FI RST DI VI SI ON

BA RNES, P. J.

, M ERCI ER and BROWN, 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

Januar y 23, 2020



# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A1 9 A1 98 9 . TORRES v

. THE STATE.

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

A Wa l t o n Co u n t y ju ry fo u n d An d rew Bl as To rres g u il t y o f o n e co u n t o f

fo rci bl e rap e, fo u r co u n t s o f i n ces t

, t wo co u nt s o f ag g rav at ed ch i l d m o l es tat i o n

, an d

o n e co u n t o f ag g rav at ed s ex u al b at t ery

. To rres fi l ed a m o t i o n fo r n ew t ri al

, wh i ch t h e

t ri al co urt d en ied

. On ap p eal

, To rres ch al l en g es t h e s u f f i ci en cy o f t h e ev i d en ce.

To rres al s o co n t en d s t h at t h e tri al co u rt erred i n fai l i n g t o ex cu s e a j u ro r fo r cau s e, in

e x c l u d i n g ev i d en ce of a p ri o r s ex u al i nci d en t b et ween t he v i ct im an d h er o l d e r

b ro t h er, i n al l o w i n g a p o l i ce i nv es t i g at o r t o t es t i fy ab o u t To rres ’ s fai l u re t o m eet wi th

h er fo r an i n t erv i ew, i n fai l i n g t o g ran t a m i s t ri al aft er a wi t n es s referred t o To rres ’ s

p ret ri al in carcerat i o n o n t he cu rren t ch arg es

, an d in fai li n g t o m erg e t w o c o u n t s o f

i n ces t

. Fo r th e reas o n s di s cu s s ed m o re fu l l y b el o w, w e reject To rres ’ s cl ai m s o f erro r.Ho wev er, b ecau s e t h e tri al co u rt d i d n o t im po s e sp l i t s en t en ces of i n carcerat i o n an d

p ro b at i o n o n t h e fo u r co u n t s o f i n c e s t u p o n wh i ch To rres was co n v i ct ed an d

s e p a r a t el y s en t en ced

, To rres ’ s s en t en ces o n t h o s e co u n t s are v oi d an d m u s t b e

co rrect ed

. Acco rd i n g l y

, we v acat e T o rres ’ s s en t en ces i m p o s ed o n th e fo u r i n ces t

co u nt s an d rem an d fo r res en t en ci n g

.

“ Aft er a cri m i n al co n v i ct i o n

, we v i ew t h e ev i d en ce i n t h e li gh t m o st fav o rab l e

t o t h e v erd i ct

, an d t h e d efen d an t i s n o lo n ger p res u m ed i n n o cen t.” Ca r ca m o v. S t a t e

,

3 4 8 Ga. Ap p

. 3 8 3

, 3 8 3 (8 23 SE2 d 6 8 ) (2 0 1 9 ). So v i ewed

, t h e ev id en ce s h owed t h at

T orres an d h i s wi fe h ad t h ree ch i l d ren

, i n cl u d i n g a d au g h t er b o rn i n Au g u s t 1 9 9 8

.

Th e dau g h t er, wh o was ei g h teen y ears o l d at t h e t i m e o f tri al

, t es t i fi ed t h at To rres

s ex u al l y ab u s ed h er fro m wh en s h e was ei gh t y ears o l d un t i l s h e w a s s i x t een y ears

o l d

. Sh e d i s cu s s ed t h e fo l lo wi n g i n ci d en t s o f s ex u al ab u s e d u ri n g t h e co u rs e o f h er

t es t i m o ny

.

Th ro u g h o u t h er ch i l d h oo d

, t h e v i ct im l i v ed i n sev eral d i fferen t st at es b ecau s e

o f h er paren ts ’ wo rk s i tu at i o ns

. W h en t h e v i ct i m was ei g h t y ears ol d an d i n t h e t h i rd

g rad e, t h e fam i l y l i v ed in Co l o rad o

, an d t h e v i ct i m t es t i fi ed t h at t he s ex u a l a b u s e

b eg an t here. Th e vi ct i m rem em b ered b ei ng n ak ed o n t h e co u ch wi t h To rres wh en h e

t o l d h er th ey w ere g o in g t o p l ay a g am e. T o rres t h en b eg an p lay i n g “ p at t y cak e” wi th

2t h e v i ct im wh il e s h e s t rad d l ed h i m o n th e co u ch wi t h h i s g en i tal s t o u ch i n g h er

g en it al s

. Th e vi ct i m r e c a l l ed su b s eq u en t i n ci d en t s o f s ex u al ab u s e i n Co l o rad o in

wh i ch To rres p erfo rm ed oral s o d o m y o n h er, t ou ch ed her g en it al s, an d p en et rat ed h er

v ag in a wi t h h is fi n g ers

.

Th e fam i l y m ov ed t o N ev ad a w hen t h e v i ct i m w as ni n e y ears o l d an d i n t h e

fo u rt h g rad e. Th e v i ct i m d id n o t recal l an y ph y s ical co nt act wi th To rres i n Nev ad a b ut

d i d rem em

b er t h em b ei n g n ak ed t o g et h er o n t h e co u ch

.

Th e fam i l y t h en m o v ed fro m Nev ad a t o Geo rg i a. Th e t ri p t o G eo rg i a t o o k t h ree

d ay s b y car, an d t he fam il y s t ay ed i n h o t el s al o n g th e way

. On e n i g h t

, wh il e t h e res t

o f t h e fam i l y was as l eep

, To rres awak en ed t h e v i ct i m an d t o o k h er t o t h e b at h ro o m

i n t h ei r h o t el ro o m

. On ce i n t h e b at h ro o m

, To rres u n d res s ed t h e v i ct im an d t o o k o ff

h i s o wn cl o t h es

, k i s s ed h er, t o uch ed her ch es t an d g en i tal areas

, i n s ert ed h i s fi n g ers

i n t o h er v ag i n a, an d at tem p t ed t o h av e s ex ual i n t erco u rs e wi t h h er b ut st o p p ed wh en

s h e t o l d h i m

i t h u rt

.

Aft er a r r i vi n g i n Geo rg i a, th e fam i l y i n i t i al l y l i v ed i n a t rai l er ho m e b u t t h en

m o ved t o a res i d en ce i n W al t o n Co u n t y i n 2 0 08 , wh en t h e v i ct i m was t en y ears o ld

an d beg i n n i n g fi ft h g rad e. 1 At t h e res i d en ce, To rres wo u l d s ex u al l y ab u s e t h e v i ct i m

1 To rres ’ s m o t her an d s t ep fat h er al s o l i v ed at t h e res id en ce.

3i n a ro o m t h at s erv ed as h i s h o m e o ffi ce. Th e v i ct i m recal l ed t h at To rres wo u l d i n v i t e

h er i n t o h i s offi ce an d wo u l d s h u t an d l o ck t h e d o o r

. To rres t h en wo u l d s h o w t h e

v i c t i m p o rn o g rap hi c v i d eo g am es o n h is co m p u t er wh i l e s h e s at o n h i s lap

, an d h e

wo u l d t o u ch t h e vi ct i m ’ s g en i t al s

, s o m et i m es reach i n g u n d er her cl o t h es an d

s o m et i m es u n d res s i n g h er. Th ere al s o were o ccas i o n s i n t h e o f f i ce wh ere To rres

wo u l d i n s ert h i s fi n gers i n t o t h e v i ct i m ’ s v ag i n a, wo u ld perfo rm o ral s o d o m y o n h er,

an d wo u l d h av e h er p erfo rm o ral s o d o m y o n h im

. Th es e in c i d e n t s o f s ex ual ab u s e

o ccu rred o n ce o r t w i ce ev ery week i n To rres ’ s o ffi ce i n 2 0 0 8 an d 2 0 0 9 wh en t h e

v i ct i m was i n t h e fi ft h an d s i x th g rad es an d t h u s was t en an d el ev en y ears o l d

.

In 2 0 1 0

, To rres m o v ed t o Tex as

, an d t he v i ct i m an d h er s i s ter l i v ed wi t h h i m

t h ere wh i l e t h e o t h er fam i l y m em b ers l i v ed i n Geo rg ia. Th e v i ct i m was twel v e y ears

o l d an d i n s ev en t h g rad e. To rres c o n t i n u ed t o sex u al l y ab u s e t h e vi ct im wh i l e t h ey

l i ved i n Tex as

, i n cl u d i n g ki s si n g h er, p en et rat i n g h er wi t h hi s fi n g ers

, req u i ri n g h er

t o p erfo rm o ral s o d o m

y on h i m

, an d p l aci n g her h an d o n hi s p en is

. To r r e s a l s o h ad

s ex u al i n t erco urs e wi t h h er.

In Feb ru ary 20 1 1

, w h i l e t h e twel v e-y ear-o ld v i ct i m was s t i l l in t h e s ev en th

g rad e, To rres m o v ed w i th h i s d au g ht ers b ack t o t h e W al t o n Co u n ty res i d en ce wh ere

t h e ot h er fam i l y m em

bers l i v ed

. Aft er th ey ret u rn ed t o Geo rg i a, To rres s ex u al l y

4ab u sed t he v i ct i m d u ri n g t he rem ai n d e r o f h er s ev en t h g rad e sch o ol y ear an d

t h ro u g h ou t h er ei g h t grad e s ch o o l y ear. Th e sex u al ab u s e o ccu rred i n T o rres ’ s h o m e

o ffi ce an d i n cl u d ed act s o f o ral s o d o m y an d s ex ual i n t erco u rs e.

Th e v i ct i m was ho m e sch o o l ed fo r h er n i n t h an d t en t h grad e s ch o o l y ears

, an d

t h e s ex u al ab us e co n t in u ed d u ri n g t h at t i m e p eri o d

, wh i ch l as t ed fro m t h e su m m er o f

2 0 1 2 u n t i l t h e s u m

m er o f 2 0 1 4

. Th e v i ct im w o u ld p l ay v id eo g am es i n To rres ’ s

o ffi ce, an d To rres wo u ld req u i re h er t o p erfo rm o ral s o d o m y o n hi m an d hav e s ex u al

i n t erco u rs e. In o ne s u ch in ci d en t

, To rres g rab b ed th e v i ct i m ’ s arm s

, pu s hed h er d o wn

,

an d p i nn ed h er arm s ab o v e h er h ead wh i l e h av i n g s ex u al i n t erco u rs e wi t h h er.

As t h e v i ct im

g o t o l d er, s h e b eg an t o res i st To rres ’ s effo rt s t o s ex u al l y ab u s e

h er, a n d t h e n u m

b er o f en co u n t ers d ecreas ed

. Th e v ict i m at t en d ed t h e l o cal h i g h

s ch o ol fo r h er ju n i o r y ear, an d t h e l as t i n c i d e n t o f s ex u al co n t act o ccu rred in

No v em b er 2 0 1 4 o f t h a t s ch o ol y ear, wh en t h e v i ct i m w as 1 6 y ears o l d

. Du ri n g t h at

i n ci d en t

, To rres p en et rat ed t h e vi ct i m wi t h h i s fi ng ers an d p erfo rm ed oral s o d o m y o n

h er. Sh e t o l d h i m t o s t o p becau s e i t h u rt

, b u t he i g n ored h er. Th e v ict i m was ab l e t o

g et up an d l eav e t he offi ce. Aft er t h at No v em b er 2 0 1 4 i n ci d en t

, To rres co nt i n u ed to

at t em p t t o h av e s ex ual co nt act wi t h t h e v i ct i m

, b ut fro m th at p o i n t f o r ward s h e

i g n o red h i m

o r d i d n o t “ g i v e i n t o i t .”

