag g rav at ed

as s au l t wi t h a dead l y weap o n (Co u n t 5 ). Th e t ri al co u rt s en t en ced Red d i n g t o a t o t al

o f 3 5 y ears

, wi t h 2 5 y ears t o b e s erv ed i n co n fi n em en t

. Red di n g n o w ap p eal s t h e

1 Red d i n g was al s o ch arg ed wi t h p os s es si o n o f a fi rearm b y a co n vi ct ed fel o n

(Co un t 7 ), b ut t h e St at e l at er n ol l e p ro s s ed t hat ch arg e.d en ial o f h i s m o t i o n fo r n ew t ri al

, as am en d ed

, 2 an d as s e r t s t h e fo l l o wi n g

en u m erat i o n s o f erro r: (1 ) t h e ev i d en ce was i n s u ffi ci en t t o s u p p o rt hi s co n vi ct i o n s ;

(2 ) t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n den y i n g h i s m ot i o n t o su p p res s ; (3 ) t h e t ri al co u rt erred in

ad m i t t i ng ev i d en ce o ver o b ject i o n ; (4 ) he recei v ed i n effect i v e as si st an ce o f co u n sel ;

an d (5 ) t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n den y i ng h i s m o t i o n fo r m is t ri al

. Fo r t h e reas o n s t h at

fo l l o w , we fi n d n o erro r an d affi rm

.

Vi ewed in t h e li gh t m o s t fav o rab l e t o t h e j u ry ’ s v erd i ct

, t h e reco rd s h o ws t h at

o n t h e n i g h t o f Ap ri l 1 3

, 2 0 1 1

, Bry an St ewart an d Kev i n Cu l b reat h d ro v e aro u n d to

a few cl u b s i n Cu l b reat h ’ s car, a b l ack Cam aro wi t h red s tri p es an d “ Fo rg i at o s ,” t o p

o f-t he-l i n e wh eel s

. W h en t h ey s t o p p ed at a g as s t at i o n t o p u rch as e b eer, th ey m et t wo

wo m en wh o ag reed t o acco m p an y t h em t o a n earb y h o tel ro o m at ap pro x i m at el y 4 : 0 0

a.m

. W h en St ewart real ized th at t h e wo m en were n ot in t eres t ed i n h av i ng s ex t h at

n i g h t , h e an d Cu l b reat h l eft t o p i ck u p Ch an t al J ack s o n

, a fri en d o f h i s , fro m a cl u b

wh ere s h e wo rk ed . Aft er g et ti n g s o m et h i n g to eat

, t h e th ree o f t h em ret u rn ed t o t h e

2 W e n o t e th at Red d i n g t i m el y fi l ed hi s m ot i o n fo r new t ri al i n 2 01 2

. A h eari n g

was t h en s ch ed u l ed i n A p ri l 20 1 4

, b u t th e p art i es req u es t ed a co n t i n u an ce. Th e t ri al

co u rt th en i s s u e d a s ch ed u l i ng ord er fo r s u pp l em en t al b ri efi n g

. U n fo rt u n at el y

, h o wev er, t h e cas e was n o t res et fo r a h eari n g u n t i l t h e t ri al co u rt l ocat ed Red d i n g ’ s

p en di n g m o t i o n t h ro u g h a s earch of i t s d o ck et i n 2 0 1 8

. At t hat p o i n t , t h e t ri al co u rt

s et a st at u s co n feren ce i n an at t em p t t o g et t h e cas e b ack o n t rack fo r a h eari n g o n t h e

m o ti o n fo r n ew t ri al , an d a h eari n g was l at er h el d i n J an u ary 2 0 1 9

.

2h o t el ro o m

, wh ere t h e two wo m en were s t i l l w ai t in g

. Cu l breat h en d ed u p o n o n e b ed

wi t h t he t wo wo m en w h o were s m o k i ng m ari ju an a, an d St ewart s l ep t in th e o t h er b ed

wi t h J ack s o n

.

Cu l b reat h s t ay ed u p wat ch i n g a m o v i e an d n o t i ced o n e o f t h e wo m en k ep t

t ex t i n g s o m eo n e. W h en t h e w o m en g o t u p t o l eav e, o n e of t hem s t o p p ed at t h e d res s er

wh ere t he h o t el k ey was l ay i n g an d fu m b l ed wi t h s om et h i n g t here an d m ad e a

m o vem en t as i f s h e were p u tt i n g s o m et h i n g i n h er p u rs e. Sh o rt l y aft er th e wo m en l eft

,

Cu l breat h heard a rat t l in g at t h e d o o r an d t h en s aw t he h an d l e s tart to tu rn

. He ju m p ed

u p an d ran t o t h e d o or, b u t as h e t r i e d t o p u s h t h e d o or cl o s ed

, t w o m en wi t h g un s

f o u g h t t hei r way i n

. Th e m en s p u n h i m aro u n d an d hi t h i m o n t h e h ead wi t h a g u n

.

Cu l breat h wen t d o wn t o th e gro u n d

, a n d o n e o f t h e m en p u t a fo o t o n h i s n eck an d

t o l d h i m n o t t o m ov e o r h e wo u l d k i l l hi m

. Th ey t o o k Cu l breat h’ s p an t s o ff h i m an d

fo u n d t h e k ey s to h i s c a r. O n e o f t h e m en wen t o v er t o t h e ot h er b ed an d wo k e u p

St ewart an d J ack s o n

.

St ewar t tes ti fi ed at t ri al t h at h e fel l as l eep u n t i l h e fel t so m eb o d y t u g g i n g o n

h i s p an ts l eg

. He i n it i al l y th o u g h t t h at Cu l b reat h was ju st “ h o rs in g aro u n d ,” b u t t h en

h e s aw two m en i n t h e ro o m p o i n ti n g p i s to l s at t h em

. St ewart was ab l e t o g et a g o o d

l o o k at th e m an st an d in g o ver Cu l b reat h u n t il th e m en t o l d h i m t o tu rn h i s h ead

. Th ey

3t o o k J ack s o n ’ s earri n g s an d cel l p h o n e, as wel l as St ewart ’ s p an t s

, g las s es

, jack et

, an d

cel l p h o n e b efo re s t eal i n g Cu l b reat h ’ s car, wh i ch h ad J ack s o n’ s b ag co n t ai n i n g h er

cl o t h i n g an d m o n ey i n i t

. A ft er th e m en l eft

, St ewart saw t hat Cu l b reat h was b l eed i n g

h eav il y fro m

h i s h ead

.

Cu l b reat h an d St ewar t c al l ed t h e p o l i ce an d g av e t h ei r st at em en ts b efo re as k i n g

Cu l breat h ’ s b ro t h er t o p ick th em u p s o t h ey co u l d get s om e cl ot h i n g

. Cu l b reat h t h en

cal l ed hi s fri en d s an d l o cal t i re sh o ps t o p ut t h e wo rd o u t t h at h i s car h ad b een s t o l en

.

In t h e m ean t im e, Cu lb reat h

, h i s b ro t h er, an d S t e wa r t d r o v e aro u n d t o “ al l t h e h ot

s p o t s ” an d ev en t u al l y l o cat ed h i s car at a car s h o p park ed n ex t to s ev eral o t h er cars

,

i n cl u d i n g a wh i t e Ch arg er an d an ot h er b l ack Cam aro wi t h “ s t o ck ” p art s

. Th ere were

p eo pl e s t an d i n g aro u n d ou t s i d e t h e s h o p

, b u t wh en th ey s aw Cu lb reat h an d St ewart

,

t h ey ran an d t h e wh i t e Ch arg er t o o k o ff. W hi l e Cu l b reat h ci rcl ed t h e b l ock t o t ry t o

cat ch t h e m en wh o were ru n n i n g

, he cal l ed p o l i ce t o l et t h em k n o w he h ad fo u n d h i s

s t ol en car. Cu l b reat h an d h i s fri en ds co u l d n o t cat ch t h e m en

, an d as t h ey were h ead ed

b ack t o th e Cam aro

, t h ey s t op p ed wh en t h ey s aw p o l ice pu l l ov er t h e wh i t e Ch arg er

an d t ak e t h e m en wh o were i n t h e car i n t o cu s t o d y

. 3 St ewart al ert ed p ol ice t h at h e was

3 Red d i n g

, w h o w as i n t h e car, was arres t ed aft er l aw en fo rcem en t l earn ed t h at

Red di n g h ad an o ut s tan d i n g warran t o n an u n rel at ed ch arg e.

