THI RD DI VI SI ON

DI L LA RD, P. J.

, GOBEI L and HODGES, 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

Febr uar y 18, 2020



# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A1 9 A2 40 7 . PICKLESIM ER v . THE STATE.

H O D G E S , J u d g e.

T o m m y R. Pi ck l es i m er w as co n v i ct ed b y a ju ry of ag grav at ed s ex u al b at t e r y

o f h i s g ran d d au g h t er, S. P., t hree co un t s of ch i l d m ol es t at i o n o f S. P., an d on e co u nt

o f ch i ld m o l es tat i o n o f a s eco n d g ran d d au g h t er, M . P. Pi ck l es i m er was acq u i t t ed o f

rap i n g S. P. an d o n e co u n t o f ch i l d m ol es t at i on o f S. P. Pi ck l es i m er n ow ap p eal s ,

co n ten d in g t h at (1 ) t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n d en y i n g h i s s p eci al d em u rrer t o qu as h t h e

i n d i ct m en t d u e to i n s u ffi ci en t s p eci fi ci t y as t o t h e d at es an d p l aces o f t h e o ffen s es ;

(2 ) t h e co n v i ct i o n o n o n e o f t h e co u n t s o f m o l es t at i o n o f S

. P

. i s b arred b y t h e

acq u it t al o n t he ch arg e o f rap i n g S. P.; (3 ) t h e tri al co urt erred i n res t ri ct i n g h i s cro s s

ex am i n at i o n o f a d et ect i v e as t o t h e d at e s o f t h e o ffen s es ; (4 ) t h e ev i d en ce i s

i n s u f fi ci en t t o es t ab l i sh t h at t h e o ffen s es o ccu rred w i t hi n th e d at es li s ted i n t h ei n d i ct m en t ; (5 ) th e t ri al co u rt erred i n ch a r g i n g t he ju ry ; (6 ) h i s s t at em en t to p o l i ce

s h o u ld hav e b een s up p res s ed b ecau s e of t h e cl erg y p ri vi l eg e; (7 ) t h e tri al co u rt erred

i n n o t g ran t i n g a co n t in u an ce to p erm i t i nv es t i g at io n o f a s u b s eq u en t al l eg at i o n m ad e

b y S. P. ag ai n s t an o t h er i n d i v i du al ; an d (8 ) th e ev i d en ce i s i ns u ffi ci en t as to o n e o f

t h e co u n t s t o fi nd t h e n eces s ary i n t en t t o m o l es t M. P. Fo r t h e reas o ns t h at fo l l o w, we

fi nd n o erro r an d affi rm

.

“ On ap p eal fro m a cri m i n al co n v i ct i o n , a d efen d an t n o l o n ge r e njo y s t h e

p res u m p t i o n o f in n o cen ce, an d t h e ev i d en ce i s v i ewed i n t h e l i g h t m o s t fav o rab l e to

t h e g u i lt y v erd i ct .” (Ci tat i o n o m i t t ed .) W a l ker v. S t a te

, 34 9 Ga. Ap p

. 18 8 (8 2 5 SE2 d

5 7 8 ) (2 0 1 9 ).

So v i ewed

, t h e ev i d en ce s h o ws t h at Pi ck l es i m er i s t h e g ran d fat h er o f S. P. an d

M

. P., w h o b o t h t u rn ed 9 y ears o l d in lat e 2 0 0 4

. Th e gi rl s a r e c o u s i n s , an d b o t h o f

t h e i r f at h ers res i d ed wi t h Pi ck l es im er an d hi s wi fe at t h at t im e. Bo t h o f t h e g i rl s

wo u l d v i s i t t h ei r fat h ers an d s t ay o v ern i gh t at Pi ck l es i m er’ s h o m e.

Befo re S. P.’ s n i n th b i rt h d ay i n Oct o b er 2 0 0 4

, Pi ck les i m er b eg an t o t o u ch S. P.

i n ap p ro p ri at el y o n h er vag i n a, b reas t s , an d b u t to c k s

. P i c kl es i m er t o u ch ed S. P.’ s

v ag in a w i t h hi s h an d an d wi t h h i s p en i s m u l t i p l e t i m es

. Pi ck les i m er al s o i n sert ed h i s

fi ng er i n si d e S. P.’ s v ag i na, an d at t em p t ed t o s t i ck t wo fi n gers i n h er v ag i n a, b u t t h ey

2wo u l d n o t fi t

. Ad d i t i o n al l y , h e t oo k S. P.’ s h an d an d m ad e h er ru b h i s p en i s ,

s o m et i m es t o ejacu lat i o n

. On o n e o ccas i o n , Pi ck l es i m er wo k e u p S. P., t oo k o ff h er

u n d erwear, an d t o l d her t o g et o n t o p o f h i m

. H e t h en t ri ed t o s t i ck h i s p en i s i n h er

v ag in a, b u t i t wo u l d n o t fi t

, an d “ wet s t u ff cam e fro m h i s p ri v at e.” Th es e en co u n t ers

m ad e S. P.’ s “ t u m

m y feel s ick ” an d m ad e h er wan t t o cry

. Pi ck l es im er t o l d S. P. n ot

t o t el l an y o n e. Th e ab u s e en d ed t h e l as t t i m e S. P. v i s i t ed Pi ck l es i m er’ s ho m e, wh i ch

s h e b el i ev es was i n Feb ru ary 2 0 0 5

.

Pi ck les im er al s o t o u ch ed h i s g ran dau gh t er M

. P. i n ap p ro p ri at el y

. Sp eci fi cal l y ,

h e t o o k M

. P.’ s h an d an d m ad e h er t o u ch h i s p en i s. Du ri n g her fo ren s i c i nt erv i ew, M

.

P. s t at ed t h at s he b el iev ed Pi ck l es i m er d i d n o t m ean t o m ak e her d o t h i s b ecau s e h e

ap p eared t o b e as l eep wh en it h ap p en ed

. Sh e l at er t es t i fi ed

, h o w ev er, t h at s h e was n ot

s u re if Pi ck l es i m er w as as leep

. S. P. an d M

. P. wo u l d s o m et i m es s l eep t o get h er o n t h e

co u ch at Pi ck l es i m er’ s h o us e b ecau s e t h ey were afrai d o f s l eep i n g i n a ro o m wh ere

h e co u l d l o ck t h e d o o r. Acco rd i n g t o M

. P

. , h e r a b u s e o ccu rred i n t h e s um m er o f

2 0 0 4

.

Fo l l owi n g S. P.’ s d i s cl o su re, p o l i ce as k ed Pi ck l es i m er t o co m e i n t o d i s cu s s h er

al l eg at i o n s

. Al th ou g h h e was n o t u n d er arres t at t h e t i m e, t h e d e t e c t i v e r ead

Pi ck l es i m er h i s Mi r an d

a ri g h t s an d h e s i g n ed a wai v er. Du ri n g t h i s i n t erv i ew,

3Pi ck l es i m er ad m i t t ed t o s ex u al co n t act wi t h S. P. He s t at ed th at o n e ti m e h e wo k e u p

wi t h an erect io n an d S. P. was o n t o p o f h i m wi t h h er p an t i e s o f f

. H e al s o ad m i t t ed

h e p l a c e d S

. P

. ’ s h an d o n h is p en i s to h av e h er ru b i t o n m u lt i pl e o ccas i o n s ,

s o m e t i m e s t o ejacu lat i o n

. He cl ai m ed t h at h e d i d t h i s s o h e co u l d s h o w S. P. wh at

h ap pen s wh en a p en i s i s fo n d led

. He al s o ad m i t t ed t h at he ru b b ed S. P.’ s v ag i n a wi th

h i s h an d in s i d e h er p an t i es o n m u l t ip l e o ccas i o n s , bu t d en i ed d i g i t al ly p en et rat i n g h er.

