FI RST DI VI SI ON

BA RNES, P. J.

, GOBEI L and PI PKI N, 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.

P le a s e r e fe r to the S upr e m e C our t of G e or gia Judic ia l

E m e r ge nc y Or de r o f M a r c h 1 4

, 2 0 2 0 for fur the r

infor m a tion a t (https ://w w w

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

M ay 5, 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 09 4 . THOM AS v . THE STATE.

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

Fo l l owi n g a ju ry t ri a l

, D arren Th o m as was co n v i ct ed i n Gwi n n et t Co u n t y

Su p eri o r Co u rt o f t wo co u n t s o f ag g rav at ed as s au l t an d a s i n g l e co u n t each o f arm ed

ro b b ery

, k i d n ap p i n g

, p os s es s io 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

, an d

en t eri n g an au t o m o b i l e wi t h i nt en t t o co m m i t t h eft

. T ho m as n o w ap p eal s fro m t h e

d en ial o f h i s m o t i o n fo r a n ew t ri al

, arg u i n g th at t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n d en y i n g h i s

m o ti o n t o s u p p res s t h e v i ct im ’ s o u t -o f-co u rt i d en ti fi cat io n o f h im as t h e p erp et rat o r.

Ad d i t i o n al l y

, Th o m as co n t en d s t h at d u ri n g t h e h eari n g o n h i s m o t i o n to s u p p res s

, t h e

t ri al co u rt v i ol at ed h i s ri g ht ag ai n s t co m p el led sel f-i n cri m i n at i o n

, as g u aran t eed by

t h e Geo rg i a Co n s t i t u t i o n

. Th o m as fu rt h er as s ert s th at t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n d en y i n gb o t h h is m o t i on fo r a di rect ed v erd i ct o n t h e ch arg e o f k i d n ap p in g an d h is m o t i o n fo r

a m is t ri al . Fo r reas o n s ex pl ai n ed m o re fu l l y b el o w , we fi n d n o erro r an d affi rm

.

“ On ap p eal fro m

a cri m in al co n v i ct i o n, t he d efen d an t i s n o l o n g er en t i t l ed to

a p res u m pt i o n o f in no cen ce an d we t h erefo re co n s t ru e t h e ev id en ce i n t h e l i g h t m o s t

fav o rab l e t o t h e ju ry ’ s g u i l ty v erd i ct .” (Ci t at i o n an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed .) Ma d d o x

v. S t a t e

, 3 4 6 Ga. Ap p

. 67 4

, 6 7 5 (8 1 6 SE2 d 79 6 ) (2 0 1 8 ). So v i ewed

, th e reco rd s h o ws

t h at i n t h e earl y m o rn i n g h o u rs o f Oct ob er 16

, 2 0 16

, th e v i ct i m

, a cab d ri v er, d ro v e a

p as s en g er t o an ap a r t m e n t co m p l ex i n G wi n n et t Co u n t y

. W h en t h ey arri v ed at t h e

co m p l ex

, t h e p as s en g er n eed ed t o ret ri ev e m o n ey fro m h i s ap art m en t to pay t h e fare.

Th e cab d ri v er fo l l o wed t h e p as s en g er t o h i s ap art m en t

, l eav i ng hi s cab u n l o ck ed an d

wi t h t h e m o to r ru nn i n g

. As he s t o o d ju s t o u t s i d e o f t h e p as s en g er’ s ap art m en t

, t h e

d ri v er t urn ed aro u n d t o ch eck o n h i s cab an d s aw a m an s t an d i n g n ex t t o a n ow-o p en

d o o r o f t h e v eh icl e. W h en t h e d ri v er ap p ro ach ed t h e m an an d as k ed w h at h e was

d o i n g

, th e m an res p on ded b y p o i n t in g a g u n at th e d r i v e r an d fo rci ng h i m t o wal k

b ack t o t h e p as sen g er’ s ap art m en t an d t h en i n t o t h e ap art m en t

. O n c e in s i d e t h e

ap art m en t

, t h e g u n m a n f ri s k ed t h e p as sen g er an d d em an d ed m o n ey fro m b o t h t h e

d ri v er an d p as s en g er. W hen t h e d ri v er res p on d ed t h at th ey h ad n o m o n ey

, t h e g u n m an

h i t h im i n t h e face wi th t h e we a p o n

, t o o k an i Ph o n e fro m t he dri v er, an d l eft t h e

2ap art m en t

. Sh o r t l y t h ereaft er, t h e d ri v er ret u rn ed to h i s cab an d d i sco v ered t h at h e

was m i ss i n g ap p ro x i m at el y $ 1 7 0 i n cas h

, wh i ch h ad b een i n th e cab wh en h e l eft i t

.

As h e was d ri v i n g o u t of t h e ap art m en t co m p l ex

, a car dri v en b y h i s as s ai l an t

p as s ed th e cab dri ver. Th e cab d ri v er fo l l o w ed t h e v eh i cl e an d

, wh i l e do i n g s o

, cal l ed

9 1 1

. Ev en t u al l y

, t he ro b ber l o s t co n t ro l o f h is veh i cl e an d cras h ed

, at wh i ch p o i n t h e

ab an do n ed t h e v eh i cl e an d fl ed o n fo o t

. Th e cab d ri v er wai t ed at t he s cen e fo r p o l i ce,

an d t h en rep o rt ed t h e ci rcu m s t an ces l ead i n g t o t h e acci den t

, in cl u d i n g t he r ob b ery an d

as s au l t

. In si d e o f t h e wreck ed v eh i cl e, t h e res p o n di n g o ffi cer l ocat ed a Sam s u n g

m o bi l e p ho n e t h at t h e cab d ri ver i d en t i fi ed as h av i n g b een t ak en fro m h is cab

.