5Du ri n g t h e y ears o f ab u se, t h e v i ct i m b ecam e i n creas i n gl y an g ry wi t h To rres

an d ex p eri en ced feel i n g s o f s el f-h at r e d

, d i s g u s t

, l et harg y

, an x iet y

, an d dep res s i o n.

Her g rad es at s ch o o l beg an t o f a l l

, an d s h e “ s l ep t al l d ay

. ” Sh e w o u l d n o t eat an d

b eg an cu t t i n g l i n es an d wo rd s i n t o h er arm wi t h a razo r.

To rres b ecam e m o re an g ry an d co n t ro l l i n g o ver t h e v i ct i m as s h e g ot o l d er, an d

h e wo u l d freq u en t ly p l ace he r o n res t ri ct i o n. To rres wo u l d n o t al l o w t he v i ct i m to

d at e o r s p en d t i m e wi t h fri en d s o u t s i d e o f s ch o o l

, an d h e w o u l d t a k e away h er cel l

p h o n e fo r l o n g p eri o ds o f t i m e.

Aro u n d t h e s am e t i m e as t h e l as t s ex u al i n ci d en t i n No v em b er 2 0 14

, t h e v i ct i m

b eg an s ecret l y d at i n g a cl as s m at e. Th e v i ct im was u n ab l e to see her b oy fri en d o u t s i d e

o f s ch oo l b ecau se of t h e res t ri ct i o n s p l aced o n h er b y To rres

. In l at e M arch 2 0 1 5,

To rres l earn ed t h at t h e v ict i m h ad a bo y fr i e n d

, f o rb ad e her fro m co n ti n u i n g t h e

rel at i o n s h i p

, an d to l d h er t h at s h e wo u l d b e h o m e s ch o ol ed ag ai n h er s en i o r y ear.

Scared t h at s h e wo u l d n ev er s ee h er b o y fri en d ag ai n an d t h at s h e wo u l d b e u n ab l e to

“ m ak e i t t h ro u g h t h e s u m

m er em o t i o n al l y o r m en t al l y ,” t h e v i ct i m d es cri b ed s o m e o f

t h e s ex u al ab u se i n a jo u rn al t h at s h e g av e t o her b oy fri en d o n t h e las t s ch o o l d ay o f

h er ju ni o r y ear, M ay 1 5

, 2 01 5

. Aft er read i ng t he jo u rn al

, t h e vi ct im ’ s b o y fri en d g av e

t h e j o u rn al t o hi s m o t h er t o read

, an d earl y o n t h e m o rn in g o f M ay 16

, 2 0 1 5

, t h e

6v i ct i m ’ s b o y fri en d an d h i s m o t h er p i ck ed u p t h e vi ct i m fro m h er h om e. Befo re

l eav i ng her h o m e, t h e v i ct i m wro t e n o t es t o h er fam i l y m em b ers d i s cl o s in g t h e s ex u al

ab u se to t h em fo r t h e fi rs t t i m e. Aft er l earn in g o f t h e ab u s e fro m o n e of th e no t es

, t h e

v i ct i m ’ s m o t h er t o l d T o rres t o l eav e t h e res i d en ce, an d To rres l eft t h at day an d n ev er

ret u rn ed

.

Th e p ol i ce were co n t act ed ab o u t t h e ab u se, an d an i n v es t i g at o r w i t h t h e W al t o n

Co u n t y Sh eri ff’ s Offi ce arran g ed fo r a fo ren si c i n t erv i e w t o b e c o n d uct ed wi t h t h e

v i ct i m

. Du ri n g t h e reco rd ed fo ren s i c i n terv i e w t h a t o c cu rred o n J u n e 4

, 20 1 5

, t h e

v i ct i m w as ret i cen t b ut co m m u n i cat ed t h at sh e h ad b een s ex u al l y ab us ed b y To rres

.

Th at s am e d ay

, t he v i ct i m un d erwen t a fo ren s i c m ed ical ex am i nat i on

, wh i ch rev eal ed

n o ev i d en ce o f s ex u al t rau m a. Acco rd i n g t o t h e n u rs e ex am i n er, t h e ab s en ce o f

ev i d en c e o f s e x u al t rau m a w as n o t u n u s ual i n l i g h t o f t h e am o u n t o f t i m e t h at h ad

p as s ed s i n ce t h e l as t i n ci den t o f rep o rt ed ab u s e. T he n u rs e ex am in er d i d o b serv e t h at

t h e v i ct i m h ad cu t a cu rs e wo rd i n t o h er arm

. Ad d i t i o n al l y

, t he v ict i m beg an week l y

s es s i on s wi t h a co u n s el or, wh o d i ag n o s ed her wi t h p o s t -t rau m at i c s t res s d i s o rd er

(“ PTSD”) an d t reat ed h er fro m J u n e 2 0 15 t h ro u g h Decem b er 2 0 1 6.

To rres wen t t o Tex as t he d ay t h at t h e v i ct i m d i s cl o sed th e s ex u al ab u s e t o h er

fam i l y m em b ers

, an d t h e p o l i ce i n v es ti g at or t h ereaft er at t em p t ed t o s et u p a t i m e t o

7m eet wi t h To rres an d di s cu s s t h e al l eg at i on s

. Du ri ng a reco rd ed p h o n e cal l i n Oct o b er

2 0 1 5

, th e i n v es t i g at o r t o ld To rres t h at s h e wo u l d l i k e t o s p eak wi t h h im i n p ers o n

ab o ut th e cas e, an d To rres res p o n d ed t h at h e was eag er t o s peak wi th h er t o cl ear

t h i n g s u p b u t cl ai m ed t o be b us y wo rk i n g o u t o f s tat e. To rres s ai d t h at h e m i g h t h av e

s o m e d ay s o ff aro u nd t h e u p co m i n g Th an k sg i v in g h o l i d ay an d wo u ld be h ap p y to

m eet wi t h t h e i n v es t i g a t o r i f h e co u l d g et t h e t im e o ff o f wo rk

. To rres t o l d t h e

i n v es t i g at o r t hat h e wan t ed t o res o l v e t h e m at t er an d pro v i de a s t at em en t

. Th e

i n v es t i g at o r g av e To rres h er p h o n e n u m ber s o t h at h e c o u l d cal l h er wh en h e was

av ai l ab l e fo r an i n t erv i ew. W h en t h e i n v es ti g at o r l at er ret u rn ed t o h er o ffi ce aft er t h e

Th an k s g i v i n g h o l i d ay

, s h e f o u n d t h a t T orres h ad l eft h er a v o i ce m es s ag e o n

No v em b er 2 4 as k i n g h er t o cal l h i m

. Sh e cal l ed To rres an d l eft a vo i ce m es s ag e wh en

s h e was u n ab l e t o reach h im

, b u t To rres n ev er ret u rn ed h er cal l an d n ev er co n t act ed

t h e i n v es t i g at o r ag ai n . Th e i n v es t i g at or s u b s eq u en t l y o b tai n ed an arres t warran t fo r

To rres i n Feb ru ary 2 0 1 6

, b u t a u t h o ri t i es d i d n o t arres t h i m u n t i l J un e 2 0 1 6 in

Vi rg i n i a.

Fo l l owi n g h i s arres t

, T o r r e s was i n d ict ed o n o ne co u n t o f fo rci b l e rap e, fo u r

co u nt s o f in ces t, t wo co un t s o f ag g rav at ed ch il d m o l es t at i o n, an d o n e co u n t o f

ag g rav at ed s ex u al b at t ery bas ed o n t h e s ex u al ab u se t h at o ccu rred i n W al to n Co u n t y

.

8At t he en s u i n g ju ry t ri al

, t h e v i ct i m d es cri b ed h ow sh e was s ex ual l y ab u s ed b y To rres

an d g av e a ch ro n o l o g y

o f t h e ab u s e, as s et o ut ab o v e. Th e St at e al s o i n t ro d u ced t h e

v i ct i m ’ s reco rd ed fo ren s i c in t erv i ew, an d cal l ed sev e r a l ad d i t i o n al wi t n es s es

,

i n cl u d i n g t h e fo ren s i c in t erv i ewer, t h e n u rs e ex am i n er, an d t he v i ct i m ’ s co u n s el o r.

A d d i t i o nal l y

, t h e i nv es t i g at or t es t i fi ed ab o u t

, am on g o t h er t h i ng s

, h er effo rt s t o

arran g e t o m eet w i t h To rres b efo re h i s arres t , an d t h e St at e i n t ro du ced t h e reco rd ed

Oct o b er 2 0 1 5 p h on e co n v ers at io n b et ween t h e i n v es t i gat o r an d To rres

.

Sev eral o f t h e v i ct i m ’ s fam i l y m em b ers al so t es t i fi ed o n b eh al f o f t h e S t at e.

Th e v ict i m ’ s y o u n g er si s ter t es t i fi ed t h at s h e h ad n ot wi t n es s ed an y s ex ual ab u s e, b ut

t h at To rr e s an d t h e v ict i m were al way s in h is o ffi ce t o g et h er wi t h t h e d oo r cl o s ed

.

Th e y ou n g er s i s t er al s o t es t ifi ed t hat wh en s h e was 1 2 y ears o ld

, To rres w o u l d co m e

i n t o t h e b at h ro o m

wh en s h e o r t h e v i ct i m

was t ak i n g a s h o w er an d wo u l d p u l l b ack

t h e cu rt ai n wh i l e t al k i n g wi t h t h em

.

Th e v i ct i m ’ s o l d er b ro t h er t es t i fi ed t h at h e d i d n o t k n o w ab o u t t h e ab u s e, b ut

h e rel at ed t h at t h e vi ct i m was freq u en t l y al o ne wi t h To rres in t h e offi ce wi t h t h e d o o r

l o ck ed

, i n cl ud i n g i n th e m i dd l e o f t h e ni g ht

. Th e b ro th er t es t i fi ed t h at o n o n e

o ccas i o n

, h e o p en ed t h e d oo r t o t h e o ffi ce w h en i t was u n l o ck ed

, an d h e s aw To rres

s i tt i n g i n a ch ai r wi t h th e v i ct i m l ean i n g o v er h i m w i t h h e r han d s o n To rres ’ s l eg s

.

9Acco rd in g t o t h e b ro t h er, t h e vi ct i m s t o o d u p fro m i n fro n t of To rres wh en t h e b ro t h er

wal k ed i nt o t h e o ffi ce.

Th e v i ct i m ’ s m o t h er tes ti fi ed t h at sh e h ad b een u naware of t h e ab u s e, b u t t h at

o n e t i m e wh en t h e d o o r t o t h e h o m e o ffi ce h ad b een l o ck ed

, s h e k no ck ed

, To rres

o p en ed t h e d o o r, an d s h e s aw t he v i ct i m

, w h o ap p eared u p s et

, s i t t i n g o n t h e fl o o r n ear

t h e co u ch

. Th e m o th e r t e s t i f i e d t h at o n an o t her o ccas i o n

, w h en t h e vi ct i m was 1 2

y ears o l d an d l iv i n g wi t h To rres i n Tex as

, To rres cal l ed t h e m o th er an d as k ed h er to

t el l t h e v i ct i m t h at i t was o kay fo r h i m to ap p l y m ed i ci n e to t h e v i ct i m ’ s v ag i n a, an d

h e h u ng u p o n th e m o t h er wh en s h e t o l d h i m t h at th e v ict i m co u l d ap p ly th e m ed i ci n e

h ers el f.