Pi ck l es i m er cl ai m ed t h at t h e ch i l d cam e o n t o h i m

.

Pi ck les im er al s o ad m i tt ed to s ex u al co n t act wi t h M. P. Sp eci f i c a l l y ,

Pi ck l es i m er s t at ed t h at M . P. en t ered th e bat h ro o m wh i l e h e was u ri n at i n g, t h at s h e

t o u ch ed h i s p en i s , an d t h at h e th en m ov ed h er h an d b ack an d fo rt h t o ru b h i s p en i s

b ecau s e i t “

ju st b l o wed [h i m ] u p wh en [h e] fel t her h an d .” M

. P. d en ies t h at t h i s

s p eci fi c i n ci d en t o ccu rred

.

As a res u l t o f h i s co nd u ct

, Pi ck l es i m er was i n d i ct ed fo r s ev eral cri m es : rap e o f

S. P.; ag g rav at ed s ex ual b at t ery o f S. P. fo r “ p en et rat [i n g ] t h e s ex u al o rg an o f [S. P.]

wi t h a fo rei g n o bject

, t o wi t : t h e fi n g er of t h e accu s ed ”; ch i l d m o l es t at io n of S. P. fo r

“ p l aci n g h is han d o n an d ab o u t t h e v ag i n a” o f S. P.; ch i l d m o l es t at i on o f S. P

. f o r

“ p l aci n g h i s h an d o n an d ab o u t t h e b u t t o ck s ” o f S. P.; ch i ld m o l es t at i o n o f S. P. fo r

p l aci ng S. P.’ s h an d o n h i s p en i s ; ch i l d m o l es t at i o n o f S. P. fo r “ p l aci n g h is p en i s o n

4an d ab o u t th e v ag i na” o f S. P.; an d ch i l d m o les t at i o n o f M

. P. fo r p laci n g M

. P.’ s

h an d o n h i s p en i s

. Th e i nd ict m en t al leg ed al l o f t h es e cri m es o ccu rred i n Fo rs y th

Co u n t y “ b et ween t h e 1 st d ay o f Sep t em b er, 2 0 04 an d t h e 2 8 t h day o f Feb ru ary , 2 0 0 5,

t h e ex act d at e b ei ng u n k n o wn [.] ”

Pi ck les im er fi l ed a s p eci al d em u rrer t o q u as h th e i n d i ct m en t o n t h e b as i s t h at

t h e al l eg at i o ns i n t h e i n d i ct m en t were no t m ad e wi t h t h e g reat es t p art i cu l ari t y

av ai l ab l e t o t h e St at e d u e t o t h e u s e o f a ran g e o f d at es an d d u e t o th e fai l u re t o m o re

s p eci fi cal l y al l eg e t h e l o cat i o n o f t h e o ffen s es

. T h e t ri al co urt co nd u ct ed a h eari n g o n

Pi ck l es i m er’ s m o t i on d u ri n g wh i ch t h e i n v e s t i g at i n g d et ect i v e an d S. P.’ s m o t h er

t es t i fi ed

. Th e t ri al co u rt d en i ed Pi ck l es im er’ s m o t i o n t o q u as h

, fi n d in g t h at t h e St at e

p ro v ed t hat t h e d at es i n t h e i n d i ct m en t were m ad e wi th t h e g r e a t es t p art i cu l ari t y

av ai l ab l e an d t h at t h e al l eg at i o n s i n t h e i nd i ct m en t as t o t h e p l ace o f t h e o ffen s es was

s u ffi ci en t

.

Pi ck les im er was t ri ed b y a ju ry

. He was co n vi ct ed o f ag grav at ed sex u al b at t ery

o f S. P., t h ree co un t s o f ch i l d m ol es t at i o n o f S. P., an d o n e co u n t o f ch i l d m o l es t at i o n

o f M

. P. Pi ck les im er was acq ui t t ed o f rap i n g S. P. an d t h e co u n t o f ch il d m o l es t at i o n

5co n cern in g p l aci n g h i s h an d s o n o r ab o u t t h e bu t to ck s o f S. P. Fo l l o wi n g t h e d en i al

o f h i s m o t i o n fo r n ew t ri al , Pi ck l es i m er ap p eal s

. 1

1

. In t wo rel at ed en u m erat i o n s o f erro r, Pi ck l es i m er co n t en d s t h at t h e t ri al co u rt

erred i n d en y i n g h i s s p eci al d em u rrer as to t h e d at es an d p l ac e o f t h e o ffen s es

co n tai n ed i n t h e i nd i ct m en t

. W e d i s ag ree.

Th e g en eral ru l e i n Geo rg i a i s t h at

an i n d i ct m en t wh i ch fai l s t o al l eg e a s peci fi c d at e o n w h i ch t h e cri m e

was co m m i t t ed i s n o t p erfect i n fo rm an d i s s u b ject t o a t i m el y s p eci al

d em u rrer. Ho wev er, wh ere t h e St at e can s h o w t h at t h e ev id en ce d o es n o t

p erm i t i t t o al l eg e a s peci f i c d a t e o n wh i ch t h e o ffen se occu rred

, th e

1 W e t ak e t hi s o p p ort un it y t o n o t e th at t h i s t ri al was co nd u ct ed i n Feb ru ary 2 0 0 8

, an d Pi ck l es i m er’ s m o t i o n fo r n ew tri al was d en i ed i n Oct ob er 2 0 0 9

. Th e ap p eal

i n t h i s cas e, ho wev er, was no t fo rward ed to t h i s Co u rt fo r d o ck et i n g u n ti l 2 0 1 9

. At

t h i s p o in t

, t h e ch il d ren di s cu s s ed i n t h i s o p i n i o n are s ev eral y ears i n t o ad u l t h o o d.

Al t h o u g h Pi ck les im er rai s es no cl ai m o f p reju d i ce as a res u l t, o u r Su p rem e Co u rt h as

s t ro n g l y reb u ked d el ay i n t h e res o l u t io n o f p os t -co n v i ct i o n m at t ers

. See, e. g ., Owen s

v. S ta t e , 3 0 3 Ga. 2 5 4

, 2 5 9 -2 6 0 (4 ) (8 11 SE2 d 4 20 ) (2 0 18 ). W hi l e m u ch o f t h e d i s cu s si o n h as fo cu s ed o n d el ay s i n d eci d in g m o t i on s fo r n ew t ri al

, l o n g d e l a ys i n

p erfect io n o f t h e reco rd fo r ap p eal

, as h ap p en ed h ere, are n o l es s eg reg io u s. As o u r Su p rem e Co u rt ex p l ai n ed

, “ ev en i f l o ng -d el ay ed ap p eal s rarel y res u l t i n o u t ri g ht

rev ers al s o f co n v ict io n s or o n l y re t ri al s or res en t en ci n g s , t h es e ex t en d ed an d

u n ju s t i fi ed d el ay s i n res o l v i n g cri m i n al cas es m a ke our St at e’ s cri m i n al ju s t i ce s y s t em

ap p ear u n fai r an d gro s s l y i n e ffi ci en t

. . . . [w] e m u s t al l wo rk to p rev en t d el ay s , p ar t i cu l arl y i n t h e m os t s eri o u s o f o ur cri m i n al cas es , t hat can n ot b e ex pl ai n ed o r ju s t ifi ed t o t h e p art i es i n t h o s e cas es , t h e v i ct i m s o f cri m es , an d th e p u b l i c we s erv e.”