A ch eck o f t h e l i cen s e p l at e o n t h e as sai l an t ’ s veh i cl e s h o wed th at th e car was

reg i s tered t o Th o m as

. Po l i ce i m p o u nd ed t h e c a r an d t h e cas e was as s i g n ed t o a

ro b b ery det ect i ve wi t h t h e Gwi n n et t Co u n t y Po l i ce Dep art m en t. Gi v e n t h at t h e

a s s ai l an t ’ s car was reg i s tered t o Th o m as

, t h e d et ect i v e p ut t o g et h er a ph o to g rap h i c

l i neu p o f s i x pi ct u res

, in cl u d i n g a m u g sh o t o f T ho m as th e o ffi cer p ul l ed fro m p o l i ce

fi les

. T h e c a b d ri v er was u n ab l e t o i d en t i fy an y o n e fro m t he i ni t i al ph o to g rap h i c

l i neu p

, i n wh i ch al l o f t h e p h o t o s were o f m en wi t h s h o rt h ai r. T h e d et ect i v e

s u b s eq u en t l y i n t erv i ewed t h e cab d ri ver an d l earn ed t h at h i s as s ai l an t h ad d read l o ck s

.

Fo l l o wi ng t h at in terv iew, th e d et ect iv e o b tai n ed a co py o f Th o m as ’ s d ri v ers l i cen s e

3p h o t o

, wh i ch sh o w ed h i m w it h d r e a d l o ck s

. Po li ce t h en p u t t o g et h er a s eco n d s i x

p h o t o l i n eu p

, feat uri n g Th o m as ’ s d ri v er’ s l i c e ns e p i ct u re. Fro m t h i s l i n eu p

, t h e

cab d ri v er i d en ti fi ed Th o m as wi t h 9 0 % cert ai nt y as h i s as s ai l an t

.

Fo l l owi n g th e p o l i ce i n v es t i g at i o n

, Th om as was i n d i ct ed i n M ay 2 0 1 7 fo r t h e

cri m es at i s s u e. 1 In Sep t em b er 2 0 17

, b efo re t h e cas e wen t t o t ri al

, p o l i ce s h o wed t h e

cab d ri v er a t h i rd p h o t o l i n e u p

. Th i s l in eu p ag ai n co n t ai n ed p i ct ures o f m en wi th

d read l o ck s

, b u t al l t h e p h o t og rap h s were i n co l or. Th o m as ’ s p h o t o

, w h i ch was

i d en t i cal t o t h e p h o t o i n t h e seco n d l i n eu p

, was t h e o n l y o ne rep eat ed fro m t h e s eco n d

l i neu p

. Ad d it i on al l y

, Th o m as ’ s p h o t o was t h e o n l y o n e t h at ap p eared in al l t h ree

l i neu p s

.

Pri o r t o t ri al

, Th o m as m o v ed t o s u pp res s t h e cab d ri v er’ s i d en t i fi cat io n o f h i m

i n t he s eco n d an d t h i rd p ho t o g rap h ic l i n eu ps

. Ad d i t i o nal l y

, g i v en w h at h e al l eg ed was

t h e i m p erm i s s ib ly

s u g ges t i ve n at u re o f t he s eco n d an d t h ird l i n eu p s , Th o m as as k ed

t h at t h e co u rt s u p p res s an y i n

- c o u rt i d en ti fi cat i o n of h i m b y t h e cab dri v er. At t h e

h eari n g o n t h e m o t i on t o s u p p res s

, th e St at e i n t ro d u ced t h e t h re e ph o to g rap h i c

1 Th e i nd ict m en t al s o ch arg ed T ho m as wi t h an ad d i t i o n al co u nt of arm ed

ro b b ery

, b as ed o n t h e al l eg at i o n t h at Th o m as h ad t ak en m o n ey fro m t h e p as s en g er.

By t he t i m e o f tri al h o wev er, th e p as s en ger h ad b een d ep o rt ed

, an d t he St at e t h erefo re

h ad n o t es t i m o n y to s u p po rt th i s ch ar g e

. A c c o rd i n g ly

, t h e t ri al co u rt g ran t ed a

d i rect ed v erd i ct i n fav o r o f Th om as o n t h i s co u n t o f t h e i n d i ct m en t

.

4l i neu p s

, as wel l as tes t i m o n y ex p l ai n i n g h o w t h e l i n eu p s were co n d u ct ed

. T h e St at e

al s o p res en t ed t h e t es t i m o n y of t h e cab d ri v er, wh o s t at ed t h at he g o t a cl ear v i ew o f

h i s as s ai l an t ’ s face at l eas t fo u r t i m es d u ri ng t h e in ci den t: wh en t h e d ri v er ap p ro ach ed

t h e as s ai l an t n ex t t o h i s cab ; i n t h e breezeway

, j u s t o u t s i d e t h e p as sen g er’ s ap art m en t ;

i n s i d e th e ap art m en t

, as t h e as s ai l an t fri s k ed t h e p as s en g er; an d i n s i de t h e ap art m en t

,

wh en t h e as s ai l an t faced t h e d ri v er an d s t ru ck h i m wi t h t he g u n

.

Th e cab d ri v er fu rt h er t es t i fi ed at t h e h eari n g t h at n ei t h er t h e p ark i n g l o t n o r t h e

l i vi n g ro om o f th e ap art m en t were wel l -l i t, b u t s t at ed t h at t h e breezeway was b ri g h t l y

l i t. Th u s , wh en t h e as s ai l an t l eft t h e ap art m en t d o or o p en , l i g ht fro m t h e b reezeway

i l lu m i n at ed t h e l i v i n g ro om

. W hen as k ed wh y h e co u l d n ot i d en ti fy a s u s p ect fro m t h e

fi rs t l i n eu p

, t h e cab d ri v er res po nd ed th at al l o f t h e i n d i v id ual s p i ct ured h ad s ho rt h ai r,

an d h e t h erefo re k new th at n o n e o f t h em was th e m a n w h o r o b b e d h im

. He al s o

ack n owl ed ged

, o n cro s s-ex am i n at i o n

, t h at h e d id n o t reco g n i ze Th o m as ’ s faci al

feat ures i n t h e fi rs t li n eu p

. Th e cab d ri v er fu rt h er t es ti fi ed t h at h e was ab l e t o i d en t i fy

Th o m as fro m t h e s eco n d li n eu p b ecau s e o f b o t h hi s h ai rs t y le an d h i s faci al feat u res

.

He i d en ti fi ed Th o m as wi t h 1 0 0 % cert ai n t y fro m t h e t h i rd l in eu p b ecau s e t h e co l o r

p h o t o g rap h s m ad e i d en t i fi cat i o n eas i er.