Th e St at e al s o p res en t ed ex t ri n si c act s ev i d en ce t h at To rres h ad s ex u al l y

ab u s e d t wo o t her v i ct i m s

. Th e o l d er b ro t h er’ s gi rl fri en d t es t i fi ed t h at s h e m o v ed in

wi t h t h e fam i ly at th ei r W al t o n Co u n t y res i d en ce i n J u n e 2 01 1

, w h e n s h e was 1 9

y ears o l d an d h ad j u s t g i v e n b i r t h t o t h e b ro t h er’ s ch i l d

. Th e g i rl fri en d d es cri b ed

i n ci d en t s i n wh i ch To rres wo u l d cal l h er i nt o hi s offi ce, g i ve h er al co ho l

, an d at t em pt

t o i n i t i at e s ex u al co n t act wi t h h er. Sh e t es ti fi ed t h at To rres u l t i m a t el y fo rced h er to

p erfo rm o ral s o d o m

y o n h i m an d t o h av e s ex u al i n t erco u rs e o n rep eat ed o cca s i o n s

,

an d t h at he t h reat en ed t o k i ck her o u t o f t h e h o us e an d cal l ch i l d p ro tect i v e s erv i ces

10i f s h e res i s t ed o r t o l d an y o n e ab o u t t h e i n ci d en t s

. A d d it i o n al l y

, To rres ’ s y o u n g er

s t ep s i s t er t es t i fi ed t h at w h en s h e was 1 2 y ears o ld an d T orres was 2 1 y ears o l d

, To rres

p u s h ed h er d o wn o n t he co u ch

, k i s s ed h er, ru b b ed h i s g en i t al s ag ai ns t h er, an d p u t h i s

h an ds u p h er s h o rt s

. Sh e t es t i fi ed t h at h e was fo rcefu l wi t h h er, b u t s h e k i ck ed a n d

y el led an d was ab l e t o g et away fro m h i m b efo re h e wen t an y

fu rt h er.

To rres el ect ed n o t t o tes t ify an d d i d no t cal l an y wi t n es s es

. Fo l l o wi n g th e cl o s e

o f ev id en ce, t h e ju ry fo u n d To rres g u i l t y o f al l o f t he ch arg ed offen s es

. Th e t ri al co u rt

s en t en ced T o rres t o fo u r co n s ecu t i v e l i fe s en t e n ces o n t h e rap e, ag g rav at ed ch i ld

m o les t at i o n

, an d ag g rav at ed s ex u al b at t ery c o u n t s, fo l l o w ed b y a co n secu t i v e 1 6 0

y ears i n co n fi n em en t p red i cat ed o n t h e fo u r i n ces t co u n t s

. To rres fi l ed a m o t i o n fo r

n ew t r i a l

, w hi ch t h e t ri al co urt d en i ed aft er co n du ct i n g a h eari n g

. Th i s ap p eal

fo l l o w ed

.

1

. T o rres co n t en ds t h at t h e ev i d en ce was i n s u ffi ci en t t o s u p p o rt h i s co n v i ct i on s

o f t h e ch arg ed offen s es

. Sp eci fi cal l y

, To rres arg ues t hat “ [t ] h e ev i d en ce p res en t ed by

t h e St a t e d i d n o t ex cl ud e t h e v ery reas o n ab l e h y po t h es i s t h at t h e v i ct im was n ot

t es t i fy i ng t ru t h fu l l y an d t h at h e r P TSD h ad an al t ern at i v e cau se.” Acco rd i n g to

To rres

, t he ev i d en ce s u p p o rt ed t h e al t ern at i v e reas on ab l e h y p o th es i s t h at t h e v i ct i m

fab ri cat ed t h e ab u s e al l eg at i on s “ i n ret al i at i o n fo r b ei n g d is ci pl i n ed an d no t b ei n g

11al l o wed t o d at e her b o y fri en d

. ” To rres em ph as i zes t hat “ [v ] irt u al ly al l o f th e d i r e c t

ev i d en ce i n t h i s cas e cam e fro m t h e al l eg ed v ict i m ,” t h at n o o t h er fam i l y m em b ers

cl ai m ed t o h av e s een an y act s o f s ex u al ab us e, t h at th e v i ct i m d el ay ed d i scl o s i n g t h e

ab u se, an d t h at t h ere was n o p h y s i cal ev i d en ce co rro b o rat i ng h er cl ai m s

.

W h en a d efen d an t ch al l en g es t h e s uffi ci e n c y o f t h e ev i d en ce t o

s u p p o rt [h i s ] cri m i n al co n v i ct i o n s , we as k o n l y wh et her, aft er v i ewi n g

t h e ev i d en ce i n t h e l i gh t m o s t fav o rab l e t o t h e p ro s ecu t i o n

, an y rat i o nal

t ri er o f fact co u l d h av e fo u n d th e es sen t i al el em en t s o f t h e cri m e bey o n d

a reas o n ab l e d o ub t

. So l o n g as t h ere i s s o m 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 o rt e a c h el em en t o f t he St at e’ s cas e, th e

ju ry ’ s v erd ict wi l l b e u p hel d

.

(Ci t at i o n s an d p un ct u at i o n o m i t t ed .) Mi ch a el v. S t a t e

, 3 3 5 G a. Ap p

. 5 7 9

, 5 8 4 (1 ) (7 8 2

SE2 d 4 7 9 ) (2 0 16 ). See 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 5 6 0 ) (1 9 7 9 ).

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

, we co n cl u d e t h at t h e ev id en ce pres en t ed at t ri al an d

s u m m ari zed ab o v e was s u ffi ci en t t o en t i t l e a rat io nal ju ry t o fi nd To rres gu i l t y b ey o n d

a reas o n ab l e d o ub t o f t h e ch arg ed o ffen s es

. Ja cks o n

, 4 4 3 U.S. at 3 1 9 (III) (B).

Al t h o u g h To rres arg u es th at t h e ev i d en ce fai l ed t o ex cl u d e al l reas on ab l e h y p o t h es es

o f h i s g u il t

, h is “ arg um en t i s wi t h o u t m eri t b ecau s e t h e reas o n ab l e hy p o t h es i s ru l e

ap p li es o n l y i n t h e n arro w co nt ex t wh ere al l o f t h e ev i d en ce ag ai n s t th e accu s ed was

12ci rcu m s t an t i al .” (Pu n ct u at i o n an d fo o t n o t e o m it t ed .) Ho u s ewo r t h v. S t at e

, 3 4 8 Ga.

Ap p

. 1 1 9

, 1 2 4 (1 ) (b ) (8 2 0 SE2 d 2 3 1 ) (2 0 18 ). Here, th ere was d i rect ev i d en ce o f t h e

s ex u al ab u s e b as ed o n th e t es t i m o n y o f th e v i ct i m

, an d h er t es ti m o n y

, s tan d i n g al o ne,

was s u ffi ci en t t o s up p o rt To rres ’ s co n v i ct i o n s

. See O CGA § 2 4 -1 4 -8 (“ Th e t es t i m o ny

o f a s i n g l e wi t n es s is g en eral l y s u ffi ci en t to es tab l is h a fact

. . . . ”). 2 Ph y s i cal ev i d en ce

o f t h e s ex u al ab u s e w as n o t req u i red

. See Hu t ch i n s o n v. S t a t e

, 2 8 7 Ga. Ap p

. 4 1 5

, 4 1 7

(6 5 1 SE2 d 5 2 3 ) (2 00 7 ). An d wh i l e To rres co n t en d s t h at t h e v i c t i m was u n t ru t h fu l

,

“ [i ] t i s t h e fu n ct i o n o f th e j u ry

, rat her t h an t h i s Co u rt

, t o wei g h t h e ev i den ce, res o l v e

co n fl i ct s i n t h e l ay an d ex p er t t e s t i m o n y

, an d d raw reas o n ab l e i n feren ces fro m t h e

e v i den ce.” (Ci t at io n an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed .) Mi ch a el

, 3 3 5 Ga. Ap p

. at 5 8 4 ( 1 )

.

Acco rd in g ly , t h ere was su ffi ci en t ev i d en ce t o s u pp o rt t h e v erd i ct i n t hi s cas e.

2 See al s o Cr o

f t v. S t a t e

, 3 4 8 Ga. Ap p

. 2 1

, 22 (1 ) (8 19 SE2 d 5 5 0 ) ( 2 0 1 8 )

(v i ct im ’ s t es t i m o n y

, s t an d i n g al o n e, was s u ffi ci en t t o s u s t ai n co n v i ct i o n s fo r ch i ld

m o les t at i o n

, ag grav at ed s ex u al b at t ery co n v ict i o n s

, an d o t h er cri m es ); Ja cks o n v.

S t a t e

, 33 4 G a. Ap p

. 4 6 9

, 4 7 3 (2 ) (7 7 9 SE2 d 7 00 ) (2 0 1 5 ) (t es t i m o ny o f fo rci b l e rap e

v i ct i m s uffi ci en t t o s u p p o rt co n v i ct i o n ); S mi t h v. S t at e

, 3 2 0 Ga. Ap p. 4 0 8

, 4 1 0 (1 ) (a)

(7 4 0 SE2 d 1 7 4 ) (2 0 1 3 ) ( “ T h e t es t i m o ny of a v i ct i m o f ch i l d m o l es t at i o n o r

ag g rav at ed ch i l d m o les t at io n n eed n o t b e co rro b o rat ed

. T he t es ti m o n y o f o n e wi t n es s

i s g en eral l y s u ffi ci en t t o es tab l i s h a fact .”) (p un ct u at i o n an d fo o t n o t es o m i t t ed );

Da ven p o r t v. S t a t e

, 3 1 6 Ga. Ap p

. 2 3 4

, 2 3 6 (1 ) (a) (7 29 SE2 d 4 4 2 ) (2 0 1 2 ) (t es t i m o ny

o f i n ces t v ict im

s u ffi ci en t t o es t ab l i s h a fact , ev en i f u n co rro b o rat ed ).

132

. T orres al s o m ai nt ai n s th at t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n fai l i n g t o ex cu se fo r cau s e

a p ro s p ect iv e ju ro r w h o h ad been rap ed an d wh o k n ew s o m eo n e w h o c o m m i t t ed

s u i ci de aft er b ei n g m o l es t ed b y h er fat her. Ho wev er, To rres u s ed a p erem p to ry s t ri k e

t o rem o v e t h e p ro s p ect i v e ju ro r, an d h e h as n o t s ho wn t h at an y o f t h e ju ro rs wh o

u l t i m at el y serv ed o n hi s ju ry were u n q u al i fi ed

. Pret erm i t t i n g wh et h er t h e t ri al co u rt

erred i n fai l i n g t o ex cu s e t h e p ro s p ect i v e ju ro r fo r cau s e, we co n cl u d e t h at To rres h as

fai l ed to sh o w t h at h e w as h arm ed b y t h e al l eg ed erro r. See W

i l l i s v. S ta t e

, 3 0 4 Ga.

6 8 6

, 7 0 1 -7 0 2 (1 1 ), 7 0 7 (1 1 ) (a) (8 2 0 SE2 d 6 4 0 ) (2 0 18 ) (o v erru l i n g p ri o r p reced en t

an d h o ld i n g “ th at i t i s h arm l e s s e r r o r wh ere a d efen dan t ’ s m o t i o n t o ex cu s e a

p ro s p ect i v e ju ro r i s erro n eo u sl y d en i ed b u t t h e ju ro r is s u b s eq u en t l y rem o v ed fro m

t h e d efen d an t ’ s t wel v e-p ers o n j u ry b y h i s o r h er u s e o f a p erem p t o ry s t ri k e,” an d t h ere

i s n o sh o wi n g o n ap p eal “ t h at o n e of t h e ch al l en ged ju ro rs wh o s erv ed o n [t h e

d efen d an t ’ s] t wel v e-p ers o n ju ry was u n q u a l i fi ed ”); Jo h n s o n v. S t a t e

, 3 4 8 Ga. Ap p.

