THI RD DI VI SI ON

ELLI NGTON, P. J.

, REESE and GOBEI L, 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

October 26, 2018



# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A1 8 A1 24 7 . CLARK v . THE STATE.

G O B E I L

, J u d g e.

Fo l l owi n g a b i fu rcat ed ju ry t ri al

, Larry D a r n e l l Cl ark was co nv i ct ed in

Ch arl t o n Co un t y Su p eri o r Co u rt o f fo u r co u n ts o f ag g rav at ed as s au l t a n d a s i n g l e

co u nt each o f b u rg l ary

, fal s e i m p ri s o n m en t

, p os s es si o n o f a f i rearm d u ri n g t h e

co m m i s s io n of a fel on y

, an d u s e o f a fi rearm b y a co n v i ct ed fel on

. 1 Cl ark n o w ap p eal s

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

, as s ert i ng a cl ai m o f i n ef f e c t i v e

as s i s tan ce o f co u ns el an d ci t i n g s i x g ro u n d s t o s u p p o rt t h at cl ai m

. . He fu rt h er

co n ten d s t h at th e t ri al co u rt erred i n fai l in g to ch arg e th e ju ry s u a s p o n t e o n th e l es s er

1 Cl ark was fi rs t t ri ed o n Co u n t s 1 t h ro u g h 7 of th e i n d i ct m en t

, wh i ch ch arg ed

h i m wi t h b u rg l ary

, fal s e i m p ri s o n m en t

, ag g rav at ed as s au l t

, an d p o ss es s i o n o f a

fi rearm du ri n g t h e co m

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

. Aft er t he ju ry fo u n d Cl ark g ui l t y o f t h o s e

cri m es , h e was t ri ed on Co u n t 9 o f t h e i n d i ct m en t, wh i ch ch arg ed h i m wi th u s e o f a

fi rearm b y a co n v i ct ed fel o n

.o ffen s e o f reck l es s co n d u ct an d i n a d m it t in g cert ai n ev i den ce o v er t he o b j ect i o n o f

t ri al co u n s el . W e 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 j ury ’ s g ui l t y v erd i ct .” Ma d d o x v. S t a t e

, 3 4 6 Ga. A p p

. 6 7 4, 6 7 5 (8 1 6

SE2 d 7 9 6 ) (2 0 1 8 ) (ci t a t i on o m i t t ed ). So v i ewed

, t h e reco rd s h ows t h at o n e o r t wo

d ay s b efo re t h e i nci d en t i n q ues t io n

, Cl ark ’ s es tran g e d wi fe, St ep h an i e Tarp l ey

,

o b t ai n ed a t em

p o rary pro t ect i v e o rd er ag ai n st Cl ark b as ed o n h is al l eg ed s t al k i n g o f

h e r

. L a t e o n t h e aft ern o o n o f Ju l y 1

, 2 0 1 0

, Cl ark w en t t o Tarp l ey ’ s ap art m en t a n d

en t ered t h e ap art m en t b y k i ck i n g i n t h e fro n t d o o r. He t h en m ov ed th e refri g erat or to

b l o ck th e ap art m en t ’ s en tran ce a n d p ro ceed ed t o h o l d Tarp l ey i n t h e ap art m en t at

g u n p o i n t

. Aft er learn i n g t h at Cl ark w as at Tarp l ey ’ s ap art m en t

, t h e co u pl e’ s t een ag e

d au gh t er, O. T

., wh o h ad b een at a n ei g hb o r’ s h o m e, i m m ed i at el y wen t t o t h e fam i l y

ap art m en t

. O. T. k n ew t h at Cl ark h ad prev i o us l y t h reat en ed t o ki ll Tarp l ey

, s o wh en

s h e fo u n d t h e ap art m en t d oo r b l o ck ed

, O. T. b eg an s cream i n g at h er p aren t s t o l et h er

i n

. O. T. h eard Cl ark t el l h er t o g et away fro m t h e d o o r, an d t h en h eard s o m e k i n d o f

n o i s e

. W h en O. T. l o o k ed do wn

, s h e s aw t h at s h e was bl eed i n g an d s h e l at er

2d i s co v ered t h at s h e h ad a g u n s h o t w o u nd to h er arm

, wh ich req u i red s urg ery

. As O.

T. wal ked away

fro m t h e ap art m en t

, s h e h eard m o re g un s ho t s

.

Nei g h b o rs co nt act ed p o l i ce, an d o ffi cers fro m b o t h t h e Fo l k s t o n Po l i ce

Dep art m en t an d t h e H o m el an d Po l i ce Dep art m en t r es p o n d ed to t he s cen e. Offi cer

Ri ck y Si k es wi t h t h e Fo l k s t o n Po l i ce Dep art m en t t es ti fi ed th at h e p u ll ed u p i n fro nt

o f Tarp l ey ’ s ap art m en t

, ex i t ed h i s m ark ed pat ro l car, an d wal k ed t o t he car’ s t ru n k to

ret ri ev e h i s bu l l et pro of v es t

. As he d i d so

, fo u r o r fi v e s h o t s were fi red fro m t h e

ap a r t m en t ’ s fro n t wi n d o w. On e b u l l et lan d ed ap p ro x im at el y 6 t o 10 feet i n fro n t o f

Si k es an d a n o t h er h i t t h e n earb y s t ai r rai l i n g

. Offi cer Ch arl es By erl y wi t h t h e

Ho m el an d Po l ice Dep art m en t o f f e red si m i l ar tes t im o n y

, s t at i n g t h at as s o o n as t h e

t wo o f f i cers ex i t ed t h ei r res p ect i v e v eh icl es

, s h o t s cam e fro m t h e fro n t o f t h e

ap art m en t

. Bo th o ffi cers tes ti fi ed t h at t h ey bel i ev ed t hey were t he s h o o t er’ s t arg et an d

t h at t h ey w ere afrai d t h ey m i g h t b e k i l l ed

. Th e St at e i n t ro d u ced i nt o ev i d en ce a v i d eo

o f t h e i nci d en t reco rd ed b y t h e d as h b o ard cam era i n Si k es ’ s p at ro l ca r

. T h e v i d eo

s h o ws p uffs o f s m o ke co m i n g fro m t h e ap art m en t ’ s fro n t wi n do w, an d Si kes t es t i fi ed

t h at t h e p u ffs o f s m o ke co i n ci d ed wi t h t h e s ho t s b ei n g fi red

.

Cl ark rem ai n ed i n Tarp l ey ’ s ap art m en t u nt il 1: 4 5 a. m

. o n J u l y 2

, an d h e fo rced

Tarp l ey t o rem ai n wi t h h i m fo r m o s t o f t h at t im e. Tarp l ey t es t i fi ed t h at w hen s h e fi rs t

3s aw Cl ark i n t h e ap art m en t , h e was p o i n t i n g a g u n at h er an d s h e w as afrai d h e was

g o i n g t o k i ll h er. Sh e rem ai ned i n t h e ap art m en t an d d i d wh at Cl ark i n s t ru ct ed h er to

d o b ecau s e h e w as t h reat en i n g her wi t h th e g u n. Ad d i t i o nal l y

, at o n e p oi n t Cl ark fi red

a s h o t t o ward s Tarp l ey , wi t h t h e b u l l et l an d in g i n t h e l i v i n g ro o m wal l.

Du ri n g h er t es t i m o n y

, Tarp l ey st at ed t h at s ev eral day s a f t e r t h e i n ci d en t

, s h e

fo u n d i t em s s h e bel i ev ed were rel at ed t o t h e cri m e i n h er ap art m e n t

, an d s h e t o o k

t h o s e i t em s t o t he Fo l k s t o n Po l i ce Dep art m en t

. Tarp ley th en i den t i fi ed St at e’ s Ex h i b i t

2 0

, w h i ch co n s i s t ed o f an em p t y .9 m m s h el l cas i n g

, a l iv e .9 m m ro un d

, an d a b u l l et

,

as t h e it em s s h e g av e t o s o m eo n e at t h e Fo lk s t o n Po l i ce Dep art m en t

. Tarp l ey fu rt h er

t es t i fi ed t h at i n Au g us t 20 1 0

, s h e g av e t h e Fo lk s t o n Po l i ce Ch i ef a m ag azi n e fo r a g u n

an d s o m e cart ri d g es

. Acco rd i ng t o Tarp l ey

, s h e co u ld no l o n g er rem em b er wh ere s h e

fo u n d an y o f t h es e i t e m s

, n o r co u l d s h e rem em b er wh y s h e t o ok th e g un m ag azi n e

an d cart ri d g es t o t h e p o l ice. Th e p o l ice ch ief tes t ifi ed t h a t t h e g u n m ag azi n e an d

cart ri d g es

, wh i ch w ere i n t ro d u ced i n t o ev i d en ce as St at e’ s Ex hi b i t 3 0