5Du ri n g t h e cab d ri v er’ s t es t i m o n y at th e h eari n g

, t h e t ri al co u rt as k ed Th o m as

t o st an d i n fro n t o f co u n s el tab l e s o t h e cab d ri ver co u ld o b s erv e T ho m as ’ s h ei g h t an d

build

. Th e tri al co urt o v erru led d efen se co un s el ’ s ob ject io n t o t hi s req u es t

, s t at i n g t ha t

req u i ri n g t he d efen d an t t o s t a n d w as n o t t h e eq u i v al en t o f req ui ri ng a d efen d an t to

t es t i fy ag ai n s t h i m s el f. Aft er Th om as s t o o d

, th e co u rt as ked t he c a b d r i v e r i f h e

reco g n ized Th o m as as h i s as s ai l an t

, an d th e cab d ri v er res p o n ded affi rm at i v el y

. W h en

t h e co u rt as k ed h o w h e was ab l e t o reco g n i ze T h o m as g i v en th at h e no w h ad s h o rt

h ai r, t h e cab dri v er s t at ed t h at h e reco g n i zed o n l y Th o m as ’ s face.

Aft er t h e h eari n g o n t h e m o t i o n t o s u p p r es s

, t h e tri al co u rt en t ered an o rd er

g ran t i n g T h o m as ’ s m o t i on i n p art an d den y i n g i t i n part

. Sp eci fi cal l y

, t he co u rt fo u n d

t h at t h e t h i rd p h o to g rap h i c l i neu p was i m p erm i s si b l y

s u gg es t iv e b ecau s e Th o m as ’ s

h ai rs ty l e ap p eared d i fferen t fro m t h e o th er s us p ect s p i ct ured , t he p h o t o ap peared t o

b e fram ed di fferen t ly

, an d th e p h o t o was t he o nl y o n e t o ap p e a r i n b o t h t h e s eco n d

an d th i rd l i n eu p s

. T h e co u rt co n cl u d ed

, h owev er, t h at b o t h t h e i d en t i fi cat i o n fro m t h e

s eco n d p h o t o g rap h i c l i n eu p an d t h e cab d ri v er’ s in -co urt i d en t i fi cat i o n o f Th o m as

wo u l d b e al l o wed

. In s u pp o rt o f t h i s ru l i n g

, t h e co u rt fo u n d t h at b ecau s e o f l i g h t i n g

an d s h ad i n g

, Th o m as ’ s faci al feat ures i n t h e fi rs t li n eu p w ere s o m ewh at d i s t o rt ed an d

t h e p i ct u re t h erefo re d i d n ot res em bl e t h e p h o t o o f Th o m as u s ed i n th e s eco n d l i n eu p.

6Th e t ri al co u rt fu rt h er found t ha t t h e cab d ri v er’ s i n -co u rt i d en t i fi cat i o n o f Th o m as h ad

an o ri g i n i n d ep en d en t o f t h e p h o t o grap h i c l i n eu p s

. Th e co u rt n o t ed t h at th e cab d ri v er

h ad t h e o pp o rt u n i ty t o o b s erv e Th o m as at cl o s e ran g e d u ri n g t h e i n ci d en t an d t h at t h e

cab d ri v er’ s t es t i m o ny dem o n s t rat ed t h at h e was “ co m p l et el y fo cu s ed o n [Th o m as ] ”

d u ri n g t h e i n ci d en t

.

At t ri al

, t h e St at e p res en t ed t h e t es t i m o n y o f th e cab dri v er as t o t he ro b b ery an d

s u b s eq u en t ev en t s

. Th e cab d ri v er al s o co n fi rm ed h i s i d en t i fi cat i o n of Th o m as i n t h e

s eco n d p h o t o l i n eu p an d h e ag ai n i d en t i fi ed Th o m as i n co u rt as h i s as s ai l an t

.

Ad d i t i o n al l y

, t wo d i fferen t p o l i ce o ffi cers t es t i fi ed as to h o w t he y i d e n t i fi ed t h e

as s ai lan t’ s car as b el o n g i n g t o Th o m as

.

Th e St at e al s o p res en t ed ev i d en ce t hat l a t e o n th e aft ern o on o f t h e i n ci d en t

,

Th o m as rep o rt ed t o t h e M ari et t a p o l i ce t h at h i s car h ad b een s t o l e n fro m a h o t el

p a r k i n g l o t i n M ari et t a. T h e fo l l o wi n g day

, a m an i den t i fy i ng h i m sel f as Th o m as

cal l ed t h e Gwi n net t Co u n t y Po l i ce Dep art m en t t o i nq u i re ab o u t h i s car. Acco rd i n g to

t h e p o l i ce o ffi cer w h o an s wered t h e cal l

, t h e m an s t at ed t h at h i s car h ad b een s t o l en

fro m M ari et t a an d t h at s o m e u n i d en t i fi ed p ers o n t o l d hi m t h e car co ul d b e reco v ered

fro m a G wi n n et t Co u n ty i m po u n d l o t

. T h e Gwi n n et t Co un t y det ect i ve i n v es t i g at i n g

t h e cas e, h o wev er, s tat ed t h at h e d i d n o t e n t e r t he car i n t o t he s t at e d at ab as e as

7reco v ered u n t i l “ wel l aft er” Th o m as ’ s p h o n e cal l t o t h e d ep art m en t. Gi v en t h i s fact

,

t h ere wo u l d b e n o w ay fo r an y o n e to l earn o f t h e al l eg ed l y s t ol en car’ s l ocat i o n o n

Oct o b er 1 7

.

Th e in ves ti g at i n g d et ect i v e t es t i fi ed t h at h e ap p li ed fo r an d o b t ai n ed a s earch

warran t fo r T h o m as ’ s c a r

. Wh en t h ey ex ecu t ed th e s earch warran t, p o l i ce fo u n d a

h an dg u n i n s i d e a co m

p art m en t o n t h e d ri v er’ s s i d e d o o r, a l o ad ed m ag azi n e fo r t h at

g u n , fo u r cel l ph o n es

, a co m p u t er t ab let , an d t wo l ap t o p co m p u ters . Th e p ro s ecu t o r

as k ed t he d et ect i v e i f p o l i ce were “ ab l e t o id en t i fy an y o f t h e p h o nes as b el on g i n g to

M r. Th o m as ? ” Th e offi cer res p o nd ed : “ I d i d a s earch warran t o n t h e p h o n es

. On e

p h o n e cam e b ack

–

o n ce t h e d o wn l o ad was d o n e, I was ab l e t o acces s t h e vi d eo s o f

t h e p h o ne, an d i t ap p ears t o h av e b el o n ged t o a H i s pan i c m al e. I di d n ’ t m ak e co n t act

wi t h th e p ers o n w h o

–

. . . .” A t t h at p o i n t

, t h e p ro s ecu t o r i n t erru p t ed t h e d et ect i v e an d

s ai d

, “ Let ’ s an s wer t h e q u es t io n . W ere y o u ab l e t o d et erm i n e wh et h er o r n o t an y o f

t h e p ho n es t h at y o u fo u n d i n t h e v eh icl e b el o n ged t o M r. Th o m as ? ” T h e o ffi cer

res p o n d ed

, “ No .”