4ab l e t o reco g n ize o n e o f t h e m en t ak en i n t o cu s t od y as o n e o f t h e m en wh o h ad

ro b b ed t h em

earl i er t h at m o rn i n g

.

Aft er Red d in g was t ak en i nt o cu s to d y

, p o l i ce reco v ered two gu n s fro m t h e

wh i te Ch arg er, a 9 m

m Ru g er an d a

. 4 5 Ru g er. W h en Cu lb reat h an d St ewart wen t to

t h e p o l i ce s t at i on t o g i v e a s t at em en t

, t h ey t o l d p o l ice t h at t h e car s h o p was v ery wel l

k n o wn t o t h em an d t h at t h e m an wh o o wn ed t h e s ho p w as p ro b ab l y g o i ng t o t ak e t h e

ex p en s i v e ri m s o ff C u l b r e a t h ’ s car an d p u t t h em o n t h e “ s t o ck ” Cam aro

. Po l i ce

s h o wed S t e w a r t a p h o t o grap h i c l i n eu p

, an d h e w as ab l e t o i d en t i fy Red d i n g as o n e

o f t h e m en wh o h ad ro b b ed t h em . St ewart al so i d en t i fi ed Red d in g at t ri al

.

On e o f t h e res p o n d in g d et ect i v es al s o i n t erv i ewed an o t h er s us p ect w h o h ad

b een d et ai n ed

, Garret t N as h

. Nas h was t h e own er o f t h e “ st o ck ” Cam aro an d ad m i t t ed

t h at h e h ad wan ted t o p u rch as e t h e wh eel s o ff a s t o l en car. Po l i ce l o cat ed $ 4 ,5 0 0 o n

h i s p ers o n

. Nas h ex p l ai n ed t h at h e h ad recei v ed a tex t m es s ag e reg ard i n g t h e wh eel s

,

b u t cl ai m ed he d i d n o t k n ow wh o t h e m es sag e was fro m

. He d i d

, h o wev er, al l o w t h e

d et ect i v e t o search hi s ph o n e. Th e d et ect i v e fo u nd a t ex t m es s ag e th at s ai d “ Say Do e

d i s K ey o n l i l b ro t h a I g ot d em Fo rg i fo r u cal l m e as ap .” Th e t e x t c a m e t h ro u g h at

6 : 5 8 a.m

. Th e arm ed ro b b ery h ad b een rep o rt ed at 6 : 2 4 a.m

. Th e d e t e c t i v e t h en

l o o k ed t h ro u g h Nas h ’ s cal l l o g a n d w a s ab l e t o m at ch t h e n am e “ Red d i n g J ” t o t h e

5n u m

b er th at h ad s en t t h e t ex t m e s s a g e. 4 H e t h en ob t ai n ed th e cal l lo g s an d t ex t

m es s ag es fo r t h at n u m

b er o n t hat d ay

.

Th e St at e al s o i n t ro du ced t h e t es ti m o n y o f an ex pert o n cri m i n al s t reet g an g s

wh o ex p lai n ed t h e v ari o u s cri t er i a t h at l aw en fo rcem en t u s e t o d et erm in e wh et h er

s o m eo n e i s a m em

b er o f a g an g

. He t es t i fi ed t h at a g an g cal l ed “ 3 0 Deep ” was fo rm ed

i n 2 0 0 4 i n t h e M ech an i cs v i l l e n ei g h b o rh o o d i n s o u t h w es t At l an t a as a Bl o o d s “ s et

. ” 5

It s m em b ers h av e co m

m i tt ed a l arg e n u m

b er o f cri m es

, b o t h i n an d o u t s i d e t h ei r

co m m u n it y

, i n cl u d i n g arm ed ro b b eri es

, car th eft s

, carjack i ng s

, an d v i ol en t as s au l t s

.

An o t h er gro up cal l ed “ Go o d fel l az” b eg an i n t he pri s on s y s t em i n th e earl y 2 0 0 0 s

.

Al t h o u g h t h at g ro u p d en i es t hat i t i s a t rad i t i o n al g an g

, i t is s t ru ct ured aft er a “ m o b

s t y l e” cri m i nal o rg an i zat i o n to g en erat e m o ney th ro u gh cri m i nal act i v i t y

. Th e

fo u n di n g m em

b er o f Go o d fel l az was J a v o rri s Red di n g ’ s ol der b ro t h er, Geo rg e

Red di n g

, k n o wn as “ Keo n ,” wh o p o li c e b e l i e v e was al s o t h e l ead er o f 3 0 Deep

.

Po l i ce d i s co vered t h at a nu m b er o f 3 0 Deep g an g m em b ers were al s o m em

bers o f t h e

Go o d fel l az.

4 H e al s o o b t ai ned t h e cal l l o g s an d t ex t m es s ag e s f o r t h e n u m

b er as s o ci at ed

wi t h “ Red d i n g J ” fo r t h at d ay

.

5 3 0 Deep i t s el f h as sev eral s ub s et s wi t h d i fferen t n am es

, in cl ud i ng Da Ro b b in

Cru e an d Yu n g Ro b b i n Crew.

6An o th er g an g i n v es t i gat o r ex p l ai n ed t h at i n t h e earl y p art o f 2 0 1 1

, s he h ad b een

i n v es t i g at i n g t h e s h o o ti n g o f a s t ar wi t n es s ju st p ri o r t o th e t ri al o f a k n o wn 3 0 Deep

m em b er, J o n at h an Red d i n g

. As p art o f h er effo rt s t o co l l ec t g an g in t el

, s h e

d o wn l o ad ed an d m ai n tai n ed a fi l e o f ph o to g rap h s an d v i d eo s o f k n o wn 3 0 Deep

m em b ers fro m o n li n e s o ci al m ed i a s i t es

, s ho wi n g v ari o u s g an g s i g ns

, n ick n am es

, an d

t erm i n o l o g y

. Sev eral o f t h es e p h o t o grap h s w ere ad m i t t ed i n t o ev id en ce at t ri al

,

i n cl u d i n g o n es t h at s h o wed J av o rri s Red d i n g an d k n o wn 3 0 D eep m em b ers h o l d i n g

u p g an g s i g n s

. Th e St at e al so ad m i t t ed a G o o d fel laz v i deo d ep i ct i n g

, am o n g o t h er

k n o wn gan g m em

b ers

, Geo rg e “ Keo n ” Red d i n g

, J o nat h o n Red d i n g (wh o was o n t ri al

fo r m u rd er at t h at t i m e), an d J av o rri s Red d in g weari n g a red b an dan a as s oci at ed wi th

t h e Bl o o d s g an g

.