, were g i v en to

h i m b y Tarp l ey i n A ug u s t 2 01 0

, an d Tarp l ey t o l d h i m t h at s h e h ad d i s co vere d t h e

i t em s u n d ern eat h h er b ed i n h er ap art m en t

. 2

2 Th e ch i ef fu rt h er t es t i fi ed t h at o n t h e n i g h t o f t h e i n ci d en t , t h e SW A T t eam

rep o rt ed t h at du ri n g t h ei r in i t i al s weep o f t h e a p art m en t

, th ey s aw b u l l et s an d a

m ag azi n e u n d ern eat h t h e b ed i n t h e m as ter b ed ro o m

. T h e ch i ef sen t an o ffi cer b ack

4Sp eci al A g en t Ri ch ard Di al o f th e GBI was i n ch arg e o f t h e in v es ti g at i o n i n to

t h e i n ci d en t

. Di al t es ti fi ed t h at at t h e cri m e s cen e, p o l i c e fo u n d a b u l let l o d g ed i n a

wal l o f t he ap art m en t

, n ea r t h e area wh ere Tarp l ey cl ai m ed Cl ark had fi red at h er.

Law en fo rcem en t al s o fo u n d b u l l et h o l es in t h e k i t ch en wi n do w, wh i ch was t h e s am e

wi n do w s h o wn o n t h e d as h b oard v i d eo

. Ad d i t i o n al l y

, p o l i ce fo u n d a .9 m m fi rearm

o n to p o f t h e d res s er in t h e m as t er b ed ro o m

, t o g et h er wi th a m ag azi n e co n t ai n i n g s ix

ro u n ds o f l i v e am m

u n i t i o n

. Po l ice al so reco v ered s i x s p en t

. 9 m m s h el l cas i n gs i n s i d e

t h e ap art m en t

. A s earch o f t h e p ark i n g l o t rev eal ed a .9 m m b u l l et h o le i n a v eh i cl e

p ark ed i n fro n t o f t h e ap art m en t

. Bas ed o n t h ei r i n v es t i g at i on , p ol ice fo u n d t h at t h e

t raject o ry o f a b u l let fi red fro m t h e ap art m en t ’ s k it ch en wi n d o w wo u l d h av e l an d ed

wh ere t h ey fo u n d t h e bu l l et h ol e i n t h e v eh i cl e. G i v en t h e lo cat i o n o f t h e v eh i cl e,

p o l i ce co n cl ud ed th at t h e s h o o ter h ad b een ai m in g at o r t o w ard s t h e p ol i ce o ffi cers

.

Di al t es t i fi ed h e m et wi t h Tarp l ey a t t h e F o l k s to n Po l ice Dep art m en t s ev eral

d ay s a f t e r t h e in ci d en t b ecau se s h e h ad d i s co v ered s o m e o th er i t em s o f ev i d en ce at

h er ap art m en t

. Di al i d en ti fi ed t h e i t em s i n St at e’ s Ex h i b i t 2 0 as t h e i t em s g i v en t o h i m

b y Tarp l ey

. Acco rd i ng t o D i a l

, T a r p l ey t o ld h i m t h at t h e s h el l cas i n g h ad b een

d i s co v er e d b es i d e a cl o set do o r i n t he h al l way o f h er ap art m en t; t h e un s pen t ro u n d

i n t o t h e ap art m en t t o ret ri ev e t h e i t em s , b u t t h e o ffi cer was u n ab l e t o l o cat e t h em

.

5h a d been d i s co vered i n t h e m as t er b ed ro o m ; an d t h e s p en t p ro ject il e wa s f

o u n d

o u t s i d e t h e ap art m en t

, on th e wal k wa y i n fro n t o f t h e k i t ch en wi n do w. Defen s e

co u ns el ob

ject ed to t h e ad m is s i o n o f t h i s ev i d en ce, arg ui n g t h at Tarp l ey h ad n ot

t es t i fi ed as t o wh ere s h e h ad fo u n d t h e it em s an d t h e “ fact t h at [s h e] b ro u g h t t h em in

[t o po l i ce] [s ev eral ] d ay s l at er

. . . we do n ’ t kn o w i f [t h e ev i d en ce] has an y t h in g t o d o

wi t h t h i s cas e[.] ” Th e t ri al co u rt o v erru l ed t hi s o b ject i on

.

Di al i n t erv iewed Cl ark at t h e Fo l k s t on Po l i ce Dep art m en t at ap p ro x i m at el y

4 : 3 0 a. m

. on Ju l y 2

, 20 1 0

, s ev eral h o u rs aft er t h e i n ci d en t en d ed

. Du ri n g t h e

i n t erv i ew, a reco rd i n g of wh i ch was i n t ro du ced i n t o ev i den ce an d p l ay ed fo r t h e ju ry

,

Cl ark ad m i t t ed g o i ng t o Tarp l ey ’ s ap art m en t arm ed wi t h a gu n h e h ad s to l en fro m a

fri en d t he d ay b efo re. Cl ark ack n o wl ed g ed t h at h e b ro u g ht ex tra am m u n i t io n fo r t h e

g u n wi t h h i m

, a n d ex p l ai n ed t h at h e h ad b een p l an n i n g t o k i l l h i m sel f. Cl ark al s o

ad m i t t ed t h at h e h ad k i ck ed i n t h e ap art m en t d oo r, m o v ed t h e refri g erat o r t o b l o ck t h e

d o o r, an d fi red th e gu n b o t h t o w ard s t h e d o o r an d t h r o u g h t h e k i t ch en wi n d o w. He

s t at ed

, h o wev er, t h at h e d i d no t m ean t o s h o o t h is d au g h t er an d t h at wh en h e fi red o ut

t h e k i t ch en wi n d o w h e was n o t ai m i n g at t h e p o l ice o ffi cers

.

Cl ark t es t i fi ed i n h is o wn defen s e an d s t at ed t h at o n t h e d ay i n q u e s t i o n

, h e

recei v ed a t el ep ho n e cal l fro m o n e of h i s d au g h t ers

, wh o t o l d h i m t h at wh i le s h e was

6v i s i t i n g Cl ark ’ s ’ s m o t h er i n Mi am i

, s h e h ad b een m o l es t ed b y Cl ark ’ s b r o t h e r

. T h e

d au gh t er l eft Cl ark wi t h t h e i m p res s i o n th at Tarp l ey was aware o f t h e m o l es t at i o n

, b ut

t h at s h e h ad fai l ed to rep o rt t h e i n c i d e n t t o Cl ark

. Fo l l o wi ng t h i s p h o n e cal l

, Cl ark

wen t t o Tarp l e y’s ap art m en t carry i n g a .9 m m g u n p u rch as ed fo r hi m b y a fri en d

a p p ro x i m at el y t wo day s earl i er. 3 Cl ark i den t i fi ed th e

. 9 m m g u n fo u n d at t h e s cen e

an d i n t ro d u ced i n to ev i d en ce as t h e o n e he b ro ug h t t o t h e ap art m e n t

. A c c o rd i n g to

Cl ark

, aft er m o v i n g t h e refri g erat o r, h e th rew hi s jack et on t o t h e l i v i n g ro o m s o fa,

wh i ch cau s ed t h e .9 m

m g un h e h ad been carry i n g in hi s p ock et t o fal l o n t o t h e fl o o r.

Rat h er t han p i ck i n g u p t h e g u n

, Cl ark wen t i n t o t h e m as t er bed ro o m an d ret ri ev ed a

.3 8 0 cal i b er g u n h e an d Tarp l ey k ep t i n t h e d res s er. W h en Cl ark ret u rn ed t o t he l i v i n g

ro o m

, Tarp l ey was h o l d i ng t h e .9 m m gu n

. . T h e co u pl e beg an t o arg u e an d wh en

Cl ark at t em

p t ed t o wre s t l e t h e g u n away fro m h i s wi fe, t h e g u n di sch arg ed

. Th e

co u pl e co n t in u ed t o s t ru g g l e ov er t h e g u n

, wi t h th e s t ru g gl e m ak i n g t h em t rav el

t o ward s t h e k i t ch en at t h e fro n t o f t h e ap art m en t an d

, as th ey d i d so

, t h e g u n

d i s ch arg ed “ a co u pl e m ore t i m es .”