6 6 7

, 67 8 -6 7 9 (2 ) (8 24 SE2 d 5 6 1 ) (2 0 19 ) (ap p l y i n g W i l l i s t o co n cl u d e t h at d efen d an t

co u ld n o t s h o w t h at s he was h arm ed b y t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s fai l u re t o ex cu s e fo r cau s e an

al l eg ed l y b i as ed p ro s p ect i v e ju ro r, wh ere t h e d efen dan t ex erci sed a p erem p t ory s t ri k e

t o rem o v e th e j u ro r f

r o m t h e j u ry p o o l an d d i d n o t arg u e on ap p eal “ t h at an y o f t h e

ju ro rs wh o u l t im at el y

s erv ed o n t h e ju ry at h er t ri al were u n q u al i fi ed ”).

143

. To rres arg u es t h at t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n g ran t i n g t h e St at e’ s m o t i o n in

l i m i ne to ex cl u d e u n d er G eo rg ia’ s Rap e Sh i el d St at u t e ev i den ce t h at wh en t h e v i ct i m

was s ev en y ears o l d an d h er o l d er b ro t h er was el ev en y ears o l d

, h er b ro t h er t o u ch ed

h i s g en i tal s ag ai ns t h er g en it al s wh en t hey were bo t h n ak ed i n t he bed

. Acco rd i n g to

To rres

, ev i d en ce o f t h e p ri o r s ex u al i n ci den t s h o u l d h av e been ad m i t t ed t o al l o w t h e

ju ry t o ev al u at e wh et h er t h at i n ci d en t

, rat h er t han t he s ex u al ab u s e by To rres

, cau s ed

t h e b eh av i o ral s ym

p t o m s ex h i b i t ed b y t h e v i ct i m t h at were co n s is t en t w i t h PTSD.

To rres fu rt h er co n t en d s t h at ev i d en ce o f t h e i n ci d en t was ad m i s s i b l e fo r i m p each m en t

p u rp os es t o s ho w b i as b y t h e o l d er b ro t h er.

“ Th e tri al co u rt ’ s d eci s i o n wh et h er t o ad m i t o r ex cl u d e ev i d en ce wi l l n o t b e

d i s t u rb ed o n ap p eal ab s en t an ab us e of d i s c ret io n

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

o m it t ed .) Jo n es v. S t a t e

, 3 0 5 Ga. 75 0

, 75 1 (2 ) (8 27 SE2 d 8 7 9 ) (2 0 1 9 ). Becau s e t h e

ev i d en ce o f t h e p ri o r s ex u a l i n c i d en t b et ween th e vi ct i m an d h er bro t h er d i d n o t fi t

i n t o a s t at u t o ry ex cep t io n co n t ai n ed in t h e Rap e Sh i el d St at u t e, we d i s cern n o ab u s e

o f d i s cret i o n b y

t h e t ri al co urt i n ex cl u di n g ev i d en ce o f t h at i n ci d en t i n t h i s cas e.

15Fo rm er OCGA § 24 -4 -4 1 2

, Geo rg i a’ s Rap e Sh i el d St a t u t e ap p l i cab l e h ere, 3

s t at es i n p art :

In an y p ro s ecu t i o n fo r rap e i n v i ol at i o n o f Co d e Sect i o n 1 6

- 6

- 1 ;

. . .

ag g rav at e d ch i l d m ol es t at i o n

. . . i n v i o l at i o n o f Co d e Sect i o n 1 6 -6 -4 ;

i n ces t in v i o lat i o n o f Co d e Sect i o n 1 6 -6 -2 2 ;

. . . o r ag g rav at ed s ex ual

b at t ery i n v io l at i o n of Co d e Sect i o n 1 6 -6 -2 2 .2

, ev i d en ce rel at i n g t o th e

p as t s ex u al b eh av i o r o f t he co m p l ai n i n g wi t n es s s h al l n o t b e ad m i ss i b l e,

ei t h er as d i rect ev i d en ce o r o n cro s s -ex am i n at i o n o f t h e co m pl ai n i n g

wi t n es s o r o t h er w i tn es s es

, ex cep t as p ro vi d ed in t h i s Co d e s ect i o n

. Fo r

t h e p u rp o s es o f th i s C o d e s ect i o n

, ev i den ce o f p as t s ex u al b eh av i o r

i n cl u d es

, bu t i s n ot l i m it ed t o

, ev i d en ce o f t h e co m p l ai ni n g wi t n es s ’ s

m ari t al h is t o ry

, m o d e of d res s

, g en eral r e p u t at i o n fo r p ro m i s cu i t y

,

n o n ch as t i t y , o r s ex ual m o res co n t rary t o t h e co m m u n it y s t an d ard s

.

OCGA § 2 4 -4 -4 1 2 (a) (2 0 1 3 ). Fo rm er OCGA § 2 4 -4

- 4 1 2 (b ) co n t ai n s a s i n g l e

s t at u to ry ex cep ti o n t o t h e Rap e Sh i el d St at u t e. Th at s u b s ect i o n p r o v i d e s t h at a

d efen d an t m ay

i nt ro d u ce

ev i d en ce rel at i n g t o t h e p as t s ex u al b eh av i o r o f t h e co m p l ai n i n g wi t n es s

. . . i f t h e co u rt

. . . fi nd s t h at t h e p as t s ex u al b eh av i o r d i rect l y i n v o l v ed

3 OCGA § 2 4 -4 -4 12 was s u b s t an t i al l y rev i s ed b y t h e Gen eral A ss em b l y

, effect i v e Ap ri l 1 8 , 2 01 9 . See Ga. L. 2 0 1 9 , p

. 8 1, §§ 5, 9 . Th e rev i sed v ers i o n o f t h e

Rap e Sh i el d St at u t e ap p li es “ t o an y m o t i on m ad e o r h eari n g o r t ri al co m m en ced o n

o r aft er t h e effect iv e d at e o f t hi s Act ” an d t hu s i s in ap p li cab l e i n th e p res en t cas e. Ga.

L. 2 01 9 , p . 8 1 , § 8

.

16t h e p art i ci p at io n o f t h e accu sed an d fi n ds t hat t h e ev i d en ce ex p ect ed t o

b e i n tro d u ced s u p p ort s an i n feren ce t h at t h e accu s ed co u l d h av e

reas o n ab l y b el i ev ed t hat th e co m p l ai n i n g wi t n es s co n s en t ed t o th e

co n d u ct co m

p l ai n ed o f i n t h e p ro s ecu t i o n

.

OCGA § 2 4 -4 -4 1 2 (b ) (2 0 1 3). 4

As o ur Su p rem e Co u rt recen t l y ex p l ai n ed i n a cas e ad d res s i n g t h e co ns t ru ct i o n

o f fo rm e r OC G A § 2 4 -4 -4 1 2, “ a n at u ral read i n g o f th e t ex t o f OCGA § 2 4 -4 -4 1 2

i n d i cat es t h at ev id en ce o f a co m p lai n i n g wi t n es s ’ s p as t s ex ual b eh av i or m ay n o t b e

i n t ro du ced b y an y part y at a t ri al i n v ol v in g a p ro s ecu ti on fo r cert a i n s ex u al cri m es

4 Th e cu rren t v ers i o n o f OCGA § 2 4 -4 -4 1 2 (b ) co n t ai n s fo ur s t at u t o r y

ex cep t i o n s :

(1 ) Ev id en ce o f s p eci fi c i n s t an ces o f a v i ct i m ’ s o r co m p l a i n i n g

wi t n es s ’ s s ex u al b eh av i or

, i f o ffered t o p ro ve t h at s o m eo n e o t h er t h an

t h e d efen d an t was th e s o u rce o f s em en

, i nju ry

, o r o t h er p h y s i cal

ev i d en ce;

(2 ) Ev id en ce o f s p eci fi c i n s t an ces o f a v i ct im ’ s o r co m pl ai n i n g

wi t n es s ’ s s ex u al b eh av i o r wi t h res p ect t o t he d efen d an t if i t s u p p ort s an

i n f e ren ce t h at t he accu s ed co u l d h av e reas o n ab l y b el i ev ed t h at t h e

co m p lai n i n g wi t n es s co n s en t ed t o t h e co n d u ct co m p l ai ned o f i n th e

p ro s ecu t i on ;

(3 ) Ev id en ce o f s p eci fi c i n s t a n c e s o f a v i ct im ’ s o r co m pl ai n i n g

wi t n es s ’ s s ex u al b e h a v io r wi t h res pect t o t h e d efen d an t o r an o t h er

p ers on i f o ffered b y

t he p ro s ecu t or; an d

(4 ) Ev i den ce w h os e ex cl u s i o n wo u l d vi o la t e th e d efen d an t ’ s

co n s t i t ut i o n al ri gh t s

. OCGA § 2 4 -4 -4 1 2 (b ). See Ga. L. 2 0 19 , p . 8 1

, § 5

.

17u n l es s s u ch ev i den ce fal l s un d er t h e o n e s p eci fi c ex cep t io n co n tai n ed i n th e s t at u t e

i t sel f.” W h i t e v. S t a t e , 3 0 5 Ga. 1 1 1 , 1 1 5 (1 ) (8 2 3 SE2 d 7 9 4) (2 01 9 ). An d

,

t h e s o le ex cep ti o n t o t h e ev i d en t i ary res t ri ct io n s co nt ai n ed in t h e Rap e

Sh i el d St at u te al l o ws a d efen d an t t o in t ro d u ce ev i d en ce o f th e

c o m pl ai n i n g w i t nes s’ s p as t s ex u al b eh av i o r wh ere su ch act i v i t i e s

d i rect l y i nv o l v ed th e d e f e n d an t an d s u p p o rt s an i n feren ce t h at th e

d efen d an t “ co u l d h ave reas o n ab l y b el i ev ed t h at t h e co m p l ai n i n g wi t n es s

co n s en t ed t o t h e co nd u ct co m p l ai n ed o f i n t he p ro s ecu ti o n

. ” (Em ph as i s

s u p p l i ed .) OCGA § 2 4 -4 -4 1 2 (b ).

W h i te

, 30 5 Ga

. a t 1 1 8 (2 ). Hen ce, if ev i d en ce o f t h e wi t n es s’ s p as t s ex u al b eh av i o r

fal l s o ut s i d e t h e s co p e o f t h e s o l e s t at u t o ry ex cep ti o n co n t ai n ed i n t h e fo r m er Rap e

Sh i el d St at u t e, i t i s i n ad m i ss i b l e, an d ap p el l at e c o u r t s can n o t wri t e ad d i t i o n al

ex cep t i o n s i nt o th e s t at u t o ry fram ewo rk

. See i d

. See gen eral l y S t a t e v. Fi el d en

, 2 8 0

Ga. 4 44

, 44 8 (6 2 9 SE2 d 2 52 ) (2 0 0 6 ) (“ [S] t at u t o ry co n s tru ct i on bel o n gs to th e co u rt s

,

l eg i s lat i o n t o t h e l eg i s lat u re. W e can n o t ad d a l i n e t o t h e l aw.”) (ci t at i o n an d

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

To rres d o es n o t co n t en d t h at ev i d en ce o f t h e p ri o r s ex u al i n ci d en t b et ween t h e

v i ct i m an d h er ol d er b ro t h er fel l w i t h i n t he s ol e s t at u t ory ex cep t i on co n tai n ed in

fo rm er OCGA § 2 4 -4 -4 1 2 (b ). Rat h er, q uo t i n g M a r i o n v

. S ta t e

, 2 0 6 Ga. Ap p

. 1 5 9,

1 5 9 (4 2 4 SE2 d 8 3 8 ) (1 9 9 2 ), To rres m ai n t ai n s t hat ev i d en ce o f t h e p ri o r s ex u al

18i n ci d en t was ad m i s s i bl e “ t o es t ab l i s h o t h er p os s i b l e c a u s es fo r th e b eh av i o ral

s y m p to m s ex h i b i ted b y t h e [v i ct i m ] .” Ho wev er, i n W h i te

, t he Su p rem e Co u rt h el d t h at

“ cas es p u rp o rt i n g t o al l o w a rel ev an ce ex cep t i o n to t h e Rap e Sh i el d St at u t e fo r t h e

ad m i s s i o n in t o ev i d en ce o f a co m p l ai n i n g wi t n es s’ s pas t s ex u al b eh av i o r b ey o n d t h at

co n tai n ed in OCGA § 2 4-4 -4 1 2 (b ) are h ereb y o v erru l ed t o t h e ex t en t t h a t t h e y d o

s o .” W h it e

, 3 0 5 G a. at 1 1 8 (2 ). Am o n g t h e cas es ex p res sl y o v erru l e d w a s S u t t o n v.

