Sign In
Events
Newsletters
Search

Close

Close Search

Cancel

SEARCH
MY LAW.COMNEW

Reeves v. State

The trial court properly admitted evidence of a similar transaction, wherein the defendant pled guilty to attempted rape, to show his course of conduct and bent of mind in his trial for felony murder predicated upon aggravated assault and related crimes.

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Appellant Robert Lee Reeves, Jr., was sentenced to life imprisonment upon the jury’s verdict finding him guilty of felony murder predicated upon aggravated assault.1 The trial court denied appellant’s motion for new trial brought on the ground of insufficiency of the evidence and on the ground that evidence of a prior attempted rape for which he was previously convicted was improperly admitted as a similar transaction. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm.

Viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict, the evidence showed the body of victim Crystal Morgan was discovered along a wooded path in Macon on the morning of July 29, 2009. The investigating officer testified that evidence at the crime scene showed there had been a struggle. The autopsy noted superficial lacerations in the anal area and inside the vagina that appeared to have occurred at or near the time of death. The victim had injuries around her neck and petechial pinpoint hemorrhages in the eyes which were consistent with strangulation. Although markings on the victim’s body were more consistent with strangulation from some type of ligature, the medical examiner could not rule out manual strangulation. The victim’s underpants were down to her knees and dirt was discovered on the victim’s hands, face and sandals. Male DNA taken from the victim’s body was placed in a sexual assault kit and was later matched to the appellant’s DNA recorded in a database and also to DNA from a buccal swab taken from appellant by police investigators. No other male DNA was found in the samples taken from the victim’s body. The State also presented similar transaction evidence discussed further in Division 2.

Trending Stories

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

LEARN MORE

More From ALM

Premium Subscription
With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Team Accounts
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Bundle Subscriptions
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
Go to CLE Center
GlobeSt. Women of Influence (WOI) 2024
July 22, 2024 - July 24, 2024
Lake Tahoe, CA

GlobeSt. Women of Influence Conference celebrates the women who drive the commercial real estate industry forward.


Learn More
New York Legal Awards 2024
September 05, 2024
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
African Legal Awards 2024
September 06, 2024
Johannesburg

The African Legal Awards recognise exceptional achievement within Africa s legal community during a period of rapid change.


Learn More
Go to Events Go to Webcasts
(EXCLUSIVE FULLY REMOTE) INSURANCE COVERAGE ASSOCIATE OR COUNSEL WANTED FOR MULTI-STATE BOUTIQUE LAW FIRM (Florida)

Our client, a multi-state full-service boutique, is seeking to add an insurance coverage associate or counsel to work closely with one of th...


Apply Now ›
(EXCLUSIVE) IN-HOUSE GENERALIST ATTORNEY WANTED FOR PRIVATELY OWNED CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FIRM (Atlanta, GA)

Our client, an Atlanta-based and family-owned commercial construction services firm, has engaged us to identify an in-house attorney for the...


Apply Now ›
Agency Attorney

The Office of the Special Commissioner of Investigation for the New York City School District ( SCI ) has broad authority to investigate wro...


Apply Now ›
Go to Lawjobs
Lawyers of Distinction
06/27/2024
The American Lawyer

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
SMGQ Law
06/21/2024
Daily Business Review

Full Page Announcement


View Announcement ›
Blume Forte Fried Zerres & Molinari
06/14/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
Go to Professional Announcements