Buchanan v. State, 562 S.E.2d 216 (Ga. Ct. App. 2002). · Go Syfert
Buchanan v. State, 562 S.E.2d 216 (Ga. Ct. App. 2002). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
27 citation events (27 in the last 25 years) across 1 distinct court.
Strongest positive: Robinson v. State (gactapp, 2011-11-21)
Treatment trajectory · 2003 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
2003 2014 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 12 distinct citers. How cited ↗
examined Cited as authority (quoted) Robinson v. State (2×) also: Cited "see"
Ga. Ct. App. · 2011 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
receiving under ocga 16-8-7 (a) means . . . that the person had the right to exercise power over a corporeal thing, or there exists some evidence, either direct or circumstantial, that the accused was a party to the crime by aiding and abetting its commission.
discussed Cited as authority (quoted) Green v. State (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
Ga. Ct. App. · 2006 · signal: compare · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence low
mere proximity to stolen property is insufficient to establish possession or control.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In the Interest of J.B., a Child
Ga. Ct. App. · 2020 · confidence medium
W., supra at 446 (a) (“[R]iding in a stolen van or automobile as a passenger does not support a conviction for theft by receiving unless the accused also, at some point, acquires possession of or controls the vehicle, i.e., has the right to exercise power over a corporeal thing.” (citation and punctuation omitted)); Buchanan v. State, 254 Ga. App. 249, 251 (1) ( 562 SE2d 216 ) (2002) (evidence insufficient to sustain conviction for theft by receiving stolen property; although defendant’s shirt was found inside stolen vehicle, no evidence showed that defendant 4 “ever possessed or contr…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) The State v. Martinez-Palomino
Ga. Ct. App. · 2014 · confidence medium
“A defendant will not be allowed to induce an asserted error, sit silently hoping for acquittal, and obtain a new trial when that tactic fails.” (Footnote omitted.) Buchanan v. State, 254 Ga. App. 249, 251 (2) ( 562 SE2d 216 ) (2002); see also Westmoreland v. State, 192 Ga. App. 173, 176-177 (2) (b) ( 384 SE2d 249 ) (1989) (“[a] party cannot claim error where he himself committed or invited the error”) (punctuation omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Mock v. State
Ga. Ct. App. · 2010 · confidence medium
S., 296 Ga) App. 144, 147 (2) (a) ( 673 SE2d 645 ) (2009). 16 See id.; Rudnitskas v. State, 291 Ga. App. 685, 687 (1) ( 662 SE2d 729 ) (2008); Minor v. State, 278 Ga. App. 327, 328-329 ( 629 SE2d 44 ) (2006); Methvin v. State, 189 Ga. App. 906, 907-908 (1) ( 377 SE2d 735 ) (1989). 17 Gonzales v. State, 276 Ga. App. 11, 13 ( 622 SE2d 401 ) (2005). 18 See id.; Buchanan v. State, 254 Ga. App. 249, 250-251 (1) ( 562 SE2d 216 ) (2002); Harris v. State, 247 Ga. App. 41, 42-43 ( 543 SE2d 75 ) (2000).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Sillah v. State
Ga. Ct. App. · 2008 · confidence medium
Miller and Ellington, JJ., concur. 1 OCGA § 16-8-41 (a). 2 OCGA § 16-5-21 (a) (2). 3 OCGA § 16-10-24 (a). 4 Short v. State, 234 Ga. App. 633, 634 (1) ( 507 SE2d 514 ) (1998). 5 Horne v. State, 281 Ga. 799, 804-809 (5) ( 642 SE2d 659 ) (2007). 6 Lawrence v. State, 257 Ga. 423, 424-425 (3) ( 360 SE2d 716 ) (1987). 7 Willard v. State, 244 Ga. App. 469, 472 (1) (b) ( 535 SE2d 820 ) (2000). 8 Hendricks v. State, 283 Ga. 470, 473 (3) ( 660 SE2d 365 ) (2008). 9 Pinckney v. State, 236 Ga. App. 74 (1) ( 510 SE2d 923 ) (1999). 10 Buchanan v. State, 254 Ga. App. 249, 251 (2) ( 562 SE2d 216 ) (2002). 1…
cited Cited as authority (rule) Gonzales v. THE STATE
Ga. Ct. App. · 2005 · confidence medium
E.g., Buchanan v. State, 254 Ga. App. 249, 250 (1) ( 562 SE2d 216 ) (2002).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Simmons v. State
Ga. Ct. App. · 2005 · confidence medium
And when the jury requests a recharge on a particular question, the trial court has discretion in whether to give additional instructions.” (Footnotes omitted.) Buchanan v. State, 254 Ga. App. 249, 252 (3) ( 562 SE2d 216 ) (2002).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Cole v. State (2×)
Ga. Ct. App. · 2003 · confidence medium
“Generally, the need, breadth, and formation of additional jury instructions are left to the sound discretion of the trial court.” (Footnote omitted.) Buchanan v. State, 254 Ga. App. 249, 252 (3) ( 562 SE2d 216 ) (2002).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Pearson v. State
Ga. Ct. App. · 2003 · confidence medium
If there should be more than one count, each additional count shall state: And the jurors aforesaid, in the name and behalf of the citizens of Georgia, further charge and accuse (name of the accused) with having committed the offense of _.” (Emphasis supplied.) 7 OCGA §§ 17-7-113; 17-7-111. 8 Selley v. State, 237 Ga. App. 47, 50 ( 514 SE2d 706 ) (1999). 9 See Weatherbed v. State, 271 Ga. 736 ( 524 SE2d 452 ) (1999). 10 Id. at 737 (“Because of the failure to indict Weatherbed, his conviction and sentence are void and must be reversed.”). 11 Jones a State, 240 Ga. App. 484, 486 ( 523 SE2…
cited Cited as authority (rule) Collins v. State
Ga. Ct. App. · 2003 · confidence medium
Buchanan v. State, 254 Ga. App. 249, 252-253 ( 562 SE2d 216 ) (2002).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Jones v. State (2×)
Ga. Ct. App. · 2007 · signal: compare · confidence medium
Compare Buchanan v. State, 254 Ga. App. 249, 251 (1) ( 562 SE2d 216 ) (2002) (evidence that defendant’s shirt was found inside stolen car insufficient to establish possession or control). 9 Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U. S. 307 (99 SC 2781, 61 LE2d 560) (1979). 10 OCGA§ 17-8-22. 11 (Punctuation and footnote omitted.) Gilbert v. State, 259 Ga. App. 371, 374 (3) ( 577 SE2d 35 ) (2003). 12 (Citation, punctuation and footnote omitted.) Xulu v. State, 256 Ga. App. 272, 274 (2) ( 568 SE2d 74 ) (2002).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Buchanan
v.
the State
A01A2435.
Court of Appeals of Georgia.
Mar 13, 2002.
562 S.E.2d 216
2002 Ga. App. LEXIS 325
Robert R. McNeill, for appellant., Daniel J. Porter, District Attorney, John S. Melvin, Assistant District Attorney, for appellee.
Phipps, Smith, Barnes.
Cited by 13 opinions  |  Published
2 passages pin-cited by 2 cases
Pinpoint authority: bottom 90%
Citer courts: Court of Appeals of Georgia (2)
Phipps, Judge.

