Court Opinion

ID: 9620169
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 05:39:30.655662+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:04:47.903052
License: Public Domain

McMurray, Presiding Judge,
dissenting.
From my examination of the record and transcript with reference to the various enumerations of error, I find no reversible error and I would affirm the judgment.
The first enumeration of error is concerned with an objection to testimony in regard to the defendant running a red light in which the defendant moved for a mistrial. In my opinion, the trial court properly overruled the motion as the evidence was clearly admissible and relevant. Further, the sentence was not excessive with reference to the conviction of the three misdemeanors, i.e., 12 months as to Coünt 1,12 months as to Count 2 to run consecutive with Count 1, and 6 months as to the third count to run consecutive with Count 2, i.e., a total of 30 months.
However, I cannot agree to the opinion by the majority as written in which it appears that two related enumerations of error are discussed in which the result is to reverse the conviction and remand the case for new trial.
During the closing argument by the solicitor objection was made that the solicitor had commented on the fact that the defendant did not take the stand and that there was no evidence presented by the defense to rebut the presumptions with reference to the blood alcohol test. Unfortunately, the argument of the solicitor was not transcribed. Hence, we have no definite information as to exactly what argument was made by the solicitor. I do not agree from the colloquy between the court and counsel that there was any admission, agreement or interpretation that the solicitor in any way violated defendant’s rights in arguing the ease to the jury. In reply to the objection, the solicitor did not agree that he had commented as to whether any defense was introduced, and he contends he did not argue as to whether the defendant took the stand. The prosecuting attorney can comment upon the evidence introduced and the deductions therefrom, even illogical ones. Allanson v. State, 144 Ga. App. 450, 454 (4) (241 SE2d 314); Bryant v. State, 146 Ga. App. 43 (1) (245 SE2d 333).
At the conclusion of the colloquy between the trial *225court and counsel, the court offered to instruct the jury "that they should disregard any reference or any possible reference that they detected on the part of . . . [the solicitor]. . . relative to the position taken that the man was in fact guilty.” However, counsel for defendant stated that he did not believe that a curative instruction would clear up the harm created by the solicitor’s argument. Again, I point out that we do not have before us the actual argument made and simply cannot ascertain from the colloquy between counsel for the state, the defendant and the trial court as to exactly what this argument was. An objection to the argument which had not been transcribed cannot be considered on appeal after conviction. See Burnett v. State, 240 Ga. 681, 684 (1) (242 SE2d 79); Tukes v. State, 238 Ga. 114, 115 (2) (230 SE2d 841); Wesley v. State, 65 Ga. 731 (1); Stowers v. State, 143 Ga. App. 859, 860 (1) (240 SE2d 227); Monroe v. State, 88 Ga. App. 325 (1) (77 SE2d 60).
In Clay v. State, 236 Ga. 398 (224 SE2d 14) the Supreme Court reversed the trial court in failing to charge after written request that the defendant’s failure to testify in his own favor shall not create a presumption against him. Such a charge was also approved in Woodard v. State, 234 Ga. 901, 903 (7) (218 SE2d 629). But here there was no written request to charge as was the case in Clay v. State, 236 Ga. 398, supra, and as approved in Woodard v. State, 234 Ga. 901, 903 (7), supra, and Stapleton v. State, 235 Ga. 513, 517 (2) (220 SE2d 269).
Under the circumstances of this case, I cannot agree that without a written request to charge that the charge as given by the court that as a matter of law the defendant when charged with commission of a crime may testify in his own behalf or not as he pleases was incomplete and ambiguous when considered with reference to the objection to the unknown argument of the solicitor which was not here transcribed. Under the circumstances I cannot say that "the jury was given to understand that the defendant could be penalized for exercising his constitutional right to remain silent.” If there was any harm it has not been shown by the record, and I cannot agree with the majority here that the charge as given was incomplete and ambiguous. Carter v. State, 238 Ga. 446 *226(233 SE2d 201).
I, therefore, respectfully dissent..
I am authorized to state that Chief Judge Deen and Presiding Judge Quillian join in this dissent.