FOURTH D I VI SI ON

BA RNES, P. J.

, RA Y and M CM I LLI A 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.

http://w w w .ga a ppe a l s .us /r ule s

October 27, 2015



# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A1 5 A1 60 8 . PLATT v . THE STATE.

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

Th i s cas e ari s es o u t o f a g u n fi gh t t h at r es u l t ed i n t h e d eat h o f t wo o f t h e

s h o o ters

. Bas ed o n ci rcu m s t an t i al ev i d en ce o f h i s ro l e as a p art y t o t h e c r i m es t h at

were co m m i tt ed

, a ju ry fo u n d J am es Pl at t g u i l t y o f v o l un t ary m an s l au g h t er an d o t h er

rel at ed o ffen s es

. Pl at t fi l ed a m o t i o n fo r n ew tri al

, as am en d ed

, w hi ch t h e t ri al co u rt

d en ied

. On ap p eal

, Pl at t ch al l en g es t h e s u ffi ci en cy o f t h e ev i d en ce t o s u p p o rt h i s

co n vi ct i o n s an d co n t en d s t h at t h e tri al co u r t e r r e d b y fai l i n g t o s tri k e a p ro s p ect i v e

ju ro r fo r cau s e. Fo r t h e reas o n s d i s cu s s ed b el o w, we affi rm

.

1

. In rev i ewi n g Pl at t’ s ch al l en g e to t h e s u ffi ci en cy o f t h e ev i d en ce, we as k o n l y

“ wh et h er, aft er v i ewi n g t h e ev i d en ce i n t h e l i g ht m o s t fav o rab le t o t h e p ro s ecu t i o n,

a n y rat i o n al t ri er o f fact co u l d h av e fo u n d t h e es s en t i al el em en t s o f t h e cri m e b ey o n d

a reas o n ab l e d o u b t .” (Ci t at i o n o m i t t ed ; em p h as is in ori g i n al .) Ja cks o n v. Vi r g i n i a

,

4 4 3 U. S. 3 0 7

, 3 1 9 (III) (B) (9 9 SCt 2 7 8 1, 6 1 LE2 d 56 0 ) (1 9 7 9 ). Th e ju ry rat h er t h ant h i s Co u rt “ res o l v es co n fl i ct s i n t he t es t i m o n y

, wei g hs t h e ev i den ce, an d d raws

reas on ab l e i n feren ces fro m b as i c fact s t o u l t i m at e fact s .” Bu tl er v. S t a t e

, 2 8 4 Ga. Ap p.

8 0 2

, 8 0 3 (6 4 4 SE2 d 8 9 8 ) (2 0 07 ). “ So l o n g as th ere i s s om e co m p et en t ev i d en ce, ev en

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

, t o s u p p ort each el em en t o f t h e St at e’ s cas e, t h e ju ry ’ s v erd i ct

wi l l b e u ph el d .” McLeo d v. S t a t e

, 2 4 5 Ga. Ap p

. 6 6 8

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

Vi ewed i n t h is m an n e r

, t h e reco rd sh o w s t h at o n th e aft ern o o n o f Sep t em b er

2 8

, 2 0 0 9

, A n t o n i o C lark

, J arret t D i x o n

, an d an un i d en t i fi ed t h ird m al e en t ered an

ap art m en t in San d y Sp ri n g s wh ere t h ey en g ag ed in a g u n fi g h t wi t h s ev eral m en

,

i n cl u d i n g Del m an Hi gu era-Hern an d ez, wh o l i v ed i n t h e ap art m en t, an d hi s as s o ci at e,

San to s Pal aci o s-Vas q u ez. W h en t h e p o l i ce arri v ed at t h e ap art m en t aft er t h e g u n fi g h t

,

t h ey fo u n d t h e wal l s ri dd l ed wi t h b u l l et ho l es an d b l oo d s t ai n s i ns i d e an d o u t s i d e t h e

ap art m en t

. Sh el l cas i n g s fro m fo u r d i ffere n t t y p es of am m

u ni t i o n were s cat t ered

t h ro u g h s ev eral ro o m s. A b ox o f .3 8 0 am m u ni t i o n was i n a b ed ro o m cl o s et

. Co cai ne,

d i g i t al s cal es

, an d o t h er d ru g -rel at ed p arap h ern al ia were i n t h e h al l way cl o s et

, d i n i n g

ro o m , an d k i t ch en

.

M o s t o f t h e m en i nv o l v ed i n t h e g u n f i g h t h a d fl ed b y th e t i m e t h e p o l i ce

arri v ed

. Ho wev er, wh en t h e p o li ce en t ered t h e ap art m en t

, t h ey d i s co v ered t h e fat al l y

wo u n d ed Cl ark an d Pal aci o s -Vas q u ez o n t h e fl o o r. Cl ark h ad b een s h o t i n t h e h ead

2wi t h a .3 8 0 cal ib er p i s t o l an d was t ak en t o t h e ho s p i t al

, wh ere he d ied l at er t h at

ev en in g

. Pal aci o s -Vas q u ez h ad b een s h o t m u l ti p l e t i m es

, i ncl u d in g i n th e ch es t wi th

a 5 .7 m m p i s t o l , an d was p ro n o u n ced d ead at t h e s cen e. Di x o n was n o l o n g er at t h e

ap art m en t wh en t he po l i ce arri v ed

, b u t a b l o od s t ai n fro m t h e h a l l bat h ro o m was

t es t ed an d m at ch ed h i s DNA p ro fi l e.