Id

.

6St at e i s perm i t ted t o al l eg e t h at t h e cri m e o ccu rred b et ween t wo

p art i cu l ar d at es

.

(Ci t at i o n s o m i t t ed .) S t a t e v. La yma n , 2 79 Ga. 3 4 0

, 3 4 0 -3 4 1 (6 1 3 SE2 d 6 3 9 ) (2 0 0 5 ).

W e rev i ew a t ri al co u rt ’ s d en i al o f a s p eci al d em u rrer d e n ov o ; h o wev er,

[w] e ap p l y d i fferen t s t an d ard s w h en we rev i ew ru l i n g s o n s p eci al

d em u rrers p ret ri al an d p os t -t ri al . W h en rev i ewi n g a ru l i n g b efo re t ri al

,

we co n s id er wh et h er th e i n d i ct m en t is p erfect i n fo rm an d s u b s t an ce, b u t

wh en rev i ewi n g it aft er t ri al

, we co n s i d er wh et her t h e d efen d an t s u ffered

act u al p reju d i ce fro m

al l eg ed d efi ci en ci es i n t h e i n d i ct m en t

.

(Ci t at i o n s an d p un ct u at i on o m i t t ed .) Her r i n g v. S t a t e , 3 3 4 Ga. Ap p

. 5 0

, 5 2 (7 7 8 SE2 d

5 7 ) (2 0 1 5 ). Here, w e are rev i ewi n g t h e i n d i ct m en t p o s t -t ri al

, s o we fo cu s o ur an al y s i s

o n act u al p reju d i ce.

As s t at ed ab o v e, t h e i nd i ct m en t i n t h i s c a s e a l l e g ed t hat al l o f t h e o ffen s es

o ccu rred i n Fo rs y th Co un t y b et ween t he d at es o f Sep t em ber 1

, 2 0 0 4 an d Feb ru ary 2 8,

2 0 0 5

. Th e dat es u s ed i n t h e i n d i ct m en t were tak en fro m t h e fo ren s i c i nt erv i ew o f S.

P. Pi ck l es i m er m ak es n o co n t en t i o n t h at p ri o r t o tri al t h e St at e fai l ed t o p ro v i d e t ri al

wi t h co p i es o f t h e fo ren s i c i n t erv i ews u p o n wh ich t h e i n d ict m en t rel i ed . M o reo v er,

t h e ab u s e o ccu rred d u ri n g S. P.’ s v i s it at io n wi t h her fat h er at Pi ck les i m er’ s h o m e, an d

at t h e h eari n g h el d on Pi ck l es i m er’ s s p eci al d em u rrer, S. P.’ s m o t h er t es ti fi ed t h at s h e

7was u n ab l e t o fu rt h er s p eci fy t h e d at es of v i s i t at i o n b ecau s e t h ere w as n o s et

v i s i t at i o n s ch ed u l e.

Ev en as su m i n g th e St at e co u l d h av e fu rt h er s peci fi ed t h e d at es o r p lace o f t h e

o ffen s es i n t he i nd i ct m en t

, we f i n d t h at Pi ck l es i m er was n o t act u al ly p reju d i ced by

an y al l eg ed d efi ci en c i e s

. T h e o n l y ev i d en ce b efo re th e ju ry o f th e d at es o f t h e

o ffen s es cam e fro m ei t her th e fo ren si c i n t erv i ews o f t h e v i c t i m s

– wh ich were

av ai l ab l e t o Pi ck l es i m er b efo re t ri al

– o r t h e s t at em en t s gi v en b y Pi ck l es i m er h i m s el f

t o p o l i ce. M oreo v er, t h e o nl y ev i d en ce o f t h e l o cat i o n o f t h e o ffen s es , bo t h fro m t h e

v i ct i m s an d Pi ck l es i m er, i s t h a t t h e ab u s e o ccu rred in Pi ck les i m er’ s h o m e.

Acco rd i n g l y , th ere i s n o ev i d en ce t hat t h e fo rm of th e i n d ict m en t i m p ai red

Pi ck l es i m er’ s ab i li t y t o pres en t h i s d efen s e. See Ber ma n v. S t a te

, 27 9 Ga. Ap p

. 8 6 7,

8 7 2 (6 ) (6 3 2 SE2 d 7 5 7 ) (2 0 0 6) (“ Berm an co m p l ai n s t h at t he fai l u re t o s p eci fy d at es

i n t h e i n d i ct m en t fo rced h i m to d efen d ag ai n s t al leg at i o n s t h at m ay h av e o ccu rred at

an y p o i n t d u ri ng t h e s ev en -y ear s t at u t e o f l i m it at io n

. Bu t h e h as n o t sh o w n t h at t h i s

req u i r e m en t i m

p ai red h is ab i l i ty t o p res en t a defen s e.”) (ci t at i o n o m i t t ed ); s ee al s o

Ha r ri s v. S t a t e , 3 2 4 Ga. Ap p

. 4 1 1

, 4 1 5 (3 ) (7 5 0 SE2 d 7 2 1) (2 0 13 ) (“ Harri s d o es n ot

s h o w h o w h i s in ves ti g at i o n o r d efen s e p rep arat i o n w as h in d ered b y th e i n d i ct m en t as

wri t ten ; th erefo re, t h is en u m erat i o n p res en t s n o b as i s fo r rev ers al .”).

8Pi ck les im er s u g g es t s i n h i s b ri ef t h at “ [e] s t ab l i s h i n g an al i b i m a y un d er cert ai n

ci rcu m s t an ces b e i n fi n i t el y eas ier wh en bo t h a red uced t i m e p eri o d a n d a l o cat i o n are

s p e c i f i ed .” (Em p has i s i n ori gi n al .) Th i s t h eo ret i cal s t at em en t, h o wev er, i s s t ark l y

d i fferen t fro m s t at i n g th at Pi ck l es i m er act ual l y h ad al ib i ev i d en ce t h at h e was u n ab l e

t o rel y u p o n d u e to t h e fo rm of th e i n d i ct m en t

. See Hu t t o n v. S t a t e , 1 92 G a. Ap p

. 2 3 9,

2 4 1 (4 ) (3 8 4 SE2 d 4 4 6) (1 9 89 ) (“ Th e d efen d an t in t h i s cas e offered n o al i b i ev i d en ce,

n o r d i d h e at an y t i m e req u es t a co n t i n u an ce o n t he g ro u n d o f s u rp ri s e, n o r d i d h e

o t h erwi s e ex p res s a n eed fo r ad d i ti o nal t i m e t o reb u t an y ev i d en ce p res en t ed b y t h e

s t at e. Co n s eq u en t l y , i t d o es n o t ap p ear t h at t h e fai l u re t o a l l e g e t h e sp eci fi c d at e o f

t h e o ffen s e i n t h e i n d i ct m en t m at eri al l y affect ed h i s ab i li t y t o p res en t a d efen s e.”)

