Court Opinion

ID: 9849961
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 04:50:11.906032+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:20:29.686327
License: Public Domain

Evans, Judge,
concurring specially. I agree with the results reached by the majority opinion, but on page 916 the case of Howard v. Renfroe, 93 Ga. App. 59, 62 (90 SE2d 598), is quoted as follows: "The gist of the error is that where the rebuke is not made or cautionary instructions given the improper argument goes with the apparent sanction of the court.” This is contrary to the language in the statute which requires both a rebuke and cautionary instructions where improper argument is made, or that a mistrial be granted. Code § 81-1009 states: ". . . it is duty of the court to interpose and prevent the same, and on objection made, he shall also rebuke the counsel, and by all needful and proper instructions to the jury endeavor to remove the improper impression from their minds. ”
For too long now our appellate courts have overlooked the conjunction "and” and interpreted it to be the disjunctive "or” — as used in the statute. But it is plain as daylight that the judge must rebuke counsel and (not or) by all needful and proper instructions to the jury endeavor to remove the improper impression from the minds of the jurors, when objection is made to improper remarks of counsel.