Defen d an t Pl at t w as fri en d s wi t h Cl ark an d Di x o n, an d h e l iv ed wi t h Di x o n in

Decat u r. On t h e d ay o f t h e g u n fi g h t

, Cl ark h ad been d ro p p ed o ff b y h i s gi rl fri en d at

t h e res i d en ce o f Pl at t an d Di x o n

. It i s un d i sp u ted t h at Pl at t was n o t i n s id e th e San dy

Sp ri n g s ap a r t m en t l at er t h at d ay wh en t h e g u nfi g h t o ccu rred

. Ho wev er, t h e St at e

arg u ed t h at Pl at t was an acco m p l i ce o f Cl ark

, Di x o n

, an d t h e u n i d en t i fi ed t h i rd m al e

wh o h ad en t ered t he ap art m en t an d en g ag ed i n t he g u nfi g h t wi t h Pal aci o s -Vas q uez

an d h i s as s o ci at es

. Th e St at e co n t en ded t h at Pl at t h ad p ro v id ed h i s In fi ni t i fo r u s e in

t h e en co u n t er an d h ad w ai ted o u t s i d e t h e ap art m en t i n h i s s il v er Gran d Pri x wh i l e t h e

o t h er t hree m en w en t i n s i d e. Becau s e n o p art i ci p an t s o r ey ewi t n es s es to t h e g u n fi g ht

t es t i fi ed at t ri al

, t h e St at e rel i ed u p o n ci rcu m s t an ti al ev i d en ce g at h ered b y t h e p o l i ce

d u ri n g t h ei r i nv es t i g at i o n t o l i n k Pl at t t o t h e g un fi g ht , as d i s cu s s ed b el o w

.

Pl a t t’s In fi n i t i at t he Ap a r t men t

. Cl ark d i d n o t o wn a car, b u t wo u ld s o m et i m es

b o rro w o n e o f Pl at t ’ s cars

. Pl at t h ad an In fi n i t i sp o rt s ed an

. Aft er th e g u n f i g h t

, t h e

3p o l i ce p h o to g rap h ed Pl at t ’ s In fi n i t i p ark ed o u t s i d e t h e San d y Sp ri n g s ap art m en t as

p art o f t h ei r p ro ces si n g of t h e cri m e scen e. Aft er co n n ect i n g t h e In fi n i t i t o t h e c a s e

an d o bt ai n i n g a s earch warran t, t h e p o l i ce search ed t h e car, wh i ch by t h en had b een

d ri v en b ack t o Pl at t ’ s res i d en ce, an d t h e p o l ice s ei zed a b o x of 5.7 m m am m u n i t i o n

wi t h b l u e p o l ym e r t i p s fro m t h e g l o v e co m p art m en t

. Th e St at e’ s ex p ert fi rearm

ex am i n er l at er t es ti fi ed t h at b l ue p o ly m er t i p s are u n co m m o n i n p i st o l ro u n d s

.

M u l ti p l e 5 .7 m

m cart ri d g e cas es were reco v ered fro m th e San d y Sp ri ng s

ap a r t m e n t

. Th e St at e’ s fi rearm ex am i n er t es ti fi ed th at al l of t h e 5.7 m m cart ri d g e

ca s e s were s h o t fro m th e s am e h an d gu n

. Pal aci o s -Vas q u ez was s h ot wi t h 5 .7 m m

am m u n i t io n

, an d th e St at e’ s fo ren s i c p at ho l o g i s t ex t ract ed a b l u e p o ly m er t i p fro m

h i s ch es t cav it y

.

Th e A p a r t men t Nei

gh b o r

. In ad d i t i o n t o t h e In fi n i ti

, Pl at t h ad a s i l v er Po n t i ac

Gran d Pri x

. Cl ark ’ s g i rl fri en d s aw t h e Gran d Pri x p ark ed o ut s i d e Pl at t ’ s res i d en ce o n

t h e d ay o f t h e g u n fi g ht wh en s he d ro p p ed Cl ark o ff t h ere.

A n ei gh b o r in t h e s am e San d y Sp ri ng s ap art m e n t b ui l d i n g was at h o m e l at er

t h at d ay wh en t h e g u n fi g h t o ccu rred

. So m et i m e b et ween 3 : 3 0 p .m

. an d 4: 0 0 p .m

., t h e

n ei g h b o r recal l ed h eari n g “ un u s u al l y l o u d t h u m p i n g o r n oi s y s o un d s ” co m i n g fro m

an o th er ap art m en t fo l l owed b y l o u d fo o t s t ep s o n t h e o u t si d e s t ai rcas e. Th e n ei g h b o r

4l o o k ed o u t t h e wi n d o w an d s aw t wo m en co m i n g fro m th e d i rect i o n o f t h e s t ai rcas e

ju m p i n t o t h e p as s en g er s eat s o f a si l ver car t h at h ad ap p ro ach ed t h e a p a r t m e n t

b u i l d i n g at a h i g h rat e of s p eed

. Becau s e t h e wi n d o w s o f t h e car w ere t i n t ed

, t h e

n ei g h b o r was u n ab l e t o i d en t i fy t h e d ri v er, b u t s h e was ab l e to g en eral l y d es cri b e t h e

t w o m e n w h o ju m

p ed i nt o th e car by race, ag e, an d cl o t hi n g

. Th e car s p ed o ff aft er

p i ck i n g u p t h e t wo m en

.

Th e Gr a d

y Ho s pi t a l S u r vei l l a n ce Fo o t ag e. Th e p o l i ce o b t ai n ed v i d eo

s u rv ei l l an ce fo o tag e fro m G rad y Ho s p i t al in At lan t a, wh i ch was ab ou t 1 7 -1 8 m i n u t es

fro m t h e San d y Sp ri n g s ap art m en t

, t h at co rro bo rat ed th e t es t i m o n y of t h e ap art m en t

n ei g h b o r. Th e v id eo fo ot ag e sh o wed Pl at t, Di x o n

, an d an u n k n o wn m al e g et t i n g o ut

o f a s i l v er car, co n s is t en t i n ap p earan ce wi t h a Gran d Pri x

, o u t si d e Grad y Ho s p i t al at

4 : 0 8 p

. m

. Pl at t an d t h e u n kn o wn m al e are t h en s een carry i n g Di x o n i nt o th e h o s p i t al

,

wh ere h e was t reat ed fo r a g u ns h o t wo u n d to h i s ch es t

. Th e ap pearan ce of Di x o n an d

t h e u n kn o w n m al e o n th e vi d eo was co n s i s t en t wi t h t he n ei g h b o r ’s g e n eral

d es cri p t io n o f t h e m en wh o ju m p ed i n t o t he s i l v er car o u t si d e t h e ap art m en t

.

