Beasley v. State

Decision Date26 May 1967
Docket NumberNo. 42691,No. 2,42691,2
PartiesJohn BEASLEY v. The STATE
CourtGeorgia Court of Appeals

W. Owen Slate, Charles W. Bergman, Atlanta, for appellant.

Lewis R. Slaton, Sol. Gen., Jess H. Watson, J. Walter LeCraw, Amber W. Anderson, Atlanta, for appellee.

Syllabus Opinion by the Court

BELL, Presiding Judge.

The defendant-appellant seeks a reversal of his conviction and sentence for the offense of 'shooting at another.'

1. Error is enumerated on the denial by the trial judge of the appellant's motion for a continuance on the ground of the absence of a witness. There are eight statutory requirements each of which must be met before the appellate courts may review a trial judge's discretion in denying a motion for a continuance on this ground. These are (1) that the witness is absent, (2) that he has been subpoenaed, (3) that he does not reside more than 100 miles from the place of trial by the nearest practical route, (4) that his testimony is material, (5) that the witness is not absent by permission (directly or indirectly) of the movant, (6) that movant expects to be able to procure the testimony of the witness at the next term of court, (7) that the continuance is not requested for purposes of delay but to enable the party to procure the testimony of the absent witness and, (8) the facts expected to be proved by the absent witness must be stated. Code Ann. § 81-1410. Here the record is silent with respect to the statutory essentials numbers 3 and 6 above and at best unpersuasive with respect to essential 4. Under these circumstances the judge's exercise of discretion in denying the continuance will not be disturbed. Carroll v. Crawford, 218 Ga. 635, 637(1), 129 S.E.2d 865; Smith v. State, 170 Ga. 234(1), 152 S.E. 482; Evans v. State, 167 Ga. 261, 261(1), 145 S.E. 512; Teal v. State, 17 Ga.App. 324(1), 86 S.E. 739; McClain v. State, 17 Ga.App. 750(1), 88 S.E. 409.

2. The remaining 5 enumerations, though paraphrased contend only that the evidence did not support the verdict of guilt but demanded an acquittal. These grounds have no merit. As shown by the sworn testimony of the defendant and the person shot, the evidence is undisputed that the defendant did in fact shoot the other with a .22 caliber pistol. The evidence revealed the events, facts and circumstances preceding, including and following the shooting which were sufficient to authorize the jury to find the...

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15 cases
  • Alderman v. State
    • United States
    • Georgia Supreme Court
    • July 6, 1978
    ...continuance to be granted because of the absence of a witness. Fouts v. State, 240 Ga. 39, 239 S.E.2d 366 (1977); Beasley v. State, 115 Ga.App. 827(1), 156 S.E.2d 128 (1967). It is well recognized that "(A) motion to continue is addressed to the sound discretion of the trial judge, and this......
  • Jones v. State
    • United States
    • Georgia Court of Appeals
    • September 3, 1975
    ...of a continuance motion cannot be said to be an abuse of discretion. Scoggins v. State, 98 Ga.App. 360, 106 S.E.2d 39; Beasley v. State, 115 Ga.App. 827, 156 S.E.2d 128. Byars' sole activity in this drug transaction consisted of introducing the agents to co-conspirator Pinkham. (T. 145). Th......
  • Jones v. State
    • United States
    • Georgia Supreme Court
    • September 6, 1974
    ...the statutory requirements as to the basis of the absence were not met here. Code Ann. § 81-1410 (Ga.L.1959, p. 342); Beasley v. State, 115 Ga.App. 827(1), 156 S.E.2d 128. See also, Corbin v. State, 212 Ga. 231(1), 91 S.E.2d 764. Therefore, no abuse of discretion in denying the motion for n......
  • Davis v. State
    • United States
    • Georgia Court of Appeals
    • September 2, 1975
    ...in denying a motion for a continuance based upon the absence of a witness. Ga.L.1959, p. 342 (Code Ann. § 81-1410); Beasley v. State, 115 Ga.App. 827, 156 S.E.2d 128. Appellant's motion for a continuance failed to indicate the materiality of the absent witness' testimony; that the absent wi......
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