Vaughan v. State

• Decision Date: 27 August 1993
• Docket Number: No. A93A1302,A93A1302
• Parties: VAUGHAN v. The STATE.
• Court: Georgia Court of Appeals

Page 19

436 S.E.2d 19

210 Ga.App. 381

VAUGHAN v. The STATE.

No. A93A1302.

Court of Appeals of Georgia.

Aug. 27, 1993.

Reconsideration Dismissed Sept. 24, 1993.

Saia, Richardson & Meinken, Joseph J. Saia, Peachtree City, for appellant.

Johnnie L. Caldwell, Dist. Atty., James E. Sherrill, Asst. Dist. Atty., for appellee.

BIRDSONG, Presiding Judge.

Jeff Vaughan a/k/a Jeff Vaughn, Jeffery M. Vaughan and Jeffery M. Vaughn appeals his judgment of conviction of two burglary counts. He enumerates five errors. Held:

1. The trial court did not err in denying appellant's motion for continuance notwithstanding appellant apparently released certain defense witnesses after a member of the district attorney's office stated the case would not go to trial and appellant's counsel announced "not ready" on call of the case. The motion for continuance was for an unspecified time period. Trial was held in Fayetteville, Georgia, and lasted two days; two of the released defense witnesses were from Jonesboro and one was from Cherokee County. Each of the requirements of OCGA § 17-8-25 must be met before an appellate court may review a trial judge's discretion in denying a motion for continuance based upon an absent witness (Dorsey v. State, 203 Ga.App. 397, 399(1), 416 S.E.2d 879; Garrett v. State, 202 Ga.App. 463, 414 S.E.2d 693); these statutory requirements exist regardless whether the State's conduct contributed to the release of witnesses. Appellant has failed to meet these requirements in at least four respects: the witnesses had not been subpoenaed, the record does not establish that appellant expected to be able to procure the witnesses' testimony at the next term of court, the facts expected to be proved by the witnesses were not stated, and their anticipated testimony was not shown to be material. Additionally, the witnesses were absent with the permission of appellant, albeit that permission was given in partial reliance on statements made by a representative of the State; moreover, appellant's counsel conceded his understanding in court that only the trial court can give continuances. There is no evidence the State made a misrepresentation to appellant for the purpose of causing a premature release of defense witnesses or for any other improper purpose, and appellant did not so contend during trial. The denial of the motion was not an abuse of the trial court's discretion. Dorsey, supra; Garrett, supra.

2. The trial court did not err in denying appellant's severance motion and general demurrer. Although we agree that a right of severance exists where the offenses are joined solely on the ground that they are of same or similar character, Dingler v. State, 233 Ga. 462, 211 S.E.2d 752, the record does not establish a joinder for this sole purpose. Where two or more joined offenses are " ' "based on the same conduct or on a series of acts connected together or constituting parts of a single scheme or plan," ' [or have an identical modus operandi,] severance lies within the discretion of the trial court." Bailey v. State, 157 Ga.App. 222, 223(3), 276 S.E.2d 843; Mack v. State, 163 Ga.App. 778(1), 296 S.E.2d 115. The appellate test is whether, in light of the number of the offenses charged and the complexity of the evidence, the fact-trier will be able to distinguish the evidence and apply the law intelligently to each offense. Dobbs v. State, 204 Ga.App. 83, 84(1), 418 S.E.2d 443. Absent an abuse of trial court discretion, denial of a severance motion is not grounds for reversal. Freeman v. State, 205 Ga.App. 112, 421 S.E.2d 308. The burden is on a defendant requesting severance " 'to do more than raise the possibility that a separate trial would give him a better chance of acquittal. (Cit.) He must make a clear showing of prejudice and a consequent denial of due process.' " Id.

The two burglaries were committed within 48 hours of each other; both burglaries were of private residences in Fayette County. The two crime locations were in close proximity of each other; a car only has to make one or two turns to get on Milam Road from Lee's Mill. In both instances the houses were ransacked, drawers were pulled out and dumped on the floor, closets emptied, "just a complete mess of every room that [the perpetrators entered]." Both burglaries were committed in the daylight hours when owners might be away or at work. No breach of trial court discretion is shown in denying severance (compare Mack, supra with Bailey, supra); the jury would be able to distinguish the evidence pertaining to each burglary offense and apply the law intelligently as to each separate burglary count.

3. Appellant asserts the trial court erred in admitting appellant's pretrial statement in evidence, as it was not affirmatively shown that the statement was voluntarily made with waiver of rights, and without duress or coercion. Appellant also asserts the trial court erred in allowing appellant's pretrial statement as to the December 10, 1986 burglary, as the prosecution did not establish there was a waiver of Miranda rights when admissions were made as to that offense. The only waiver of rights that existed was for any statement made regarding the burglary of December 12, 1986. These contentions are without merit.

(a) The evidence regarding the voluntariness of appellant's admitted pretrial statement and certain statements made prior to the recording of that statement was in conflict. The trial court, after conducting a Jackson- Denno hearing, made certain findings of fact, inter alia, that: the accused was under arrest at the time the statements were taken; appellant was advised of his Miranda rights, by the interrogating officer, at approximately 7:50 p.m.; appellant "declined to avail himself of any of these rights" and "he expressed a willingness to go ahead and talk to" the interrogating officer; and it was found "as a matter of law and by a preponderance of the evidence," appellant "did give a free and voluntary statement."

(1) State's Exhibit No. 1, Acknowledgment of Rights, signed by appellant and witnessed by the interrogating officer at 7:50 p.m., December 12, 1986, reflects on its face that appellant was, at least, advised that he was "suspected of the offense of burglary, in Fayette County ... on the 12th day of December, 1986." Appellant testified and admitted in open court that he understood this acknowledgment before he signed it. "[A] law enforcement officer's failure to advise a suspect as to the crimes about which he is to be questioned prior to the suspect's waiver of his Miranda rights is not relevant to the question of whether the suspect's waiver was knowing and voluntary." Peebles v. State, 260 Ga. 430, 431(1), 396 S.E.2d 229. Assuming arguendo appellant was not warned he was suspected of the December 10, 1986 burglary before he waived his rights, such omission would not be relevant regarding whether his waiver was knowing and voluntary.

(2) The trial court found, inter alia, appellant's recorded pretrial statement was made freely and voluntarily, that he declined to avail himself of any of his Miranda rights, and he expressed a willingness to talk with the investigator. " ...