Pl at t l eft th e h o sp i t al aft er d r o p p i n g o ff Di x o n fo r t reat m en t

. A wh i t e t -s hi rt

wi t h Di xo n ’ s b lo o d o n i t was l at er fo u n d at Pl at t ’ s res i d en ce w h en t h e p o l i ce ex ecu t ed

a s earch warran t t h ere.

5Th e Cel l Ph o n e Reco r ds

. Th e p o l i ce ob t ai n ed cel l p h on e r eco rd s fo r s ev eral

p h o n es as s o ci at ed wi th t h e g u n fi g h t, i ncl u d in g cel l p h o n es li n k ed t o Di x o n an d Cl ark

.

T he reco rd s refl ect ed t h at o n t he d ay o f t h e g u n fi g h t

, D i xo n s en t a t ex t m es s ag e t o

Cl ark at 3 : 22 p .m

., i n fo rm i n g Cl ark t h at “ we w en t 2 d a ap t acro s s d a s treet ” an d t h at

Cl ark s h o u l d m eet t h em t h ere. T h en

, at 3 : 41 p .m

., Cl ark s en t a t ex t m es s ag e t o Di x o n

i n fo rm i n g hi m t h at an “ am i g o ” was “ o n t h e s t ep s ” an d “ we ri g h t h ere al read y .” Cel l

p h o n e t o w er i n fo rm at i o n fo r t h e t wo p h o n es i n d i cat ed t h a t t h e tex t m es s ag es were

s en t an d recei v ed i n San d y Sp ri n g s

.

Cal l s m ad e t o an d fro m a p rep ai d cel l ph o n e wi t h th e n u m b e r 4 0 4 -5 1 0 -0 9 8 1

ap p eared o n b o t h Cl ark an d D i x o n ’ s cel l p h on e reco rd s

. Cel l p ho n e reco rd s fo r t h e

4 0 4 -5 1 0 -0 9 8 1 n u m

ber s h o wed s ev eral cal ls wi t h Cl ark an d Di xo n o n t h e d ay o f t h e

g u n fi g h t, i n cl u d in g a n u m b er o f cal l s i n q ui ck s u cces si o n fro m 3 :4 2 p

. m . u n t i l 3 : 5 1

p .m ., t he t i m e p eri o d wh en t h e g u n fi g h t o ccu rred

. 1

1 As p rev i o u s l y n o t ed

, Cl ark s en t a t ex t m es s ag e t o D i x o n a t 3 : 4 1 p .m

. i n fo rm i n g h im o f h i s l o c at i o n

, an d t h e Grad y Ho s p i tal s u rv ei l l an ce v i d eo s h o wed

Pl at t

, D i x o n

, an d t h e u n k n own m al e arri v i n g at t h e h o s p i t al at 4 : 0 8 p .m

. Becau s e

t h ere was t es t i m o n y t hat i t wo u ld t ak e ab o u t 1 7 -1 8 m in u t es t o t rav el t o Grad y

Ho s pi t al fro m th e San d y Sp ri n g s ap art m en t

, t h e g u nfi g h t wo u l d h av e occu rred

b et ween ap p ro x i m at el y

3 :4 1 p .m . an d 3 : 5 1 p .m

.

6Cel l p h o n e t ower i n fo rm at i o n f o r t h e 4 0 4 -5 1 0 -0 98 1 n u m b er s h o wed t h at t h e

h o l d er o f t h e cel l p h on e was i n San d y Sp ri n g s at t h e t i m e o f t h e afo rem en ti on ed cal l s

,

an d t h at th e p ho ne was p i n g i n g o f f t h e s am e cel l p h on e t o wer as t h e cel l ph o n es o f

Di x on an d Cl ark

. Th e cel l p h o n e t o w e r i n fo rm at i o n fu rt h er s h o wed t h at

, aft er t h e

g u n fi g h t o ccu rred

, t he ho l d er o f t h e p h o n e t rav el ed s o u t h t o t h e area o f Grad y

Ho s pi t al

. Ad d i ti o n al ly

, cel l p h o n e reco rd s fo r t h e 4 0 4 -5 10 -0 9 8 1 n u m b er s h o wed t h at

t h ere were t wo cal l s wi t h Pl at t ’ s g i rl fri en d s h ort l y aft er 4 : 00 p .m

.

At t ri al , t he St at e arg u ed t h at t h e p rep ai d cel l p h o n e as s o ci at ed wi t h t h e 4 0 4

-

5 1 0 -0 9 8 1 n u m

ber b el on ged to Pl at t

. To s u p p o rt it s arg u m en t

, t h e St at e rel ied u p o n

t h e cel l p h o n e t o wer i n fo rm at i on an d t h e p h on e reco rd s refl ect i n g cal l s wi t h Cl ark

,

Di x on , an d Pl at t’ s g i rl fri en d

.

Bas ed o n t h e ci rcu m s t an t i al ev i den ce o f hi s ro l e i n t h e g un fi g h t

, P l at t was

i n d i ct ed an d t ri ed o n t wo co u n t s o f m a l i c e m u rd er fo r th e sh o ot i n g d eat h s o f

Pal aci o s -Vas q u ez an d Cl ark

, an d t wo co u n t s o f 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 , am o n g o th er o ffen s es rel at ed t o t h e g un fi g ht

. 2 At t h e cl o s e

2 Si x o t h er co -d efen d an t s were i n d i ct ed fo r m u l t i p l e offen ses ari s i n g o u t o f t h e

g u n fi g h t

. Di x o n w as t ri ed wi t h Pl at t an d was co n v ict ed of v o lu n t ary m an s l au g h t er

an d s ev eral o th er cri m es

. Di x o n i s n o t a p art y to t h i s ap p eal

. Hi g u era-Hern an d ez was

t ri ed j o i n t l y

wi t h an o t h er co -d efen d an t an d w as co n v ict ed o f m al i ce m u rd er, fel o ny

m u rd er, an d o t her o ffen ses

. See Hi g u er a-Her n a d

ez v. S t a te

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

7o f t ri al

, th e t ri al co u rt i n st ru ct ed t h e ju ry o n t h e ch arg ed o f f e n s e s a n d o n v o l u n t ary

m an s l au g h t er as a l es s er in cl u d ed o ffen s e o f t h e m al i ce m u rd er ch arg es

