The Atlanta Gleaner.

Legal News

Edited By George Washington

(Testing in progress)

George Washington Statue at Federal Hall

Andersonv.The State

CourtSupreme Court of Georgia
Docket No.S20A0873
DecidedAugust 24, 2020
Reporter309 Ga. 618
JudgesSupreme Court of Georgia
Tags
CriminalCriminal LawCriminal ProcedureMurder & MayhemTales From the CryptEvidenceJury InstructionsIneffective Assistance of CounselSufficiency of the Evidence
Case Summary

Dexter Anderson was convicted of felony murder and possessing a firearm during a felony in the death of his girlfriend, Charlotta Lockhart. He challenged the sufficiency of the evidence, the completeness of the trial transcript, counsel’s performance, and the failure to give a firearm-possession instruction. The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed. The court rejected Anderson’s ineffective-assistance claims, including his objections to voir-dire questions and the State’s disclosure of a report used by a medical examiner. It also held that the jury charge adequately covered the firearm offense. The evidence, including testimony about the relationship and events surrounding the shooting, supported the verdict. The court considered the asserted errors cumulatively and held that they did not require a new trial.

Opinion

Loading published copy…

The Far Side