Michael Whitney Buchanan was convicted of armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and theft by receiving stolen property (motor vehicle). [1] On appeal, he contends that the evidence was insufficient to support the verdict, that the trial court improperly advised the jury that his co-indictee had pled guilty to some of the same charges he was facing, that the trial court erred in refusing to reopen the evidence, that the trial court improperly emphasized a jury instruction on recharge, and that he was denied effective assistance of counsel. We reverse Buchanan’s conviction for theft by receiving stolen property because there was not sufficient evidence to support that conviction. But we affirm his convictions for armed robbery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

1. Buchanan contends that the evidence was insufficient to support the verdict. On appeal, we do not weigh the evidence or assess the credibility of witnesses but only determine whether the evidence, viewed in a light most favorable to the verdict, was legally sufficient under the standard of Jackson v. Virginia. 2

Viewed in this light, the evidence showed that at approximately 10:00 p.m. on October 13, 1996, two masked men entered a McDonald’s restaurant and demanded money at gunpoint. One man was wearing all dark clothing, and the other was wearing a patterned shirt and jeans. After taking money from the safe and registers, the robbers headed to the parking lot as the police were arriving at the scene. The robbers ran to a parked Firebird automobile, but were unable to open the car door. They dropped the gun and the money and then ran into a wooded area behind the restaurant. Police,[*250] including a K-9 unit, gave chase. The robbers began shedding their masks and articles of clothing. The police dog led officers to a creek, where Leondo Jones was found hiding. Near the creek, officers found a white athletic sock with “Mike Buchanan” written on it, a black sweatshirt that was consistent with an eyewitness’s description of what one of the robbers wore, and a black t-shirt with a white t-shirt inside it. The police dog then led officers to Buchanan, who was hiding in the crawl space of a house and wearing only boxer shorts. Police recovered a pair of jeans from the crawl space.