. Th e co u rt

al s o i ns t ru ct ed t he ju ry o n t h e l aw o f p art y t o a cri m e. Th e j u ry fo u n d Pl at t g u i l t y o f

t wo co u n t s o f v o l u n t ary m an s l au g h t er an d o f t h e t w o fi rearm p o s s es si o n co u n t s

. 3

(a) Pl at t co n t en d s t h at t h e ci rcu m s tan t ial ev i d en ce was i n s uffi ci en t t o s u p p o rt

h i s co n v i ct i o n s as a p art y t o t h e cri m e o f v o lu n tary m an sl au g ht er. H e m ai nt ai n s t h at

t h e St at e’ s ev i d en ce was b as ed “ s ol el y o n as s u m p t i o n s an d i n feren ces ” an d d i d n ot

p ro v e t h at h e was “ w ai t i n g i n t h e p ark i n g l o t fo r Di xo n , Cl ark , an d t h e un i d en t i fi ed

m al e.” Pl at t fu rt h er m ai n t ai n s t h at ev en i f t h ere was ev i d en ce fro m wh i ch a ju ry co u ld

fi nd t hat h e was p ark ed o u t s i d e t h e ap art m en t

, t h e e v i d en ce s h owed n o t h i n g m o re

t h an h i s m ere pres en ce at th e s cen e an d fai l ed t o ru l e o u t e v e r y o t h er reas o n ab l e

h y p o t h es i s ex cep t h i s g u i l t

. W e are u n p ers u ad ed

.

A ju ry can fi n d a d efen d an t g u i l t y o f v o l u n tary m an s l au gh t er

2 3 6 ) (2 0 1 1 ). W het h er an d to wh at ex t en t t h e r e m a i n i n g co -d efen dan t s ’ cas es h av e

b een res o l v ed i s u n cl ear fro m t h e reco rd

.

3 Pl at t ’ s rem ai ni n g co n v i ct i o n s were m erg ed in t o t he t wo v o l u n t ary

m an s l au g h t er co n vi ct i o n s fo r s en t en ci n g p u rp ose s

. W e do n ot c onside r t he suf f ic i en cy

o f t h e ev i d en ce wi t h res p ect t o t he m erg ed o ffen s es

. See Nel s o n v. S t a t e

, 2 7 7 Ga.

Ap p . 9 2 , 9 6 (1 ) (b ) (6 2 5 SE2 d 4 6 5 ) (2 0 0 5).

8wh en h e cau s es t h e d eat h o f an o t h er h u m an b ei n g u n d er ci rcu m s tan ces

wh i ch wo u ld o t h erwi s e be m u rd er an d i f he act s s o l el y as t h e r e s u l t o f

a s u d d en

, v i o l en t

, an d i r r es i s t i b l e p as s i o n res u l t i n g fro m s eri o u s

p ro v o cat i o n s u ffi ci en t t o ex ci t e s uch p as s i o n i n a reas o n ab l e p ers o n.

OCGA § 1 6 -5 -2 (a).

“ If, u p on a su d d en q u arrel

, t h e p art i e s ag ree t o a fi g h t

, an d o n e o f t h em i s

k i l l ed

, s u ch k i l l i n g is v ol u n t ary m an s l au g h t er, n o m at t er wh o s t ri kes t h e fi rs t b l o w.”

(Ci t at i o n an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed .) W h i te v

. S t a t e

, 1 7 9 Ga. Ap p

. 2 7 6

, 2 7 7 (1 ) (3 4 6

SE2 d 9 1 ) (1 9 8 6 ). “ A m

u t u al i n t en t i o n t o fi g h t n eed n o t b e p ro v ed d i rect l y , b u t m ay

b e in f e r r e d b y t h e ju ry

fro m th e co n d u ct o f t h e p art ies .” (Ci t at i o n s an d pu n ct u at i o n

o m it t ed .) Ha r r i s v. S t a t e

, 18 3 Ga. Ap p

. 2 1 9, 22 0 (1 ) (3 5 8 SE2 d 6 3 4 ) (1 9 8 7 ). If t h ere

i s an y ev i d en ce t hat b o t h p art ies were arm ed an d “ i n t en d ed t o res o l v e t h e i r

d i fferen ces b y fi g h t i n g each o t h er w i t h d e ad l y weap o n s ,” a d efen d an t can b e

co n vi ct ed o f v o l u n t ary m an s l au g h t er i n l i eu o f m u rd er. S a n d er s v. S t a te

, 2 8 3 Ga. 3 7 2,

3 7 5 (2 ) (c) (6 5 9 SE2 d 3 7 6) (2 00 8 ).

Fu rt he r m o re, “ [a] pers o n w h o d o es no t d irect l y co m m i t a cri m e m ay b e

co n vi ct ed u p on p ro o f t h at a cri m e was co m m i t t ed an d t h at p ers o n was a p art y t o i t .”

( C i t at i o n an d p u n ct uat i o n om i tt ed .) Co p en y v. S ta t e

, 31 6 Ga. A p p

. 3 47

, 3 4 9 ( 1 ) ( a )

(7 2 9 SE2 d 4 8 7 ) (2 0 1 2 ). See OCGA § 1 6 -2 -2 0 (a).

9A p ers o n wh o i n t en t i o n al l y ai d s o r ab et s i n t h e co m m i ss i o n o f a cri m e

o r i n ten t i o n al l y ad v is es

, en co u rag es

, hi res

, co u n s el s or p ro cu res an o t h er

t o co m m i t t h e cri m e m ay b e co n vi ct ed o f t h e cri m e as a p a r t y t o t h e

cri m e. M ere p res en ce at t h e s c e n e i s no t s u ffi ci en t t o co n vi ct o n e o f

b ei n g a p art y t o a cri m e, b u t cri m i n al i n ten t m a y b e i n ferred fro m

co n d u ct b efo re, d uri n g , an d aft er t h e co m m is s i o n o f a cri m e.

