Case Name: QUEEN CITY BONDING COMPANY v. STATE OF GEORGIA
Court: Court of Appeals of Georgia
Jurisdiction: Georgia
Decision Date: 1990-02-07
Citations: 194 Ga. App. 436
Docket Number: A89A2253
Parties: QUEEN CITY BONDING COMPANY v. STATE OF GEORGIA.
Judges: Carley, C. J., and Beasley, J., concur specially.
Reporter: Georgia Appeals Reports
Volume: 194
Pages: 436–437

Head Matter:
A89A2253.
QUEEN CITY BONDING COMPANY v. STATE OF GEORGIA.
(390 SE2d 654)

Opinion:
McMurray, Presiding Judge.
Queen City Bonding Company ("Queen City") was bound as surety on appearance bonds for defendant Pedro Pablo Grisanti ("the principal"). The principal failed to appear for trial and an execution hearing was set at which Queen City's defense that the principal's death excused it from performance under the bonds would be considered. See OCGA § 17-6-31. The only evidence presented by Queen City at this hearing was the testimony of two Queen City representatives and an interpreter who testified that they traveled to Caracas, Venezuela, in search of the principal; that they talked with persons who said that they were related to the principal and that these persons told the witnesses that the principal was dead. The trial court found the pertinent testimony of these witnesses, i.e., that they were told by others that defendant was dead, is inadmissible hearsay and subsequently entered final judgment on the forfeited bail bonds. This appeal followed the denial of Queen City's motion for new trial. Held:
In its sole enumeration, Queen City contends the trial court erred in excluding the testimony of its witnesses regarding reports they heard of the principal's death. Queen City argues that this testimony was admissible as "original evidence" to explain "the conduct of [the principal] in failing to appear in Court." Alternatively, Queen City argues that this testimony should have been admitted as a matter of "necessity." These arguments are without merit.
The purpose of the excluded testimony was not to explain the witnesses' conduct, but to prove the truth of what the out-of-court declarants had told them, i.e., that the principal was dead. Glisson v. State, 188 Ga. App. 152, 153 (2) (372 SE2d 462). Further, the "necessity" exception to the hearsay rule does not apply in the case sub judice as it was not shown that the out-of-court declarants were unavailable to testify. See Glisson v. State, 188 Ga. App. 152, 153 (2), 154, supra. Finding no other exception to the hearsay rule which brings vitality to the challenged testimony, we find that the trial court did not err in excluding said evidence and entering judgment on the forfeited bonds.
Judgment affirmed.
Carley, C. J., and Beasley, J., concur specially.