State v. Simmons

The newly discovered evidence was not merely cumulative of the witness's testimony, since the mobile phone records constituted a higher grade of evidence that corroborated the testimony and provided an independent and objective support for the defendant's alibi.

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Following a jury trial, Corey Simmons and Samuel Johnson collectively “defendants” were convicted on two counts of armed robbery. Shortly thereafter, both filed motions for new trial based on newly discovered evidence, which the trial court granted. The State now appeals, arguing that the trial court erred in granting defendants a new trial because the newly discovered evidence was not material and was cumulative of other evidence. For the reasons set forth infra, we affirm.

Viewed in the light most favorable to the jury’s verdict,1 the evidence shows that some time between 12:00 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. on September 27, 2009, Derrick Arnold and Jason Barnes set out to meet some friends at a nightclub in the Midtown area of Atlanta. After parking their car near the intersection of Juniper Street and 7th Street, Arnold and Barnes began walking up 7th Street toward Peachtree Street where the nightclub was located, when they were approached by three young men, who asked them about nightclubs in the area. Barnes answered their question while he and Arnold continued walking toward the club, and the three men continued walking in the opposite direction. However, a moment later, the three men came up behind Barnes, and one pushed him to the ground while another pulled out a handgun. The gunman then struck Barnes in the head with his gun and demanded that Arnold and Barnes give up any valuables. Arnold and Barnes complied, giving the perpetrators their wallets, watches, mobile phones, some jewelry, and Barnes’s Nike Air Jordan sneakers. At that point, the three perpetrators fled, and Arnold and Barnes rushed toward the nightclub to seek assistance.

State v. Simmons

The newly discovered evidence was not merely cumulative of the witness's testimony, since the mobile phone records constituted a higher grade of evidence that corroborated the testimony and provided an independent and objective support for the defendant's alibi.

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