Wright v. State, A96A0964
| Court | United States Court of Appeals (Georgia) |
| Writing for the Court | BLACKBURN; BEASLEY |
| Citation | 222 Ga.App. 320,474 S.E.2d 121 |
| Parties | WRIGHT v. The STATE. |
| Docket Number | No. A96A0964,A96A0964 |
| Decision Date | 12 July 1996 |
Page 121
v.
The STATE.
[222 Ga.App. 322] Donald L. Lamberth, Montezuma, for appellant.
John R. Parks, Dist. Atty., Richard E. Nettum, Asst. Dist. Atty., for appellee.
[222 Ga.App. 320] BLACKBURN, Judge.
Warren Wright appeals his conviction of robbery by sudden snatching.
1. Wright contends that the evidence was not sufficient to warrant a conviction and the verdict was against the weight of the evidence.
[222 Ga.App. 321] Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, on September 20, 1994, Wright and a companion visited the Big A Package Store in Americus, Georgia,
Page 122
six times. A store clerk testified that, on the sixth visit, Wright's companion diverted her attention from the cash drawer by requesting lottery tickets. While obtaining the requested tickets, the clerk heard something out of the ordinary. Turning around to investigate, she noticed that Wright had one of his hands in the store's cash drawer. As the clerk approached Wright, she saw that he had at least three rolls of quarters in his left hand. 1 The clerk called the office manager for assistance. Although Wright was informed that the police were going to be called, rather than staying to settle the matter, Wright denied any wrongdoing and walked off the premises. Wright was later apprehended by the police. The officer manager testified that after the incident the cash drawer only contained $240, although it was company policy to keep $300 in the cash drawer at all times.The elements of robbery by sudden snatching are outlined in OCGA § 16-8-40(a): "A person commits the offense of robbery when, with intent to commit theft, he takes property of another from the person or the immediate presence of another ... [b]y sudden snatching." Under the guidelines of Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979), we find that the evidence was sufficient to enable a rational trier of fact to find Wright guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of robbery by sudden snatching.
2. Wright contends that the trial court erred in allowing him to represent himself at trial. Specifically, Wright contends that he did not make a knowing and intelligent waiver of counsel. The record, however, reveals that, before allowing Wright to represent himself, the trial court carefully explained to Wright the potential risks of proceeding without counsel....
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Simpson v. State, A99A0321.
...him with the same information that supported a valid waiver of a defendant's right to counsel in other cases. See Wright v. State, 222 Ga.App. 320, 321-322(2), 474 S.E.2d 121 (1996) (defendant advised that he must abide by rules of evidence and that he would not be allowed to argue ineffect......
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Gamble v. State, A98A1320.
...to his advantage to have counsel, informed him of the possible sentence, and advised him of the charge against him. See Wright v. State, 222 Ga.App. 320, 321-322(2), 474 S.E.2d 121 (1996) (defendant's choice to represent himself made after he was made aware of right to counsel and of danger......
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