S t a t e

, 3 3 6 Ga. Ap p

. 8 8 4

, 8 8 5 (1 ) (7 8 5 SE2 d 4 2 1 ) (2 0 1 6 )

, w h i ch

, l i ke Ma r i o n

, h el d

t h at ev i den ce o f a ch i l d ’ s p as t sex u al h i s t o ry was “ ad m i ss i b l e t o s h ow o th er p o s s i b l e

cau s es fo r b eh av io ral s y m p to m s .” See W

h i t e

, 3 0 5 Ga. at 11 9 ( 2 ), n

. 8

. Bas ed o n

W h i te

, t h e Ma r io n cas e i s n o l o n ger g o o d l aw, an d T o rres ’ s rel i an ce o n i t i s

m i s p l aced

.

To rres al s o arg u es t hat ev i d en ce o f t h e p ri or s ex u al i n ci d en t was ad m is s i b l e fo r

i m p each m en t pu rp o s e s t o s h o w t h at t he o l d er b ro t her, w h o t es ti fi ed at t ri al

, was

b i as ed . Bu t t h e Rap e Sh i el d St at u t e b ars ev i d en ce o f p as t s ex u al b eh av i o r t h at d o es

n o t fi t wi t hi n t h e afo rem en t i o n ed s t a t u t o ry ex cep t i o n

, i rres p ect i v e o f w h et h er t h e

d e fen se s eek s to i n t ro d u ce t h e p ri o r s ex u al b eh av i o r as s u b st an t i v e ev i d en ce o r f o r

i m p each m en t

. See Gr een v. S t a t e

, 2 9 1 G a. 2 8 7

, 2 90 -2 91 (3 ) (7 2 8 SE2 d 6 6 8 ) (2 0 1 2 )

(Rap e Sh i el d St at u t e p recl u d ed d e f e n s e fro m us i n g vi ct im ’ s p ri o r p ro s t i t u t i o n

19co n vi ct i o n fo r i m peach m en t ); Tu r n er v. S ta t e

, 3 12 Ga. A p p

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

5 4 5 ) (2 0 1 1 ) (n o t i n g t h at “ t h e Rap e Sh i el d St at u te s u p ers ed es a l l ev i d en ti ary

ex cep t i o n s ”) (ci t at i o n an d p u n ct u at i o n o m it t ed ). 5

Acco rd i ng l y

, t he tri al co u rt act e d w i t h i n i t s d i s cret i o n i n g ran ti n g t h e St at e’ s

m o ti o n i n l i m i n e t o ex cl u d e ev i d en ce o f t h e p ri o r s ex u al i n ci d en t bet ween t h e v i ct i m

an d h er o l d er b ro t h er.

4

. T orres co n t en ds t h at th e t ri al co u rt erred i n al l owi n g t h e po l i ce in v es t i g at o r

t o t e s t i fy ab o u t To rres ’ s fai l u re to co m e fo rward fo r an i n t erv i ew wi t h l aw

en fo rcem en t p ri o r t o h i s arres t

. W e are u n p ers u ad ed

.

5 Qu o t i n g S

mi t h v. S t a t e

, 2 7 6 Ga. 26 3

, 2 6 5 (2 ) (5 7 7 SE2 d 5 4 8 ) (2 0 0 3 ), To rres

p o i n t s ou t t h at “ [t ] h e Co n fro n t a t i o n Cl au s e o f th e Si x th Am en d m en t g uaran t ees a

d efen d an t i n a cri m i nal cas e t h e r i g h t t o s h ow t h e p o s s i b le b ias of a wi t n es s by

cro s s -ex am i n i n g h i m co n cern i n g p en d i n g cri m i nal ch ar g e s o r a p en d i n g p ro b at i o n

rev o cat i on .” Bu t t h at p ri n ci p l e h as n o b eari n g o n t h e p res en t c a s e

, g i ven th at t h ere

was n o ev i d en ce th at t h e v i ct i m ’ s o l d er b ro t h er h ad p en d i n g ch arg es rel at i n g t o t h e

p ri o r sex u al i n ci d en t

, w hi ch o ccu rred ap p ro x im a t e l y 1 1 y ears b efo re t h e t ri al

. See

Jo h ns o n v. S t a t e

, 2 4 4 Ga. A p p. 1 2 8

, 1 3 1 -1 32 (1 ) (5 3 4 SE2 d 4 8 0 ) (2 00 0 ) (“ A cri m i n al

d efen d an t h as t h e ri gh t t o cro s s -ex a m i n e a wi t n es s co ncern i n g p en d i n g cri m i n al

ch arg es ag ai n s t t h e wi t n es s in o rd er t o ex p o se a wi t n es s ’ m o t i v at i o n i n t es t i fy i n g

, e.g

., b i as

, p art i al i t y

, o r ag reem en t b e t ween th e go v ern m en t an d t h e wi t n es s

. . . . Ab s en t

s u ch fo u n d at i o n al fact s s u ch as a pen d i n g cri m i n al ch arg e ab o u t wh i c h t h e w i t n es s

s eek s as s i s t an ce fro m t h e pro s ecu ti o n

, t h e r e can b e n o cro s s -ex am in at io n o n s u ch

s u b ject [.] ”) (ci tat i o n s an d p u nct u at i o n o m i tt ed ; em p h as is i n o ri g i n al ).

20Th e St at e so u gh t ad m is s i o n o f ev id en ce o f To rres ’ s pr e

- arres t co n d uct

, n am el y

,

h i s d ep art u re fro m Geo rg i a o n t h e d ay t h at t h e v ict i m d i s cl o sed th e sex u al ab u s e to

h er fam i l y

, h is fai l ure t o m eet wi t h t h e in ves t i g at o r to ad d res s th e al l eg at io n s aft er

s t at i n g t o h er t h at h e was eag er t o m eet an d cl ear t h i ng s u p

, an d h i s fai l u re t o ret u rn

t o Geo rg i a, ul ti m a t e l y res u l t i ng i n h i s arres t i n Vi rg i n ia. To rres fi l ed a m o t i o n in

l i m i ne t o ex cl u d e s u ch ev i d en ce. Th e t ri al co u rt d en i ed t h e m o ti o n, b u t ru l ed t h at t h e

ev i d en ce o f To rres ’ s p re-arres t co n d u ct wo u l d b e ad m i s s i b l e o n ly fo r t h e l i m i t ed

p u rp os es o f s h o wi n g fl i g h t an d i n co n s i s t en ci e s bet ween To rres ’ s s t at em en t s t o t h e

i n v es t i g at o r an d h i s b eh av i o r. Th e St at e th en i n t ro du ced ev id en ce of To rres ’ s p rearres t co nd u ct t h ro u g h t h e t es t i m o n y o f t h e i nv es t i g at or an d t h e t ap e reco rd i n g o f t h e

p h o n e co n v ers at i o n th at s h e h ad wi t h To rres

, as p rev io u s l y s u m m ari zed

. Pri o r t o t h e

i n t ro du ct i o n o f t h e reco rd ed p h o n e co n v ers at i on

, t h e t ri al co u rt o ffered to in s t ru ct t h e

ju ry t o l i m i t i t s co ns i d erat io n o f t h e ev i d en ce t o t h e i s su es of fl i g h t an d

i n co n s i s t en ci es b et ween To rres ’ s s t at em en t s an d b eh av i o r, b u t To rres d ecl i n ed t h e

o ffer.

On ap p eal

, To rres q u o t es M a l l o r y v. S t a t e

, 26 1 Ga. 6 2 5

, 6 3 0 (5 ) (4 0 9 SE2 d

8 3 9 ) ( 1 9 9 1 ), fo r t h e p ro p o s it i o n t h at “ in cri m i n al cas es

, a co m m en t u p o n a

d efen d an t ’ s s il en ce o r fai l u re t o co m e fo rward i s far m o re preju d ici al th an p ro b at i ve”

21an d t h u s s h o u l d b e cat eg o ri cal l y ex cl u d ed

. Ho w ev er, th e ev i d en t i ary ru l e an n o u n ced

i n Ma l l o r y was n o t im

p o s ed as a co n s t i t u t i o n al req u i rem en t

, 6 s ee id

. at 6 2 9 -6 3 0 (5 ),

an d o u r Su p rem e Co u rt recen t l y h el d t h at “ Ma l lo r y’s c a t eg o ri cal

, bri g h t -l i n e ru l e

ex cl u d i n g al l co m

m en t u p o n a d efen d an t ’ s s il en ce o r fai l u re t o co m e fo rward as far

m o re p reju d i ci al t han p ro b at i v e was ab ro g at ed b y t h e n ew Ev id en ce Co d e.” (Ci t at i o n,

p u n ct u at i o n

, an d fo o t n o t e om it t ed .) S t a t e v. Or r

, 3 0 5 Ga. 7 2 9

, 7 3 9 (3 ) (8 2 7 SE2 d 8 9 2 )

(2 0 1 9). In s t ead

, “ carefu l at t en ti o n m u s t n o w b e p ai d t o t h e s p eci fi c ev i d en ce o ffered

an d t h e s p eci fi c t h eo ry

an d ru l es t h e p ro p on en t o f t h at ev i d en ce co n t en d s au t h o ri ze

i t s ad m i s s i o n ” un d er t h e new Ev i d en ce Co d e, wh i ch i s ap p li cab l e i n t h e p res en t cas e. 7

Id . at 7 4 1 (4 ) (a).

6 T o r r es do es n ot arg u e t h at t h e i n tro d u ct io n o f ev i d en ce o f hi s p re-arres t

fa i l u r e to m eet wi t h t h e i n v es t i g at o r was p ro h i b i t ed b y t h e fed eral o r s t at e

co n st i t u t io n , an d t h u s t h at i s s u e i s n ot b efo re us . As n o t ed b y t h e Su p rem e Co u rt o f

Geo rg i a in Or r

, “ t he Un i t ed St at es Su p rem e Co u rt h as no t deci d ed w h et h er ev i d en ce

o f a d efen d an t ’ s s i l en ce befo re cu s t o d ial i n t erro g at i o n o r b efo re b ei n g ad v i sed o f o r

i n v o k i n g t h e ri g h t t o r e m a i n s i l en t i s ad m i ss i b l e u n d er t h e fed eral Co n s t i t u t i o n as

s u b s t an t i ve ev i d en ce, rat h er t h an o nl y to i m p each a d efen d an t wh o t es t i fi es at t ri al ,”

an d “ [t ] h e f

e d e r al ci rcu i t co u rt s an d s t at e h i g h co u rt s are d i v i d ed o n t h i s i s s u e, an d

s o m e s t at e h ig h co u rt s h av e ex cl u d ed su ch ev i d en ce u n d er t h ei r s t at e co n s t i t u t i o n s .”

Or r

, 3 0 5 Ga. at 7 34 (2 ), n

. 4 (ci t i n g cas es ).