3 Acco rd i n g t o Cl ark

, h e h ad o b t ai ned t h e g un b ecau s e h e was p l an n i n g t o k i l l

h i m s el f.

7Cl ark st at ed t h at no s h o t s were fi r e d a f t e r h e d is co v ered t h ere were p o l i ce

o ffi cers i n fro n t of t h e ap art m en t an d al l o f t h e g u n s h o t s were fi red d u ri n g t h e

s t ru g g l e o v er t h e g u n. Cl ark co u l d n o t recal l wh at h ad h ap p en ed t o t h e .3 8 0 cal i b er

weap o n

, b u t h e t h o ug h t h e had ret u rn ed i t t o t h e d res s er d rawer. Ad d i t i o n al l y

, Cl ark

t es t i fi ed t h at Tarp l ey was free t o l eav e t he ap art m en t at an y t i m e, b ut t h a t s h e n ev er

at t em p t ed t o d o s o

.

W h en as k ed wh y p a r t s o f h i s t ri al t es t i m o ny co n fl i ct ed wi t h o r co n t ai n ed

d et ai ls n o t in cl u d ed in t he res p on s es h e g av e A g en t Di al i n h i s p os t -arres t i n t erv i ew,

Cl ark res p o n d ed t h at at t h e t i m e o f t h e i nt erv i ew, h e was t ry i n g t o t el l Di al w h at Cl ark

as s u m ed l aw en fo rcem en t wan t ed t o h ear i n t h e h o p es h e wo u l d g et b o n d

. He fu rt h er

ex p lai n ed t h at h e wan t ed to g et o u t o f j ai l s o th at he co u l d d ri v e t o M i am i an d k i l l t h e

b ro t h er wh o h ad al leg ed l y m o l es t ed h i s ch i l d.

D u ri n g t h e St at e’ s reb ut t al cas e, Di al t es ti fi ed t hat d uri n g h i s i n terv iew wi t h

Cl ark

, Cl ark n ev er s t at ed t h a t h i s b ro t h er h ad m ol es t ed o n e o f h i s ch i l d ren o r t h at

t h ere h ad b een a s eco n d gu n in t h e ap art m en t

. No r d i d Cl ark m en t i o n a s t ru g g l e o v er

t h e g un o r i nd i cat e t h at Tarp l ey h ad cau s e d t h e g u n t o di s ch arg e. In s t ead

, Cl ark

i n d i cat ed t h at he h ad fi red al l o f t h e s h o ts i n q u es t i on

. Fi n al ly

, Di al s t at ed t h at p o l i ce

8d i d n o t reco v er a seco n d g u n fro m t he ap art m en t n o r d i d t h e y fi n d an y .3 8 0 cal i b er

s h el l cas i n g s i n t h e ap art m en t or t h e s u rro u n d i n g area.

Aft er h eari n g t h e fo reg o in g ev i den ce, th e ju ry fo un d Cl ark g u il t y of t h e cri m es

ch arg ed i n Co u n t s 1 t h ro u g h 7 o f t h e i n d i ct m en t

. Cl ark was t hen t ri ed o n Co u n t 9 o f

t h e i n d i ct m en t

, wh i ch ch arg ed hi m wi t h u s e o f a fi rearm b y a co n v i ct ed fel o n

. 4 Du ri n g

t h at t ri al

, t h e St at e i n t ro d u ced i n t o ev i d en ce a cert i fi ed co p y of Cl ark ’ s 1 9 9 3 fed eral

co n vi ct i o n fo r carjack i n g an d us e o f a fi rearm d u ri n g t h e c o m m i s s i o n o f a cri m e o f

v i o l en ce. Th i s d o cu m en t i n cl u d ed a co p y o f th e i n d i c t m en t un d er w h i ch Cl ark h ad

p l ed gu i l ty i n 1 9 93

, an d t h e i n d i ct m en t o u t l in ed t he fact s serv i ng as t h e b as i s fo r t h e

t wo ch arg es o n wh i ch Cl ark was co n v i ct ed

.

Du ri n g t h e St at e’ s b ri ef cl o s i n g arg um en t, t h e pro s ecu t or t o l d t he ju ro rs t h ey

co u ld rev i ew t h e cert i fi ed co p y o f t he 1 9 9 3 co nv i ct i o n an d t hat w h en t h ey d i d s o

, t h ey

wo u l d see t h at Cl ark h ad p rev io u s ly u s ed a fi rearm t o p erp et r a t e a c a r jack i n g

. Th e

p ro s ecu to r t hen s t at ed :

I d o n ’ t l i k e p eo p le u s i n g g u n s an d as s au l t i n g [o t h er] p eo p le wi t h [t h em ]

.

An d I es p eci al l y d o n ’ t l i k e i t wh en t h ey ’ v e d on e i t i n t h e p as t

. M r. Cl ark

4 Th e St at e el ect ed n ot t o p ro s ecu t e Cl ark o n Co u n t 8 o f t h e i n d i ct m en t

, wh i ch

ch arg ed h i m wi t h p o s s es s i o n o f a fi rearm b y a co n v ict ed fel on

, i n v i o l at i o n o f OCGA

§ 1 6-1 1-1 3 1

.

9d i d n ’ t l earn h i s l es s o n t h e l as t t i m e. W e’ re g o in g t o h o l d h i m

acco u n t ab l e t h is t i m e [,] t o o [,] i f y ’ al l g o ah ead an d co n v i ct h i m o n t h i s

co u n t .”

Th e ju ry fo un d Cl ark g u i l t y o f Co u nt 9

, an d th e t ri al co u rt en t ered a ju d g m en t

o f co n vi ct i o n o n bo t h v erd i ct s

. Cl ark t h en 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

an ev id en t i ary

h eari n g , t h e t ri al co u rt d en i ed t h at m o t i o n. Th i s ap p eal fo l l o wed

.

1

. Al t h o u gh Cl ark d o es n o t co n t es t t h e l eg al s uffi ci en cy o f th e ev i d en ce o f h i s

g u i l t

, i n acco rd an ce wi t h t h i s Co u rt ’ s g en eral p ract ice, 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 h o ri zed t h e ju ry t o fi n d Cl ark

g u i l t y b ey o n d a reas o n ab l e d o u b t o f t h e cri m es o f wh i ch h e was co n v i ct ed

. 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 01 0 ) (“ [a] s l o n g as t h ere i s s o m e

c om pe te nt e vide n c e

, ev en t h o u g h co n t rad i ct ed

, to s u p p o rt each fact n eces sary t o m ak e

o u t th e 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 a t i o n a n d pu n ct u at i o n

o m it t ed ). See al s o OCGA § 1 6 -5 -2 0 (a) (d efi n i n g as s au lt ); OCGA § 1 6-5 -2 1 (a)

(d efi ni n g a g grav at ed as s au l t ); O CGA § 1 6-5 -4 1 (a) (d efi n i n g fal s e i m p ri s o n m en t );

OCGA § 1 6-7 -1 (b ) (d efi n i n g bu rg l ary ); O CGA § 16 -1 1 -1 0 6 (b ) (d efi n i n g p o s s es s i o n

10o f a fi rearm d uri ng t h e co m m is s i o n o f a cri m e); OCGA § 1 6 -1 1 -1 3 3 (b ) (d efi n i n g u s e

o f a fi rearm

b y a co n vi ct ed fel o n ).

2 . Cl ark co n t en d s h e recei v ed in effect i v e as s i s t an ce o f co u n sel , an d h e rai s es

s i x s ep arat e gro un d s i n s u p p o rt o f t h i s cl ai m

. To p ro v e t h at o n e o r m o re o f t h es e

g ro u nd s res u l t ed in i n effect i v e as s i s t an ce, Cl ark m u s t p ro v e b o t h th at h i s l awy er’ s

p erfo rm an ce was d efi ci en t an d t h at h e s u ffered p reju di ce as a res u l t o f t h i s d efi ci en t

p erfo rm an ce. St ri ckl a n d v. W a s h i n g to n

, 46 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 8 4 )

. If Cl ark can n o t m eet h i s b u rd en of p ro v in g ei t h er p ro n g o f t h e

S t r i ckl a nd t es t

, th en we n eed n o t ex am i ne t h e ot h er p ro ng

. Ca u s ey v. S t at e

, 3 1 9 Ga.