As p art o f a s ep arat e i nv es t i g at i on

, p ol i ce h ad in i t i at ed t h ree wi re t ap s i n M arch

2 0 1 1 t o reco rd co nv ers at i on s b et ween m em b ers o f 3 0 Deep an d Go o dfel l az. Po l i ce

were ab le t o d et erm i n e t hat t wo o f t h e t el ep h on e n u m b ers b el o n g ed t o Red d i n g an d

t h at h e wen t b y t h e n ick n am e “ Mo b l i fe.” Co p i es o f th e reco rd i n g s were ad m i t t ed i n to

ev i d en ce, an d p o rt io n s o f t h e co n v ers at i on s bet ween Red di n g an d sev eral o t h er

k n o wn g an g m em

b ers w ere p lay ed fo r th e ju ry at t ri al

. M u l t i p l e reco rd i ng s i n cl u d ed

d i s cu s s i o n s ab ou t g et t i n g g u n s an d co m m it t in g v ari o u s cri m es , i n cl ud i n g ro b b ery

.

7W h i l e i n v es t i g at in g t h e arm ed ro bb ery rep o rt ed i n t h is cas e, a gan g ex p ert wi th

t h e At l an t a Po l i ce D ep art m en t d et erm i n ed t h at Red d i n g was a m em b er of b o t h 3 0

Deep an d Go o d fel l az. Th i s d et erm i nat i o n was b as ed

, i n p art

, o n t h e fact t h at Red d i n g

h ad p rev i o u s l y b een arres t ed al o n g wi t h o t h er k n own m em b ers o f 3 0 D e e p an d

en t ered a g u il t y p l ea o n p art i ci p at i o n i n a cri m i n al s t reet g an g

. In ad d it i o n

, Red d i n g

h ad s ev eral fai rl y p ro m i n en t t at t o o s i n d icat i n g g an g m em b e r s h i p

, m os t no t ab l y a

“ GF” t at t o o o n hi s t h ro at as s o c i a t ed wi t h t h e Go o dfel l az. Aft er Red d i n g was

co n vi ct ed , t h is ap p eal fo l l o wed

.

1

. In h i s fi rs t fi v e en u m erat i o n s o f erro r, Red d i n g ch al l en ges t he s uffi ci en cy o f

t h e ev i d e n c e

. W h en rev iewi n g t h e s u ffi ci en cy o f t h e ev i d en ce o n ap p eal

, we

d et erm i n e “ wh et h er a rat i o n al t ri er o f fact co u ld h av e fo u nd t h e d efen d an t g ui l t y

b ey o n d a reas o n ab l e d o ub t .” Th o ma s v. S t a t e

, 3 0 0 G a. 43 3

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

(2 0 1 7). In d o i n g s o , we d o n o t “ rewei g h ev i d en ce o r res o lv e co n fl i ct s i n t es t i m o n y ;

i n s t ead

, ev i d en ce i s rev i ewed i n a l i g h t m os t fav o rab l e t o t h e v erd i ct

, wi t h d eferen ce

t o t h e ju ry ’ s as s es s m en t of t h e wei g h t an d cred i b i l i t y o f t h e ev i d en ce.” (Ci t at i o n an d

p u n ct u at i o n o m it t ed .) Id

.

a. Red d i n g fi rs t as s ert s t h at t h e ev i d en ce w as i n su ffi ci en t t o p ro v e h i s

co n vi ct i o n fo r cri m in al s t reet g an g act i vi t y becau s e th e arm ed ro b b eri es ch arg ed in

8Co u n t s 2

, 3

, an d 4 were an “ i s ol at ed in ci d en t ,” an d t h e St at e fai l ed t o pro v e t h at t h e

arm ed ro b b eri es were l i nk ed wi t h g an g act i v it y

. 6 W e d i s ag ree.

Co u nt 1 o f t h e i nd i ct m en t ch arg ed Red d i n g wi t h t h e o ffen s e o f p art i ci p at i o n

i n cri m i nal s t reet g an g act i vi ty

fo r t h at s ai d a c c u s e d

. . . d i d u n l awfu l l y

, wh i l e as s o ci at ed wi t h th e

Bl o o d s

, a cri m i n al s t reet g an g

, co n du ct an d p art i ci p at e i n cri m i n al g an g

act i v i t y t hro ug h t h e co m m i s s io n o f c r i m e s o f v io l en ce an d weap o n

o ffen s es

, as en u m erat ed i n p arag rap h (1 ) (J ) of Co d e Sect io n 1 6 -1 5-3

,

t o wi t : A rm ed Ro b b ery ; Ag g rav at ed As s au l t w i t h a Dead l y weap o n ;

Po s s es s i o n o f a Fi rearm Du ri n g th e Co m m i ss i o n o f a Fel o n y ; Po ss es s i o n

o f a Fi rearm b y a Co n v i ct ed Fel on

, as s et fo rt h i n Co u n ts 2 t h ro u g h 7 o f

t h i s In d ict m en t

. . .

T o p ro v e t h at Red d i ng v i o l at ed OCGA § 1 6 -1 5 -4

, t h e St at e was req u i red t o s h o w

t h ree t hi n g s :

(1 ) t h at [h e was ]

, in fact

, as s o ci at ed wi t h a c r i m i n al g an g

, (2 ) t h at [h e]

co m m i t t ed a p red i cat e act o f cri m in al gan g act i v i t y

, n a m e l y [arm ed

ro b b ery

, ag g rav at ed as s au l t wi t h a d ead l y weap o n

, an d po s ses s i o n o f a

6 OCGA § 1 6-1 5 -4 (a) p ro v id es t h a t “ [i ] t s h al l b e un l awfu l fo r an y p ers o n

em pl o y ed b y o r as so ci at ed wi t h a cri m i n al st reet g an g t o co n d uct o r p art i ci p at e in

cri m i n a l g an g act i v it y t h ro ug h t h e co m m i s si o n o f an y o ffen s e en u m erat ed in

p arag rap h (1 ) o f Co d e Sect i o n 1 6 -1 5 -3 .” Pert i n en t l y

, O CGA § 1 6 -1 5 -3 (1 ) (J )

i n cl u d es “ [a] n y cri m i n al o ffen s e

. . . th at i n v o lv es v i o l en ce, p o s s es s i o n of a weap o n,

o r u s e o f a weap o n , wh et h er d es i g n at ed as a fel o n y o r n o t . . . .”

9fi rearm du ri n g t h e co m m i s s i o n o f a fel o n y ]

, an d (3 ) t hat t he co m m i s s i o n

o f t h e p red i cat e act was i n t en d ed t o fu rt h er t h e i nt eres t s o f t h e cri m i nal

g an g

.

(Pu n ct u at i on o m i t t ed .) Za m u di o v. S t a t e

, 33 2 Ga. Ap p

. 3 7

, 3 9 -4 0 (2 ) (7 71 SE2 d 7 3 3 )

(2 0 1 5).

Here, t h e St at e p res en t ed ev i d en c e s h o wi n g t hat th e A t l an t a Po l i ce

Dep art m en t ’ s Gan g Un i t co n s i d ered Red d i n g a m em b er o f b o th 3 0 De ep an d

Go o d fel l az. Th i s d et erm i n at i o n was m ad e, in part

, b as ed o n ev id en ce t h at Red d i n g

d i s p l ay ed g an g si g ns al o n gs i de o t h er k n o wn gan g m em b ers

, wo re a red b an d an a to

rep res en t h i s as s o ci at i o n wi t h a g an g

, had a tat t o o o n h i s n eck a s s o c i at ed wi t h t h e

Go o d fel l az g an g

, an d h ad p rev io u s ly p l ead ed g u i lt y t o p art i ci p at i o n i n cri m i n al s t reet

g an g act iv i t y

.