7 Geo rg i a’ s n ew Ev i d en ce Co d e ap p l i es to t ri al s co m m en ced o n or aft er J an u ary

1 , 2 01 3 . See Ga. L. 2 0 1 1, p . 9 9, § 1 0 1 . To rres ’ s ju ry t ri al was i n M ay 2 01 7

.

22To rres fu rt h er co n t en d s t h at t h e ev en i f t h e cat eg o ri cal ru l e i m p os ed b y Ma l l o r

y

h as been ab ro g at ed

, ev id en ce o f h i s pre-arres t fai lu re t o co m e fo rward t o s p eak wi th

t h e i nv es t i g at o r s ho u l d h av e b een ex cl u d ed u n d er O r r becau s e i t d id n o t m eet t h e

req u i rem en t s o f an ad o p ti v e ad m i s s i o n un d er OCGA § 24 -8 -8 0 1 o f t h e n ew Ev i d en ce

Co d e. 8 Bu t Or r m ad e cl ear t h at “ t h e a d o p t i v e-ad m i s s i on t h eo ry is no t t h e o n l y way

t h at ev i d en ce o f a d e f

e n d a n t’ s s il en ce o r fai l ure t o co m e fo rward m i g h t b e

ad m i s s i b l e.” O r r

, 3 0 5 Ga. at 7 4 1 (4 ) (a). An d

, h ere, t he t ri al co u rt ad m i t t ed ev i d en ce

o f To rres ’ s p re-arres t co n d u ct t o s h o w T o rres ’ s fl i g h t f r o m Geo rg i a an d t o s h o w

i n co n s i s t en ci es bet ween To rres ’ s s t at em en t t hat h e w as eag er t o m eet wi t h t h e

i n v es t i g at o r t o cl ear t h i n g s u p an d h i s b eh av i o r i n fai l in g t o m ak e an y effo rt t o co n t act

8 Ou r Su p rem e Co u rt in O r r d i s cu s sed ad o pt i v e ad m i s si on s u n d er OCGA § 2 4

-

8 -8 0 1:

Ou r Ru l e 8 01 (a) (2 ) d efi n es a “ [s ] t at em en t ” t o i n cl u de t h e “ [n ] o n verb al

co n d u ct o f a pers o n

, i f i t i s i n t en d ed by t he pers o n as an as sert i o n,” an d

Ru l e 8 0 1 (d ) (2 ) (B) th en d efi n es “ ad m i s s io n s ” n o t e x c l u d ed b y th e

h ears ay ru l e w h en o ffered ag ai n s t a p art y t o i n cl u d e “ [a] s t at em en t o f

wh i ch t h e p art y h as m an i fes t ed an ad o p ti o n o r b el i ef i n it s t ru th .” Fo r

ev i d en ce t o q u al i fy as a cri m i n al defen d an t ’ s ad o p ti v e ad m i s s i o n u nd er

Ru l e 8 0 1 (d ) (2 ) (B), th e t ri al co u rt m u s t fi n d t h at t wo cri t eri a w ere m et :

fi rs t

, t hat t h e s t at em en t was s u ch t h at

, u n der t h e ci rcu m s t an ces

, an

i n n o cen t d efen d an t wo u l d n o rm al ly be i n d u ced t o res p o nd

, an d s eco n d

,

t h at t h ere are s u ffi ci en t fo u nd at i o n al fact s fro m wh i ch t h e ju ry c o u l d

i n fer t h at t h e d efen dan t h eard

, u n d ers t o od

, an d acq ui es ce d i n th e

s t at em en t

. (Ci t at i o n s an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed .) Or r , 3 05 Ga. at 7 4 0 (4 ) (a).

23t h e i n v es t i g at or aft er t h e Th a n k s gi v i n g ho l id ay s to s et u p an i n terv i ew an d h i s

d eci s i o n t o t rav el to Vi rg i n i a rat h er th an ret urn t o Geo rg i a. Su ch e v i d e n ce was

ad m i s s i b l e n o t as an ad o pt iv e ad m i s s i on

, b u t rat h er a s c i rcu m s t an t i al ev i d en ce o f

To rres ’ s co n s ci o u s n es s o f g u il t

. See i d

. 9 See al s o Un i t ed S t a t es v. V u

, 3 7 8 Fed Ap p x.

9 0 8

, 9 09 (1 1 t h Ci r. 2 0 1 0 ) (“ In co ns i deri n g t he ev id en ce, i t is reas o n ab l e fo r t h e ju ry

t o i n fer t h at a d efen d an t ’ s fal s e s t at em en t t o p o li ce d em on s trat es co n s ci o u s n e s s o f

g u i l t

. ”); Gr a

y v. S ta t e

, 3 4 7 Ga. Ap p

. 2 3 5, 2 3 8 (2 ), n

. 4 (8 1 7 SE2 d 7 2 3) (2 0 18 ) (n o t i n g

t h at an at t em

p t to el u de t h e po l i ce i s ci rcu m s t an t i al ev i d en ce o f co n s ci o us n es s o f

g u i l t ). Ac c ord La wt o n v. S t a te

, 3 4 0 Ga. Ap p. 9 0 3

, 90 6 (3 ) (7 9 8 SE2 d 2 6 4 ) (2 0 1 7 )

(p h y s i cal p reced en t o n l y ) (h o l di n g t h at i n t ro d u ct i o n o f ev i d en ce o f d efen d an t ’ s p rearres t fl i g h t to an o t her st at e an d o f h i s fai l u re t o m eet wi t h a l aw en fo rcem en t o ffi cer

9 Th e Su p rem e Co u rt p o i n t ed o u t i n Or r :

Cert ai n as p ect s o f a d e f

e n d an t ’ s fai lu re t o co m e fo rward t o t h e p o l i ce

m i g h t al s o b e o f

f ered n o t as a p art i cu l ar as s ert i v e st at em en t s u b ject t o

t h e h ears ay ru l es

, b ut rat h er as ci rcu m st an t i al ev i d en ce o f g ui l t . As t he

El ev en t h Ci rcu i t h as reco g n i zed

, “ [i ] t i s t o d ay u n i v ers al l y co n ced ed t hat

t h e fact of an accu s ed ’ s fl i g h t

, es cap e fro m cu st od y

, res i s t an ce t o arres t

,

co n cea l m en t

, as s u m

pt i o n o f a fal se n am e, an d rel at ed co nd u ct

, [i s ]

ad m i s s i b l e as ev id en ce o f co n s ci o u sn es s o f g u i lt

, an d t h u s o f g ui l t

i t sel f.” Un i t ed S t a t e s v. Bo r d er s

, 6 9 3 F2 d 1 3 1 8, 1 3 2 4 -1 32 5 (1 1 t h Ci r.

1 9 8 2 ) (ci t at i o n o m i t t ed ). See al s o Ren ner v. St a t e

, 2 6 0 Ga. 5 1 5

, 51 7 (3 9 7

SE2 d 6 8 3 ) (1 9 9 0 ) ( “ T h e fact t h at a s u s p ect fl ees t h e s cen e o f a cri m e

p o i n t s t o t h e q ues ti on o f g u i l t i n a ci rcu m s t an ti al m an n er.”).

Or r

, 3 0 5 Ga. at 7 41 (4 ) (a).

24aft er ag reei n g t o do s o d i d n o t v i o l at e Ma l l o ry ). 1 0 Acco rd in gl y , To rres h as fai l ed to

s h o w an y ab u s e o f d is cret i o n b y

t h e t ri al co u rt

.

5

. T o rres arg ues t h at t he t r i a l c o u r t e rred i n fai l i ng to g ran t a m i s t ri al aft er a

wi t n es s referred to To rres ’ s p ret ri al i n carcerat i o n o n the c ur r e n t c harg es

. W e di s ag ree.

As p rev i o us l y n ot ed

, To rres ’ s s t ep s is t er t es t i f i e d a b o u t h ow To rres s ex u al l y

as s au l t ed h er wh en s h e was 1 2 y ears o l d

. W h en as ked b y t h e p ro s ecu t o r h o w s h e

cam e t o t h e d eci s i o n to co n tact t h e p ro s ecu t o r ab ou t t h a t i n c i d en t

, t h e s t ep s i s t er

t es t i fi ed t h at s h e d eci d ed t o co m e fo rward aft er s h e l earn ed t h at To rres h ad b een in

jai l fo r s ev eral m o nt h s an d l o o ked u p t h e ch arg es ag ai n s t hi m o n t h e co u nt y web s i t e.

To rres t h en m o v ed fo r a m i s t ri al b as ed o n t h e s t ep s i s t er’ s referen ce t o t h e fact t h at h e

h ad b een i n jai l o n t he cu rren t ch arg es

. T h e t ri al co u rt den i ed t h e m o t i o n fo r m i s t ri al

,

b u t t h e co u rt i n s t ru ct ed t he ju ry t o d i s reg ard th e t es ti m o n y th at To rres had b een i n jai l

1 0 In Or r

, th e Su p rem e Co u rt ex p lai n ed t h at ev en i f ev id en ce o f a cri m i n al

d efen d an t ’ s p re-t ri al s il en ce o r fai l u re t o co m e fo r wa r d i s d eem ed p ro p erl y

ad m i s s i b l e, th e ev i d en ce st i l l m i g h t b e s u b ject t o ex cl u s io n u n d er t h e b al an ci n g tes t

s et fo rt h i n OCGA § 2 4-4 -4 0 3

, a s t at u t e o r co n s t i t u t i o nal p ro v i s i o n

, or s om e o t h e r

s p eci fi c ex cl u s i o n ary ru l e fo u n d i n t h e n ew Ev i den ce Co d e. Or r

, 3 05 Ga. at 7 4 1 -7 4 2

(4 ) (b ). Ho wev er, To rres d o es n o t a r g u e o n ap peal t h at t h e s p eci fi c ev i d en ce o f h i s

p re-arres t fai l u re t o co m e fo rward s ho u l d h av e been ex cl u d ed u n der t h e b al an ci n g tes t

o f OCGA § 24 -4 -4 0 3

, un d er a s t at u t e o r co n s t i t ut i o n al p ro v i s io n

, o r u n d er an y o f t h e

n ew Ev i d en ce Co d e’ s o t h er s p eci fi c ex cl u s i o n ary ru l es

.

25as “ i rrel ev an t an d i m m at eri al ” an d ad m o n i s hed t h e pro s ecu t o r n o t t o el i ci t an y fu rt h er

t es t i m o ny o n t h at i s s u e.

“ Th e d eci si o n o f wh et h er t o d en y a m i st ri al i s wi t h i n t h e d i s cret i o n of t h e t ri al

co u rt

, an d t h i s Co u rt wi l l n ot d i s t u rb t h e ru l i n g o n ap peal u n l es s i t is ap p aren t t h at a

m i s t ri al is es s en t i al t o th e p res erv at i o n o f t h e ri g h t to a fai r tri al .” (Ci tat i o n an d

p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t e d .) Ab ney v. S t at e

, 3 0 6 Ga. Ap p. 44 8

, 4 5 3 (2 ) (8 3 1 SE2 d 7 7 8 )

(2 0 1 9). W e d is cern n o ab u s e o f d i s cret i o n b y t h e t ri al co u rt u n d er t h e ci rcu m s t an ces

h ere. “ It is wel l-s et t l ed th at t h ere i s n o i n h eren t p reju di ce as s oci at ed wi t h t h e fact t h at

t h e d efen d an t h as been i n j ai l i n co n n ect i on wi t h t h e cas e fo r w h i ch h e i s b ei n g t ri ed .”

Ma l ler y v. S t a t e

, 3 4 2 Ga. Ap p

. 7 4 2

, 7 4 6 (b ) (8 0 5 SE2 d 25 7 ) (2 0 1 7 ). See Ri ver s v.

