Court Opinion

ID: 9565959
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 19:30:46.689739+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:18:22.374919
License: Public Domain

Carley, Judge,
dissenting.
I agree with Chief Judge McMurray’s dissent to the effect that the crime of mutiny merged into the greater crime of aggravated assault. However, my reasons differ from those of Chief Judge McMurray. In my opinion, the majority places undue emphasis upon the so called additional element of being “in the lawful custody of any penal institution” as required by the mutiny statute (OCGA § 16-10-54) when the real focus should be upon the essential difference between the crime of mutiny and the crime of aggravated assault. In order to commit aggravated assault, one must assault with intent to murder, rape or rob or with a deadly weapon. OCGA § 16-5-21. However, in order to convict one of mutiny under OCGA § 16-10-54, the state must show only that the defendant has assailed, opposed or resisted an officer “with intent to cause serious bodily injury.” Mutiny does not require the intent to murder and the use of a deadly weapon is not necessary. Thus, a prisoner who attacks a guard with the specific intent to use his hands to only break the guard’s arm would clearly be guilty of mutiny. However, because of the absence of intent to murder, rape or rob, and because a deadly weapon was not used, an essential element of aggravated assault would be missing. Therefore, although the two crimes in this case merge as a matter of fact, it is my opinion that the crime of mutiny merges into the aggravated assault and not vice versa. Accordingly, I must dissent.
I am authorized to state that Judge Sognier and Judge Pope join in this dissent.