(ci t at i o n an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed ). In t h e ab s en ce o f a d em o n s t rat i on o f act u al

p reju d i ce res ul ti n g fro m t h e al l eg ed d e fi ci en ci es i n t h e i n d ict m en t

, t h es e

en u m erat i o n s fai l

. 2

2 Pi ck l es i m er’ s rel i an ce o n S t a t e v. La yma n , 27 9 Ga. 3 4 0 ( 6 1 3 SE2 d 6 3 9 ) (2 0 0 5 )

, t o s up po rt h i s arg u m en t t hat t h e i n d i ct m en t s h o u ld h av e b een q u as h ed i s

m i s p l aced

. No t o n l y was La yma n i n a d ifferen t p ro ced u ral p o s t u re t h an t h is cas e, as

t h e su ffi ci en cy o f th e i n d i c t m en t was b ei n g rev i ewed p re-t ri al

, i t al so i s fact u al l y i n ap p o s it e. Th ere, t h e St at e cl earl y co u l d h av e m o re s p eci fi cal l y narro wed t h e ran g e

o f d at es i n t h e in di ct m en t. Fo r i n s t an ce, t h e in d ict m en t al l eg ed t h e d efen d a n t

m u rd ered t h e v ict i m b et ween t h e d at es o f J u n e 3 0 an d J u l y 1 9 e v e n t h o u g h t h e

v i ct i m ’ s fat h er s p o k e to t h e vi ct i m o n J u ly 4 a n d s ev eral ot h er wi t n es s es s aw t h e

v i ct i m al iv e o n t h at d ay

. Id . at 3 4 0 -3 4 1

.

92

. Pi ck l es i m er n ex t co nt en d s t h at h i s ch i l d m o les t at io n co n v i ct i o n fo r “ p l aci n g

h i s p e n i s o n an d ab o u t t h e v ag i n a” o f S. P. is i n co n s i s t en t wi t h an d b arred b y h i s

acq u it t al fo r rap in g S. P. W e d is ag ree.

Sp eci fi cal l y , Pi ck l es i m er arg u es t h at becau s e he w as acq u i tt ed o f rap e, wh i ch

i n v o l v es ev en s l i g h t p en et rat i o n o f S. P.’ s v u l v a or l ab i a

– bo t h of w h i ch are

an at o m i cal l y p o s i t i o n ed befo re t h e v ag in a o n t h e fem al e bo d y

– he co ul d n o t b e

co n vi ct ed o f ch il d m ol es t at i o n fo r p l aci n g h i s p en i s o n an d ab o u t S

. P.’ s v ag i n a. In

o t h er wo r d s , h e as s ert s h e co u l d n o t p l ace h i s p en is o n an d ab o u t S. P.’ s v ag i n a

wi t h o u t al s o p en et rat i ng h er v u l v a an d l ab i a. Reg ard les s of wh et her Pi ck l es i m er’ s

arg u m en t i s an at o m i cal l y accu rat e, i t i s o f n o l eg al m eri t

.

[ A] n i n co n si s t en t v erd i ct i n v o l v es an al l eg ed i n co n s i s t en cy b e t w e e n

g u i l t y an d n o t g u il t y v erd i ct s ag ai n s t a d efen d an t or d efen d an t s t h a t

c an n o t b e l o g i cal l y reco n ci l ed

. Ho w ev er, b ecau se t h e i n co n s i st en t

v erd ict ru l e h as b een ab o li s h ed

, a d efen dan t can n ot at t ack a s

i n co ns is t en t a j u ry v erd i ct o f g u i l t y o n o n e co u n t an d n o t g u i l t y o n a

d i fferen t co u n t as a l e g i t i m at e m ean s o f h av i n g h is or h er co nv i ct i o n

rev ers ed

. Th i s i s t h e ca s e b ecau s e i t is n ot gen eral l y wi t h in t h e co u rt ’ s

p o wer t o m ak e in q u i r i es i n t o t h e ju ry ’ s d el ib erat i o n s , o r t o s p ecu l at e

ab o u t t h e reas o n s fo r an y i nco n s is t en cy b et ween g u i l t y an d no t g u i l t y

v erd ict s

. Ap p el lat e co u rt s can n o t k n ow an d s h o u ld n o t s p ecu l at e wh y a ju ry acq u i t ted o n o n e o ffen s e an d co nv i ct ed o n an o th er o ffen s e. T he

reas o n co u ld b e an erro r b y t h e ju ry i n i t s co n s i d erat i o n o r i t c o ul d be

10m i s t ak e, co m p ro m i se, o r l en i t y

. St at ed an ot h er way , it i s i m p ru den t an d

u n wo rk ab l e t o al l o w cri m i n al d efen d an t s t o ch al l en g e i n co n s i st en t

v erd ict s o n t h e g ro u n d t h at i n t h ei r cas e t h e v erd i ct was no t t h e p ro d uct

o f l en i t y , b u t o f s o m e err o r t h a t wo rk ed ag ai n s t t h em

. Su ch an

i n d i vi d u al i zed as s es s m en t o f t h e reas o n fo r t h e i n co ns i s t en cy wo u l d be

b as ed ei t h er o n p ure s p ecu l at i on , o r wo u l d r eq ui re i n q ui ri es i n t o th e ju ry ’ s d el ib erat i o n s t hat t h e co u rt s g en eral ly wi l l n o t u n d ert ak e.

(Ci t at i o n s an d pu n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed .) Ca r t er v. S t a t e , 29 8 Ga. 86 7

, 8 6 8 -8 69 (7 8 5 SE2 d

2 7 4 ) (2 0 1 6 ). Acco rd i ng l y , ev en as s u m i n g wi t h o u t d eci d i n g t h at Pi ck l es i m er’ s

acq u it t al fo r rap e i s i n co n s i s t en t wi t h h i s co n v ict i o n fo r ch i l d m ol es t at i on fo r p l aci n g

h i s p en i s o n an d ab ou t S. P.’ s v ag in a, th i s pro v i d es n o b as i s fo r rev ers al o f h i s ch i ld

m o les t at i o n co n v i ct i on

.

3

. Pi ck l es im er al s o co nt en d s t h a t t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n res tri ct i n g h i s cro s s

ex am i n a t i o n o f t h e d et ect i v e o n t h e i s s u e o f t h e d at es of t h e o ffen s es

. W e fi n d n o

ab u se o f d i s cret i o n

.

Pi ck les im er i s co rrect t h at

[a] d efen d an t h as t h e ri g h t t o a t h o ro u g h an d s i ft i ng cro ss -ex am i nat i o n

o f an y w i t nes s cal led ag ai n st h i m

. Ho w ev er, t h e ex t e n t o f

cro s s-ex am in at i o n can b e cu rt ai l ed i f t h e i n q u i ry i s n o t rel ev an t o r

m at eri al

, an d s uch res t ri ct i o n l i es wi t h i n th e d i s cret i o n o f t h e t ri al co u rt

wh i ch wi l l n o t b e d i s t u rb e d o n ap p eal un l es s m an i fes t l y ab u s ed

. Tri al

11ju d g es ret ai n wi d e l at i t u de t o im p o s e reas o nab l e l i m i t s o n

cro s s-ex am in at i o n b as ed o n co n cern s ab o u t

, a m o n g o t h er t h i n gs ,

co n fu s i o n of t h e i ss u e s , o r i n t erro g at i o n t hat i s rep et i ti v e o r o n l y

m arg i n al l y

rel ev an t

.