In ad d i ti o n, t h e St at e p ro d u ced t el e p h o n e reco rd i n g s b et w een Red d i n g an d

o t h er g an g m em

b ers di s cu ss in g v i ol en t cri m es

, i n cl u di n g ro b b ery an d as s au l t

. An d

fi nal ly

, g an g i n v es t ig at o rs t es t i fi ed t hat 3 0 Deep an d Go od fel l az are k no wn fo r

c o m m i tt i n g arm ed ro b b eri es an d car t h eft s an d t hat G o o dfel l az was o rg an i z e d t o

g en erat e m o n ey t h ro u g h cri m i n al act i v i t y

. Sp eci fi cal l y

, i n t h i s cas e, s h or t l y aft er

co m m i tt i n g th e arm ed ro b beri es

, Red d i n g t ex ted Nas h

, o fferi n g t o s el l t h e t y p e o f

10wh eel s o n Cu l b reat h ’ s s t o l en Cam aro

. Th i s ev i d en ce w as s u ffi ci en t t o au t h o ri ze t h e

j u r y t o fi n d Red d i n g g u i l t y bey o n d a reas o n ab l e do u b t o f p art i ci pat i on i n cri m i n a l

s t reet g an g act i v i ty

. See S t r i p l in g v. S ta t e

, 3 0 4 Ga. 13 1

, 1 3 4 (1 ) (b ) (8 1 6 SE2 d 6 6 3 )

(2 0 1 8).

b

. Re d d i n g n ex t as sert s t h at t h e ev i d en ce was i n s u ffi ci en t t o s us t ai n h i s

co n vi ct i o n s fo r Co u n t 2 (arm ed ro b b ery o f Cu l breat h), Co u n t 3 (arm ed ro b b ery o f

St ewart ) an d Co u nt 6 (p o ss es s i o n o f a weap o n d u ri n g t h e co m m is si o n of a fel o n y ). 7

Acco rd in g t o Red d i n g

, t h i s cas e b o i l s d o wn t o St ewart ’ s i d en t i fi cat i o n

, an d b ecau s e

St ewart m ad e h is i n i t i al i d en ti fi cat i o n wh i l e Red d i n g was in cu s t o d y d u ri n g an

“ i m p ro m p t u sh o w u p ,” an y s u b s eq u en t i d en ti fi cat i o n s were t ai nt ed

, i n cl u d i n g h i s

i d en t i fi cat i o n o f Red d i n g fro m a p h ot o l in eu p an d i n -co u rt i den t i fi cat i o n at t ri al

.

W e f i r s t n o t e th at St ewart ’ s i d en t i fi cat i on w as n o t t h e o n l y ev id en ce ag ai n s t

Red di n g

. M o reo v er, t h ere i s n o ev i d en c e o f a po l i ce-i n i t i at ed sh o w u p

. Th e reco rd

7 “ A pers o n co m

m it s t h e o ffen se o f arm ed ro b b ery wh en

, wi t h i n t en t t o co m m i t

t h eft

, h e o r s he tak es pro pert y of an ot h er fro m t h e p ers o n o r t h e i m m ed i at e pres en ce

o f an o t h er b y u s e o f an offen s i v e weap o n

, o r an y rep l i ca, art i cl e, o r d ev ice h av i n g t h e

ap p earan ce o f s u ch w eap o n .” OCGA § 1 6 -8 -4 1 (a). An d u n der Geo rg i a l aw, i t i s al s o

a cri m e fo r “ [a] ny p ers o n [t o ] h av e o n o r wi t h i n arm ’ s reach o f hi s o r h er p ers o n a

fi rearm . . . d u ri n g t h e co m

m i s s i o n o f, o r at t em

p t t o co m m i t

. . . [a] n y

cri m e ag ai n s t

o r i nv o l v i n g t h e p ers o n of an o t h er

. . . a n d w h i c h cri m e i s a fel o n y .” O CGA §

1 6 -1 1-1 06 (b ) (1 ).

11s h o ws t h at St ewart an d Cu l b reat h were at t h e s cen e o f t h ei r own acco rd an d h ap p en ed

t o s ee po l i ce p lace Red d in g i n cu s t o d y

. St ewart reco g n i zed Red d i ng at t hat t i m e an d

v o l u n t eered t h i s i n fo rm at i o n t o t h e p o l i ce. W here “ [ t ]h e r e i s n o i n d i cat i o n o f

s u g g es t i v e p ol ice act iv i t y o f an y ki n d i n t h e i den t i fi cat i o n [,] ” t h e i s s u e b eco m es t h e

cred i b i l i t y o f t he ey ewi t n es s to b e d et erm i n ed b y t h e t ri er o f fact

. Lyo n s v. S t a t e

, 2 4 7

Ga. 4 6 5

, 4 6 7 (2 7 7 SE2 d 2 4 4 ) (1 9 81 ) (“ Th e d u e p ro ces s p ro t ect i on o f t h e Fo u rt een th

Am en d m en t t o t h e Un i ted St at es Co n s t i tu t i o n p ro tect s t h e ci t i zen s ag ai n s t s t at e act i o n

rat h er t h an ag ai ns t ci t i zen act i o n

. In o rd er f o r t h e Fo u rt een t h Am en d m en t t o co m e

i n t o p l ay i n an i d en t i f

i c a t i o n p ro ced u re, s tat e act i o n m u s t b e i n vo l ved .”) (ci t at i o n

o m it t ed ). See al s o Ga n d

y v

. S t a t e

, 2 9 0 Ga. 1 6 6

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

(wh ere t h ere was n o ev i d en ce t h at p ol i ce o r ot h er s tat e a c t o rs were i n v o lv ed wi th

s u g g es t i n g i den t i fi cat i o n, i t i s an i s s u e o f ey ewi t n es s cred i b i l i t y

, wh i ch t h e ju ry was

ab l e t o as s es s wh en t h e wi t nes s t es t i fi ed at t ri al ).

In ad d i t i o n

, ev en i f St ewart ’ s in i ti al id en t i fi cat io n were t h e res u l t o f

i m p erm i s s i b ly s u g g es t i v e p ol i ce co nd u ct

, i t wo u ld n o t n e ces s ari l y ren d er h i s

s u b s eq u en t i d en t i fi cat i on s i n ad m i s s ab l e. 8 See Es co ber v. St a te

, 2 79 Ga. 7 2 7

, 7 2 9 (2 )

8 W e l i k ewi s e reject Red d i n g ’ s at tem pt to q ues t i o n t h e v er a ci t y o f St ewart ’ s

i d en t i fi cat i o n

. “ [I] t i s th e j u ry ’ s ro l e t o res ol v e co n fl ict s i n t he ev i d en ce a n d t h e

cred i b i l i t y o f wi t n es ses .” (Ci t at i o n o m i t t ed .) T o l b er t v. St at e

, 2 8 2 Ga. 25 4

, 2 5 6 (1 )

12(6 2 0 SE2 d 8 1 2 ) (2 0 05 ) (“ i f an o ut -o f-co u rt i den ti fi cat i o n i s i m pe r m issibly su g g es t i ve,

an i n -co u rt id en t i fi cat i on i s ad m i s s i b l e i f i t d o es no t d ep en d u p o n t h e p ri o r

i d e nt i fi cat i o n

, b u t has an i nd ep en d en t o ri g i n ”) (ci t at i o n an d pu n ct uat i o n o m i t t ed ).

St ewart s aw Red di n g s tan d i n g o v er Cu l b reat h i n t h e ho t el ro o m fro m a cl o s e d i s t an ce,

wh i ch was an i n d ep en d en t b as i s fo r i d en t i fy in g Red d i n g

.

