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Corey Boldenv.The State

CourtCourt of Appeals of Georgia
Docket No.A15A1927
DecidedFebruary 10, 2016
Reporter335 Ga. App. 653; 782 S.E.2d 708
JudgesFirst Division; Chief Judge Doyle and Judges Boggs and Peterson; Peterson authored
Tags
CriminalCriminal ProcedureIneffective Assistance of CounselJury InstructionsMergerSex CrimesMotion for New TrialReversalTales From the Crypt
Case Summary

Corey Bolden appealed the denial of a motion for new trial after convictions for kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated assault, rape, burglary, and cruelty to children. The Court of Appeals of Georgia rejected his arguments that the rape and aggravated-assault counts should merge and that the trial judge improperly expressed an opinion while questioning a State witness. But the court held that the burglary instruction allowed the jury to convict on a basis broader than the manner charged in the indictment. Counsel performed deficiently by not objecting, and the risk that the jury relied on an uncharged burglary theory made the error prejudicial. The court reversed the denial of a new trial as to the two burglary counts and otherwise affirmed.

Opinion

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