(Ci t at i o n s o m i t t ed .) Ho ll owa y v. S t a te

, 2 8 3 G a. Ap p

. 8 23

, 8 25 (6 4 3 SE2 d 2 8 6 )

(2 0 0 7) 3 ; see al s o El r o d v

. S t a t e , 1 9 5 Ga. Ap p

. 5 7 1

, 5 7 2 (4 ) (3 9 4 SE2 d 54 8 ) (1 9 9 0 )

(“ Th e ad m i s s i o n o f ev id en ce i s a m at t er wh ich res t s w i t hi n t h e d i s cret i o n o f t h e t ri al

co u rt

. Th e ri gh t of cro s s -ex am i n at i o n i s no t ab ri dg ed w here t h e ex am i n at i o n i s l i m i t ed

b y t h e t ri al co u rt t o rel ev an t m at t ers by pro p er q u es t i o ni n g

. T h e t ri al co u rt h as a wi d e

ran g e o f d i scret i on i n t he co n t ro l o f cro s s -ex am i n at i o n .”) (ci tat i o n s an d pu n ct u at i o n

o m it t ed ). In d eed

, “ [g ] en eral l y s p eak i n g , t h e Co n fro n t at i o n Cl au s e g u aran t ees an

o p p o rt u ni t y

fo r effect i v e cro s s -ex am i n at i o n , n o t cro s s-ex am in at i o n t h at i s effect i v e

i n w h at ev er way an d to wh at ev er ex t en t

, t he d efen s e m ig h t wi s h .” (Ci t at io n o m i t t ed .)

Ph yf er v. S t a te , 2 5 9 Ga. Ap p . 3 5 6 , 3 5 8 (2 ) (5 7 7 SE2 d 5 6 ) (2 0 0 3 ).

3 W e n o t e t h at d ue t o t h e ex ces s i v el y l o n g d el ay i n t he p rep arat i on o f t h e reco rd

i n t h i s cas e, t h e t ri al o ccu rred p ri o r t o t he ad o p t i on of t h e New Ev i d en ce Co d e in

2 0 1 3 . See Bo o t h e v. S t a t e , 2 9 3 Ga. 2 8 5 , 2 86 , n .2 (7 45 SE2 d 5 9 4 ) (2 0 1 3 ) (“ Becau s e

t h i s cas e was t ri ed b efo re J an u ary 1

, 2 0 1 3

, ou r n ew Ev i d en ce Co d e do es n o t ap p l y .”).

12Here, we fi n d t h at t he tri al co u rt d i d n o t ab u s e i ts d i scret i o n i n l im i t in g cro s s

ex am i n at i o n ab o u t t h e d at es of t h e o ffen s es b ecau s e s u ch d at es were i m m at eri al

.

It i s a l o n g -s t an d i n g p ri n ci p l e o f Geo rg i a law t h at a d at e o r r a n ge o f

d at es al l eg ed i n an i n d i ct m en t

, wi t h o ut m ore, i s n o t a m at eri al al l eg at i o n

o f t h e i n d i ct m en t

, an d, co n s eq u en t l y , u nl es s t h e i nd i ct m en t s peci fi cal l y

s t at es t h at th e al l eg ed d at es are m at eri a l

, t h e St at e m ay p ro v e t hat th e

al l eg ed cri m e was co m m it t ed o n an y dat e wi t h in th e s t at u t e o f

l i m i t at i o n s

.

Th o ma s v. S t a t e , No

. A1 9 A1 1 9 5

, 2 01 9 G a. Ap p

. LEXIS 6 2 6

, a t * 4 (1 ) (a) (Ga. Ct

.

Ap p

. Oct

. 2 9

, 2 0 1 9 ). It i s un d i s pu t ed t h at

, h ere, th e i nd i ct m en t d i d n o t al l eg e t h at t h e

d at es o f t h e o ffen ses were m at eri al

.

Th ro u g h o u t h i s b ri ef Pi ck l es i m er arg u es t h at h i s s p eci al dem u rrer m ad e t h e

d at es o f t h e o ffen s es m at eri al b ecau s e t h e St at e t o o k t h e p o s it i o n i n res p o n s e t h at t h e

i n d i ct m en t n arro wed t h e d at es t o t h e g reat es t ex t en t p os s ib l e. W e fi n d t h i s arg u m en t

u n av ai l i n g

.

[E] v en t ho u g h i t h as b een h el d th at a d efi n i t e d at e o f an o ffen s e s h o u l d

b e al l eg ed i n an i n di ct m en t

, t h e s t at e i s n o t res t ri ct ed t o p ro o f of t h e dat e

s t at ed

. It i s s uffi ci en t i f t h e ev i d en ce d em o n s trat es t h at t h e o ffen s e w as

co m m i t t ed at an y t i m e wi t hi n t h e s t at u t e o f l i m i t at i o n s

. Th u s, ex cep t

wh ere t h e ex act d at e of t h e offen se i s al l eg ed t o b e an es s en ti al el em en t

t h ereo f o r wh ere t h e accu s ed rai s es an al i b i d e fen s e, an y v ari an ce

13b et ween t h e d at e l is t ed i n t h e i n d i ct m en t an d t h e d at e o n w h i ch t h e cri m e

i s p ro ven t o h av e o ccu rred i s o f n o co n s eq u en ce.

(Ci t at i o n s o m i t t ed .) R eed v. S t a t e , 2 9 4 G a

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

m en t i o n ed

, t h e d at es were n o t al l eg ed t o b e es s en t ial el em en t s in t h e i n d ict m en t an d

Pi ck l es i m er n ev er rai sed an al i b i d efen s e. In d eed

, he ad m i t t ed t o m u ch o f th e co n d u ct

fo r wh i ch h e w as co n vi ct ed

. As d i s cu ss ed in Di v i s i o n 1

, i f a d efen d an t i s act u al l y

p reju d i ced b y a v ari an ce b et ween t h e i n d i ct m en t an d t h e ev i d en ce, th e l aw p ro v i d es

a rem ed y

. Th e m ere fi l i ng o f a s p eci al d em u rrer, h o w e ver, do es no t co n v ert an

i m m at eri al el em en t o f an i n d i ct m en t i n t o a m at eri al o ne. Becau s e t h e d at es o f t h e

o ffen s es were n o t m at eri al

, we fi n d t h at t h e t ri al co u rt d id n ot ab u s e it s d i s cret i o n in

l i m i ti n g cro s s -ex am i n at i o n ab ou t s u ch d at es

.

4

. Pi ck l es i m er co nt en d s t h e ev i d en ce was i n s uffi ci en t fo r t h e ju ry t o fi n d t h at

t h e o ffen s es o ccu rred wi t hi n t h e d at es al l eg ed i n t he i nd i ct m en t . W e fi n d n o erro r.

Fo r t h e reas o n s d is cu s s ed i n Di v i s i o n 3

, t h e d at es o f t h e o f f e n s e s were n ot

m at eri al an d t h e St at e was n o t req u i red t o p ro v e t h at t h e o ffen s es t o o k p lace wi t h in

t h e ran g e of dat es co n t ai n ed i n t h e i n d i ct m en t

. See Reed

, 2 9 4 Ga. at 8 7 9 (3 ).

Acco rd in g ly , t h i s en u m erat i o n fai l s

.