Back at McDonald’s, police recovered the gun and a bag of money. In the parking lot, police found a second white athletic sock with the words “Mike Buchanan” written on it. They also discovered an unoccupied, stolen Bonneville automobile parked there with the engine running. The driver’s door lock had been damaged, and the steering column had a hole in it that exposed the ignition. Inside the car were several items of clothing, including a shirt that Buchanan claimed as his own. He also admitted that he had worn the shirt earlier on the day of the robbery.

Buchanan challenges the sufficiency of the evidence by pointing to what he claims are inconsistencies and weaknesses in the evidence. But conflicts in the testimony of the witnesses are a matter of credibility for the jury to resolve. [3] As long as there is some competent evidence, even though contradicted, to support each fact necessary to make out the State’s case, we will uphold the jury’s verdict. [4] We find that the evidence here was sufficient to authorize the jury’s verdict of guilty for the charges of armed robbery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. [5]

We do not, however, find sufficient evidence to sustain the conviction for theft by receiving the stolen Bonneville. A person commits the offense of theft by receiving stolen property when he receives, disposes of, or retains stolen property that he knew or should have known was stolen. [6] “ ‘Receiving’ means acquiring possession or control ... of the property,” [7] that is, that the person had “the right to exercise power over a corporeal thing, or there exists some evidence, either direct or circumstantial, that the accused was a party to the crime by aiding and abetting its commission.” [8] Here there is no evidence that Buchanan possessed or controlled the stolen car.

[*251] The evidence shows that after the armed robbery, Buchanan and Jones ran to the parking lot where the stolen car was parked, unoccupied, with the engine running, and with Buchanan’s shirt inside. While this may show that Buchanan had some recent contact with the stolen car, “[m]ere proximity to stolen property is insufficient to establish possession or control. [Cit.]” [9] The lack of evidence that Buchanan ever possessed or controlled the stolen car or affirmatively acted as a party to the crime requires that his conviction of theft by receiving a motor vehicle be reversed. [10]

2. Buchanan contends that the trial court erred by advising the jury that his co-indictee, Jones, had pled guilty to armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and theft by taking the Bonneville. However, in a pretrial conference, Buchanan’s attorney requested the trial court to inform the jury of Jones’s guilty plea after opening statements and to direct them to consider only the guilt or innocence of Buchanan. Buchanan’s attorney further stated that she “was planning to mention it” in her opening statement. The trial court thereafter informed the jury of Jones’s pleas of guilty, although it did not instruct the jury to limit their consideration to Buchanan’s guilt or innocence. But when the trial court asked the prosecutor and defense counsel whether any other instruction was necessary, both replied that it was not.

“A defendant will not be allowed to induce an asserted error, sit silently hoping for acquittal, and obtain a new trial when that tactic fails. Induced error is impermissible and furnishes no ground for reversal.” [11]

3. Buchanan contends that the trial court erred by giving a recharge that placed too much emphasis on “party to a crime” and that the court instead should have recharged the jury on the entire original charge. During deliberations, the jury sent out the question, “Do we have to know for sure that he held the weapon to find him guilty of armed robbery and possession of firearm or is he guilty by being party to a crime in which a weapon is used?” [12] The jury also asked, “Do we have to know for sure he was in the car to find him guilty of theft by receiving stolen property or is he guilty by being party to a crime that was committed with the intent to use stolen property?” [13] After conferring with defense counsel and the prosecutor, the trial court recharged on parties to a crime and theft by[*252] receiving and then instructed the jury to consider the charge as a whole and to consider as equally important the initial charge.

