Case Name: FORTENBERRY v. THE STATE
Court: Court of Appeals of Georgia
Jurisdiction: Georgia
Decision Date: 1989-10-30
Citations: 193 Ga. App. 329
Docket Number: A89A1178
Parties: FORTENBERRY v. THE STATE.
Judges: Benham, J., concurs. Deen, P. J., concurs specially.
Reporter: Georgia Appeals Reports
Volume: 193
Pages: 329–330

Head Matter:
A89A1178.
FORTENBERRY v. THE STATE.
(387 SE2d 607)

Opinion:
Birdsong, Judge.
Tommy G. Fortenberry was convicted of aggravated child molestation involving his young stepson. He grounds his appeal upon the admission in evidence and showing to the jury of certain sexually oriented videotapes found in his possession. According to appellant, these videotapes were irrelevant and prejudicial in this case because, the scenes depicted did not concern sexual acts between adults and children or man and boy. Held:
The evidence complained of was admissible under Tyler v. State, 176 Ga. App. 96, 99 (1) (335 SE2d 691), wherein we exhaustively explained both the basis for admissibility of such material to show bent of mind and lustful disposition, and the particular admissibility of such evidence when it has been exhibited to the victim by defendant as a means of orientating, training, enticing, or lulling the child into performing sexual acts. To this result, because of the prurient nature of sexual proclivity generally, it matters not that the material may not show the exact act, or a similar act between persons of age, sex, or relationship equivalent to that of the victim and the defendant.
We therefore find no basis for any objection to the evidence in the assertion that it did not depict the exact act which defendant then forced the victim to engage in or perform, nor will we make distinctions as to the content of such sexually oriented materials for the purpose of keeping them out of evidence, when it is shown that defendant exhibited them to the victim. The logical and legal assumption is, and the jury may reasonably conclude, that the defendant compelled or invited the child to view such material so as to facilitate the accomplishment of some sexual act with the child.
The evidence in this case was plainly admissible and if it was prejudicial against defendant, so be it, for its relevance was as least as great.
Judgment affirmed.
Benham, J., concurs. Deen, P. J., concurs specially.
Decided October 30, 1989.
David E. Barrett, for appellant.
Michael H. Crawford, District Attorney, E. Jay McCollum, Assistant District Attorney, for appellee.