Fo l l owi n g t h i s ex ch an g e, d efen s e co un s el m o v ed fo r a m is t ri al al l eg i n g t h at t h e

o ffi cer’ s t es t i m o n y i n d i cat ed t h e el ect ro n i c i t em s reco v ered fro m t h e car w ere s t o l en

p ro p ert y an d t h erefo re t h e St at e h ad im p erm i s s ib l y i n t ro du ced ev i d en ce o f Th o m as ’ s

8ch aract er. Th e tri al co u rt d en ied t h e m o t i o n, s t at i n g t h at i t w as fo r t h e j u ry t o i n t erp ret

t h e e v i d e n c e, an d t h at t he t es t i m o ny t h at n o n e o f t h e i t em s i n t h e car b el o n g ed t o

Th o m as co u l d s u p p o rt Th o m as ’ s cl ai m t h at t h e car h ad b een s to l en

.

At t h e cl o s e o f t he ev i d en ce, Th o m as m o v ed fo r a d i rect e d v e r d i c t o n t h e

ch arg e o f k i d nap p i n g

, arg u in g t h at t h e St at e h ad fai l ed to p ro v e t h e a s p o rt at i o n

el em en t o f t h at cri m e. Th e t ri al co u rt d en ied t hat m o t i o n

, an d t h e cas e w as s u b m i t t ed

t o t he ju ry

, wh ich fo u n d Th om as g u i lt y o f t he ch arg ed cri m es

. Th e t ri al co u rt en t ered

a ju d g m en t o f co n v ict i o n o n t h e ju ry ’ s v erd i ct

, an d Th om as t h ereaft er fi l ed a m o t i o n

fo r a n ew t ri al

. Fo l l o wi n g a h eari n g o n t h at m o ti o n, t he t ri al co u rt den i ed t h e s am e.

Th o m as n o w ap p eal s fro m t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s o rd er.

1

. Th o m as cl ai m s t h at t h e t ri al co u rt e r r e d i n d en y i n g hi s m o t i o n t o s u p p res s

t h e cab d ri v er’ s i d en t i fi cat i o n o f h i m as t h e p erp et rat o r. In rev i ewi n g t h e t ri al co urt ’ s

o rd er o n t h e m o t i o n t o s u p p res s, we m u s t v i ew t h e reco rd i n t h e l i g h t m o s t fav o rab l e

t o th e t ri al co u rt ’ s ru l i n g. Ca ff ee v. S t a t e , 3 0 3 Ga. 5 57 , 5 57 (8 1 4 SE2 d 3 8 6 ) (2 0 1 8 ).

Ad d i t i o n a l l y

, w e m

u s t accep t t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s fact u al fi n d in g s i f t h ey are s u p p o rt ed

b y an y ev i d en ce an d

, as a gen era l r u l e

, we m u s t l i m i t o ur “ co n si d erat i on o f t h e

d i s p u t ed fact s t o t h o s e ex p res s l y fo u n d b y t he t ri al co u rt

. ” Hu gh es v. S t a t e , 2 9 6 Ga.

7 4 4 , 7 4 6 (1 ) (7 7 0 SE2 d 6 36 ) (2 0 1 5 ).

9Here, Th o m as arg u es th at t h e tr ia l co u rt sh o u l d h av e s u p p res s ed t h e cab d ri v er’ s

i d en t i fi cat i o n o f h im in b o t h th e s eco n d p h o t o g rap h i c l in eu p an d in co u rt

. W e wi l l s et

as i d e a co n v ict i o n b as ed o n pret ri al i d en t i fi cat i o n b y p h o t o g rap h an d a su b seq u en t i n

co u rt i d en t i fi c a t i o n “ o nl y i f t h e p h o to g rap hi c i d en t i fi cat i o n p ro ced ure was s o

i m p erm i s s i b ly s u g g es t i v e as t o g i v e ri s e t o a v ery su b st an t i al l i kel i h o o d o f irrep arab l e

m i s i d en t i fi cat i o n .” (C ita

t ion a nd punc tua tion om itte d. ) W i l l i a m s v. S t at e

, 2 72 Ga. 8 2 8,

8 2 8 (2 ) (5 3 7 SE2 d 3 9 ) (2 0 0 0 ). “ An u n d u l y s u g g es t i v e i d en ti fi cat i o n p ro ced u re i s o n e

wh i ch l ead s t h e wi t n es s t o t h e v i rt u al l y i nev i t ab le i d en ti fi cat i o n o f t h e d efen d an t as

t h e perp et rat o r, an d i s eq ui val en t t o t h e au t h ori t ies t el l i ng t h e w i t n es s

, ‘ T h i s i s o u r

s u s p ect .’” ( C i t at i on an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i tt ed .) W il li a m s v. S t a t e

, 2 90 Ga. 5 3 3

, 5 3 5

-

5 3 6 ( 2 ) ( a ) (7 2 2 SE2 d 8 4 7 ) (2 0 1 2 ). An d “ [w] e n eed n ot co n s i d er t h e i s s u e o f

i rrep arab l e m i s i d en t ifi cat i o n u n l es s th e [p h ot o g rap h i c l i n e up ] i s i m p erm i s s i b l y

s u g g es t i v e.” H

a rr i s v. S t a t e , 3 32 Ga. Ap p . 7 8 9 , 7 9 1 (2 ) (7 7 5 SE2 d 1 6 5) (2 01 5 ).