Acco rd i ng l y

, b ecau s e t he t ri al co u rt pro p erl y p erm i t t ed S t e w a rt t o i d en t i fy

Red di n g

, co u p l ed wi th o t h er ev i d en ce at t ri al

, i n cl u d i n g Red d i n g’ s t ex t m es s ag e to

Nas h an d t he reco v ery

o f t wo g u n s fro m

t h e car i n wh i ch Red di n g was s t op p ed , we

fi nd th at t h e ev i d en ce was su ffi ci en t fo r t h e ju ry t o co n v i ct Red d i n g fo r t h e arm ed

ro b b ery o f Cu l breat h an d St ewart an d po s s es si on o f a fi rearm d u ri ng t h e co m m i s s i o n

o f a fel on y

.

c. Red d i n g s ep arat el y as s ert s t h at t h e ev i d en ce was i n s u ffi ci en t to s up p o rt h i s

co n vi ct i o n fo r t he arm ed ro b bery o f J ack s on b ecau se J ack s o n t es t ifi ed t h at s h e was

as l eep u n t i l St ewart wo k e h er u p t o t el l h er t hat t h ey ju s t g o t ro b b ed . Ho wev er, o n e

o f t h e res p o n d i n g o ffi cers t es t ifi ed th at wh i l e Jack s o n i n i t ial l y sai d t h at sh e d i d n ot

s ee an y t h i n g

, s h e l at er s ai d t h a t s h e h ad b een w o k en up b y St ewart as t h e arm ed

ro b b ery was hap p en i n g

. Cu lb reat h al s o tes t i fi ed t h at wh i l e o n e o f t h e m en was

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

13h o l d i n g h i m d o wn

, t h e o t h er m an wen t t o t h e o t h er b ed wh ere St ewart an d J ack so n

h ad b een s l eep i ng an d w o ke t h em u p

. Cu l b reat h ex p l ai n ed t h at i f an y o n e co u l d h av e

g o t t en a l o o k at th e m en

, i t wo u l d h av e b een St ewart an d J ack s o n

. Al t h ou g h t h e

ev i d en ce was co n fl i ct i n g as t o w h e t h e r J ack s o n was awak e du ri n g t h e ro b bery

, t h e

ju ry is t as k ed wi t h res ol v i n g su ch co n fl i ct s

. 9 “ [T] h e fact t h at th e ju r y r e s o l v ed t h e

co n fl i ct s i n t h e ev i d en ce o r cred i b i l i t y of t h e wi t n es s es ad v ers el y t o [Red d i n g ] d o es

n o t ren d er t h e ev i d en ce in su ffi ci en t .” Ja cks o n v. S t a t e

, 3 0 6 Ga. 7 0 6

, 7 08 (1 ) (a) (8 3 2

SE2 d 8 09 ) ( 2 0 1 9 ). See al s o E s p r i t v. S t a t e

, 3 0 5 Ga. 4 2 9, 4 3 7 (8 2 6 SE2 d 7) (2 0 1 9 )

(u n d er o l d an d cu rren t Ev i d en ce Co d es

, “ a p ri o r i n co n s i s t en t s tat em en t of a wi t n es s

wh o t ak es t h e s t an d an d i s s u b ject t o cro s s -ex am i n at i o n i s ad m is s i b l e as s u b s t an t i v e

ev i d en ce, an d i s n o t l i m i t ed i n v al u e o n l y t o i m peach m en t p u r p o s e s ”) (p u n ct u at i o n

o m it t ed ). Acco rd i ng l y , t h i s en u m erat i o n o f erro r i s wi t ho u t m eri t

.

2

. Red d i n g n ex t as s ert s t h a t t h e t ri al co urt erred i n d en y i ng h i s m o t i o n to

s u p p res s

. W h en rev i ewi n g a t ri al co u r t ’s r u l i n g o n a m o t i o n to s u p p res s

, we are

g u i d ed b y t h ree fu n d am en t al p ri n ci p l es :

9 P ecu li arl y

, t he St at e arg u es t h at t h ere was n o ev id en ce t h at J ack s o n w a s

awak e du ri n g t h e ro b b ery ev en t h o u gh Cu l b reat h an d an o ffi cer tes t ifi ed t h at s h e was

wo k en u p.

14Fi rs t

, wh en a m o t i o n t o s u p p r e s s i s h eard b y t h e t ri al ju dg e, t h at j u d ge

s i ts as t he t ri er o f fact

. Th e t ri al ju d g e hears t h e ev id e n c e

, a n d h i s

fi nd in g s b as ed u p o n co n fl i ct i n g ev i d en ce are an al o g o u s to t h e verd i ct o f

a ju ry an d sh o u l d n o t b e d i s t u r b e d b y a rev i ewi n g co urt i f t h ere i s an y

ev i d en ce t o s up p o rt t h em

. Seco n d, th e t ri al co u rt ’ s d eci s i o n w i t h reg ard

t o q u es t i o n s o f fact an d cred i b i l it y m us t b e accep t ed u n l es s cl earl y

erro n eo us

. Th i rd

, t h e rev i ewi n g co u rt m u s t co n s t ru e t h e ev id en ce m o s t

fav o rab ly t o t h e u p h o l d i ng o f t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s fi n d i n g s an d ju d g m en t

.

(Ci t at i o n s an d p u n ct uat i o n o m it t ed .) Ph il l ip s v. S t a te

, 3 3 8 Ga. Ap p. 2 3 1, 2 3 1 (7 8 9

SE2 d 4 2 1) (2 0 1 6).

So v i ewed

, t h e ev i d en ce p res en t ed at t h e m o t i on t o s u p p res s h eari n g s h o wed

t h at o n t h e d ay o f t h e arm ed ro b b ery

, an At l an t a Po l i ce Dep art m en t o ffi cer recei v ed

a c a l l t h at a st o l en

, d ark -co l o red Cam aro had b een lo cat ed n ear s om e l o ft s o n

M et ro p o l i t an Park way an d t hat t h ere was a m an “ t r y i n g t o s el l t h e ri m s off o f h i s

v eh icl e t o s o m e o th er g u y s i n a wh i t e Ch arg er wi t h Al ab am a t ag s .” W h en t he o ffi cer

arri v ed at t he l o cat i o n , h e s aw a d ark Cam aro i n o n e o f t h e p ark i ng s p aces n ex t t o a

wh i te Do d ge Ch arg er w i t h Al ab am a t ag s

. Th e m an i n t h e d ri v er’ s s eat o f t h e Cam aro

,

wh o h ad been s p eak i n g to t wo m en s t an d i n g n ex t t o t h e Ch arg er, to o k o ff ru n n i n g as

s o o n as h e s aw t h e o ffi cer p ul l up

. Th e o ffi cer t ri ed t o ap preh en d th at in d i v i du al

, b ut

h e s l i p p ed t h ro u g h a sl i d i n g fen ce as i t was cl o s in g an d h e w as u n ab l e t o p u rs u e h i m

.

15Th e o th er m en g o t i n t he Ch arg er an d b eg an t o d ri v e o u t o f t he co m p l ex

. Becau s e t h e

v eh icl es h e l o cat ed perfect l y m at ch ed t h e d es cri p ti on g i v en b y t h e cal l er, t h e o ffi cer

f o l l o wed t h e Ch arg er an d i n i t i at ed a s t op t o id en t i fy th e o ccu pan t s an d i n ves t i g at e

wh et h er t h ey k n ew t h at t h e ri m s h ad b een s to l en

.

W h en h e ap pr oa c he d the v eh i cl e, h e i m m ed i at el y s m el l ed a “ p ret t y s tro n g s m el l

o f m ari j u an a, fres h m ari

j u an a co m i n g fro m i n s i d e t h e car.” Th e d ri v er, i d en t i fi ed as

J o rg e An d rews

, i m

m ed i at el y s ai d

, “ M an

, I ai n ’ t g o i ng t o li e, I d o n ’ t hav e a l i cen s e.”

Th e p as s en g er, Red di n g

, d i d h av e a l icen s e, an d t h e o ffi cer ran a s earch o n b o t h m en

.