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

W i t h res p ect t o t h e fi rs t p ro n g o f th e S t r i ckl a n d t es t

, defi c i e n t p erfo rm an ce,

Cl ark m u s t s h o w th at h i s at to rn ey perfo rm ed h i s d ut ies at t ri al i n an o bject i v el y

u n r e a s o nab l e w ay

, co ns i deri n g al l 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

. St r i ck l a n d

, 4 6 6 U. S. at 6 8 7 -6 8 8 (III) (A). To d em o n st rat e t h at

h e s u ffered p reju d i ce as a res u l t o f h i s at t o rn ey ’ s p erfo rm an ce, Cl ark m u s t p ro v e “ a

reas on ab l e p ro b ab i l i t y t h at

, b ut fo r co u n sel ’ s u n p ro fes s i o n al erro rs

, t he res u l t o f t h e

p ro ceed in g wo u l d h av e b een d i fferen t

. A reas on ab le p ro b ab i l i t y i s a p r o b a b i l i t y

s u ffi ci en t t o u n d erm i ne co n fi d en ce i n t h e o u tco m e.” Id

. at 6 9 4 (III) (B). “ T h i s b u rd en

,

11t h o u g h n o t i m p o s si b l e t o carry

, i s a h eav y o n e.” Ar n o l d v. S t a te

, 2 9 2 Ga. 2 6 8

, 2 7 0 (2 )

( 7 3 7 SE2 d 9 8 ) (2 0 1 3), ci ti n g Ki mmel ma n v. Mo r ri so n

, 47 7 U. S. 3 65

, 3 8 2 ( I I ) ( C )

(1 0 6 SCt 2 57 4 , 9 1 LE2 d 3 0 5 ) (1 9 8 6 ).

(a ) C l a r k as s ert s t h at t ri al co u n sel was i n effect iv e fo r fai l in g to o b ject t o t h e

ad m i s s i o n of St at e’ s E x h i b it 30 (t h e m ag azi n e an d cart ri d g es Tarp l ey t u rn ed o v er to

p o l i ce ap pro xi m at el y o n e m o n t h aft er t h e i n ci d en t i n q u es t i on ). Cl ark cl ai m s t h at t h i s

ev i d en ce was i n ad m i s s i b l e b ecau s e t h e St at e fai led t o s h o w t h at t h e ev i d en ce was

r e l ev an t to t h e ch arg ed cri m es an d b ecau s e i t s p reju d i ci al effect far o u t wei g h ed i t s

p ro b at i v e v al u e. As s um in g arg u en d o t h at an y o b ject i o n by t ri al co u n s el wo u l d h av e

b een s u cces s fu l, h owev er, Cl ark can n o t sh o w t h at h e was preju d iced b y t h e ad m i s s i o n

o f t h i s ev i d en ce.

Th e ev i d en ce ag ai n st C la

r k w a s ov erwh el m in g

. It in cl ud ed t h e fact th at Tarp l ey

h ad ob t ai n ed a tem

p o rary p ro t ect i v e o rd er ag ai n s t Cl ark b ecau se o f h i s t h reat s ag ai n s t

h er an d t h at Cl ark h ad p rev i o u sl y t h reat en ed t o k i l l Tarp ley . Ad d it i on al l y , t h e St at e

i n t ro du ced t h e ey ewi t n es s t es ti m o n y o f t h e fo ur v i ct i m s

, t h e v i d eo fro m t h e p o l i ce car,

an d Cl ark ’ s v i d eo t ap ed i n t erv i ew wi t h Ag e n t D i a l

, d uri n g wh ich Cl ark ad m i t t ed to

fi ri n g a l l o f t h e s h o ts i n q u es t i o n

. M o reo v er, Cl ark ad m i t t ed at t ri al t h at h e h ad

p u rch as ed o r s t o l en t h e g u n us ed i n t h e as s au l t s

, h ad go n e t o Tarp l ey ’ s ap art m en t

12arm ed wi t h t he g u n an d ex t ra am m u n i t i on

, an d h ad fo rced h i s way i n t o t h e ap art m en t

an d b l o ck ed t h e do o r t o p rev en t an y o n e el s e fro m en t eri n g. In l i g h t o f t h i s ev i d en ce,

Cl ark can n o t s h o w t hat i n t h e a b s en ce o f St at e’ s Ex h i bi t 3 0

, t h ere i s a reas o n ab l e

p r o b ab i l i t y t h at t h e ju ry wo u l d h av e acq u i t t ed h i m

. See Pa s ch a l v. S ta t e

, 3 3 5 Ga.

Ap p

. 4 1 1, 4 1 6 (3 ) (7 8 0 SE2 d 6 8 1 ) (2 0 1 5 ); La kes v. S t a t e

, 3 14 Ga. Ap p

. 1 0

, 1 6 (5 ) (e)

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

(b ) Rel y i n g o n t h e Su p rem e Co u rt of Geo rg i a’ s d eci s i o n i n Ro s s v. S ta t e

, 2 7 9

Ga. 3 6 5 (6 14 SE2 d 3 1) (2 0 0 5 ), Cl ark arg u es t h at t ri al co u n sel p erfo rm ed d efi ci en t l y

b y fai l in g t o s t i p u l a t e t o Cl ark ’ s ’ s s t at u s as a co n v i ct ed fel on

, th ereb y al l o wi n g t h e

S t a t e t o in t ro d u ce Cl ark ’ s 1 9 93 co n v i ct i on to p ro v e t h at s tat u s. Ro s s i n vo l v e d a

d efen d an t t ri ed i n a s i n g l e t ri al o n m u l t i p l e fel o n y co u n t s

, i n cl ud i n g a co u n t o f

p o s s es s i o n o f a fi rearm by a co nv i ct ed fel o n. Defen s e co u n s el o ffered to s ti p u l at e to

t h e d efen d an t ’ s s t at u s as a co n v i ct ed fel o n

, b u t t h e tri al co u rt reject ed t h e o ffer an d

al l o wed t h e St at e t o in tro d u ce a cert i fi ed co p y of t he defen d an t ’ s co n v i ct i o n fo r

en t i ci n g a ch i l d fo r i n d ecen t p u rp o s es

. Fi n d i n g t h at “ t h e n at u re o f [d efen d an t ’ s ] p ri o r

co n vi ct i o n

. . . rai se[d ] t h e ri sk o f a v erd i ct t ai n t ed by i m p ro per co ns i d erat i o n s ” an d

“ [b ] ecau se t h e ev i d en ce was u n n eces s ary t o pro v e an y t h i n g o t h er t han [d efen d an t ’ s ]

s t at u s as a co n v i ct ed fel on ,” t h e Su p rem e Co urt h el d t h at t h e t ri al co u rt h ad ab u s ed

13i t s d i s cret i o n i n reject in g t he defen d an t ’ s o ffer t o s t i p u l at e t o h i s p rev i o us f e l o n y

co n vi ct i o n . 2 79 Ga. at 3 6 8 (2 ).

Des p i t e Cl ark ’ s as s ert i on s t o t h e co n t rary

, t h e rat i o n al e o f Ro s s d oes n o t ap p l y

wh ere, as h ere, t he defen d an t i s affo rd ed a b ifu rcat ed t ri al

– i .e., t h e d efen d an t i s n ot

t ri ed on t h e ch arg e o f u s e or p o s s es s i o n o f a fi rearm b y a co n v i ct ed fel on u n t i l aft er

t h e ju ry h as d eci d ed h i s g u i lt o r i n n o cen ce o n t h e o t h er, u n rel at ed fel o n y ch arg es in

t h e i n di ct m en t

. See Gr i mes v. S t a t e

, 2 8 0 Ga. 3 6 3

, 3 65 -3 6 6 (4 ) (6 2 8 SE2 d 5 8 0 ) (2 0 0 6 )

(“ i f t h e ch arg e o f p o ss es s i o n o f a fi rearm by a co nv i ct ed fel o n i s u nrel at ed t o an y

o t h er co u n t fo r wh i ch th e d efen d an t i s t o b e t ri ed

, th e co rrect rem ed y i s fo r t h e t ri al

co u rt t o b i f

u r c a t e t h e p ro ceed i n g s o n a p ro p er m o ti o n”). Gi v en t hi s fact

, Cl ark h as

fai l ed t o s h o w t h at th e t ri al co u rt w o u l d hav e b een o b l i g at ed t o accep t an y p ro ffered

s t ip u l at i o n t h at Cl ark was a co n v i ct ed fel o n

. 5 Acco rd i n g ly

, we fi n d t hat t ri al co u n s el

d i d n o t p erfo rm d efi ci en t l y i n f ai l i n g t o st ip u l at e t o Cl ark ’ s s t at u s as a co n v i ct ed

fel o n

.

(c) Cl ark fu rt h er as s ert s t h at t ri al co u ns el s h o u l d h av e o b ject ed t o t h e cl o s i n g

a r g u m en t t h e St at e m ad e d uri n g h i s t ri al fo r u s e o f a fi rearm b y a co n v i ct ed f e l o n

.