(Fo o tn o te o m i t t ed .) Du n n v. S t a t e

, 2 48 Ga. Ap p. 2 2 3

, 2 2 4 -2 2 5 (1 ) (5 4 6 SE2 d 2 7 )

(2 0 0 1). Se e OC G A § 1 6 -2 -2 0 (b ). So l o ng as “ t he d efen d an t had kn o wl ed g e o f t h e

i n t en d ed cri m e an d s h ared in t h e cri m i n al in t en t of t h e p ri n ci p al act o r, h e i s an ai d er

an d ab et t er.” (Ci t at i o n

, pu n ct u at i o n

, an d em ph as i s o m i t t ed .) Co

p en y

, 3 1 6 Ga. Ap p.

at 3 49 (1 ) (a). Wh e t h e r a d efen d an t was a p art y t o t h e ch arg ed cri m e i s n o rm al l y a

q u es ti o n fo r t h e ju ry

. Du n n , 2 4 8 Ga. Ap p . at 2 2 5 (1 ).

“ Ap p l y i n g t h es e p ri n ci p l es

, we h av e h el d th at a g et away d ri v er wh o wai t s fo r

h i s co -d efen d an t t o r e t u r n t o t h e car can b e fo u n d g ui l t y as a p art y t o t h e cri m es

co m m i t t ed b y th e co -d efen d an t .” W i s e v. S t a t e

, 3 25 Ga. Ap p

. 3 7 7

, 3 8 0 (1 ) (7 5 2 SE2 d

6 2 8 ) (2 0 13 ). See al so Jo rd a n v

. S t a t e

, 2 8 1 Ga. Ap p. 4 1 9

, 4 2 2 (1 ) (6 3 6 SE2 d 1 5 1 )

(2 0 0 6) (d efen d an t w h o w ai t ed at s cen e in a s eco n d car an d t h en as s i s t ed i n es cap e

co u ld b e fo u n d g u il t y as a p ar t y t o t h e cri m e). Mo reo v er, a d efen d an t wh o

acco m pan i es a co -d efen dan t t o t h e cri m e scen e an d serv es as a l o o ko u t a l s o c an b e

10co n vi ct ed as a part y t o th e cri m e, s ee Ca mp b el l v. S t a t e

, 3 1 4 G a. Ap p. 2 9 9

, 3 0 4 (7 2 4

SE2 d 2 4) (2 01 2 ), an d ev i d en ce t h at a d efen d an t p ro v i d ed a w eap o n

, am m u n i t i o n

, o r

o t h er s u pp l i es to an o t h er p art y fo r u s e i n m u t ual co m bat can b e fo u n d g u i lt y as a p art y

t o t h e cri m e o f v o l un t ary m an sl au gh t er. See Mi t ch el l v. S t a t e

, 2 2 5 Ga. Ap p

. 2 6

, 2 7 -2 8

(1 ) (4 82 SE2 d 4 19 ) (1 9 9 7 ).

Co n st ru ed i n t he l i g h t m o s t fav o rab l e t o th e v erd i ct w i t h al l i n feren ces d rawn

i n fav o r o f t h e p ro s ecu t i o n

, t he co m b i n ed ci rcu m s t an ti al e v i d e n c e p res en t ed b y t h e

St at e i n th i s cas e refl ect ed t h at Pl at t su p p l i ed h i s In fi n i t i s t o ck ed wi t h am m u n i t i o n fo r

u s e at t h e San dy Sp ri n g s ap ar t m e n t ; acco m p an i ed Cl ark

, Di x o n

, an d t h e u n k n o wn

m a l e t o t h e ap art m en t i n h is s i l v er Gran d Pri x ; rem ai n ed p ark ed o u t s i d e w h i l e

m ai n t ai n i n g cel l p h o n e co n t act wi t h Cl ark an d Di xo n aft er t h e y a n d t h e u n k n o wn

m al e wen t in s id e t h e ap art m en t ; an d s erv ed as t h e get away dri v er wh o faci l i t at ed t h e

es cap e o f t h e wo u n d ed Di x o n an d t h e u n k n o w n m al e. Bas ed o n t h i s ci rcu m s t an t i al

ev i d en ce an d t h e cas e l aw p rev i o u s l y d i scu s s ed

, we co n cl ud e t h at a rat i o n al ju ry was

au t h o ri zed t o fi n d Pl at t gu i l t y b ey on d a reas o n ab l e d o u b t as a p art y t o t h e c ri m e o f

v o l u n t ary m an s l au g h t er. Ja cks o n

, 4 4 3 U. S

. a t 3 1 9 (III) (B). Th e j u ry reas o n ab l y

co u ld hav e i nferred t h at Pl at t

, Cl ark

, Di x o n

, an d t h e u n kn o wn m al e “ were e n g ag ed

i n a co m m o n en t erp ri s e at t h e t i m e o f t h e s h o o t in g ” an d t h at t hey “ s h ared a cri m i n al

11i n t en t wi t h res p ect t o t h e s h o ot i n g .” Po wel l v. S t a t e

, 2 9 1 Ga. 74 3

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

2 9 4 ) (2 0 1 2 ). See W

r ig h t v. S ta t e , 2 9 6 Ga. 2 7 6, 2 7 7

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

(ev i d en ce was s u ffi ci en t t o sh o w t h at d efen d an t was p art y t o sh o ot i n g co m m i t t ed by

co -d efen d an t

, w here d efen d an t d ro v e h i s co -d efen d an t s t o t h e s cen e, co m m u n i cat ed

wi t h h i s co -d efen d a n t s a t t he scen e aft er t h ey g ot ou t o f t h e car, an d s erv ed as t h e

g et away d ri v er aft er t h e s h o o t i n g ); Jo r d a n v. S t at e , 2 8 1 Ga. Ap p . 4 1 9