145

. P i c k l e s i m er arg u es t h at t h e t ri al co urt erred i n ch arg i ng t h e ju ry

. W e

d i s ag ree.

“ In rev i ewi n g an al l eg ed l y erro n eo u s ju ry i ns t ru ct i o n, we ap p l y t he p l ai n l eg al

erro r s t an d ard o f rev iew. A ju ry ch arg e m u s t b e co n s i dered as a wh o l e an d t h e p art s

read i n co n

ju n ct io n wi t h each o t h er.” (Ci t at i o n o m i t t e d

. ) Da n i el s v. St a t e , 3 1 0 Ga.

Ap p . 5 6 2 , 5 6 5 (2 ) (7 1 4 SE2 d 9 1 ) (2 01 1 ). To s at i s fy t hi s s t an d ard

,

[f] i rs t , t h ere m

us t b e an erro r o r d efect

– s o m e s ort o f d ev i at i o n fro m a

l eg al ru le

– t hat h as n o t b een i n t en t i o n a l l y r el i nq u is h ed o r ab an d o n ed

, i .e., affi rm at i vel y w ai v ed

, b y th e ap p el l an t

. Seco n d, t h e l eg al erro r m u s t

b e cl ear o r o bv io u s , rat h er t h an s u b ject t o reas o n ab l e d i sp u te. Th i rd

, th e

erro r m u s t hav e affect ed t h e ap p el l an t ’ s s u b s t an t i al ri g h t s , wh i ch i n th e

o rd i nary cas e m ean s he m u s t d em o n s t rat e t h at i t affect ed t h e o ut co m e o f

t h e t ri al co u rt p ro ceed i ng s

. Fo u rt h an d fi n al ly

, i f t h e ab ov e t h ree p ro n g s

are s at i s fi ed

, t h e ap p el l at e co u rt h as t h e d i s cret i o n t o r e m ed y t he erro r

– d i scret i on w h i ch o u g h t t o b e ex erci s ed o n l y i f t h e erro r s eri o us l y

affect s t h e fai rn es s, i n t eg ri t y or p u b li c rep u t at i o n o f ju d i ci al

p ro ceed i n g s

.

(Ci t at i o n o m i t t ed .) P

ye v. S ta t e , 3 2 2 Ga. Ap p. 1 2 5, 1 2 8 (2 ) (7 4 2 SE2 d 7 7 0 ) (2 0 1 3 ).

Here, Pi ck l es i m er req u es t ed t h at t h e ju ry b e ch arg ed as fo l l ows : “ I ch arg e y o u

t h at i n o rd er t o au th o ri ze a co nv i ct i o n o n an y of t h e al l e g ed o ffen s es y ou m u s t fi n d

b ey o n d a reas o n ab le d o u b t t h at t h e al l eg ed o ffen s es occu r r e d wi t h in t h e d at es s et

15fo rt h b y t h e In d i ct m en t

, i .e., Sep t em b er 4

, 2 00 4 t o Feb ru ary 2 8

, 2 0 05 .” In st ead

, t h e

t ri al co u rt ch arg ed t h e ju ry i n l i n e wi t h t h e St at e’ s req u es t :

M em b ers o f t h e J u ry , ev i d en ce o f g u i l t o f t h e Accu s ed i s n o t res t ri ct ed

t o t h e d ay h e m en t i o n ed i n t h e In d i ct m en t

, b u t m ay b e p ro v ed to h av e

t ak en p l ace o n an y

d at e p ri o r t o t h e ret urn o f t h e In d i ct m en t s o l o n g as

t h e d at e i s w i t hi n t h e ap p l i cab l e s t at u t e o f l i m i t at i on s

. Th e st at u t e o f

l i m i t at i o n s fo r s ex u al o ffen s es co m m i t t ed u p o n a ch il d un d er t h e ag e o f

1 6 i s s ev en y ears

.

As d i s cu s s ed i n D i v i s i o n 3

, t h e ch arg e g iv en i s a co rrect st at em en t o f t h e l aw,

an d t h e ch arg e req u es ted b y Pi ck l es i m er i s n o t a co rrect s t at em en t o f t h e l aw. W h en

a ju ry ch arg e i s a co rrect st at em en t o f l aw, a defen d an t “ can n o t s at i s fy th e fi rs t t wo

p ro n gs o f t h e p l ai n erro r t es t

– th at a cl ear o r o bv i o u s l eg al erro r occu rred

. Th u s , we

fi nd n o erro r, m

u ch l es s an y p l ai n erro r[.] ” (Ci t at i o n om i t t ed .) Pye , 3 2 2 Ga. Ap p . at

1 2 9 (2 ).

6

. Pi ck l es i m er co n ten d s t h at t h e tri al co u rt erred i n ad m i t t i n g h i s s t at em en t to

p o l i ce as s uch was p ro t ect ed b y t h e cl erg y

p ri v i l eg e. W e fi n d n o erro r.

Pri o r t o t ri al

, Pi ck l es i m er m o v ed t o s u pp res s hi s s t a t e m e n t t o po l i ce by

at t em p t i n g t o i n v o k e t h e cl erg y p ri v i l eg e. At th e t i m e o f Pi ck l es i m er’ s t ri al i n 2 0 0 8,

OCGA § 2 4 -9 -2 2 g ov ern ed t h e b o u n d s o f t h e cl erg y p ri v i l eg e. It p ro v i d ed :

16Ev ery co m m un i cat i o n m ad e b y a n y p ers o n p ro fes s i n g rel ig i ou s fai th

,

s eek in g s p iri t ual co m fo rt

, o r seek i n g co u n s e l i n g t o an y Pro tes t an t

m i n i s t er o f t h e G o sp el

, an y p ri es t o f t h e Ro m an Cat h o l i c fai t h

, an y p ri es t

o f t h e Greek O rt h o do x Cat h o l ic fai t h

, a n y J e w i s h rab b i, or t o an y

Ch ri st i an o r Jewi s h m i n i s t er, b y wh at ev er n am e cal l ed

, sh al l b e d eem ed

p ri v i l e g e d

. N o s u ch m i n i s t er, p ri es t

, o r rab b i s hal l d is cl o s e an y

co m m u n i c a t i o n s m ad e t o h i m b y an y s u ch p ers o n p ro fes s in g rel i g i o u s

fai t h , s eek i n g s p i ri t u al g u i d an ce, o r s eek i n g co u n s el i n g , n or s h al l s u ch

m i n i s t er, p ri es t

, o r rab b i b e co m p et en t or c o m

p el l ab le t o t es t i fy w i t h

referen ce t o an y

s u ch co m

m u n i cat io n i n an y

co urt

.

I d

. Co n s i s t en t wi t h t h e t ex t o f t h e st at ut e, ou r law was cl ear t h at “ i f s u c h

co m m u n icat io ns are n o t m ad e t o p ro fes s rel i g i ou s fai t h

, o r t o s eek s p i ri t u al co m fo rt

o r g u i d an ce

. . . t h e m i n i s t eri al p ri v i l eg e i s n o t ap pl i cab l e.” (Ci tat i o n o m i t t ed .) Mo r r i s

v. S t a t e , 2 7 5 Ga. 6 0 1 , 6 0 2 (2 ) (5 7 1 SE2 d 3 5 8 ) (2 0 02 ).