He d i s co v ered t h at Jo rg e A n d rews h ad a s u s pen d ed l i cen s e an d t h at Red d i n g h ad an

o u t s t an d i n g arres t warran t fo r d o m es t i c v i ol en ce. Th e o ffi cer p l aced b o th m en u n d er

arres t an d co n d u ct ed an i n v en t o ry search o f t h e v eh i cl e, wh i ch h e h ad learn ed was a

ren t al car. H e l o cat ed a s m al l b ag g y o f fres h m ari ju an a b et ween t h e pas s en ger fro nt

s eat an d t h e s i d e co n s o l e an d t wo fi rearm s u n d er t h e b ack b en ch s eat

.

In i t s ord er den y in g t h e m o t i o n to su p pres s

, t h e tr i a l c o u r t fo u nd t h at

, at t h e

l o cat io n i d en t ifi ed b y t he v i ct i m

, t h e o ffi cer o bs erv ed t w o veh i cl es m at ch i n g t h e

v i ct i m ’ s d es cri p ti o n

, at wh i ch t i m e t h e o ccu p an t o f th e s to l en v eh i cl e ju m p ed o u t an d

fl ed o n fo o t an d t h e t wo m en h e h ad b een s peak i n g t o en t ered t h e Ch arg er an d d ro v e

away

. Th u s

, t h e t ri al co u rt co n cl u d ed t h at t h e res p o n d in g o ffi cer had “ s p eci fi c an d

16art i cu l ab l e fact s s u ffi ci en t t o g i v e ri s e t o a reas o n ab l e s u sp i ci o n o f cri m i n al co n d u ct

a n d, t h erefo re, t he s t op o f t h e ren t al v eh i cl e was l awfu l .” In ad d it io n

, t h e o f f i c e r ’s

s u b s e q u e n t search o f t h e v eh i cl e was p ro p er as an i n ven t o ry s earch aft er b o th

o ccu pan t s were t ak en i n t o cu s t o d y

.

“ An au t h o ri zed o ffi cer m ay s t o p an au t o m o b il e an d co nd u ct a l i m i t ed

i n v es t i g at i v e i n q u i ry o f it s occu p an t s

, w i t h o u t p ro b ab l e cau s e, if he h as reas o n ab l e

g ro u nd s fo r s uch act i o n

– a fo un d ed s u sp i ci on i s al l th at i s n eces s ary

, s o m e b as i s fro m

wh i ch th e co u rt can d et erm i n e t h at t h e d et en t i o n w a s n ot arb i trary o r h aras s i n g.”

(Ci t at i o n an d p u n ct uat i o n o m it t ed .) La mb v

. S t a t e

, 2 6 9 Ga. Ap p

. 33 5

, 3 36 -3 7 (6 0 4

SE2 d 2 0 7 ) (2 0 0 4 ). “ T h e p ri m ary m ean s b y wh i ch o ffi cers acq u i r e r e a s o n ab l e

s u s p i ci o n o f cri m in al wro n gd o i n g i s p ers on al o b s erv at i o n

, b u t i n fo rm at i o n acq u i red

fro m an i n fo rm an t m ay fo rm t h e b as i s fo r reas o n ab l e s us p ici o n i f t h e i n f o rm at i o n

ex h ib i t s a s u ffi ci en t in d i c i a o f r el i ab i l i t y .” (Ci t at i o n o m i tt ed .) G r a n d b er r y v. S t a t e

,

2 8 9 Ga. Ap p

. 5 3 4

, 5 3 6 (1 ) (6 5 8 SE2 d 1 6 1 ) (2 0 0 8 ). In fo rm at i o n pro v i d ed b y an

i d en t i fi ed cri m e v i ct im i s pres u m ed t o b e rel i ab l e. T h u s

, “ [p ] o l i ce are en t i t l ed to

as s u m e t he v eraci t y of t h e al l eg ed v i ct i m o r wi t n e s s ab s en t s p eci al ci rcu m s t an ces

wh i ch s h o u l d p u t t h em

o n g u ard .” (Ci t at i on an d p u nct u at i o n o m i t t ed .) Id

.

17Here, t h e o ffi cer h ad recei v ed i n fo rm at i o n fro m t h e v i ct i m o f a cri m e an d was

ab l e to l o cat e v eh i cl es p erfect l y m at ch i n g t h o se d es cri b ed b y t h e v i c t i m i n t h e

l o cat io n p ro v i ded

. Th i s was s u ffi ci en t ju s t i fi cat io n fo r a b ri ef i n v es t i g at o ry s t o p

. See

La mb

, 2 6 9 Ga. Ap p

. at 3 36

. W e al s o n o t e t h at t h e offi cer’ s s u b s eq u en t i n v en t o ry

s earch o f t h e v eh i cl e was reas o n ab l e. See Pi er ce v. S t at e

, 1 94 Ga. Ap p

. 4 8 1

, 4 8 1 -8 2

(1 ) (3 9 1 SE2 d 3 ) (1 9 90 ) (u p h o l d i n g i n v en t o ry s earch wh ere t h e d efen d an t

, wh o h ad

b een arres t ed f

o r d r i v i n g wi t h a s u s p en d ed l i cen s e, was t h e s o l e occu p an t o f an

o u t -o f-s tat e ren t al v eh i cl e). An d “ [e] v i d en ce d i s c o vered d uri n g s u ch an i n v en t o ry

s earch i s p ro p erl y s ei zed wi t h o u t a warran t a n d i s a d m i s s i b l e i n t o ev i d en ce at a

s u b s eq u en t cri m i n al t ri al .” Gr i mes v. S t a t e

, 3 0 3 Ga. Ap p

. 8 08

, 8 1 2 (1 ) (b ) (6 9 5 SE2 d

2 9 4 ) (2 0 1 0 ). Acco rd i n g ly

, th e t ri al co u rt d i d n o t err i n d en y i n g Red d in g ’ s m o t i o n to

s u p p res s

.

3

. In h i s s ev en t h en um erat i o n o f erro r, Red d i ng m ai n t ai n s t h at t h e t ri al co u rt

erred i n ad m i tt i n g t h e Yo u Tu b e v i d eo an d o t her s o ci al m ed i a ex hi b i t s wi th o ut p ro p er

au t h en t i cat i o n

. “ Th e t ri al co u rt ’ s ru l i n g s o n t he ex cl u s i o n o r ad m i s s i o n o f ev i d en ce

are rev i ewed fo r a cl ear ab u s e o f d is cret i o n .” (Ci t at i o n an d p u n c t u a t i o n o m i t t ed .)

Ri g g s v. S t a t e , 3 0 6 Ga. 7 5 9

, 7 6 2 (2 ) (8 33 SE2 d 1 1 2) (2 01 9 ).

18Ou r Su p rem e Co u rt h as ex p l ai n ed t hat “ d o cu m en ts fro m el ect ro n i c s o u rces

s u c h a s t h e p ri n to u t s fro m a web s i t e l i k e My Sp ace are su b j ect to t h e sam e ru l es o f

a u th en t i cat i o n as o t h er m o re t rad i t i o n al d o cu m en tary ev id en ce an d m ay b e

au t h en t i cat ed th ro u gh ci rcu m s tan t i al ev i den ce.” (Ci tat i o n an d pu n ct uat i o n o m i t t ed .)

Bl a ckl ed g e v. S t at e

, 2 9 9 Ga. 3 8 5

, 3 90 -9 1 (4 ) (7 8 8 SE2 d 3 5 3 ) (2 0 16 ). See al so Co t t o n

v. S t a t e

, 2 9 7 Ga. 2 5 7, 2 6 0 (3 ) (7 7 3 SE2 d 24 2 ) (2 0 1 5 ) (n o t i n g t h a t ru l es fo r

au t h en t i cat i o n o f s o ci al m ed i a p o s ti n g s are u n ch an g ed fro m o l d Ev i d en ce Co d e).