S t a t e

, 2 9 6 Ga. 3 9 6

, 4 0 2 (6 ) (7 6 8 S E 2 d 4 8 6 ) (2 0 1 5 ) (n o t i n g t h at “ ev i den ce t h at an

accu s ed h as b een co n fi n ed i n jai l i n co nn ect i o n wi t h t h e cas e at i ss u e do es n o t p l ace

h i s ch aract er i n ev i d en ce”). Fu rt h erm o re, t h e t ri al co u rt g av e a cu rat i v e i n s t ru ct i o n in

wh i ch i t s p eci fi cal l y i n s t ru ct ed t h e ju ry t o d i s reg ard t h e jai l-rel at ed t es t i m o ny

, an d a

t ri al co u rt g en eral l y “ h as th e d i s cret i o n t o d eci d e wh et h er a m i s t ri al is t h e o n l y

co rrect iv e m eas u re to t ak e o r wh et h er p ro p er i n s t ru ct i o n s wi t h drawi n g t he t es t i m o ny

fro m t h e ju ry ’ s co n s i d erat i o n can co rrect t h e p reju d i ci al effect .” S a n der s v. St a t e

, 2 9 0

26Ga. 4 4 5

, 4 4 8 (4 ) (7 2 1 SE2 d 83 4 ) (2 0 1 2 ). Co n s eq u en t l y

, To rres h as fai led to s h o w an y

ab u se o f d i s cret i o n b y t h e t ri al co u rt i n d en y i n g h is m o t i o n fo r a m is t ri al

.

6

. To rres m ai n t ai n s t h at t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n fai l i n g t o m erg e t wo co u n t s o f

i n ces t fo r s en t en ci n g p u rp o ses . W e d i s ag ree.

Un d er Geo rg i a l aw, a p ers o n co m m i t s t h e o ffen s e o f in ces t wh en he en g ag es

i n sex u al i n t erco urs e o r s o d om y wi t h a p ers o n wh o m h e k n ows he i s rel at ed by b l o o d

o r m arri ag e, wh i ch i n cl u d es t h e rel at i o n s hi p o f fat h er an d ch i l d

. OCGA § 1 6 -6 -2 2 (a)

(1 )

. 1 1 OCGA § 1 6 -6 -2 2 (b ) 1 2 ad d res s es p u n i s h m en t an d p ro v i d es t h at a p ers o n

co n vi ct ed of in ces t s h al l b e s en t en ced fro m 1 0 t o 3 0 y ears i n p ri s o n. Ho wev er, i f t h e

v i ct i m was u n d er 14 y ears o l d

, t h e t ri al co u rt m u s t i m p os e an en h an ced s en t en ce fro m

2 5 t o 5 0 y ears i n p ri s o n . Id

.

1 1 OCGA § 1 6-6 -2 2 (a) was am en d ed

, effect i v e M ay 2 0

, 2 0 10

, t o

, am o n g o t h er

t h i n g s

, i n cl u d e en g ag em en t i n s o do m y as d efi n ed by OCGA § 1 6 -6 -2 w i t h i n t h e

d efi n i t i o n o f t h e cri m e o f i n ces t . Ga. L. 2 0 1 0 , p

. 1 6 8

, § § 3 , 1 6

.

1 2 OCGA § 1 6 -6 -2 2 (b ) p ro v i d es :

A p ers o n co n v i ct ed o f t h e o ffen s e o f i n ces t s h al l b e pu n i s h ed b y

i m p ri s o n m en t fo r n o t l es s t h an ten n o r m o r e t han 3 0 y ears ; pro v i d ed

, h o we v e r

, t h at an y p ers o n co n v ict ed o f th e o ffen se o f i n ces t u nd er t h i s

s u b s ect i o n w i t h a ch i l d u n d er t h e ag e o f 1 4 y ears s hal l b e p u n is h ed b y

i m p ri s o n m en t fo r n o t l es s t han 25 n o r m ore t h an 50 y ears

. An y p ers o n

co n v i ct ed u n d er t h i s Co d e s ect i o n o f t h e o f f e n s e o f in ces t s h al l

, i n

a d d i t i o n

, b e s u b

ject t o th e s en t en ci n g an d p u n is hm en t p ro v i s i o ns o f

Co d e Sect i o n 1 7 -1 0 -6

. 2

.

27In t h e p res en t cas e, Co u n t 2 o f t h e in d i ct m en t al l eg ed th at To rres co m m i t t ed

i n ces t b y h av i n g sex ual in t erco u rs e wi t h h i s b i o lo g i cal d au g h ter, “ a ch i l d u n d er t h e

ag e o f 1 4 ,” “ b et ween t h e 1 s t d ay o f Au g u s t, 2 0 0 8

, an d t h e 2 4 t h d ay o f Au g u s t

, 2 0 1 2,

t h e ex act d at e o f t h e o ffen se bei n g u n kn o wn t o t h e Gran d J ury .” Co u n t 3 al l eg ed t h at

To rres co m

m i t t ed in ces t b y h av i n g s ex u al i nt erco u rs e wi t h h i s b io l o g i cal d au g h t er,

“ a ch i l d o v er t h e ag e o f 1 4 ,” “ b et ween t h e 2 5 t h d ay o f Au g u st

, 2 01 2

, an d t h e 3 0 t h d ay

o f No v em b er, 2 01 4

, th e ex act d at e o f t h e offen s e b ei n g u nk n o wn t o t h e Gran d J u ry .”

Co u n t 4 al l eg ed t h at To rres co m m i tt ed i n ces t b y en g ag i n g i n s o do m y wi t h h i s

b i o l o g i cal d au g h t er, “ a ch i l d un d er t h e ag e of 1 4

, ” “ bet ween t h e 2 0 t h d ay o f M a y,

2 0 1 0

, an d t h e 2 4 t h day o f Au g us t

, 20 1 2

, t h e ex act d at e o f t h e o ffen s e b ei n g u n k n o wn

t o t h e G r a n d J u ry .” Co u n t 5 al l eg ed t h at To rres co m m i t t ed i n ces t b y en g ag i n g in

s o d o m y wi t h h i s b i o l o g ical dau g h t er, “ a ch i l d o v er t h e ag e of 1 4

, ” “ b et ween t h e 2 5 th

d ay o f Au g u s t

, 2 0 1 2

, an d t h e 3 0 t h d ay of N o v em b er, 2 0 1 4

, t h e e x a c t d a t e o f t h e

o ffen s e bei n g u n k n o w n t o t h e Gran d J u ry .” Aft er th e ju ry fo u n d To rres g u i l t y o n al l

fo u r co u n t s

, t he t ri al co urt s en t e n c e d h i m t o co n s ecu t iv e s en t en ces o f 5 0 y ears in

p ri s o n o n Co u nt 2 ; 30 y ears i n p ri s o n o n Co u n t 3 ; 5 0 y ears i n p ri s o n o n Co u n t 4 ; an d

3 0 y ears i n p ri s o n o n Co u n t 5

.

28On ap peal

, To rres arg u es t h at t h e t ri al co u rt s h o u l d h av e m erg ed Co u n t 2 wi th

Co u n t 3 (b o t h o f wh i ch al l eg ed s ex u al i n t erco u rs e wi th t h e v i ct i m ), an d Co u n t 4 wi th

Co u n t 5 (b o t h o f wh i ch al l eg ed s o d o m y wi t h t he v i ct i m ), b ecau s e t h e ran g e o f d at es

o f t h e o ffen s es s et fo rt h i n t h e i n d i ct m en t were n o t m at eri al av erm en t s an d each p ai r

o f co u n t s o th erwi se were i d en t i cal

. It i s t ru e t h at “ [i ] f t h e co u n ts i n th e i n d i ct m en t are

i d en t i cal ex cep t fo r t h e d at es al l eg ed

, an d th e d at es w e r e n o t m ad e es s en t i al

av erm en t s

, o n l y o n e co n v i ct io n can s t an d.” (Ci t at io n an d pu n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed .) Jo n es

v. S t a t e , 3 3 3 Ga. Ap p

. 7 96

, 8 0 0 (2 ) (7 7 7 SE2 d 4 80 ) (2 0 1 5 ) (h o ld i n g th at t h e “ d at es

al l eg ed in [t w o co un t s ] were n o t m ad e m at eri al av erm en t s o f t h e i nd i ct m en t

, an d

t h erefo re [d efen d an t ] m ay b e s en t en ced o n o n l y o ne o f t h e t wo co un t s ”). “ To m ak e

s u ch d at es a m at eri al al l eg at i o n

, t h e i n d i ct m en t m u st s peci f i ca l l y a l l eg e t h at t h e d at e

o f t h e o ffen s e i s m at eri al .” (Ci t at i o n s an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i tt ed ; em p h as i s s u p p l i ed .)

Th o ma s v. S t a t e

,

_

_ Ga. Ap p

.

__ (1 ) (a) (Cas e No

. A1 9 A1 1 9 5

, d eci d ed Oct

. 2 9

, 2 0 1 9 )

(o v erru l in g cas es t h at h ad “ al l o w[ed ] al leg at i o n s o f di fferen t d at es i n d i fferen t co u n t s

t o q ual ify as m at eri al av erm en t s w i t h o u t req u iri n g l an g u ag e t o t h at effect ”). An d,

h ere, t h e i n d i ct m en t d i d no t s p eci fi cal l y al l eg e t h at th e d at e s o f t h e in ces t were

m at eri al

.

29Ho wev er, t h e fact t h at t h e ran g es o f d at es were n o t m at eri al av erm en t s d o es n ot

en d th e m erg er an al y s i s

. “ W h ere an av erm en t i n o n e co u n t o f a n accu s at i o n o r

i n d i ct m en t d i s t i ng u i s h es i t fro m al l o t h er co u n t s, ei th er b y al l eg i n g a d i ff er en t s et of

f a ct s o r a d i fferen t d at e wh i ch i s m ad e an es s en ti al a v erm en t o f th e tran sact i o n

, t h e

St at e m ay o n co n vi ct i o n p u n is h t h e d efen d an t fo r t he v ari o u s cri m es .” (Ci t at i o n an d

p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed ; em

p h as i s s u p p l i ed .) S i mmo n s v. S t a t e , 2 7 1 Ga. Ap p

. 3 3 0

, 3 3 2

(2 ) (6 0 9 SE2 d 6 78 ) (2 00 5 ). Irres p ect iv e o f wh et h er t h e r a n g es o f d at es were m ad e

m at eri al av erm en t s o f t h e pai rs o f i n ces t co u n t s, each p ai r o f co u nt s d i d n o t o t h erwi s e

al l eg e i d en t i cal fact s

. Co u n t 2 al l eg ed s ex u al i n terco urs e w i t h t h e v i ct i m wh en s h e

was u nd er f o u r t een

, wh il e Co u n t 3 al l eg ed s ex u al i nt erco u rs e wi t h t he v i ct i m wh en

s h e w as o ver f

o ur t een

. Co u n t 4 al l eg ed s od o m y wi t h t h e v ict i m wh en s h e w as u n d er

f o u r t een

, wh i l e Co u n t 5 al leg ed s o d o m y wi t h th e v ict i m wh en s h e w as o ver f o u r t een

.