Du ri n g Pi ck l es i m er’ s in t erv i ew wi t h p o l i ce, t h e fo l l o wi n g e x c h an ges t o o k

p l ace:

Det ect i v e: Yeah

, [a m u t u al acq uai n t an ce] us ed to p as to r a ch u rch I u s ed

t o g o t o fo r a wh i l e.

Pi ck les im er: Real l y ?

Det ect i v e: I d o n ’ t k n o w i f y o u rem em b er s eei n g m e u p at Ch ri s t i an Hi l l

i n t o wn an d I’ v e b een u p t h ere a few t i m es

.

17Pi ck les im er: An d y ou b el o n g ed t o i t t h en ?

Det ect i v e: I d i d . I d i d . M e an d m y wi fe m o v ed t o a d i fferen t ch u rch

.

Pi ck les im er: Oh

, o k ay

.

Det ect i v e: W e m o v ed t o Freed o m Tab ern acl e d o wn s o u t h

.

Pi ck les im er: Do y o u k n ow t h e p reach er at Ch ri s ti an Hi ll ?

Det ect i v e: Yeah . Yeah

.

Pi ck les im er: I p as to r o v er h ere at Sp i ri t

.

Det ect i v e: Oh , d o y o u act u al l y p as t o r.

Pi ck les im er: Ri g h t

.

. . .

Pi ck les im er: An d y ou ’ re a p reach er, t oo ; ri g h t ?

Det ect i v e: I h av e, y eah

. I h av e. I h av en ’ t fo r a l o n g t i m e. Bu t I’ v e go t to

, (In au d i bl e)

Pi ck les im er: No w , y ou r wi fe’ s t h e o n e t h at p l ay ed p i an o ?

18Det ect i v e: Uh -h uh

.

Pi ck les im er: Th at ’ s wh at I t h o u g h t . Yeah

.

Det ect i v e: Yeah . Do y ou h av e an y i d ea wh y y o u ’ re h ere t od ay ?

Pi ck les im er: No

.

Det ect i v e: I’ m g o i n g t o t al k t o y o u ab ou t wh at we d i d wi t h [S. P.]

. W e

t al k ed t o [S. P.] Sh e wen t i n t o s o m e d et ai l ab o u t s o m e o f t h e t h i n g s t hat

h av e h ap p en ed wh i l e s h e h ad b een o v er s t ay i n g an d v i s i t i n g wi t h y o u

. An d t h at ’ s wh at w e’ re h ere t o t al k t o y o u ab ou t

. D o yo u kn o w wh at I

m ean ?

Lat er i n t h e in t erv i ew, aft er Pi ck l es i m er h ad al read y ad m i t t ed t o v ari o u s s ex u al

act s wi t h S. P., a d ifferen t d et ect i v e s ai d t o Pi ck l es i m er “ N o w, if y o u h ad t o g et u p in

fro n t o f a h i g h er au t ho ri t y , t hen

, t h at m ean s t hat y o u hav e t o ad m i t wh at y o u ’ v e d o n e;

r i g h t ? It ’ s cal l ed al l o cu t i o n t im e, an d t h at m ean s t h at y o u g ot t o l ay o u t ev er yt h i n g

t h a t y o u ’ v e d o n e.” Pi ck l es im er co n t en d s t h at as a res u l t of t h es e ex ch an g es wi t h

d e t e c t i v es h i s ad m i s s i o n s w ere pro t ect ed b y t h e cl erg y pri v i l eg e an d

, t h u s ,

i n ad m is s i b le.

“ Ev i d en ti ary ru li n g s are rev i ewed u n d er an ab u s e of d i s cret io n st an d ard [.] ”

Reeves v. S t a t e , 2 9 4 Ga. 6 7 3

, 6 7 6 (2 ) (7 5 5 SE2 d 6 95 ) ( 2 0 1 4 )

. We d o n o t h av e t h e

19b en efi t of t h e t r a n s cri p t of t h e h eari n g o n th e m o ti o n t o s u p p res s Pi ck l es i m er’ s

s t at em en t

, b u t we h av e th e t ran s cri p t o f hi s s t at em en t i n t h e reco rd

, an d we d o n ot

f i n d t h a t t h e t ri al co u rt ab u s ed i t s d i s cret i on in d en y in g Pi ck les i m er’ s m o t i o n

. It

wo u l d s t rai n cred u l i t y to co n s id er t h e ab o v e ex ch an g e t o b e ev i d en ce o f Pi ck l es i m er’ s

at t em p t t o p ro fes s r e l i g i o u s fai t h o r s eek s pi ri tu al co m fo rt o r co u n sel i n g

. Th e

s t at em en t s were m ad e t o a det ect i v e i n a p o l i ce s t at i o n wh o i n fo rm ed Pi ck l es i m er t h at

h e was i n v es t i g at i n g al l eg at i on s o f ch i l d s ex u al ab u s e. T h e m e re fact t h at t h e

d et ect i v e at s o m e p o i n t i n th e p as t was a p as t o r t o p eo pl e o th er t h an Pi ck l es i m er d o es

n o t at t ach t h e cl erg y p ri v i l eg e t o Pi ck l es i m er’ s s u b seq u en t ad m i s s i o n s o f ab u s i n g

S. P. an d M

. P. See Mo r r i s , 27 5 Ga. at 6 0 2 -6 0 3 (2 ) (cl erg y p ri v i l eg e d i d n o t at t ach to

s t at em en t s m ad e t o fam i l y fri en d wh o h ad recen t ly b eco m e a m i n i s t er wh en t h o s e

s t at em en t s were m ad e as a res u l t o f a s tro n g secu l ar, n o t rel i g i o u s, bo n d ); Pa r n el l v.

S t a t e , 2 60 Ga. A p p

. 2 1 3

, 2 14 (1 ) (5 81 SE2 d 2 63 ) (2 0 0 3) (s t at em en t s m ad e by

d efen d an t t o h is fat h er, w h o w as a m i n i s t er, were n o t s u b ject t o ex cl u s i o n u n d er t h e

cl erg y pri v i l eg e b ecau s e t h e fat h er was act i n g in t h e ro l e o f a p aren t

, no t a m i n i s t er,

at t he t im e t h e s t at em en t s were m ad e). Acco rd i n g l y , t h e t ri al co u rt d i d n o t ab u s e i t s

d i s cret i o n i n ad m i t t i n g Pi ck l es i m er’ s s tat em en t s

.

207

. Pi ck l es i m er n ex t co n t en d s t h at t h e t ri al co u rt erred i n refu s i n g t o g ran t h i m

a co nt i n uan ce to al l o w t h e d efen s e ti m e t o i n v es t i g at e a s u b s eq uen t al l eg at i o n b y S. P.

ag ai n s t an o t h er i n d iv i d u al . W e fi n d n o erro r.

“ A t ri al co u rt ’ s d eci s i o n t o gran t o r t o den y a co n t in u an ce wi l l n o t be d i s t u rb ed

ab s en t ab u s e o f d i s cret io n , an d th e p art y s eek i n g a co n t i n u an ce m u s t s h o w d u e

d i l i g en ce. Fu rt h er, t o warran t a rev ers al o n ap p eal

, t h e ap p el lan t m u s t al s o s h o w t h at

h arm res u l t ed fro m t h e den i al o f t h e co n ti n u an ce.” (Ci t at i o n o m i t t ed .) F r en ch v. S t a t e ,

2 8 8 Ga. Ap p . 7 7 5 , 7 7 6 (2 ) (6 55 SE2 d 2 2 4 ) (2 0 0 7).