, 4 2 2 (1 ) (6 3 6

SE2 d 1 5 1 ) (2 0 0 6 ) (ev i d en ce was s u ffi ci en t t o s u p p o rt d efen d an t’ s co n v i ct i o n as p art y

t o th e cri m e, wh ere d efen dan t wai t ed at th e s cen e an d th en as s i s t ed hi s co -d efen d an t s

i n t hei r at t em

p t ed es cap e). 4

W h i l e Pl at t arg u es t h at t h e ev id en ce d i d n o t ex cl u de ev ery reas o n ab l e

h y p o t h es i s ex cep t hi s g u i l t

, t h e ci rcu m s t an ti al ev i den ce “ n eed n o t ex cl ud e ev ery

co n cei va b l e i n feren ce or h y p ot h es i s

– o n l y t h o se t h at are reas o n ab l e.” (Em p h as i s in

4 It i s t ru e t hat “ dri vi n g a cri m i n al p erp et rat o r aw a y f r o m a c r i m e s cen e wi th

k n o wl ed g e t h at h e h as co m m it t ed t h e cri m e d o es n o t

, i n an d o f i t s e l f

, ren d er o n e

g u i l t y as a p art y t o t h e cri m e ( a l t h o u g h i t co u l d res u l t i n cri m i n al li ab il i t y as an

acco m pl i ce aft er t h e fact at co m m o n l aw).” R a t an a v. S ta t e , 2 9 7 Ga. Ap p . 7 4 7 , 7 5 0

(6 7 8 S E 2 d 1 9 3 ) (2 0 0 9 ) (ev i d en ce in s uffi ci en t t o s up p o rt d efen dan t ’ s co n v i ct i o n as

p art y t o t h e s ho o t i n g o f t h e v i ct i m b y co -d efen d an t

, wh ere d efen d an t d ro v e t h e co

d efen d an t fro m t h e scen e aft er t he s h oo t in g

, bu t t h ere was n o ev i d en ce t h at t h e

d efen d an t h ad dri ven t he co -d efen d an t to t h e s cen e o r “ d i d an y th i n g o n t he s cen e to

ad v is e o r en co u rag e [t h e co -d efen d an t ] t o co m m i t t he cri m es ”). Bu t h ere, as d i s cu s s ed

ab o ve, t h e ev id en ce, co n s t ru ed i n fav o r o f t h e v erd i ct

, s h o wed th at Pl at t d id m o re t h an

s i m p l y d ri v e t h e o t hers fro m

t h e s cen e aft er t he s h o ot i n g

.

12o ri g i nal

. ) Mer r i t t v. S t a t e

, 2 8 5 Ga. 7 7 8

, 7 7 9 (1 ) (6 8 3 SE2 d 8 55 ) (2 0 0 9 ). Th e t o t al i t y

o f t h e ev i d en ce su m

m ari zed ab o v e, al t h o ug h ci rcu m s t an t i al

, was s u ffi ci en t t o al l o w

t h e j u ry to fi n d t h at ev ery o t h er r eas o n ab l e h y p ot h es is ex cep t th e g u i lt o f Pl at t h ad

b een ex cl u d ed an d t o co n v i ct h i m o f v o l u n t ary

m an s lau g h t er. 5

(b ) Pl at t fu rt h er co n ten d s t h at ev en i f h e co u l d b e fo u n d g u i l t y fo r t h e v o l u n t ary

m an s l au g h t er of Pal aci o s -Vas qu ez, h e co u ld n o t b e fo u n d g u i lt y o f t h e v o l u n t ary

m an s l au g h t er o f Cl ark

. Pl at t em p h as i zes th a t Cl ark was s h o t an d k i l l ed by

Pal aci o s -Vas q u ez o r o n e o f h i s as s o ci at es

, rat h er t h an b y s om eo n e w i t h wh o m Pl at t

was al i g n ed i n t h e g un fi g ht . Ag ai n , we fi n d n o b as i s fo r rev ers al

.

W h ere t h ere i s ev i den ce t h at t h e p art i es m u t u al l y ag reed t o en g ag e i n a g u n fi g ht

t o set tl e a d i s p u te, a rat i o n al ju ry can fi n d t h at al l of t he “ p art i ci pan t s i n t he g u n b at t l e

s h ared a co m

m o n cri m i nal i n t en t

– t o as s au l t e a c h o t h er wi t h g un s .” Emma n u el v.

S t a t e

, 3 00 G a. Ap p

. 3 7 8

, 3 80 (1 ) (6 8 5 SE2 d 36 1 ) (2 0 0 9 ), q u o t in g Ta yl o r v. S t a t e

, 2 9 6

Ga. Ap p

. 2 1 2

, 2 13 (1 ) (a) (6 7 4 SE2 d 8 1 ) (2 0 09 ). See al so Co e v. S t a t e

, 2 9 3 Ga. 2 3 3,

5 Fo r t he s am e reas o n s

, we co n cl u d e t h at t h e ev i d en ce w as s u ffi ci en t t o s u p p o rt

Pl at t ’ s co n v i ct i on s fo r p o s s es s io n o f a fi rearm d u r i n g t h e co m m i s s io n o f a fel o n y

.

“ W h ere a part y h as p o s s es s ed 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

acco m pl i ce wh o i s co n cern ed i n t h e co m m i s s i o n o f t he cri m e u n d er OCGA § 1 6 -2 -2 0

i s l ik ewi s e g u i l ty o f b o t h offen s es .” (Ci t at i o n s an d p u n c t u a t i o n o m i t t ed .) An d er so n

v. S t a t e , 2 3 7 Ga. Ap p . 5 9 5, 5 96 (2 ) (5 1 6 SE2 d 3 1 5) (1 99 9 ).