W h e t h e r t h e v i ct i m was o v er or u nd er 1 4 y ears o l d was a m at eri al fact u al

d i s t i n ct i o n b et ween th e co u nt s b ecau s e o f t h e s en t en c i n g s ch em e fo r i nces t u n d er

wh i ch t h e m an d at o ry

m in im u m an d m ax i m

u m s en t en ces are i n creas ed i f t h e v i ct i m

was u n der 14 y ears o l d

. See OCGA § 16 -6 -2 2 (b ). As t h e Un i t ed St at es an d Geo rg i a

Su p rem e Co u rt s h av e ex p lai n ed , an y fact t hat i n creas es t he m an d at o ry m i n i m u m o r

m ax i m u m sen t en ce fo r a cri m e i s an es s en t i al el em en t of t h e cri m e t h at m u s t b e fo u n d

30b y th e ju ry b ey o n d a reas o nab l e d o u b t

. See Al l eyn e v

. U n i t e d S t a tes

, 5 7 0 U. S. 9 9,

1 1 5 -1 1 6 (III) (B) (1 3 3 SCt 2 1 5 1 , 1 8 6 LE2 d 3 1 4 ) (2 0 1 3 ) (an y fact t h at i ncreas es t h e

m a n d a t o r y m i n i m

u m sen ten ce fo r a cri m e m u s t b e s ub m i t ted t o a ju ry an d p ro v en

b ey o n d a reas o n ab l e do u b t ); Ap p r en d i v. New Jer

s ey

, 5 3 0 U. S. 4 6 6, 4 90 (IV) (1 2 0

SCt 2 3 4 8

, 1 4 7 LE2 d 43 5 ) (2 00 0) (“ Ot h er t h an t h e fact o f a p ri o r co n v i ct i o n

, an y fact

t h at i n creas es th e p en al t y fo r a cri m e b ey o n d t h e p res cri bed s t at u t o ry m ax im u m m u s t

b e su b m it t ed t o a ju ry

, an d pro v ed b ey on d a reas o nab l e d o u b t .”); No r d a h l v. S t a t e

,

3 0 6 Ga. 1 5, 2 1 -2 2 (2 ) (8 29 SE2 d 9 9 ) (2 0 1 9 ) (p o i nt i n g o u t Si xt h Am en d m en t

p ri n ci p l es en u n ci at ed b y Un i t ed St at es Su p rem e Co u rt in Al l eyn e an d Ap p r en di );

Jef f rey v. S t a t e

, 2 9 6 Ga. 7 1 3

, 71 8 (3 ) (7 7 0 SE2 d 5 8 5 ) (2 01 5 ) (i n co m p ari n g el em en t s

o f o ffen ses fo r p urp o s es o f m erg er an al y s i s

, Su p rem e Co u rt em ph as i zed t h at “ u n d er

t h e Si x t h Am en d m en t an d t h e Du e Pro ces s Cl au s e, an y fact t h at s erv es t o en h an ce a

m an d at o ry m i n i m

u m s en t en ce is an el em en t o f t h e cri m e t h at m u s t b e fo un d b y a ju ry

b ey o n d a reas on ab l e d o u b t ”). Hen ce, ap art fro m t h e ran g es o f d at es

, Co u n ts 2 an d 4

al l eg ed an ad d i t i o n al m at eri al fact t h at had t o b e s u b m i t t e d t o t h e ju ry an d p ro v en

b ey o n d a reas o n ab l e d o u b t

– t h at t h e v i ct i m was un d er 1 4 y ears o f ag e

– t h at

d i s t i n g u i s h ed t h o se t w o co u nt s fro m Co u n t s 3 an d 5

, w h i ch al leg ed th at t h e v i ct i m

was o v er 1 4 y ears o f ag e. Acco r d i n g l y, b ecau s e t h e p ai rs o f i n ces t co un t s d i d n ot

31al l eg e i d en t i cal m at eri al fact s

, Co u n t 2 d id n o t m erg e w i t h Co u n t 3

, an d Co u n t 4 d id

n o t m erg e wi th Co u n t 5

. 1 3 See Si mmo n s

, 2 7 1 G a. A p p

. at 3 3 2 (2 ). Cf. Ter r el l v. S t a t e

,

2 4 5 Ga. Ap p

. 2 9 1, 2 9 2 (1 ) ( 5 3 6 S E 2 d 5 2 8 ) (2 0 00 ) (al th o u g h St at e d i d n ot h av e to

p r o v e t h at cri m e of ch i l d m o l es t at io n o ccu rred wi t h i n t h e ran g e o f s ev eral m o n t h s

al l eg ed i n t h e i n d ict m en t b ecau s e t h os e d at es were n o t m ad e a m at eri al av erm en t o f

t h e i n d i ct m en t , t h e St at e s t i ll h ad t o p ro v e t hat t h e v i ct i m was u n d er 1 6 y ears o l d at

t h e t i m e o f t h e m o l e s t a t io n b ecau s e t h at was a s ep arat e, es s en t i al el em en t o f t h e

cri m e). Th e t ri al co urt t h u s d i d n o t err b y n o t m erg i ng To rres ’ s i n ces t co n v i ct i o n s

.

1 3 In Jo n e s

, 3 3 3 Ga. Ap p

. at 7 9 9 -8 0 0 (2 ), t h i s Co u rt h el d th at t wo co u n t s o f

i n ces t m erg ed b ecau s e t h e co u nt s al l eg ed i d en t i cal fact s an d t h e al l eg ed d at e ran g es

were n o t m ad e m at eri al av erm en ts o f t h e i nd i ct m en t. In a fo o t no t e, we p oi n t e d o ut

t h at o n e of t he t wo i n ces t co u n t s ad d i t i o n al l y al l eg ed t hat t h e v i ct i m was u n d er 1 4

y ears ol d b u t co n cl u ded t hat t h e “ ad d i t i o n al el em en t [ w a s ] no t rel ev an t t o o u r

an al y s i s.” Id

. at 8 00 (2 ), n

. 2

. Ho w e v er, in Jo n es

, u n l ik e i n th e p res en t cas e, “ [t ] h e

t ri al co u rt ch arg ed t h e ju ry t h at t h e i n d i ct m en t d i d n o t s tat e t h at t h e d at e o f t h e o ffen s e

was a m at eri al el em en t o f t h e cri m e, an d t h at it was s uffi ci en t t h at t h e St at e sh o w t h at

t h e o ffen s e o ccu rred wi t h in th e s ev en y ears befo re t h e i n d i ct m en t was fi l ed reg ard l es s

o f t h e d at e l i s t ed o n t h e i n d i ct m en t .” Id

. at 8 0 0 (2 ). Bas ed on t h i s i n s t ru ct io n al l o wi n g

a s ev en -y ear wi nd o w fo r act s t h at co u l d fo rm t h e bas i s fo r t h e co n v i ct i o ns , t h e ju ry

co u ld h av e fo u n d th e d efen d an t g u i l t y o n b o t h co u n ts fo r act s o f i n ces t t h at occu rred

wh en t h e v i ct i m was un d er 1 4 y ears o l d

. Th u s

, wh et h er t h e v i ct i m was o v er o r u n d er

1 4 y ear s o l d w a s n ot a m at eri al d i s t i n ct io n b et w een t he co u n t s u n d er t h e

ci rcu m s t an ces o f t h at cas e.

32Nev ert h el es s

, al t h ou g h n o t rai s ed b y To rres o n ap p eal

, 1 4 we co ncl u d e t h at h i s

s en t en ces o n t h e fo ur i n ces t co u n t s are v oi d b ecau s e t h ey d o n o t each i ncl u d e a s p l i t

s en t en ce o f i n carcerat i on an d p ro b at i o n as req u i red by t h e fo rm er v ers i on o f OCGA

§ 1 7 -1 0 -6 .2 (b ) ap p l icab l e at t h e ti m e h e co m m i t t ed t h o s e o ffen s es

. 1 5 See S t a t e v.

Ri g g s

, 3 0 1 Ga. 6 3

, 6 4

- 6 7 (1 ) (7 9 9 SE2 d 7 7 0) (2 0 1 7 ). Acco rd i n g l y

, we m u s t v acat e

1 4 See Ha r d in v. St a t e

, 3 4 4 Ga. Ap p

. 3 7 8

, 3 8 9 -3 90 (2 ) (8 1 0 SE2 d 60 2 ) (2 0 1 8 )

(v acat i ng each o f d efen d an t’ s s en t en ces t h at d id n o t i n cl u d e s p l i t s en ten ce req u i red

b y fo rm er OCGA § 1 7

- 1 0

- 6

. 2 (b ), i n cl u di n g o n e co u n t t h at defen d an t d i d n ot

ch al l en g e o n ap peal ). See al s o Hu g h es v. St a t e

, 3 4 1 Ga. A p p

. 5 9 4, 5 9 7 -5 98 (3 ) (8 0 2

SE2 d 3 0 ) (2 01 7) (p er cu ri am ) (v acat i n g d efen d an t ’ s s en t en ce fo r s t at u to ry rap e t h at

fai l ed t o i ncl u d e s p l i t s en t en ce req u i red b y fo rm er OCGA § 1 7 -1 0 -6 .2 (b ), ev en

t h o u g h t h e d efen d an t d i d n o t rai s e t he i s s u e o n ap peal ).

1 5 Th e v ers i o n of O CGA § 1 7 -1 0 -6

. 2 (b ) i n effect at t h e t i m e of To rres ’ s

o ffen s es p ro vi d ed i n rel ev an t p art :

[A] n y pers o n co n v i ct ed o f a s ex u al offen se sh al l b e s en t en ced t o a s pl i t

s en t en ce w h ich s h al l i ncl u d e th e m i n i m u m t erm o f i m

p ri so n m en t

s p eci fi ed i n t h e Co d e s ect i o n ap p l i cab le t o th e o ffen s e. N o p o rt i o n o f th e

m an d at o ry m in im

u m s en t en ce i m

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

, s ta yed

,

p ro b at ed

, d eferred

, o r wi t h h e l d b y th e s en t en ci n g co u rt an d s u ch

s en t en ce s h al l i n cl u d e

, i n ad d i t i o n t o t h e m an d at o ry i m p ri s on m en t

, an

ad d i ti o n al p ro b at ed s en t en ce o f at l eas t o n e y ear. . . .

In ces t i s o n e o f t h e s ex u al o ffen s es s u b ject t o t h e s en t en ci n g req u i rem en t s i m p o s ed

b y OCGA § 1 7 -1 0-6 .2 (b ). See OCGA § § 1 6 -6 -2 2 (b ); 1 7 -1 0 -6 .2 (a) (8 ). In 2 0 1 7

, t h e

Gen eral As s em

b l y am en ded OCGA § 1 7 -1 0-6 .2 (b ), effect i v e o n J u l y 1

, 2 0 1 7

, to

req u i re t h at o nl y t h e fi n al co n s ecu t i v e s en t en ce i m p o s ed co n tai n a s p l i t s en t en ce, s ee

Ga. L

. 2 0 1 7, p

. 4 8 9

, § 5

, b ut co u rt s m u s t ap p l y t h e v ers i o n o f t h e s t at u t e ap p l i cab l e

at t h e t i m e To rres co m

m i t ted h i s cri m es

. See Ma r t i n ez -Ch a vez v. St a t e

,

_ _ Ga. Ap p.

_ _ (1 ) (8 3 4 SE2 d 1 3 9) (2 01 9 ); Ha r d i n

, 3 4 4 Ga. Ap p . at 3 8 8 -3 8 9 (2 ).

33To rres ’ s s en t en ces i m p o sed o n h i s in ces t co n v i ct i on s an d rem an d fo r res en t en ci n g o n

t h o s e fo u r co u n ts co n s i s t en t wi t h fo rm er OCGA § 1 7-1 0 -6

. 2 (b ). See Cr u z v. S t a t e

,

3 4 6 Ga. Ap p . 8 0 2 , 8 0 3 (1 ) (8 15 SE2 d 3 1 1 ) (2 0 1 8).

Ju d g men t o f co n vi ct i on a

f f i r med

, s en t en ce va ca t ed i n p a rt

, an d ca s e r ema n d

ed

f o r r es en t en ci n g . Mer ci er

a n d Br o wn , JJ., co n cu r

.

34