5 M o reo v er, as t ri al co u ns el p o in t ed o u t at t h e m ot i o n fo r new t ri al heari n g

, an y

o ffer to st i p u l at e t o Cl ark e’ s s t at u s as a co n v i ct ed fel o n wo u ld h av e b een

, i n es s en ce,

an o ffer t o p lead g u i l t y

t o Co u n t 9

.

14Sp eci fi cal l y

, Cl ark as s ert s t h at t h e p ro s ecu to r’ s cl o s i n g arg u m en t im p r o p erl y

en co urag ed t he ju ry t o v iew Cl ark ’ s p ri o r fel o n y co n v i ct i on as a s i m i l ar t ran s act i o n,

as t h e p ri o r fel on i es al so i n v o lv ed t he u s e o f a fi rearm . Cl ark al s o co n t en ds t h at t h e

cl o s i ng arg u m en t en co u rag ed th e ju ry t o co n v i ct h i m o n Co u n t 9 s i m

p l y b ecau s e o f

h i s p ri or co n v i ct i o n s

.

W i t h res p ect t o Co u n t 9

, t h e St at e h ad to p ro v e: (1 ) t h at Cl ark h ad u s ed a

fi rearm wh i l e co m

m i tt i n g o n e or m o re of t h e fel on i es ch arg ed in Co u n t s 1 t h ro u g h 7

o f th e i n d i ct m en t ; a n d (2 ) t h at at t h e t i m e o f t h e ch arg ed cri m es

, Cl ark was a

co n vi ct ed fel o n

. See OCGA § 1 6 -1 1 -1 3 3 (b ) (1 ). 6 At t h e t i m e t h e p ro s ecu t o r m ad e t h e

cl o s i ng a r g u m e n t at i s s u e, t h e ju ry h ad al read y fo u n d t h at Cl ark had u sed a fi rearm

t o co m m i t a g g rav at ed as s au l t ag ai n s t fo ur i n d i v i d u al s. An d t h e ev i d en ce s h o wi n g

Cl ark ’ s s tat u s as a co n vi ct ed fel o n at th e t i m e of t h e ch arg ed cri m es was u nrefu t ed

.

Th u s, e v e n a s s u m i ng t ri al co u n s el s h o u ld h av e o b ject ed t o an y part o f t h e

p ro s ecu to r’ s cl o s i ng arg u m en t, Cl ark can n o t s ho w t h at “ b u t fo r co u n s el ’ s fai l u re t o

o b ject

, th ere was a reas o nab l e p ro b ab i l i t y t h at h e wo u l d n o t h av e been co n v ict ed ” o n

6 OCGA § 1 6 -1 1 -1 3 3 m ak es i t i l l e g al fo r “ [a] n y p ers o n wh o h as prev i o u s l y

b een co nv i ct e d o f o r wh o h as p rev i o u s l y en t ered a gu i lt y pl ea t o

. . . an y fel o ny

i n v o l v i n g t h e u s e or p o s s es s i o n o f a fi rearm ” t o “ h av e o n o r wi t h i n arm ’ s reach o f h i s

o r her pers o n a fi rearm d uri ng t h e co m m i s s i o n o f

. . . [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 o f an o t h er.” OCGA § 1 6 -1 1 -1 3 3 (b ) (1 ).

15C o u n t 9

. S

weet v. S ta t e

, 2 7 8 G a. 3 2 0

, 3 2 6 (8 ) (6 02 SE2 d 6 0 3) (2 00 4 ). S e e a l s o

Ph i l l ip s v. S ta te , 2 8 5 Ga. 2 13 , 2 2 0 (5 ) (b ) (6 7 5 SE2 d 1 ) (2 0 0 9 ).

(d ) As n o ted ab o v e, d u ri n g Cl ark ’ s t ri al o n Co u nt 9

, t h e St at e i n t ro d u ced i n to

ev i d en ce a cert i fi ed co p y o f Cl ark ’ s 1 9 9 3 co n v i ct i o n (St at e’ s Ex h i b it 3 4 ). At t ach ed

t o t h at co n v i ct io n w a s t h e i n d i ct m en t u n d er w hi ch Cl ark h ad b een ch arg ed i n t h e

1 9 9 3 cas e. On ap p eal

, Cl ark co n t en d s t h at t ri al co u n s el was i neffect i v e fo r fai l i n g to

o b ject t o o r s eek th e red act i o n o f t h i s d o cu m en t

, wh i ch s et fo r t h t h e d et ai l s o f t h e

1 9 9 3 cri m es

. 7

W e as s u m e fo r t h e sak e o f arg u m en t t h at tri al co un s el ’ s fai l u re t o o bject t o o r

s eek red act i o n o f St at e’ s Ex h i bi t 3 4 co n s t i tu t ed d efi ci en t perfo rm an ce. See Ph i l l ip s

,

2 8 5 Ga. at 2 1 9 (5 ) (a) (d efi ci en t p erfo rm an ce as s u m ed wh ere t ri al co un s el fai l ed to

o b ject t o o r s e e k t h e red act i o n o f a cert ifi ed co py o f d efen d an t ’ s co n vi ct i o n fo r

ro b b ery

, wh ere th at co p y s h o w ed t h at defen d an t h ad i ni t i al l y b e e n ch arg ed wi th

arm e d r o b b ery ). Gi v en t he s tren gt h o f t h e ev i d en ce ag ai n s t Cl ark o n Co u n t 9,

7 In ad d i t i o n t o t he cri m es o f w h i c h Cl ark was co n v i ct ed

, t h e i n d i ct m en t

ch arg ed Cl ark wi t h o n e co u n t o f ro b b ery an d t w o co u n ts of p o s s es s i o n o f a fi rearm

b y a co n v i ct ed fel on

. Th e p o ss es s i o n o f a fi rearm b y a co n v ict ed fel o n ch arg es were

b as ed o n Cl ark ’ s Decem

b er 1 9 92 co n vi ct i on fo r ag grav at ed as s au lt an d o bs t ru ct i n g

ju s t ice.

16h o wev er, Cl ark can n o t s h ow t h at h e s u ffered preju d ice as a res u l t of t h i s a s s u m ed

d efi ci en t p erfo rm an ce. Id

.

(e) Cl ark fu rt h er as s ert s t h at t ri al co u n s el was i n effect i ve i n s ev eral way s f o r

fai l i n g t o o b

ject t o t he c o u r t ’ s ju ry i n s tru ct i on s at t he s eco n d p art o f hi s t ri al

. In

i n s t ru ct i n g t h e ju ry wi t h res p ect t o Co u n t 9 o f t h e i n d i ct m en t, t h e t ri al co u rt s t at ed :

[T] h e co u rt ’ s i n st ru ct i o n g i v en t o y o u p rev i o u sl y ap p l i es wi t h reg ard t o

t h i s co u n t o f t he i n d i ct m en t

. I wo n ’ t rep eat t h at en t i re i n s t ru ct i o n

. Bu t

wi t h r e g a r d t o Co un t 9

, I wi l l i n s t ru ct y o u [t h at ] y ou

, Lad i es an d

Gen t l em en

, h av e ju s t t h i s m o rn i n g fo u n d t h at t h e d efen d an t, Larry

Da rn el l Cl ark

, co m

m i t t ed

. . . fel on y o ffen s es ag ai n s t an o th er p ers o n

.

No w, i f y ou fi n d t h at M r. Cl ark h as p rev i o u s l y b een co n v i ct ed

. . . o r

p rev io us l y e n t e red a g u i l t y p l ea t o an y cri m e ag ai n s t o r i nv o lv i n g th e

p ers on o f an o t h er an d t h at [s u ch a cri m e was ] a fel o n y,

. . . y o u w o u l d

b e au t h o ri zed t o f

i n d h i m g u i l t y o f t he fel o n y co u n t o f Co u n t 9 in t h i s

i n d i ct m en t

.

If y o u fi n d

. . . s o m e reas o n ab l e d o u b t or s o m e d o u b t o f th e l aw in y o u r

m i n d

, t h en y o u s ho u l d acq u i t h im

. Bu t i f y o u fi n d t h at he had prev i o us l y

b een co n vi ct ed o f a fel on y as I ju s t d es cri b ed t o y o u an d y o u fo u n d n o w

t h at h e h as co m

m i tt ed a fel o n y [ i n ] t h e Ch arl t on Co u nt y cas es

, y o u

wo u ld b e au t h o ri zed t o co n vi ct h i m

.