(a) Th o m as arg u es th at t h e m et h o d u s ed i n t h e fi rs t an d s eco n d ph o to g rap h i c

l i neu p s was u n du ly s u gg es t i v e b ecau s e he was t h e o n l y i nd i v i d u al s h o w n i n b o th

line ups. G e or gia ’ s ap p el l at e co u rt s h av e h el d p rev io u s ly

, h o wev er, t h at “ [t ] h e fact t h at

[t he] d efen d an t’ s pi ct u re was t h e o n l y o n e t o ap p ear i n [t w o s ep arat e] p h o to s p read s

doe s no t d em o n st rat e t h at t h e s p read s were im perm is s i b l y [s u g g e s tive ]

. ” ( C ita tion a nd

10p u n ct u at i o n om i t t ed .) Cl a r k v. S t a t e

, 2 7 9 Ga. 24 3

, 2 4 5 (4 ) (6 1 1 SE2 d 3 8 ) (2 0 0 5 ). See

al s o D u d l ey v. S t a t e

, 17 9 Ga. Ap p

. 2 5 2

, 2 5 3 (1 ) (3 4 5 SE2 d 8 8 8 ) (1 9 8 6 ). An d “ [t ] h i s

i s es p eci al l y s o ” wh ere t wo di ffe r e nt p h o t o grap h s o f t h e d efen d an t were u sed

. Du d l ey

,

1 7 9 Ga. Ap p . at 2 53 (1 ).

In t h i s c a s e

, n o t o n l y w ere t wo d ifferen t p h o t o g rap h s o f Th o m as u s ed i n t h e

d i fferen t l i n eu p s , b u t t h e t ri al co u rt ex p res s l y fo u n d t hat t h e t wo p i ct u res b o re l i t t l e

res em b l an ce t o o n e an o th er. No t o n l y d i d Th o m as hav e d i fferen t hai rs t y l es i n each

p i c t u re b u t

, as t h e t ri al co u rt ex p l ai n ed

, th e bo t to m po rt i o n o f t h e p h o t o u s ed i n t h e

fi rs t l i n eu p was “ o b s cu red

, g i v in g n o d efi n i t i o n t o t h e l o wer o ut li n e o f t h e face o f t h e

p ers o n d is p l ay ed i n t h e p h o t o. Fu rt h erm o re t h e face o f t h e pers o n p o rt ray ed i s n ot

u n i fo rm i n i t s an gl e, fu rt h er[] d i s t o rt i n g t h e feat u res o f t h e p ers o n o n t h e ri g h t s i d e o f

t h e face an d l o wer p o rt i o n

. ” Bas ed u p o n o u r rev i ew o f t h e fi rs t an d s eco n d

p h o t o g rap h i c l i n eu ps

, wh i ch are i n cl u d ed i n th e ap pel l at e re c o rd

, we co n cl u d e t h at

t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s fi n d i n g s o n t h i s i s s u e are su p p ort ed b y t h e ev i d en ce. Acco rd i n g l y

,

“ t h e t ri al co u rt was au th ori zed to fi nd t h at t here w as n o i m p erm i s s i b l e

s u g g es t i v en es s ” in t h e s eco n d p h o t o g rap h i c l in eu p

. (Ci t at i o n an d pu n ct u at i o n

o m i t t e d

. ) Wi l l i a ms v. St a t e

, 2 7 5 Ga. 6 2 2, 6 2 3 (2 ) (5 7 1 SE2 d 3 8 5 ) (2 00 2 ). See al s o

Pa d il l a v. S t at e , 2 7 3 Ga. 5 5 3 , 5 5 4 (1 ) (5 4 4 SE2 d 1 4 7 ) (2 0 0 1 ).

11(b ) In fu rt her s u p po rt o f h i s arg u m en t t h at t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n d en y i n g h i s

m o ti o n t o s u p p res s, Th o m as rel i es o n t h e t ri al co urt ’ s fi n d i n g t h at t h e t h i rd

p h o t o g rap h i c l i n eu p w as im p erm i s s i b l y s u g g es t i v e. Gi ven th i s fi n di n g

, an d b ecau s e

t h e cab d ri v er s aw t h e t h i rd p h ot o g rap h i c li n eu p o n l y t h ree m o n t h s b efo re th e h eari n g

o n t h e m o t i o n t o s u pp res s

, Th o m as co n t en d s t h e t ri al co u rt erred wh en i t refu s ed t o

s u p p res s t h e cab d ri v er’ s i n -co urt i d en t i fi cat i on o f h i m . W e d i s ag ree.

As o u r Su p rem e Co u rt h as ex p l a i ned

, “ [e] v en i f a p ret ri al i d en ti fi cat i o n i s

t ai n t ed

, an i n -co u rt i den t i fi cat io n i s n o t co n s t i tu t i o n al l y i n ad m i s s i b l e i f i t d o es n ot

d ep en d u p o n t h e p ri o r i d en t i fi cat i o n b u t h as an i nd ep en d en t ori g i n .” (Ci t at i o n an d

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

ca nd r et t v. S t a t e

, 2 9 3 Ga. 6 0 2

, 6 0 3 (2 ) (7 48 SE2 d 8 6 1 ) (2 0 1 3 ).

Here

, t he t ri al co urt fo u n d t hat s u ch an i n d ep en d en t ori g i n ex i s ted

, cred i t i n g t h e

cab d ri v e r ’s tes t i m o n y t hat h e h ad t h e o pp o rt un i t y t o o bs erv e h i s as s ai l an t ’ s face

d u ri n g t h e i n ci d en t

. Ad d it i o n a l l y

, t h e co u rt n o t ed t h at t h e cab d ri v er h ad i d en t i fi ed

Th o m as wi t h 9 0% cert ai n t y i n t h e s eco n d p h o to l i n eu p

, w hi ch t o o k p l ace al m o s t o n e

y ear b efo re t h e t h i rd l in eu p

. I n l i g h t o f t h i s ev id en ce, we fi n d n o erro r i n t h e t ri al

co u rt ’ s co n cl u si o n t h at th e cab d ri v er’ s i n -co urt i d en ti fi cat i o n of T hom a s ha d a n o ri g in

i n d ep en den t o f t h e th i rd p h o t o l in eu p

. See S ca n d r et t

, 2 9 3 Ga. at 6 0 4 ( 2 ) ( a n

i n d ep en den t o ri g i n fo r i d en t i f i c a t i o n o f th e d efen d an t ex i s t ed wh ere t h e v i ct i m

