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Williamsv.The State

CourtSupreme Court of Georgia
Docket No.S17A1036
DecidedOctober 30, 2017
JudgesSupreme Court of Georgia
Tags
CriminalCriminal LawCriminal ProcedureSufficiency of the EvidenceIneffective Assistance of CounselEvidenceReversalTales From the CryptMurder & Mayhem
Case Summary

Brodrick Williams was convicted of malice murder, armed robbery, and a firearm offense after a group confronted Daniel McGee over a gold chain and McGee was shot during the struggle. Williams challenged the sufficiency of the evidence and argued that his lawyer had an actual conflict of interest because a prosecution witness had received a plea agreement. The Supreme Court of Georgia held that the evidence supported the murder and firearm convictions, including evidence that Williams initiated the demand for the chain, carried a gun, and participated in the confrontation. But the evidence did not establish completed armed robbery because McGee refused to surrender the chain and there was no proof that Williams ever obtained possession of it or otherwise completed the taking. The court also held that Williams failed to show that counsel’s representation was adversely affected by an actual conflict. It affirmed the murder and firearm convictions, reversed the armed-robbery conviction, and remanded for the resulting judgment and sentencing corrections.

Opinion

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