17(i ) Cl ark fi rs t as s ert s t h at co u n s el s h ou l d h av e o b j e c t e d t o t h e tri al co urt ’ s

fai l u re t o r e c h arg e t h e ju ry o n b o t h th e b u rd en an d t h e s t an d ard o f p ro o f. 8 W e

d i s ag ree.

Th e reco rd s h o ws t h at t he t ri al l as t ed t wo d ay s

. On t h e m o rn i n g o f t h e s eco n d

d ay

, co u n s el m ad e cl o si n g arg u m en ts

, an d t h e co u rt th en ch arg ed t h e ju ry

. Aft er t h e

ju ry ret u rn ed i t s v erd ict o n Co un t s 1 t h ro u g h 7

, t h e p art i es i m m ed i at el y pro ceed ed to

t ri al o n Co u n t 9. Th e ju ry w as th en ch arg ed on Co u nt 9 n o m o re t han t wo h o u rs aft er

b ei n g read t he ch a r g e o n co un t s 1 t h ro u gh 7

, wh i ch i n cl u d ed g en eral ch arg es o n

co n cep t s s u ch as t h e bu rd en an d s tan d ard o f p ro o f. Un d er t h es e ci rcu m s t an ces

, an y

fai l u re b y co un s el t o req u es t t hat t h e ju ry b e ch arg ed a s eco n d t i m e o n t h e bu rd en an d

s t an d ard o f p ro o f w as “ h arm l es s [,] co n s i d eri n g t h e sh o rt p eri o d o f ti m e b et ween t h e

t wo ch arg es .” Ba ll a r d v. S t a t e

, 2 6 8 Ga. A p p

. 5 5

, 59 (4 ) (6 0 1 SE2 d 4 3 4 ) (2 0 0 4 )

(fai l u re t o rech arg e t h e g en eral i n s t ru ct i o n s co n s ti t u t ed h arm l es s erro r w h ere, d u ri n g

t h e s eco n d p a rt o f a b i fu rcat ed t ri al

, th e co u rt as k ed t h e ju ry “ t o recal l t h e co urt ’ s

8 Cl ark al s o co n ten d s t h at t ri al co un s el s h o u l d h av e as k ed t h e t ri al co u rt t o rech arg e t h e ju ry on i t s o b l i g at io n t o co n s id er each co u nt o f t h e i n d i ct m en t s ep arat el y

wh en d et erm i n i n g Cl ark ’ s g ui l t o r i n n o cen ce o n each ch arg e. Du ri n g t h e s e co n d

p h as e of th e t ri al

, ho wev er, th e ju ry was o n l y d et erm i n i n g Cl ark ’ s g u i l t o r i nn o cen ce

as t o a si n g l e co un t o f t h e i n d i ct m en t. Acco rd i n gl y

, t h i s as s ert i o n i s en t i rel y wi t h o ut

m eri t

.

18p rev i o u s p rel i m i n ary i n s t ru ct i o ns an d i t s o t her i ns t ru ct i o ns at t h e cl o se of t he fi rs t p art

o f t h e bi fu rcat ed t ri al ,” an d l es s t h an 2 4 h o u rs had el ap s ed bet ween t h e t wo ch arg es )

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

(i i) Cl ark n ex t as s ert s t h at t ri al co u n sel s h o u l d h av e o b ject ed t o t he tri al co urt ’ s

s t at em en t t h a t t h e ju ry h ad “ j u s t t h i s m o rn i n g fo u n d th at

. . . Cl ark

. . . co m m i t t ed a

fel o n y o ffen se o r o ffen s es ag ai n s t an o t h er p ers o n .” Cl ark co n t en d s th at t h i s s t at em en t

co n st i t u t ed an i m

p ro per co m

m en t o n t h e ev i d en ce, in v i o l at i o n o f O CGA § 1 7 -8 -5 7

. 9

Sp eci fi cal l y

, Cl ar

k a r g ue s th at t he co u rt ’ s s t at em en t es s en t i al l y i n st ru ct ed t he ju ry t h at

t h e St at e d i d n ot h av e t o p ro v e an es s en t i al el em en t o f O CGA § 1 6 -1 1 -1 3 3 (b ) (1 )

–

t h at Cl ark had u s ed a fi rearm wh i l e co m m i t t i n g “ [a] n y cri m e ag ai n s t o r i n v o l v i n g t h e

p ers o n o f an o th er.” Th i s arg u m en t i s u n p ers uas i v e.

Du ri n g t h e f

i r s t p art o f th e t ri al

, t h e ju ry was i n s tru ct ed t h at i t co u l d co n v i ct

Cl ark of t h e ch arg es o f ag g r a v a t e d as sau l t o n l y i f it fo u n d th at Cl ark h ad as s au l t ed

an o th e r p ers o n wi t h a d ead l y weap o n

. Th e co u rt fu rt h er i n st ru ct ed t h e ju ry t h at i t

co u ld co n v i ct Cl ark o f Co u n t 7 (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 ss i o n o f a

9 Th at s t at u t e p ro v i d es

, i n rel ev an t p art

, t h at “ [i ] t i s erro r fo r an y ju d g e, d u ri n g

an y p h as e o f an y cri m i n al cas e, t o ex p res s o r in t i m at e t o t h e ju ry t h e ju d g e’ s o p i n i o n

as t o wh et h er a fact at i s s ue h as o r h as n o t b een p ro ved or as t o t h e g ui l t o f t h e

accu s ed

. ” OCGA § 1 7 -8 -5 7 (a) (1 ).

19fel o n y ) o n l y i f i t fo u n d th at Cl ark h ad u s ed a fi rearm ag ai n s t an o t h er p ers o n d u ri n g

t h e co m m i s s i o n o f a fel o n y

. Th u s

, t h e s t at em en t wh i ch Cl ark n o w cl ai m s was an

i m p ro p er co m

m en t o n t h e ev i d en ce was s im pl y an accu rat e s t at em en t o f fact b y t h e

t ri al co u rt

. T ri al co u n sel

, t h erefo re, d i d n o t p erfo rm defi ci en tl y i n fai l in g t o o b ject to

t h e s t at em en t

. See Tr i

g ger v. S t a t e

, 2 7 5 Ga. 5 1 2

, 5 1 5 (4 ) (5 7 0 SE2 d 3 2 3 ) (2 0 0 2 ),

o v erru l ed o n o th er g ro u nd s

, W i l s o n v. S ta t e

, 2 77 Ga. 1 9 5 (5 8 6 SE2 d 66 9 ) (2 0 0 3 ) (i n

t ri al fo r p o s s es s i o n o f a fi rearm b y a co n v i ct ed fel on

, th e co u rt ’ s “ si m p l y s t at i n g [i n

i t s c h a r g e t o t h e ju ry ] t he l eg al p ro po s i t i o n t h at a cert ai n cri m e i s a fel o ny d i d n ot

co n st i t u t e an i m

p ro p er co m

m en t o n t h e ev id en ce”).

(i ii ) Cl ark fu rt h er arg u es t h at t ri al co u n s el s h o ul d hav e o b ject ed t o t h e t ri al

co u rt ’ s fai l u re t o d efi n e th e t erm “ fel o n y ” fo r t h e ju ry

, as wi t h ou t t h at i n st ru ct i o n

, t h e

ju ry co u l d n o t d et erm i ne w h et h er th e 1 9 9 3 cri m es t o wh i ch Cl ark p l ed gu i l t y were

fel o n i es

. Ag ai n

, we d i s ag ree. St at e’ s Ex h i bi t 3 4 (t he cert i fi ed co p y o f Cl ark ’ s 1 9 9 3

co n vi ct i o n ), in cl u d ed th e i n d i ct m en t u n d er wh ich Cl ark p l ed g ui l t y as wel l as t h e

cert ifi cat i o n o f Cl ark ’ s l awy er wi t h res pect t o s ch ed ul i ng o f t h e 1 9 9 3 cas e. An d t h e

sc h ed u l i n g d o cu m en t m ak es cl ear t h at t h e cri m es ch arg ed i n t h e 1 9 9 3 i nd i ct m e nt w e r e

fel o n i es

. Gi ven t h at St at e’ s Ex h ib i t 3 4 was pro v i d ed t o t h e j u ry d u r i n g t h ei r

20d el i b erat i o n s

, t h e ju ry h ad ev i d en ce fro m wh i ch i t co u ld d et erm i n e t h at t h e 1 9 9 3

cri m es co n s t i t u t ed fel o n i es

.