12t es t i fi ed “ h e was i n cl o s e co n tact wi t h [t h e d efen d an t] fo r as l o ng as 10 m i n ut es

, t h at

h e g o t a go o d l o o k at [t h e d efen d an t ]

, an d t h at he wo u l d nev er fo rg et t h e face o f t h e

m an w h o s h o t h is fri en d”); Cl a r k v. S t a t e

, 1 6 6 Ga. Ap p

. 3 66

, 3 6 8 (2 ) (3 04 SE2 d 4 9 4 )

(1 9 8 3) (g i v en t he v ict i m ’ s t es t i m o n y reg ard i n g h i s o p po rt u n i ty t o o b s erv e t h e

d efen d an t at cl o s e ran g e, h is i d en ti fi cat io n o f t h e d efen d an t d i d n ot dep en d o n t h e

p h o t o g rap h i c l i n eu p , b u t i n st ead h ad an i n d ep en d en t o ri g i n ).

3

. T ho m as as s ert s t h at t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n o v erru l i n g h i s o b ject i on t o b ei n g

req u i red t o s t an d in fro n t o f co un s el t ab l e at t h e p ret ri al h eari n g so t hat t h e cab d ri v er

co u ld o b s erv e hi s h ei g h t a n d b u i l d

. Sp eci fi cal l y

, Th o m as p o i n t s to th e fact t h at t h e

t ri al co urt o v erru l ed t h e o b ject io n o n t he gro u n d s t h at req u i ri n g a d efen dan t t o s t an d

was n o n -t es t i m on ial

. Th e ri g h t ag ai n s t co m p el l ed s el f-i n c r i m i n at i o n g u aran t eed by

t h e Geo rg ia Co n s ti t u t i o n, 2 ho wev er, “ w a s l o n g ag o co n s tru ed t o

. . . co v er

i n cri m i nat i n g act s [as wel l as t es t i m o ny ] an d

, t hu s

, i s m ore ex t en s iv e t h an t h e

Su p rem e C o u rt o f t h e Un i t ed St at es ’ s i n terp ret at i on of t h e ri g h t ag ai ns t co m p el l ed

s el f-i n cri m i n at i o n g u aran t eed b y t h e Fi ft h Am en d m en t .” Ol evi k v. S t a t e

, 30 2 Ga. 2 2 8,

2 4 0 (2 ) (c) (i i ) (8 06 SE2 d 5 0 5 ) (2 0 1 7 ). Acco rd i n g l y

, Th o m as reas o n s t h at t h e Geo rg i a

2 Ga. Co n s t

. Art . I. Sec. I. Par. XVI (1 9 8 3 ).

13Co n s t i t u t i o n pro h ib i t ed th e t ri al co u rt fro m as k in g h i m t o st an d fo r o b s erv at i o n b y t h e

cab d ri v er.

As s u m i ng arg u en do t h at t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s ru l i n g v i o lat ed Th o m as ’ s ri g h t s u n d er

t h e Geo rg i a Co n s t i t u t i o n

, h o wev er, we co n cl u d e t h at t h e v i o l at i o n p ro v id es n o b as i s

fo r rev ers al

. Ev en an erro r of co n s t i t u t i o nal m ag n i t u d e m ay b e h arm l es s w h ere t h e

reco rd s h o ws “ b ey o n d a reas o n ab l e d ou b t th at t h e erro r d i d n o t co nt ri bu t e t o t h e

v erd i ct .” (Ci t at i o n an d p u nct u at i o n o m i t t ed

. ) McCo r d v. S t at e

, 30 5 Ga. 3 1 8

, 3 2 1 (2 )

(a) (8 25 SE2 d 12 2 ) (2 0 19 ). An d h ere, t h e reco rd sh o w s t h at ob s erv in g Th o m as wh i l e

h e was s t an d i n g d i d n o t co n tri b u t e t o t h e cab d ri v er’ s i d en ti fi cat i o n o f Th o m as as h i s

as s ai lan t. Aft er t h e t ri al co u rt had Th o m as s t a n d i n fro n t o f co un s el t ab l e, i t

q u es ti o n ed t he cab d ri v er as t o wh et her h e reco g n i zed Th om a s

. T he cab d ri v er

res p o n d ed th at h e reco g n i zed Th o m as ’ s face b u t t h at h e d id no t reco g n i ze “ an y t h i n g

el s e” ab o u t Th o m as o t h er t h an h i s face. Th u s

, t h e cab d ri v er’ s tes t i m o n y s h o wed t h at

h e d i d n o t re c o g n i z e T h o m as fro m ei t h er h i s h ei g h t or h i s b u i l d

. An y erro r in

req u i ri n g Th o m as t o s t an d

, t h erefo re, was h arm l es s. See McCo r d

, 30 5 G a. at 3 2 4 (2 )

(a) (i ).

144

. T h o m a s c o n t en ds th at t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n d en y i n g h i s m o t i o n fo r a

d i rect ed v erd i ct o f acq u it t al on t h e ch arg e o f k i d n ap p i n g. 3 “ Th e s t an d ard of rev i ew

fo r th e d en i al o f a m o t i on fo r d i rect ed v erd ict o f acq u i t t a l i s t h e s am e as t h at fo r

re v i e w i n g t h e s u ffi ci en cy o f t h e ev id en ce t o s u p p o rt a co n v i ct 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 .) Cr a wf o r d v. S t a t e

, 3 0 1 G a. Ap p

. 6 3 3

, 6 35 (1 ) (6 8 8 SE2 d 4 0 9 )

(2 0 0 9). A cco rd i n g l y

, p ro v i d ed t h e reco rd s h ows “ s o m e c o m p e t e n t ev id en ce, ev en

t h o u g h co n t rad i ct ed

, t o su p p ort each fact neces s ary ” to es tab l i s h t he cri m e o f

k i d n ap p i ng

, we wi l l affi rm t h e t h e ju ry ’ s v erd i ct

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

Id

.

