Court Opinion

ID: 9567658
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 19:56:28.752247+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T10:00:39.472130
License: Public Domain

HINES, Justice,
concurring specially in part.
I write separately to address the analysis in Division 4 regarding the exclusion of the results of the victim’s toxicology report revealing the presence of cocaine metabolites. Robinson v. State, 272 Ga. 131 (3) (527 SE2d 845) (2000), is cited as authority for exclusion of the toxicology results, but it is not controlling in this case. In Robinson, this Court upheld the trial court’s refusal to admit evidence that cocaine metabolites had been found in the victim’s blood because there was no evidence of what effect, if any, the cocaine had on the victim during the fatal incident. In contrast, in this case in which the defendant Bell claims self-defense, there was evidence of the potential effect of the cocaine on the victim.
As noted in the opinion, the investigating officer testified that those under the influence of an intoxicant could act violently and irrationally. This provided a possible link between the victim’s drug *568use and his behavior at the time of the shooting, thereby rendering the evidence of cocaine metabolites in the victim’s blood relevant. However, I agree that the exclusion of the report results was harmless in light of the evidence of Bell’s guilt and other admitted evidence of the victim’s involvement with drugs.
I am authorized to state that Presiding Justice Hunstein joins in this special concurrence.