(i v) Fi nal l y

, Cl ark co n t en d s t h at t ri al co u n s el w as i n effect i v e fo r fai l i n g to

req u es t a ch arg e l i m i ti n g th e u se o f St at e’ s Ex h i b it 3 4

. Pu t an o th er way

, Cl ark as s ert s

t h at t ri al co u n s el s h o u l d h av e req u es t ed t h at th e ju ry b e i n s tru ct ed t h at t h ey co u ld

co n si d er t he ex h i b i t on l y fo r t h e p u rp o se of det erm i n in g wh et h er Cl ark was a

co n vi ct ed fel o n. Gi v en t h at t hi s was a b ifu rcat ed t ri al

, h o wev e r

, t h ere was n o o t h er

p u rp os e f o r w h i c h t h e j u ry co u l d u s e St at e’ s Ex h ib i t 3 4

. Acco rd i n g l y

, a l i m i t i n g

i n s t ru ct i o n was n o t n eces s ary an d t ri al co un s el d id n ot p erfo rm d efi ci en t l y i n fai l i n g

t o req u es t s u ch an i ns t ru ct i o n

.

(f) Fi n al ly

, Cl ark arg u es t h at t ri al co u n sel p erfo rm ed d efi ci en t l y wh en h e fai l ed

t o req u es t a ju ry ch arg e o n t he l es s er i n cl u ded o ffen s e o f reck l es s co n d uct

. To s u p p o rt

t h i s cl ai m

, Cl ark rel i es o n t h e l eg al ru l e t h at “ [a] wri t t en req u es t t o ch arg e a l es s er

i n cl u d ed o ffen s e m

u s t al way s b e g i v en if th ere is an y ev id en ce t h at t h e defen d an t i s

g u i l t y o f t h e l es s er [cri m e] .” Al l a b en v. S t a t e

, 29 9 Ga

. 2 5 3

, 2 5 7 (3 ) (a) (7 8 7 SE2 d

7 1 1 ) (2 0 1 6 ) (ci t at i o n an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t ted ). At t h e h eari n g o n Cl ark ’ s m o t i o n fo r

a new t ri al

, h o wev er, t ri al co u n sel t es t i fi ed h e m ad e a s trat eg i c d eci s i o n n o t t o req u es t

t o ch arg e o n reck l es s co nd uc t

, a s s u c h a ch arg e wo ul d n ot h av e wo rk ed wi t h t h e

21t h eo ry

o f d efen s e. Co u n s el ex p l ai n ed t h at Cl ark ’ s o wn t es ti m o ny , an d t h erefo re t h e

t h eo ry of d efen s e, was th at i t was Tarp l ey

, rat h er t h an Cl ark

, wh o w as res p o n s i b l e fo r

fi ri n g t h e .9 m

m g u n

. Al t h o u g h Cl ark ack n o wl ed ged t h at h e s tru g g led wi t h Tarp l ey

fo r t he g u n i n an effo rt t o defen d h i m s el f, co u n s el b el iev ed t h at s u ch co n d u ct “ real l y

wo u l d n o t ev en h av e ari s en t o reck l es s co n d u ct

. . . . [ Un d e r t h e t h eo ry of d efen s e,

Cl ark ] wo u l d h av e b een . . . n o t g u i l t y . . . o f ei t h er [cri m e.] ” 1 0

G i v en th e s t rat eg i c n at u re o f t ri al co u n s el ’ s d eci s i o n

, it “ can p ro v i d e n o

g ro u nd s fo r [an i n effect i v e as s i s t an ce cl ai m ] u n l es s i t was s o p at en tl y u n reas o n ab l e

t h at n o co m

p et en t at to rn ey

wo u l d h av e ch o s en i t .” Ma n t oo t h v. St a t e

, 3 03 Ga. Ap p.

3 3 0

, 3 3 6 (1 ) (b ) (6 9 3 SE2 d 5 8 7 ) (2 0 1 0 ) (ci t at i o n an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed ). An d i t i s

Cl ark wh o b ears t he b u rd en o f reb u t t in g th e st ro n g p res um p t i o n t h at t h i s s t rat eg y was

a re as on ab l e o n e, m ad e i n th e ex erci s e o f reas o n ab l e p ro fes s i on al ju d g m en t

. Th o r n t o n

v. S t a te

, 30 1 Ga. Ap p

. 7 8 4

, 7 9 3 (4 ) (6 89 SE2 d 3 6 1 ) (2 0 0 9 ). In li g h t o f t ri al co u n sel ’ s

t es t i m o ny reg ard i n g t h e reas o n s u n d erl y in g h i s d eci s i o n n o t t o req u es t t o ch arg e o n

1 0 Un d er G eo rg i a law, a pers o n i s g u i lt y o f reck l es s co n d u ct wh ere h e “ cau s es

b o d i l y h arm t o o r e n d a n g ers th e b o d i l y s afet y o f an o t h er p ers o n b y co ns ci o u s l y

d i s reg ard i n g a s ub s t an t i al an d u n ju s t i fi ab le ri s k th at h i s a c t o r o m is si o n wi l l cau s e

h arm or en d an g er t h e s afet y o f t h e o th er p ers o n an d t h e di s reg ard co n st it u t es a g ro ss

d ev iat i o n fro m th e st an d ard o f care wh i ch a reas o nab l e p ers o n wo ul d ex erci s e i n t h e

s i tu at i o n

. ” OCGA § 1 6 -5 -6 0 (b ).

22reck l es s co nd u ct

, Cl ark can no t carry t h i s b u rd en

. See W el ls v. S t a t e

, 2 9 5 Ga. 1 6 1

, 1 6 6

(2 ) (b ) (7 5 8 SE2 d 5 9 8 ) (2 0 14 ) (“ t h e d eci s io n no t t o req u es t a ju ry ch arg e o n a l es s er

i n cl u d ed o ffen s e in o rd er to p urs u e an ‘ al l -o r-n o t h i ng ’ d e f e n s e i s a m at ter o f t ri al

s t rat eg y

, an d reas o n ab l e t r i a l s t rat eg y

, wh et her w i s e o r u nwi s e, gen eral l y d o es n ot

am ou n t t o i n effect i v e as s i s t an ce o f co u nsel ”) (ci t at i on an d p u nct u at i o n o m i tt ed ); Ta ul

v. S t a t e

, 2 9 0 Ga

. A p p

. 2 88

, 2 9 3 (4 ) (b ) (6 5 9 SE2 d 6 4 6 ) (2 0 08 ) (t ri al co u n sel ’ s

d eci s i o n t o fo r g o req u es t i n g a ch arg e o n reck les s co nd u ct an d p res en t an “ ‘ al l o r

n o t h i n g ’ d efen s e fo r t h e ag g rav at ed as sau l t ch arg e” was a m at t er of reas o n ab l e t ri al

s t rat eg y ).

3

. U n d er Geo rg i a l aw, a “ t ri al co u rt m u st ch arg e t h e j u r y o n t h e d efen d an t ’ s

s o l e d efen s e, ev en wi t h o u t a wri t t en req u es t

, i f t h ere i s s o m e ev id en ce t o su p p o rt t h e

ch arg e.” Ta r ves t a d v. S ta t e

, 2 6 1 Ga. 6 05

, 6 0 6 (4 0 9 SE2 d 5 1 3 ) (1 9 9 1 ). Rel y i n g o n

Ta r ves ta d

, Cl ark as s ert s th at t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n f a i l i n g to ch arg e t h e ju ry s u a

s p o n te o n t he l es s er i ncl u d ed o ffen s e o f reck l es s co nd u ct

, as t h at rep res en t ed h i s s o l e

d efen s e. W e fi n d n o erro r.

Ta r ves t a d i n v o lv ed a d efen d an t ’ s as s ert i o n o f t h e affi rm at iv e d efen s e o f

ju s t ifi cat i o n

, p u rs uan t to OCGA § 1 6 -3 -2 0

. W e t h erefo re vi ew Ta r ves ta d as s t an d i n g

fo r t h e pro p o s i t i o n t h at a t ri al co u rt m u s t ch arg e t h e ju ry o n a defen d an t ’ s l eg al

23affi rm at i v e d efen s e, s u ch as t h o s e fo u n d i n OCGA § 1 6 -3 -2 0

, et s eq

. See OCGA § 1 6

-

3 -2 8 (“ [a] d ef

e n s e b a s ed up o n an y o f t h e pro v i si o n s of t h i s art icl e i s an affi rm at i v e

d efen s e”).