Ki d n ap p i n g occu rs wh ere a p er s o n “ ab d uct s o r s t eal s away an o th er p ers o n

wi t h o u t l awfu l au t h o ri t y o r warran t an d ho l d s su ch o t h er pers o n ag ai n s t h i s o r h er

3 Th o m as d o es n ot co n tes t t h e l eg al su ffi ci en cy o f t h e ev i d en ce o f h i s g u i l t fo r

t h e cri m es o f arm ed ro bb ery , ag g rav at ed as s au l t , p o s s es s i o n o f a fi rearm d u ri n g t h e

co m m i s s io n o f a fel o n y

, an d en t eri n g an au t o m ob i l e w i t h i n t en t t o co m m i t t h eft

. Ho wev er, we h av e rev i ewed t h e reco rd an d co n cl u d e t h at t h e ev i d en ce p res en t ed at

t ri al au t ho ri zed th e ju ry t o fi n d Th o m as g ui l t y b e yo n d a reas o nab l e d o u b t o f t h o s e

cri m es

. See W

a d e v. S t a t e

, 3 0 5 Ga. Ap p

. 8 1 9

, 8 2 1 (7 0 1 SE2 d 2 1 4 ) (2 0 1 0 ) (“ [a] s l o n g

as t h ere i s s o m e co m

p et en t ev i den ce, ev en t h ou g h co n t rad i ct ed

, t o su p p o rt each fact

n eces s ar y t o m a k e o u t t he St at e’ s cas e, t h e ju ry ’ s v erd i ct wi l l b e u p h el d ”) (ci t at i o n

a n d p u n ct u at i o n o m i tt ed ). See al so O CGA § 1 6 -8 -4 1 (a) (d efi n i n g arm ed ro b b er y) ;

OCGA § 1 6 -5 -2 1 (a) (d efi n in g ag grav at ed as sau l t ); OCGA § 1 6-1 1 -1 0 6 (b ) (d efi n i n g

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 on y ); OCGA § 1 6

- 8

- 1 8

(d efi ni n g en t eri n g an au t o m o b il e wi t h i n t en t t o co m m i t t h eft ).

15wi l l .” OCGA § 1 6 -5 -4 0 (a). An d “ s l i gh t m o v em en t” o f an o t her i s s u ffi ci en t t o s at i s fy

t h e as p ort at i o n el em en t o f k i d n ap p i n g

, u nl es s t h at s l i g h t m o v em en t “ o ccu rs wh i l e in

t h e co m m i s s i o n o f an y o t he r o ffen s e

. . . i f su ch m o v em en t i s m erel y i n ci d en t al to

s u ch ot h er o ffen s e.” OCGA § 16 -5 -4 0 (b ) (1 ).

Here, T h o m as as s ert s t hat t h e ev i d en ce sh o wed t h a t t h e m o v em en t o f t h e

cab d ri v er fro m t h e p ark i n g l o t t o i ns i d e th e p as s en g er ’s ap art m en t was m erel y

i n ci d en t al t o t h e cri m e o f arm ed ro b b ery , an d t h erefo re t h e St at e fai l ed t o p ro v e t h e

as p o rt at io n el em en t o f k i d n ap p i n g

. W e d is ag ree. Un d er t h e k i d n a p pi n g s t at u t e,

“ [m ] ov em en t s h al l n o t b e co ns i d ered m erel y i n ci d en t al t o an ot h er o f f e n s e i f i t : (A)

[c] o nceal s o r i so l at es th e v i ct i m ; (B) [m ] ak es t h e co m m is s i o n o f t h e o t h er o ffen s e

s u b s t an t i al l y eas i er; (C) [l ] es s en s t h e ri s k of d et ect i o n : o r (D) [i ] s fo r th e p u rp o s e o f

av o id i n g ap p reh en s io n .” OCGA § 1 6 -5 -4 0 (b ) (2 ). In th i s cas e, th e ev i d en ce s h o wed

t h a t Th o m as fo rced t h e cab d ri v er at g u n po i n t t o m o v e fro m an o p en p ark i n g l o t

,

wh ere t h ey m i g h t h av e b een o b s erv ed b y pas s ers b y o r ot h er ap art m en t res i d en t s

, an d

i n t o an ap art m en t

. Th i s m ov em en t was n o t an i n heren t p art o f t he arm ed ro b b ery

, as

t h e ro b b ery co u l d h av e b een co m p l et ed i n t h e p ark i n g l o t

, n ex t t o th e v ict i m ’ s v eh i cl e.

M o reo v er, t h e m ov em en t o f t h e cab d ri v er i n t o t h e ap art m en t co n ceal e d h i m an d

l es s en ed t h e ri s k t h at t he ro bb ery wo u l d be d et ect ed

. Th u s, t h e m o v em en t o f t h e cab

16d ri v er al s o s erv ed t o m ak e t h e co m m i s s io n o f t h e arm ed ro b b ery s u b s tan t i al l y eas i er.

Th e ev i d en ce, t h erefo re, was s u ffi ci en t t o al l o w reas o nab l e ju ro rs to co n cl u d e t h at t h e

m o vem en t o f t h e vi ct i m was n o t i n ci d en t al t o t h e ro b b ery

. See Al exa nd er v. S t a t e

, 3 4 8

Ga. Ap p

. 8 5 9

, 8 6 5 (1 ) (b ) (8 2 5 SE2 d 4 0 5) (2 0 1 9 ) (m o v em en t o f v i ct im i n to b at h ro o m

o f ap art m en t was n o t i n c i d e n t al to th e cri m e o f ro b b ery

, as t h e p u rp o s e o f t h at

m o vem en t was t o i s o l at e o r co n ceal t h e v i ct i m an d m ak e co m m i s s i o n o f t h e ro b b ery

eas i er); Ta

yl o r v. S ta t e

, 3 4 4 Ga. Ap p

. 1 2 2

, 1 3 1-1 3 2 (1 ) (g ) (8 0 9 SE2 d 7 6) (2 0 1 7 )

(as p o rt at i o n el em en t o f k i d n ap p i n g s at i s fi ed b y ev i d e n c e s h o wi ng t h e vi ct i m was

m o ved away f

r o m th e d o orway an d i n t o an i n t eri o r ro om o f t he ap art m en t, t h ereb y

co n ceal i n g an d i s o l at i ng t h e v i ct i m , red u ci n g t h e l i k el i h o o d o f d et ect i o n d u ri n g t h e

ro b b ery

, an d en ab l i n g th e d efen d an t s t o co m pl et e t h e ro b bery ). Acco rd in g ly

, t h e t ri al

co u rt d i d n o t err i n d en y in g Th om as ’ s m o t i on fo r a di rect ed v erd ict o n t h e ch arg e o f

k i d n ap p i ng

.

