Lynch v. State

The defendant did not show harm from trial counsel's failure to object when the state's lead detective testified about a witness's hearsay statements since the witness had already explicitly testified on direct examination that the defendant threatened to kill the victim.

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Following a jury trial, Reginald L. Lynch appeals his conviction for malice murder, felony murder, and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime,1 contending that the evidence was insufficient to support the verdict and that he received ineffective assistance of trial counsel. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm.

1. Viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict, the record shows that, on the night of October 22, 2008, police found Marcus Givens the victim in an alley suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. At the scene, Detective Dantzler asked the victim for his name. The victim responded, “Reggie Lynch.” Detective Dantzler initially thought that “Reggie Lynch” was the victim’s name, but the victim corrected, “Reggie Lynch, shot me.” The victim repeated this statement at least three times. Star Corporal Angela Grant was with Detective Danztler when she heard Givens say, “Reggie Lynch.” At first, she could not determine whether it was “Reggie Leck,” but she knew the last name given started with an “L.” Both officers testified that the victim appeared to be in serious pain and his voice sounded gurgled. The victim later died from his injuries. The day before the murder, on October 21, 2008, Lynch argued with the victim and called him derogatory names. Tiffany Davis, who is related to both Lynch and the victim, was present during this altercation, and she testified that, afterwards, Lynch told her that he was going to kill the victim. Leisha Givens testified that the victim, who was her cousin, told her at the scene that Reggie Lynch shot him. She also testified that she saw Lynch driving away from the scene in a white truck.

Lynch v. State

The defendant did not show harm from trial counsel's failure to object when the state's lead detective testified about a witness's hearsay statements since the witness had already explicitly testified on direct examination that the defendant threatened to kill the victim.

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