W i t h a l eg al affi rm at iv e d efen s e, t h e accu sed ad m i ts th e el em en t s o f th e

cri m e, b ut s eek s t o ju s ti fy , ex cu s e, o r m i t ig at e b y s h o wi n g n o cri m i nal

i n t en t ; al l el em en t s o f th e p a r t s o f t he cri m e are ad m it t ed wi th th e

ex cep t i on o f t h e i n t en t al l d efen ses wh i ch h av e b een h el d t o b e st at ut o ry

affi rm at iv e d efen s es m eet t h es e cri t eri a, i.e., ju s t i fi cat i on

, sel f-d e f en s e

o r d efen s e of o t hers

, ren d eri n g as s i st an ce t o l aw en fo rcem en t o ffi cers

,

d efen s e o f h ab i t at i o n

, d efen s e o f p ro p ert y o th er t h an h ab i tat i o n

,

en t rap m en t , an d co erci o n

.

McCl u r e v. S t a te

,

_

__ Ga. A p p

.

_

_ _ (2 ) ( 8 1 5 S E 2 d 3 1 3 ) (2 0 1 8 ) (ci t at i o n an d

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

A cl ai m t h at t h e St at e has p ro v ed o nl y a l es s er i n cl u ded o ffen s e o f t h e ch arg ed

cri m e

, h o wev er, d o es no t co n s t i t u t e a l eg al affi rm at i v e d efen s e. Acco rd i n g l y

,

Ta r ves ta d d o es n o t s u p p o rt t h e p ro p o s i t i on t hat a t ri al co u rt i s req u ired t o ch arg e o n

a l es s er i n cl u d ed o ffen s e, e v e n i n t h e a b s en ce o f a req u es t fo r su ch a ch arg e. 1 1 See

1 1 Co m p are St r oz i er v. S t a t e

, 2 54 Ga. Ap p

. 5 28

, 53 0 (3 ) (5 6 2 SE2 d 8 3 2 ) (2 0 0 2 )

(as s u m i n g wi t ho u t d eci di n g t h at a l es s er i n cl u d ed o ffen s e can c o n s t i tu t e a “ s o l e

d efen s e” u nd er Ta r ves ta d ); Ro g er s v. S t a t e

, 2 4 7 G a. Ap p

. 21 9

, 22 2 (4 ) (5 4 3 SE2 d 8 1 )

(2 0 0 0) (s am e).

24S

ea y v. S t a t e

, 2 7 6 Ga. 1 39

, 1 4 0 (2 ) (5 76 SE2 d 8 3 9 ) (2 0 0 3) (“ [a] b s en t a wri t t en

req u es t fo r a ch arg e o n a l es s er i n cl ud ed o ffen s e, m ad e at o r befo re t h e cl o s e o f t h e

ev i d en ce, t h e fai l u re t o s o ch arg e i s n o t erro r”). Here, Cl ark n ei t her req ues t ed a ju ry

ch arg e on reck les s co n d uct as a l es s er i n cl u d ed o ffen s e n o r o bject ed t o t he ch arg e as

g i v en

. W e t h erefo re rev i ew t he fai l u re to ch arg e o n reck l es s co nd u ct fo r pl ai n erro r.

See S ha w v. S t a t e

, 2 9 2 Ga. 8 7 1 , 8 73 (2 ) (7 4 2 SE2 d 7 07 ) (2 0 1 3 ).

“ A fai l u re t o ch arg e am o u n t s t o p l ai n erro r o n l y to th e ex t en t t h at t h e fai l u re to

ch arg e was erro neo u s

, t h e erro r was o b vi o u s

, t h e fai l u re t o ch arg e li k el y affect ed t h e

o u t co m e o f t h e p ro ceed i n g s

, an d th e erro r s eri o u s l y affect ed t h e f a irn es s, i n t eg ri t y

,

o r p u b l i c r e p u t a t i o n o f ju di ci al p ro ceed i n g s .” B ur ke v. S t a t e

, 3 0 2 Ga. 7 8 6

, 7 8 9 (2 )

(8 0 9 S E 2 d 7 6 5 ) (2 0 1 8 ) (ci t at i o n an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed ). “ [P] l ai n -erro r an al y s i s

,

wh i ch m u s t b e d i s t in g u i s h ed fro m h arm l es s-erro r an al y s i s

, req u ires t h e ap p el l an t to

m ak e an d affi rm at i v e s h o wi n g th at t h e erro r p ro b ab l y d id affect th e o ut co m e b el o w.”

S h a w

, 2 9 2 Ga. at 8 7 3 (2 ) (ci t at i o n s an d p u n ct uat i o n o m i t ted ). In t h i s cas e, t h ere was

n o ev i d en ce s h o wi n g t h at Cl ark ’ s fi ri n g a g u n at an y o f t h e as s au l t v i ct i m s w a s

n eg li g en t

, rat h er t han i n t en t i o n al

. M o reo v er

, C la r k ’ s ow n te sti m o n y

, an d t h erefo re t h e

t h eo ry o f d efen s e, was t h at Cl ark w as n o t res p o n si bl e fo r t h e fi ri ng o f th e g u n

. Gi v en

t h at a ch arg e o f reck l es s co n d u ct was i n co n s i s t en t wi t h Cl ark ’ s t heo ry o f d efen s e an d

25was o t h erw i s e u n s up p o rt ed b y t h e ev i d en ce, we fi n d n o o b vi ou s erro r i n t h e t ri al

co u rt ’ s fai l u re t o ch arg e o n t h at l es s er i n cl u d ed o ffen s e. See Gr a n t v. S t a t e

, 2 5 7 Ga.

Ap p . 6 7 8 , 6 8 1 (1 ) (c) (5 7 2 SE2 d 3 8 ) (2 0 0 2) (ch arg e o n reck l es s co n du ct as a l es s er

i n cl u d ed o ffen s e o f a g grav at ed as s au lt was n o t warran t ed i n t h e ab s en ce o f an y

ev i d en ce s h o wi n g t hat t he ch arg ed co n d u ct was “ an y t h i n g o t h er t h an i n ten t i o n al ”).

4

. In h i s fi n al en u m erat i o n o f erro r, Cl ark as s ert s t h at t h e tri a l c o u r t erred in

ad m i t t i ng

, o v er Cl ark ’ s o b ject io n

, St at e’ s E xh i b i t 20 (co ns i s t i n g o f an em p t y .9 m m

s h el l cas i n g

, a l iv e .9 m

m ro u nd

, an d a b u l l e t ). An y erro r i n th e ad m i ss i o n o f t h i s

ev i d en ce, h o wev er, p ro v i des no b as i s fo r rev ers al if t h e erro r was h arm l es s

. Jo h n so n

v. S t a t e , 3 0 7 Ga. Ap p . 7 9 1, 7 93 (7 0 6 SE2 d 1 50 ) (2 0 1 1 ). “ Th e tes t fo r h arm fu l erro r

i s wh et h er i t i s ‘ hi gh l y pro b ab l e’ t h at t h e erro r co nt ri b u t ed t o t he ju d g m en t.” Ma r t i n ez

v. S t a te

, 3 0 6 Ga. Ap p

. 5 1 2

, 5 2 5 (5 ) (7 0 2 SE2 d 7 4 7 ) (2 0 1 0 ) (ci t at i on an d pu n ct u at i o n

o m it t ed ).

As n o t ed su p ra i n Di v i s i o n ( 2 ) (a), t h e ev i den ce ag ai n st Cl ark was

o v erwh el m i ng

. Gi v en t h e si g n i fi can t ev i den ce of Cl ark ’ s g u i l t

, ev en i f t h e ad m i s s i o n

o f St at e’ s Ex h ib it 20 was erro n eo u s ,”i t can n o t be s ai d t h at an y erro r in t h e ad m i s s i o n

o f [t h at ] ev i d en ce l i k e l y a f f ect ed t h e o u t co m e b el o w.” Ga t es v. S t a t e

, 29 8 Ga. 3 2 4,

3 2 8 (3 ) (7 8 1 SE2 d 7 7 2 ) (2 01 6 ). See al s o Lu n s f o rd v. S t a t e

, 26 0 Ga. Ap p. 8 1 8, 8 2 3 (4 )

26(5 8 1 SE2 d 6 38 ) (2 0 03 ) (erro n eo u s ad m i s s i o n o f ev i d en ce co n s t i t u ted h arm l es s erro r

“ i n l i g h t o f t he o v erwh el m i ng ev i d en ce” o f t h e d efen d an t ’ s g u il t ).

Fo r t h e reas o n s s et fo rt h ab o v e, we affi rm t h e t ri al c o u r t ’s d en i al o f Cl ark ’ s

m o ti o n fo r a n ew t ri al

.

Ju d g men t a f f i r m ed . El l i n g t o n , P. J., a n d Rees e, J., co n cu r

.

27