Court Opinion

ID: 9855425
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 06:24:39.611331+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:34:30.943424
License: Public Domain

Carley, Judge,
dissenting.
I must respectfully dissent to the reversal of appellant’s conviction and to the majority’s overruling of Cherry v. State, 148 Ga. App. 655 (252 SE2d 180) (1979) and McCollom v. State, 153 Ga. App. 519 (266 SE2d 252) (1980). The majority acknowledges that where the defendant seeks to prove his good character by the use of character witnesses, that proof must take the form of the statutory questions proving his reputation in the community. I disagree with the majority that the rule is different when the defendant seeks a charge on character as a substantive defense based solely upon his testimony which does not prove his reputation. “A person is more likely to act in accord with his character than contrary to it. [Cits.] Thus a defendant may present evidence of his good character as a substantive fact indicative of his innocence. It may, by itself, create a reasonable doubt as to his guilt. [Cit.]
“However, the rule in Georgia is that good character may be proved only by testimony of a witness as to the reputation of the person whose character is in issue. [Cit.] Subject to minor exceptions, the opinion of a witness as to character based on personal observation is not an approved way of introducing evidence of character. [Cits.]” Waters v. State, 248 Ga. 355, 366 (283 SE2d 238) (1981).
One of the cases sought to be overruled, Cherry v. State, supra, has been cited with approval by and the relevant portion thereof has been emphasized by the Supreme Court of Georgia: “ ‘A charge on good character is only required when direct examination relates to general reputation, good or bad. [Cits.]’ Cherry v. State, 148 Ga. App. 655 (252 SE2d 180) (1979).” Aldridge v. State, 247 Ga. 142, 145, 146 (274 SE2d 525) (1981). (Emphasis in Supreme Court opinion.)
We are not dealing here with a determination as to whether the defendant has placed his character in issue for the purpose of deciding the scope of contrary evidence proffered by the state. See Phillips v. State, 171 Ga. App. 827 (321 SE2d 393) (1984). What we are con*391cerned with is the right of a defendant to utilize his good character as a substantive defense in the criminal trial. “A defendant in a criminal case who relies for a defense on his character must rely on general good character, and not on a particular trait alone.” Davis v. State, 60 Ga. App. 772 (5 SE2d 89) (1939). Evidence with regard to a defendant’s membership in a church has been held excludable because it is not confined to his “general reputation.” See Whiddon v. State, 31 Ga. App. 776 (122 SE 95) (1924). “ ‘A charge on good character is only required when direct examination relates to general reputation, good or bad. [Cit.]’ [Cit.] Contrary to appellant’s assertions on appeal, the evidence which he contends put his good character into issue was insufficient to meet this ‘general reputation’ standard. The most that can be said for appellant’s evidence of his ‘good character’ was that it merely identified and described him to be ‘an average, nice person.’ [Cit.]” Conner v. State, 160 Ga. App. 202, 203 (286 SE2d 441) (1981). Unlike the majority, I can find no rational basis for holding that in order for a trial court to be required to charge on character, the underlying evidence must conform to the long established criteria when given by character witnesses while allowing the defendant himself to say, in effect, that he is “an average nice person.” Accordingly, I believe that Cherry and McCollom correctly state the law and I would not overrule those cases. I would affirm appellant’s conviction and, therefore, I respectfully dissent.
I am authorized to state that Judge Pope joins in this dissent.