Generally, the need, breadth, and formation of additional jury instructions are left to the sound discretion of the trial court. [14] And when the jury requests a recharge on a particular question, the trial court has discretion in whether to give additional instructions. [15] In considering whether the recharge was in error, we examine not only the recharge but also the original charge, and where the charge as a whole substantially presented issues in a way not likely to confuse the jury, we will not disturb a verdict authorized by the evidence. [16] Examining the charge and recharge in their entirety and in light of our reversal of Buchanan’s conviction for the offense of theft by receiving stolen property, we find no reversible error. [17]

4. Buchanan contends that the trial court abused its discretion by refusing to reopen the evidence. Whether to reopen the evidence is a matter resting within the sound discretion of the trial court and will not be reversed absent an abuse of that discretion. [18] We consider the totality of the circumstances in determining whether there has been an abuse of discretion. [19]

After the charge conference, the State moved to prohibit defense counsel from displaying during closing argument a shirt which had not been introduced into evidence. Defense counsel then asked to reopen the evidence to tender the shirt. The court noted that the shirt displayed the words “The Hardy Family Reunion,” which had not been described to the jury, and defense counsel conceded that she knew of no significance to the shirt’s wording. The court denied defense counsel’s motion to reopen the evidence, but instructed defense counsel that she was not prohibited from commenting on any testimony regarding the shirt. Considering all the circumstances, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in declining to reopen the evidence.

5. Buchanan’s contention that he received ineffective assistance of trial counsel is procedurally barred. Buchanan’s trial counsel initially served as his post-trial counsel and filed a motion for new trial, which did not include an ineffectiveness claim. She later requested to withdraw so that Buchanan could pursue a claim of ineffectiveness. Buchanan’s new post-trial counsel was appointed on November 2, 2000, but did not file an amended motion for new trial raising the[*253] issue of ineffective assistance of trial counsel. On July 2, 2001, Buchanan’s motion for new trial was heard and denied. The record does not contain a transcript of the hearing on the motion for new trial, and therefore, appellate counsel has failed to perfect the record on whether the ineffectiveness issue was raised. [20]

Decided March 13, 2002. Robert R. McNeill, for appellant. Daniel J. Porter, District Attorney, John S. Melvin, Assistant District Attorney, for appellee.

An ineffectiveness claim must be raised at the earliest practicable moment. [21] There is no indication that this was done here. Appellate counsel had ample opportunity to amend the motion for new trial to add a claim of ineffective assistance of trial counsel before the ruling of the trial court on the motion precluded such amendment. Consequently, this claim of error was waived. [22]

Judgment affirmed in part and reversed in part.

Smith, P. J., and Barnes, J., concur.
1

The trial court directed a not guilty verdict on a fourth charge of theft by taking (motor vehicle).

2

443 U. S. 307 (99 SC 2781, 61 LE2d 560) (1979); McKay v. State, 251 Ga. App. 115, 116 (553 SE2d 672) (2001).

5

See Toney v. State, 253 Ga. App. 231, 234 (2) (558 SE2d 780) (2002); Hayes v. State, 249 Ga. App. 857, 859-860 (1) (549 SE2d 813) (2001); Howze v. State, 201 Ga. App. 96, 97-98 (410 SE2d 323) (1991).

6

OCGA § 16-8-7 (a); see also Harris v. State, 247 Ga. App. 41, 42 (543 SE2d 75) (2000).

7

OCGA § 16-8-7 (a); Harris, supra.

8

(Citations omitted.) Harris, supra.

9

In the Interest of C. W., 226 Ga. App. 30, 31 (485 SE2d 561) (1997).

10

Harris, supra at 42-43, and cases cited therein; In the Interest of C. W., supra at 31-32, and cases cited therein.

11

(Citations, punctuation and footnote omitted.) Brison v. State, 248 Ga. App. 168, 169 (3) (545 SE2d 345) (2001).

12

(Emphasis in original.)

13

(Emphasis in original.)

14

Miller v. State, 221 Ga. App. 718, 719 (1) (472 SE2d 697) (1996).

17

See Igidi v. State, 251 Ga. App. 581, 586-587 (5) (554 SE2d 773) (2001); Cloyd v. State, 237 Ga. App. 608, 610 (3) (516 SE2d 103) (1999); see Miller, supra at 718-720 (1).

18

Peeples v. State, 234 Ga. App. 454, 458 (5) (507 SE2d 197) (1998).

20

See Landers v. State, 236 Ga. App. 368, 370 (3) (511 SE2d 889) (1999).

22

See id.