132 3 5 (1 ) (7 4 8 SE2 d 8 24 ) (2 0 1 3 ); Co ker v. S ta t e

, 2 09 G a

. A p p

. 1 4 2

, 14 3 (4 3 3 SE2 d

6 3 7 ) (1 9 9 3 ). Gi v en th i s s h ared cri m i n al i n t en t, a d efen dan t wh o was a p art y t o t h e g u n

b at t l e can b e h el d cri m i n al l y l i ab l e fo r a sh o ot i n g i n ju ry o r d eat h cau s ed b y t h e b at t l e,

ev en i f t h e s h o t was fi red b y an o p p o n en t o f t h e d efen dan t . See i d . See al s o S t a t e v.

S p a t es

, 7 7 9 N.W .2 d 7 7 0

, 7 8 0-7 8 1 (Io wa 2 0 10 ) (“ Th e p ri m ary d i s ti nct i o n b et ween

g ard en -v ari et y ai d i n g an d ab et t i n g an d m u t u al -co m

b at ai di n g an d ab et t i n g is t h at t h e

ex i s t en ce o f m

u t u al co m

b at p r o v i d e s a fact u al b as i s fo r ho l d i n g a d efen d an t

co m b at an t v i cari o u sl y li ab l e fo r t h e m u rd ero u s co n d u ct o f an y ot h er co m b at an t

, ev en

an o p p o n en t o f t h e d efen d an t.”).

A s h o o t i n g i n

ju ry o r d eat h “ cau s ed ” b y t h e g u n b a t t l e m ean s o n e t h at was

p ro x im at el y cau s ed b y t h e b at t le. See W a lker v. S t a t e

, 2 51 Ga. Ap p

. 4 7 9

, 48 1 (1 ) (5 5 3

SE2 d 6 3 4 ) (2 0 0 1 ) (ap pl y i n g pro x i m at e cau se i n co n t ex t o f v o l u n t ary m an s l au g h t er

co n vi ct i o n ). See al s o S t a t e v. Ja cks o n

, 2 8 7 Ga. 6 4 6

, 6 4 8 (2 ) (6 97 SE2 d 75 7 ) (2 0 1 0 )

(n o t i ng th at “ pro xi m at e cau s e i s t h e s t an d ard fo r h om i ci d e cas es in g en eral ”).

“ Pro x i m a t e cau sat io n i m p o s es l iab i l i t y fo r t h e reas o nab l y fo res eeab l e res u l t s o f

cri m i n al co n d uct i f t h ere i s n o s u ffi ci en t, i n dep en d en t

, an d u n fo res een i n t e rv en i n g

cau s e.” (Ci t at i o n an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i tt ed .) S ta t e v. Og i l vi e

, 2 9 2 Ga. 6

, 1 1 (2 ) (d ) (7 3 4

SE2 d 5 0 ) (2 0 1 2 ).

14As al read y ex p l a i n e d

, fro m t h e ci rcu m st an ces p ro v en i n t h i s cas e, a rat i o n al

ju ry co u l d h av e i n ferred t h at Pl at t ai d ed an d ab et t ed t h e g un fi g h t th at o ccu rred i n t h e

ap art m en t

. Pl at t th u s co u ld be h el d cri m i n al l y li ab l e fo r h i s fri en d Cl ark ’ s d eat h

, ev en

i f t h e s h o t was fi red b y a ri v al g an g m em b er, s o l o n g a s t h e d eat h was p ro x i m at el y

cau s ed b y t h e g u nfi gh t

. See Co e

, 2 9 3 Ga. at 23 5 (1 ); Emma n uel

, 3 0 0 Ga. Ap p

. at 3 8 0

(1 ); Ta yl o r

, 2 9 6 Ga. Ap p

. at 21 3 (1 ) (a); Co ker

, 2 0 9 Ga. Ap p

. at 1 4 3

. An d a rat i o n al

ju ry was en t i t l ed t o fi nd th at Cl ark ’ s d eat h was a reas o nab l y fo res eeab l e res u l t o f t h e

g u n fi g h t, an d t hu s th at pro x i m at e cau s at i o n h ad b een s h o wn

. Th e ev i den ce t h erefo re

was s u ffi ci en t t o s u p po rt Pl at t ’ s co n v i ct i o n as a p art y to t he v o l u nt ary m an s l au g h t er

o f Cl ark

.

2

. Pl at t al s o co n t en ds t h at t h e t ri al co u rt erred b y fai l i n g t o s tri k e a p ro s p ect i v e

ju ro r fo r cau s e. W e d o n o t ag ree.

Un d er Geo rg ia l aw, t h ere i s a p res u m p t i on th at p o t en t i al j u ro rs are

i m p art i al

, an d t h e b u rd en o f p ro v in g p art i al i t y rel i es w i th t h e p art y

s eek in g t o h av e t h e ju ro r d i s q u al i fi ed

. Fu rt h erm o re, wh et h er t o s tri k e a

ju ro r fo r cau s e l i es wi th in t h e s o u n d di s cret i o n o f t h e t ri al co u rt

, an d a

t ri al co u rt i s no t o b li g at ed t o s t ri k e a ju ro r fo r cau s e i n ev ery i n st an ce i n

wh i ch t h e p o ten t i al ju ro r ex p res s es d ou b t s ab o u t hi s or h er i m p art i al i t y

o r res erv at i o ns ab o u t h i s o r h er ab i li t y to set as i d e p ers o n al ex p eri en ces

.

In d eed

, t he t ri al ju d g e i s u n iq u el y p os i t i o ned to o b s erv e a p o ten t i al

ju ro r’ s d em ean o r an d t h ereb y t o ev al u at e h i s o r h er cap aci t y t o ren d er an

15i m

p art i al v erd i ct

. Bu t t he t ri al co u rt m u st ex cu se a p o t en t i al ju ro r fo r

cau s e b as ed o n t h e ju ro r’ s p art i al it y

, i f an op i ni o n h el d b y th e p o ten t i al

ju ro r i s s o fi x ed an d defi n i t e t h at th e ju ro r wi ll b e u n ab l e t o s e t th e

o p i n i o n as i d e an d deci d e t h e cas e b as ed u p on t h e ev i d en ce or t h e co u rt ’ s

ch arg e u p o n t he ev i d en ce.