Here, t h e i n v es t i g at o r ex p l ai ned h o w s h e l o cat ed t h e Yo uTu b e v i deo an d o t h er

s o ci al m ed i a p o s t i n g s th ro u g h a s earch us i n g kn o wn i n fo rm at i o n an d i den t i fi e d t h e

m at eri al s at t ri al as t h o s e s he h ad l o cat ed o n Yo uTu b e an d th at t h ey d ep i ct ed 3 0 Deep

a n d Go o d fel l az gan g m em bers

, i n cl u d i n g Red d i n g

, w h o m s h e reco g n i zed t h ro u g h

p ri o r i n v es ti g at i o n s

. T h i s was s u ffi ci en t to au th en t i cat e t h e s o ci a l m ed i a ex h i b i t s

. 1 0

Bl a ckl ed g e

, 2 9 9 Ga. at 3 9 1 ( 4 ) (l aw en fo rcem en t o ffi cer’ s t es t i m o n y t h at h e

d i s c o v e r e d M y Sp ace p ag es by u s i n g k n o wn i den t i fy i n g in fo rm at i o n an d t h at t h e

p ri n t ou t s o f th e p h o t o g r a p h s an d cap t i on s w ere an accu rat e rep res en t at i o n o f wh at

1 0 Al t h o u gh Red d i ng al s o ap p ears t o arg ue t h at t h e ex h i b it s w e r e m o re

p reju d i ci al t h an p ro b at i ve, t h e ev i den ce w as i n t ro d u ced so l el y t o s h o w t h at Red d i n g

was affi l i at ed w i t h a g an g an d was l arg el y cu m u l at i v e o f o th er ad m i s s i b l e ev i d en ce,

i n cl u d i n g Red di n g ’ s t at t o o s an d p ri o r g u i l t y p l ea t o cri m i n al g an g act i v it y

.

19was p o s t ed o n t h o s e p ag es was s u ffi ci en t to au t h en ti cat e t he p h o t o grap h s an d

cap t i on s ). Acco rd i n g l y , t h i s en u m erat i on o f erro r i s wi t h o u t m eri t.

4

. Red d i n g al s o as s ert s t h at t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n fai li n g to d ecl are a m i s t ri al

aft er Cu l b reat h t es t ifi ed t h at t h e g u n s sh o w n t o h i m were t h e g un s u sed i n t h e arm ed

ro b b ery

.

Th e reco rd s h o ws t h a t C u l b r e at h fi rs t tes t i fi ed t h at h e g o t a g o o d l o o k at t h e

g u n s u s ed d u ri n g t h e ro b bery an d s aw t h at t h ey were g ray an d b l ack Ru g ers

, an d o n e

o f t h em lo o k ed l i k e a

. 4 5

. Cu l b reat h al s o s t at ed t h at h e h ad p rev i ou s l y o wn ed a Ru g er

an d th at i s h o w he reco g n i zed t he g un s

. Red d i n g p o i n t s u s t o th e s u b s eq u en t

ex ch an g e o n d i rect ex am i n at io n :

Q: An d are t h os e t he s am e Ru g er h an d g un s

, as b es t y o u can t el l

, t hat

were u sed d u ri n g t h e co u rs e o f y o u r ro b b ery ?

A: Yes , s ir.

Q: Bey o n d t h e m ark i n g o n t h e b o x es an d t h e t ag s t h at are at t ach ed to th e

fi rearm s

, d o t h ey ap p ear t o b e i n t h e s am e co n d i t i o n t h at t h ey were i n at

t h e t i m e t h at t h ey

were u s ed ?

A: Yes , s ir.

20W h en t h e St at e m o v ed t o ad m i t t h e g u n s i n to ev i d en ce, Red d i n g o bject ed o n

t h e g ro u n d s t h at t h o s e t y p es o f g u n s are “ p ro d u ced i n t h e m i l l i o n s ” an d Cu l b reat h

co u ld n o t p o s s i b l y i d en t i fy t h e p reci s e gu n s u s ed in t h e r o b b e r y

. Th e t ri al co u rt

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

ject i o n an d g av e t h e fo ll o wi n g cu rat iv e i n s t ru ct i o n t o t h e ju ry :

. . . Th e co u rt h as m ad e a det erm i n at io n th at t h i s wi tn es s at th i s

p o i n t d o es n o t h av e t h e pro p er fo u n d at io n to s p eci fi cal l y i d en t i fy t hes e

weap o n s as t h o s e part i cu l ar weap o n s u sed in t h e al leg ed cri m e, t h erefo re

t h at tes t i m o n y th at t h es e i n d eed are t h o s e weap o n s are t o b e s t ri ck en an d

n o t co n s i d ered b y

y o u

.

Hi s t es t im o n y d es cri b i n g t h e g u n s b as ed o n h i s reco ll e c t i o n o f

wh at h e s aw i s ad m i ss ib l e an d y o u can co n si d er t h at

, b u t I’ v e ex cl u d ed

t h e ad m is s i o n

– or I’ ve ru l ed ag ai n s t ad m i t t i n g t h es e g u n s at t h i s p o i nt

.

S o t h e act u al i d en t i fi cat i o n b y t h e wi t n es s t h at t h es e i nd eed ar e t h o s e

g u n s s h ou l d b e s t ri ck en an d n o t co ns i d ered b y y o u as ev i d en ce.

Al t h ou g h Red d i n g n o w arg u es t hat t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n fai l i n g t o decl are a

m i s t ri al fo l l o w i n g Cu l b reat h ’ s i d en t ifi cat i on o f t h e h an dg u ns

, h e d i d n o t m o v e fo r a

m i s t ri al b el o w. No r di d h e ob ject aft er t he t ri al co u rt g a v e t h e c u rat i v e i n s t ru ct i o n,

wh i ch h e s peci fi cal l y as k ed t he t ri al co u rt t o g i v e. Red d in g h as t h erefo re w ai v ed t h i s

i s su e fo r rev i ew o n ap p eal

. See S mi t h v. S t a t e

, 2 9 7 Ga. 2 1 4

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

(2 0 1 5).

215

. L as t l y

, R e d d i n g as s ert s t h at h i s t ri al co u n s el was i n effect i ve fo r fai l i n g to

o b ject t o t h e St at e’ s cl o s i n g arg um en t wh en t h e St at e referred to fi rearm s t h at t h e t ri al

co u rt h ad p r e v io u s l y ru led wo u l d n o t b e ad m i t t ed i n t o ev i den ce. W e are n ot

p ers u ad ed

.

