Court Opinion

ID: 9597512
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 00:59:42.22096+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:01:38.462032
License: Public Domain

Webb, Judge
dissenting.
I must agree with the state on motion for rehearing that Division 4 of the majority opinion overlooks material facts set forth in the record and contains certain statements not supported therein.
The evidence shows that Joel Goerndt entered into an oral agreement with Mr. and Mrs. Delchamps to rent a mobile home on December 17, 1976. Goerndt dealt initially with Mrs. Delchamps and she agreed to let him move in that day upon payment of a $50 security deposit if he would pay the $120 rent on January 1, 1977. On January 10, Goerndt paid $100, at which time he received a handwritten receipt on the envelope in which he delivered his check. On January 13 Mrs. Delchamps and her daughter went to Goerndt’s trailer to deliver a proper receipt and to inquire about the remainder of the rent due.
Goerndt made it clear in his testimony that he resented a prior visit of Mrs. Delchamps and her daughter inside the trailer, and stated that when she knocked on the door this time, "I stepped outside because I didn’t want them in the house.” When Mrs. Delchamps began to question Goerndt as to further payment of the rent, each, according to the other’s testimony, became abusive and threatening. Goerndt swore that at this point he told Mrs. Delchamps to "get out,” although it is clear that she was then still on the lower step outside the trailer holding the door open with her hand, and he was inside the door. He forced the door shut on her hand, but when she still did not leave, filled a pitcher with water, threw it on her, slammed the door on her hand again and "pushed” or "shoved” her off the steps. She would have fallen to the ground if her daughter had not caught her.
Goerndt’s testimony that he asked the Delchamps to leave was disputed by the daughter, and is therefore not *96uncontradicted testimony, as stated by the majority, but rather creates an issue of fact. Furthermore, the statement that "There is no question but that this incident was the culmination of a fairly protracted attempt at forcible entry” is not supported by the record as a whole, or even the testimony of Goerndt himself. It is impossible to draw any other conclusion from the testimony of Goerndt, Mrs. Delchamps, and her daughter than that during the entire episode in question Mrs. Delchamps and her daughter remained at all times outside the trailer. The only entry of the trailer by Mrs. Delchamps shown by the evidence occurred prior to January 13 and was occasioned by her observation of water running from it, caused by Goerndt’s attempts to repair the washer. Moreover, there is nothing to indicate any communication by Goerndt prior to January 13 which could be said to have prohibited or put Mrs. Delchamps on notice that she was not welcome to reenter Goerndt’s trailer, even if it could be said that the entry was unauthorized.
Every case cited by the majority relating to defense of habitation involves a forcible entry, and is therefore inapposite. No forcible entry or prior notice that entry was forbidden having been shown here and no attack upon habitation having been alleged, as contemplated by Criminal Code §§ 26-1503 and 26-903, Goerndt’s actions could be justified only if and to the extent that he reasonably believed that the threats and force used were necessary to prevent Mrs. Delchamps’ entry. However, the trial judge, sitting as the trier of facts, heard all the evidence and concluded that a simple battery had occurred. In such a case, "his findings based upon conflicting evidence is analogous to the verdict of a jury and should not be disturbed by a reviewing court if there is any evidence to support it. [Cits.]” West v. West, 228 Ga. 397, 398 (1) (185 SE2d 763) (1971); Cherry v. State, 135 Ga. App. 819, 820 (1) (219 SE2d 41) (1975).
The evidence here, although in conflict as to some particulars, was ample to support the verdict, and I feel bound to affirm the judgment of conviction.1 Rainwater v. *97Vazquez, 135 Ga. App. 463, 464 (3) (218 SE2d 108) (1975); Smith v. State, 137 Ga. App. 845 (1) (225 SE2d 93) (1976).
I am authorized to state that Chief Judge Bell and Judge McMurray join in this dissent.

 The adjudication of guilt was deferred pursuant to *97the First Offender Act (Ga. L. 1968, p. 324), and Goerndt was placed on 12 months probation and fined $150.