5

. Fi n al ly

, Th o m as co n t en d s t h at t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n d en y in g h i s m o t i o n fo r

a m i s t ri al

. Sp eci fi cal l y

, Th o m as arg u es t hat t h e in v es ti g at i n g d et ect iv e’ s t es t i m o ny

t h at t h ere was n o ev i den ce t h at an y o f t h e ph o nes fo u nd i n Th o m as ’ s car b el o n g ed to

Th o m as

, i n d i cat ed th at Th o m as was i n p o ss es s i o n o f s t o len p ro p ert y

. Th u s

, Th o m as

cl ai m s t hat t h i s t es t i m o n y i m p erm i s s i b l y

p u t h i s ch aract er i n i s s u e.

17“ W h et her t o g ran t a m i s tri al b as ed o n [t h e in t ro d uct i o n o f] i m p ro p er ch aract er

ev i d en ce i s w i t hi n t h e d i s cret i o n o f t h e tri al ju d g e.” Cu yl er v. S t a t e

, 3 4 4 Ga. Ap p.

5 3 2

, 5 3 7 (2 ) (8 1 1 SE2 d 4 2 ) (2 0 1 8 ). On ap p eal

, w e wi l l n o t di s t u rb t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s

e x e r ci se o f t h at d i s cret i o n u n les s t h e reco rd s h o ws t h at “ a m is t ri al i s es sen t i a l t o

p res erv e t h e d efen d a n t ’s ri g ht t o a fai r t ri al .” (Ci t at i o n an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed .)

S ma l l wo o d v. S ta t e

, 33 4 Ga. Ap p

. 2 2 4

, 22 4 (7 7 9 SE2 d 1 ) ( 2 0 1 5 ). In d et erm i n i n g

wh et h er an ab u s e o f di s cret io n h as o ccu rred

, we ex am i ne a n u m b e r o f fact o rs

,

“ i n cl u d in g t h e n at u re o f t h e s tat em en t

, t h e o t h er ev i d en ce i n t h e cas e, an d th e act i o n

t ak en b y t h e co u rt an d co u ns el co n cern i n g t h e i m p ro p ri et y .” (C i ta tion a nd punc tua tio n

o m it t ed .) Gr a ves v. St a t e

, 2 98 Ga. 5 5 1, 5 5 5 (1 ) (7 8 3 SE2 d 8 9 1 ) (2 0 1 6 ). W e al s o

co n s id er “ wh et h er th e referen ce t o t h e i m p ro p er ch aract er ev i d en ce i s is o l at ed an d

b ri e f

, wh et h er th e ju ry ’ s ex p o s u re was rep eat ed o r ex t en s i v e, an d wh et h er t h e

i n t ro du ct i o n o f t he o b

j ect io n ab l e e v i d en ce was i nad vert en t o r w h et h er i t was

d el i b erat el y el ici t ed b y t h e St at e.” (Ci t at io n a n d p un ct u at i o n o m i t t ed .) Cu yl er

, 3 4 4

Ga. Ap p . at 5 3 8 (2 ).

In t h i s cas e, t h e t es t i m o n y at i s s u e d i d n o t d i rect l y i m p l i cat e Th o m as i n an y

cri m e an d, as t h e t ri al co u rt p o i nt ed o u t, t h e ju ry co ul d h av e i n t erp ret ed t h at t es t i m o ny

as s u p po rt i n g Th o m as ’ s co n t en t i o n t h at h i s car h ad b een s t o len . An d wh i l e t h e t ri al

18co u rt d i d n o t g i v e a cu rat i ve i n s t ru ct i on

, d efen se co u n s el di d n o t req u es t o ne.

M o reo v er, t h e o b

j ect i o n ab le t es t i m on y was v e r y b ri ef an d was n o t el i ci t ed b y t h e

St at e. I nde e d, t

he pr o s e c utor inte r

r upt ed t h e det ect i ve’ s n o n -res p on s iv e t es t i m o n y an d

i n s t ru ct ed hi m t o res p o n d t o t h e q u es t i o n as k ed

. Fi nal l y

, t h e ev i den ce ag ai n s t Th o m as

was s ub s ta

nt i al

, as i t i ncl u d ed ey ewi t nes s t es ti m o n y i d en ti fy i n g h i m as t h e p erp et rat o r

an d t h e u n d is p u t ed e v i d e n c e t h at t h e p erp et rat o r d ro v e Th om as ’ s car. Gi v en t h es e

fact s, a m i s t ri al was no t es sen ti al t o p r es erv e T h o m as ’ s ri g h t t o a fai r t ri al

, an d t h e

t ri al co u rt d id n ot ab u s e i t s d i s cret i o n i n d en y i n g T h o m as ’ s m o t io n

. See W a l ker v.

S t a t e

, 2 8 2 Ga. 7 0 3

, 7 0 5 (2 ) ( 6 5 3 S E2 d 4 68 ) (2 00 7 ) (p as s i n g referen ce t o a co

d efen d an t ’ s i n carcerat i o n d i d n o t w arran t a m i s t ri al wh ere t h e t es t i m o n y co ns t i t u t ed

a n o n r e s p o n s i ve an s w er an d t h e ev i d en ce o f t h e d efen d an t ’ s g u i l t was s u bs t an t i al );

Ca r r v. S t a t e

, 2 8 2 Ga. 6 9 8

, 7 0 1 -7 0 2 (3 ) (6 5 3 SE2 d 4 7 2 ) (2 0 0 7 ) (n o erro r in d en y i n g

d efen d an t ’ s m o t i on fo r a m is t ri al w h ere t h e ob ject io n ab le st at em en t res ul t ed fro m a

n o n res p on s i v e an s wer an d d efen s e co u n sel d id no t req u es t t hat t he t ri al co u rt i n s t ru ct

t h e ju ry t o d i s reg ard t h at an s wer).

Fo r th e reas o n s s et fo r t h ab o v e, we affi rm th e t ri al co u rt ’ s o rd er d en y i n g

Th o m as ’ s m ot i o n fo r a n ew t ri al

.

Ju d g men t a f f i r m ed . Go b ei l

a n d Pi p ki n

, J. J., co n cu r

.

19