On t he fi rs t d ay o f t ri al

, Pi ck l es i m er m o v ed fo r a co nt i n u an ce t o i nv es t i g at e a

s u b s eq u en t al l eg at i o n o f i m p ro p er t ou ch i ng m ad e b y S. P. ag ai ns t h er m o t h er’ s l i v e-i n

b o y fri en d

. Al th o u g h t h e t ri al co u rt d en i ed t h e m o t io n , an d i ni t i al l y refu s ed

Pi ck l es i m er’ s req u es t to q u es t i o n S. P. ab o u t t h e al l eg at i o n , S. P. u lt i m at el y t es t i fi ed

ab o ut i t . At t ri al

, S. P. t es t i fi ed t h at s h e t ol d h er m ot h er th at h er m o t h er’ s b o y fri en d

t o u ch ed h er i n ap p ro p ri at el y wh en h e h ug g ed h er. S. P

. s u b s eq u en t l y d is cu s s ed t h e

i n ci d en t wi t h t h e th erap i s t s h e h ad been s eei n g s i nce di s cl o s in g Pi ck l es i m er’ s ab u s e,

an d s h e an d h er th erap i s t d eci d e d t h a t n o t h in g i m pro p er h ap p en ed

. S. P. an d h er

t h erap i s t d et erm i n ed t h at Pi ck l e s i m e r ’ s ab u s e cau s ed S. P. t o be d i s t ru s t fu l o f m en ,

an d t h is co l o red S. P.’ s i n terp ret at i o n o f t h e h u g

.

21Pret erm it t i n g wh et her t he t ri al co u rt s ho u l d h av e g ran te d a co n ti n u an ce to

al l o w fo r fu rt h er i n v es t i g at io n i n t o t h e s u b s eq u en t al l eg at io n , Pi ck l es i m er can s h o w

n o h arm in l i g h t o f S. P.’ s t es t i m o n y ad m i t t i n g t he s ub s eq u en t recan t ed al l eg at i o n an d

h er ex p l an at i o n ab o u t i t

. In fact

, Pi ck l es i m er h as m ad e n o effo rt t o d em o n s t rat e wh at

ad d it i o n al t i m e t o in v es t i g at e wo u l d h av e p ro d u ced b ey o n d t h e t es t i m o n y h e el i ci t ed

fro m S. P. at tri al

. See Fr en ch

, 2 8 8 Ga. Ap p

. at 7 7 6 (2 ). Co n seq u en t l y , t h i s

en u m erat i o n p ro v i d es n o g ro u n d fo r rev ers al

.

8

. Las t l y , Pi ck l es i m er co n t en d s th at th e ev i d en ce was i n s uffi ci e n t t o s u p p o rt

h i s co n v i ct i o n fo r m o l es t i n g M

. P. b y p l aci n g h er h an d o n h i s p en i s b ecau s e t h ere was

n o ev i den ce t h at h e act ed i n t en t i o n al l y . W e d i s ag ree.

In h er fo ren s i c i n t erv iew, M. P. s t at ed th a t s h e b el iev ed Pi ck l es i m er was

s l eep i n g wh en h e m ad e h er t o u ch h i s pen is

. Fo r t hi s reas o n , Pi ck l es i m er co n ten d s t h at

t h e St at e fai l ed t o d em o ns t rat e t h e req u is it e i n t en t t o co n vi ct h i m

.

On ap p eal fro m a cri m i n al co n v i ct io n , t h e ev i d en ce m u s t b e v i ewed i n

t h e li g h t m o s t fav o rab le t o t h e v erd i ct

, an d th e ap p el l an t n o l o ng er

en jo y s t he p res u m

p ti o n o f i n n o cen ce; m o reo v er, an ap p el lat e co u rt d o es

n o t wei g h t he ev i den ce o r det erm in e wi t n es s cred i b i l it y b u t o n l y

d et erm i nes wh et h er t h e e v i d en ce is s u ffi ci en t un d er t h e s tan d ard o f

J a cks o n v. Vi r

g in i a , [4 4 3 U. S. 3 0 7 (9 9 SCt 2 7 8 1

, 61 LEd 2 d 5 60 )

(1 9 7 9 )]

. As l o n g as t h ere i s s o m e co m pet e n t e v i d en ce, ev en t ho u g h

22co n t rad i ct ed

, t o s u p p ort each fact neces s ary to m ak e o u t t h e St at e’ s cas e,

t h e j u ry ’ s verd i ct w i l l b e u p h el d

. Rel ev an t t o t h i s cas e,

. . . ch i l d

m o l es t at i o n o ccu rs wh en a p ers o n d oes an y i m m o ral o r i n decen t act t o

o r in t h e p res en ce of o r wi t h an y ch i l d un d er t he ag e o f 1 6 y ears wi t h th e

i n t en t t o aro u s e o r s at i s fy t h e s ex u al d es i res o f ei t h er t he ch i l d o r th e

p ers on . OCGA § 16 -6 -4 (a) (1 ).

(Ci t at i o n an d p u nct u at i o n om i t t ed .) W a t ki n s v. S ta t e , 3 3 6 Ga. Ap p

. 1 45

, 1 4 6 (1 ) (7 8 4

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

H e r e , t h e j u ry h eard t wo d i fferen t acco un t s o f M

. P. b ei n g m o l es t ed

. M

. P.

s t at ed t h at wh en s he was s h ari n g a b ed wi t h Pi ck les i m er, h e m ad e h er to u ch h i s p en i s

.

Du ri n g h er fo ren s ic i nt erv i ew s h e s t at ed t h at sh e b el i ev ed Pi ck l es i m er was s l eep i n g

at t h e t im e an d di d n o t m ean t o d o t h i s ; h o wev er, at t ri al s h e l at er t es t i fi ed t h at s h e d id

n o t k n ow wh et h er Pi ck l es i m er was as l eep

. A d d it i o n al l y , Pi ck l es i m er ad m i t ted i n h i s

s t at em en t t o p o l i ce t h at h e m ad e M

. P. ru b h i s p en is aft er s he wal ked i n t o t h e

b at h ro o m wh i l e h e w as uri nat i n g

. Pret erm i t t i n g wh et h er t h e ju ry co u l d co n v i ct

Pi ck l es i m e r o n M

. P.’ s al l eg at i o n g i v en h er eq u i v o cat i o n as t o wh et her h e was

s l eep i n g , t h e ju ry was au t h o ri zed t o b el i ev e Pi ck l es i m er’ s s t at em e nt wh erei n h e

ad m i t t ed i n t en t i on al co n d u ct w h i ch co n s ti t ut ed ch i l d m o l es t at io n

. See Br a n es ky v.

S t a t e , 2 6 2 Ga. Ap p

. 3 3

, 3 4 (1 ) (5 8 4 SE2 d 6 6 9 ) (2 0 0 3 ) (ev i d en ce t h at d efen d an t m ad e

23ch i l d t o u ch hi s pen i s was s u ffi ci en t t o su s t ai n co n v i c t i o n fo r ch i l d m o l es t at i o n ).

Acco rd in g ly

, t h e ev i d en ce was s u ffi ci en t t o s u s t ai n Pi ck les i m er’ s co n v i ct i on f or ch i ld

m o les t at i o n o f M . P.

Ju d g men t a f f i r m ed . Di l l ar d

, P. J., a n d

Go b ei l , J., co n cu r

.

24