To p rev ai l o n h i s cl ai m o f i n effect i v e as si s t an ce, Red d i n g m u st p ro v e b o t h t h at

h i s t ri al co u n s el ’ s p erfo rm a n c e w a s p ro fes s io n al l y d efi ci en t an d t h at

, b u t fo r t h e

u n p ro fes s i o n al perfo rm an ce, t h ere i s a reas o n ab le p ro b ab i l i t y t h at t he ou t co m e o f t h e

p ro ceed in g wo u ld h av e b een di fferen t

. See S t r i ckl an d v. W a s hi n g t o n

, 4 6 6 U.S. 6 6 8,

6 8 7 (III) (1 0 4 SCt 2 0 5 2, 8 0 LE2 d 6 7 4 ) (1 9 84 ). To p ro v e d efi ci en t p erfo rm an ce,

Red di n g m

u s t s h ow t h at hi s t ri al co un s el “ act ed or fai l ed t o a c t i n a n o bject i v el y

u n reas o nab l e w ay

, co n s i d eri ng al l o f t h e ci rcu m s t an ces an d i n l i g h t o f p rev ai l i n g

p ro fes s i on al n o rm s .” Ha n ey v. S t a t e

, 3 0 5 Ga. 7 8 5

, 7 9 0 (2 ) (8 2 7 SE2 d 8 43 ) (2 0 1 9 ). To

p ro v e p reju d i ce, Red di n g m u s t “ s h o w t h at t h ere i s a reas o n ab l e p ro b ab i l i t y t h at

, b ut

fo r co u n s el ’ s u n p ro fes s i o n al erro rs

, t h e res u l t o f th e p ro ceed i ng wo u l d h a v e b een

d i fferen t. A reas o n ab l e p ro b ab i l i t y i s a p ro b ab i li t y suf f i c ien t t o un d erm i n e co n fi d en ce

i n th e ou t co m e.” S t ri ckl a n d

, 46 6 U.S. at 6 94 (III) (B). If an ap p el l an t fai ls t o s at i s fy

ei t h er part o f t h e S t r i ckl an d t es t

, we n eed n ot ex am i n e t h e o t h er p art

. See Ja co b s v.

S t a t e

, 3 0 6 Ga. 57 1, 57 3 (2 ) (8 3 2 S E 2 d 3 6 3 ) (2 0 1 9 ). In rev i ewi n g t h e t ri al co urt ’ s

22d eci s i o n

, “ we accep t t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s fact u al fi n d i n g s an d cred i bi l i t y d et erm i n at i on s

u n l es s cl earl y erro n eo u s, b u t we i n d ep en d en t ly ap p ly t h e l eg al p ri n ci p les t o t h e fact s .”

(Ci t at i o n an d p u n ct uat i o n o m i tt ed .) W ri g h t v. St a te

, 2 9 1 Ga. 8 6 9

, 8 7 0 (2 ) (7 3 4 SE2 d

8 7 6 ) (2 0 1 2 ).

Red d i n g fi r s t p o in ts u s t o t h e fo l l o wi n g st at em en t w i t hi n t h e St at e’ s i n i t i al

cl o s i ng arg u m en t :

Garret t Nas h

, wh o i s al s o fo u n d a t t h e s cen e wh ere t h ey pu l led

o v er t he cars , was fo u n d wi t h $ 4

, 5 0 0 i n cas h an d a t ex t m es s ag e i n h i s

p h o n e fro m a J

. Red d i ng

. An d h e al s o ad m i t s t o b ei n g at t h e scen e t o

p u rch as e t h e ri m s . An d rem em b er, t h at t ex t m es s ag e say s , I h av e t hes e

Fo rg i s fo r y ou

. An d we h av e ev i d en ce t h at t hey w ere Fo rg i at os t h at were

t h e ri m s t h at were o n M r. Cu l b reat h ’ s car.

W e al s o kn ow t h a t wi t h Ja vo r r is Red d i n g wh en h e’s a r res t ed wer e

t wo h a n d gu n s a n d t w o h a n d

g u n s t h a t wer e a l

s o u s ed i n t h e a r m ed

r o b b er y.

No w, w h at is p art i ci p at i o n i n a cri m i n al s t reet gan g act i v i t y ?

. . .

(Em p h as i s s u p p l i ed .) Red di n g al s o hi g hl i g h t s a s eco n d s tat em en t i n th e fi n al p art o f

t h e St at e’ s cl o s i ng :

An d I g ues s t h er e wa s s o met h i n g f i s hy a b o u t me a s ki n g h i m t o

i d en ti f y t h e g u n s. Ri g ht

. Di d n ’ t s ee t h e s e r i al n u m b er. W as n ’ t tak i n g

23d o wn n o t es wh en y o u ’ re b e i n g ro b b ed

, y o u k n o w. Bu t he i s fam i l i ar

wi t h Ru gers an d he i nd i cat ed t h at h e t h o ug h t i t was a .4 5

. We l l

, g u e s s

wh at cal ib er g un was fo u n d i n t h is Defen d an t ’ s car t h at h e was arres ted

i n . A .4 5 Ru g er, .4 5

.

A n d t h en co u n s el cro s s -ex am i n ed h i m an d i n d i cat ed th at

, wel l

,

co u l d i t hav e b een a n i n e. He s ai d

, wel l

, y eah

, i t co u l d h av e b een a n i n e.

Gu es s wh at o t h er cal i b er g u n was fo u nd i n t hi s Defen d an t ’ s v eh i cl e. A

9 m m Ru g er. T h at i s fact s t h at o t h erwi se co rro b o rat e h is t es ti m o n y

, t hat

o n t h e s am e day

– we’ re n o t t al k i n g ab o ut we e k s l a t e r. W e’ re t al k i n g

ab o u t h o u rs lat er h e i s arres t ed i n a car wi t h t wo h an d g u n s un d ern eat h

t h e b ack cu s h io n o f h i s s eat s

.

(Em p h as i s s u p p li ed .)

We fi rs t no t e t h at i t i s n o t cl ear, wh en read i n co n t ex t

, wh et h er t h e St a t e

act u al l y in t en d ed t o arg u e t h a t t h e t wo g u n s reco v ered at t h e t i m e Red d i n g was

arres t ed were t h e s am e t wo g u n s u s ed i n t h e arm ed ro b b ery

. Rat h er, i t ap p ears t h at t h e

St at e was i n v i t i n g t h e i n feren ce t h at b ecau se Cu l b reat h h ad d es cri b ed a 9 m m Ru g er

an d a .4 5 Ru g er as t h e w eap o n s u s ed d u ri ng t h e arm e d r o b b e r y a n d Red d i n g was

s h o rt l y t hereaft er fo u n d i n a v eh i cl e wi t h a 9 m m Ru g er an d a .4 5 Ru g er, t h i s was

ci rcu m s t an t i al ev i d en ce t h at Red d i n g was o n e o f t he m en wh o h ad p art i ci p at ed i n t h e

24arm ed ro b b ery

. A nd th e s eco n d s t at em en t was i n res p o n s e to an arg um en t m ad e by

d efen s e co u n s el

.

M o reo v er, “ [w] h et h er to o b ject t o a p art i cu l ar p art o f a p ro s ecu t or’ s cl o s i n g

arg u m en t i s a t act ical d eci s i on

, an d co u n s el ’ s d eci s i on no t t o m ak e an o b j ect i o n m u s t

b e pat en t l y u n reas o n ab l e t o ri s e t o t h e lev el o f d e f i c i e n t p erfo rm an ce.” (Ci t at i on s

o m it t ed .) Peo

p l es v. S t a t e

, 2 9 5 Ga. 4 4

, 6 0 (6 ) (7 5 7 SE2 d 6 4 6 ) (2 0 1 4). At th e n ew t ri al

h eari n g

, Red d i n g ’s t ri al co u n s el t es t i fi ed t h at h e co u l d n o t recal l th i s p art i cu l ar

cl o s i ng

, b u t t h at i t was g en eral l y h i s p ract i ce n o t t o o b ject d uri n g th e St at e’ s cl o s i n g

b ecau s e of t h e ri s k t h at o b ject i n g wo u l d “ draw[] at t en ti o n t o a s t at em en t t h at t h e ju ry

n i g h t n o t h av e ev en p u t t h at m u ch s t o ck in at th at p o i nt .” B a s e d o n t h e reco rd

, we

can n ot say t h at s u ch t ri al st rat eg y was p at en t ly u n reas o n ab l e. P eo p l es

, 2 9 5 Ga. at 6 1

(6 ).

Ju d g men t a f f i r med

. McFa d

d en

, C. J., a n d Sen i o r Ap

p el la t e Ju d

g e Her b er t E.

Ph i p ps co n cu r

.

25