(Pu n ct u at i on an d fo o t n ot es o m it t ed .) W heel er v. S t a te

, 3 2 7 Ga. Ap p

. 3 1 3

, 3 1 4 -3 1 5 (1 )

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

Here, d u ri n g v oi r d ire, th e p ro s p ect i v e ju ro r i n q ues t i o n i n d i cat ed t h at s h e was

s cared o f g u n s . Th e ju ro r s tat ed t h at sh e w as u n s u re i f s h e co u l d o v erco m e h er b i as

b ecau s e s h e bel iev ed t h at so m eo n e wo u l d h av e a gu n on l y fo r s el f-d efen s e or “ t o h u rt

s o m eb o d y ,” an d s he d i d n o t k n o w an y o t h er reas o n s o m eo ne wo u l d h av e a g un

. W h en

as k ed i f s h e wo u l d fi nd s o m eo n e g u i l t y ju s t b ecau s e s h e d i d n o t l i k e g u n s , t h e ju ro r

res p o n d ed

, “ No .” T h e ju ro r t h en was as k ed i f s h e wo u l d l is t en t o th e ev i d en ce b efo re

fi nd i ng s o m eo n e g u i l t y , an d s h e res p o n d ed :

I wo u l d l i s t en t o t h e ev i d en ce. I wo u l d l ov e t o l i s t en t o th e ev id en ce, b u t

m y q u es t io n wo ul d al way s be, wel l

, w h y d o es t h i s p ers o n n eed a g u n

.

An d s o I wo u l d n eed t o u nd ers t an d t hat t h ere’ s a g o o d reas o n fo r h av i n g

a g u n

, o t h er t han s ay i n g h av i ng t o d efen d s o m eb o d y

, wh i c h m ean s

h u rt in g s o m eb od y el s e, o r I’ m g o i n g t o d efen d m y b u s i n es s, [o r] a d ru g

co m p an y

, b y h u rt i n g s om eb o d y el s e. W e wo u l d n eed t o o verco m e t hat

b u rd en t o u n d ers t an d wh y s o m eo n e wo u l d h av e o ne.

16Lat er i n h er ex ch an g e wi t h co u n s el , t h e ju ro r s tat ed

,

I t h i n k I am cap ab l e o f co m i n g i n an d t ak i ng i n s t ru ct i o n s o f h o w t o v i ew

– [t h e p ro s ecu t o r ] j u s t wen t t h ro u g h i n n o cen t un t il p ro v en g ui l t y an d

t ak i n g t h e fact s th at are in t h e co u rt ro o m an d m ak i n g a d eci s i on of t h o s e

fact s p res en t ed b ey o n d a reas o n ab le d o u b t

.

Th e ju ry al s o s t at ed t hat i t was h er “ h o p e” t h at s h e co ul d s et h er b i as as i d e.

Bas ed o n t he ju ro r’ s res po n s es

, Pl at t m o v ed to s tri k e t h e p ro s p ect iv e ju ro r fo r

cau s e. Th e St at e o b

j ect ed

, arg u in g t h at t h e ju ro r “ was s i m p l y b ei ng can di d ” an d co u ld

b e fai r an d i m

p art i al wh en h er co m

m en t s were v i ewed i n t h ei r t o t al i ty

. Th e t ri al co u rt

ag reed wi t h t h e St at e an d d en i ed t he m o t io n t o s t ri k e. U l t im at el y

, Pl at t u s ed o n e o f

h i s p erem p t o ry s t ri k es t o ex cl u d e t h e p ro s p ect i v e ju ro r.

A p ro s p ect i v e ju ro r’ s s t at em en t t h at s h e “ h o p es ” s h e co u l d d eci d e t h e cas e in

an u n b i as ed m an n er b as ed o n t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s in st ru ct i o n s an d ev i d en ce d o es n ot

req u i re t h e ju ro r t o b e ex cu s ed

. See El l i s v. S t a t e

, 2 9 2 Ga. 27 6

, 2 8 3 -2 84 (4 ) (b ) (7 3 6

SE2 d 4 12 ) (2 0 1 3 ); Ama do r v. S t a t e

, 3 10 Ga. Ap p

. 2 8 0

, 28 1 -2 82 (1 ) (7 1 3 SE2 d 4 2 3 )

(2 0 1 1). See al s o Jo h n s o n v. S t a t e

, 29 1 Ga. 6 2 1

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

(“ W h en a p o t en t i al ju ro r t es t i fi es th at h e o r s he w i ll ‘ t ry ’ t o d eci d e t h e cas e b as ed

u p o n t h e co u rt ’ s i n s t ru ct i o n s an d t h e ev i d en ce, ex cu s in g t h at p ro sp ect i v e ju ro r fo r

cau s e i s n o t m an d at ed .”). Fu rt h erm o re, “ it is no t an ab u s e o f d i scret i o n t o seat a ju ro r

17wh o q u es t i o n s h er ab i l it y t o s et as i d e b i as es s o l o n g as t h e ju ro r i n di cat es s h e h as n o

u n al t erab l e fi x ed p reju d i ces .” (Pu n ct u at i o n an d fo o t n o t e o m i t t ed .) W h eel er

, 3 2 7 Ga.

Ap p . at 3 1 6 (1 ).

B a s e d o n t h e p ro s p ect i v e ju ro r’ s co m m en t s, t ak en as a wh o l e, t he t ri al co u rt

was au t h o ri zed to fi n d t h at t he ju ro r’ s o pi n i o n wa s n o t s o fi xed an d defi n i t e as to

p recl u d e h er fro m s erv i ce o n t h e ju ry

. Th e t ri al co urt t h erefo re d i d n o t ab u s e i t s

d i s cret i o n i n d en y i n g Pl at t ’ s m ot i o n t o s t ri k e t h e p ro s p ect i ve ju ro r fo r cau se.

Ju d g men t a f f i r m ed . Ra y a n d McMi l l i a n , JJ., co n cu r

.

18