Sign In
Events
Newsletters
Search

Close

Close Search

Cancel

SEARCH
MY LAW.COMNEW

Lanier v. State

The trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the defendant's motion for a mistrial based on a police officer's passing statement about defendant's parole officer during cross-examination because a passing reference to a defendant's record does not place the defendant's character in evidence.

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Appellant Raynardo Lanier was convicted of malice murder, armed robbery and aggravated assault in connection with the beating death of David Rigdon. Finding no error in the denial of Lanier’s motion for new trial,1 we affirm. 1. The evidence authorized the jury to find that Lanier and the victim spent time together over Labor Day weekend in 2006. The victim purchased crack cocaine numerous times during this period from dealer Wamikea Mikell, with the final sale occurring on Sunday afternoon. Lanier and the victim indicated that they would come to Jimmy Lee Scott’s house that evening, where Mikell was cooking dinner, but Lanier arrived alone. Lanier asked for a hammer; he left the house for a while, returned with a wallet draped over the top of his sweat pants and asked Mikell for a ride to meet his wife. Along the way, Mikell stopped the car and Lanier got out. After a brief period of time, Lanier got back in the car and the two returned to Scott’s house.

The victim was found lying face down in a pool of blood inside the front door of his residence in the early hours of Tuesday morning and was transported to the hospital. Lanier’s name came up when investigating officers spoke to those at the scene and it was determined that he was in an adjacent apartment. A GBI special agent went to the apartment and talked to Lanier, who consented when the agent asked to look at his clothing that was lying on a couch. Lanier also retrieved a pair of his shoes from the side of the couch and the agent noticed three small blood spatter droplets on one shoe.

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
Southeastern Legal Awards 2025
May 01, 2025
Atlanta, GA

The Daily Report is honoring those attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession.


Learn More
Complex Claims & Litigation Forum 2025
February 24, 2025 - February 26, 2025
Las Vegas, NV

This conference aims to help insurers and litigators better manage complex claims and litigation.


Learn More
Legalweek Leaders in Tech Law Awards 2025
March 24, 2025
New York, NY

Recognizing innovation in the legal technology sector for working on precedent-setting, game-changing projects and initiatives.


Learn More
Go to Events Go to Webcasts
Legal Counsel

Title: Legal Counsel Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) FLSA Status: Exempt, Full Time Supervisory Responsibility: N/A Location: Remo...


Apply Now ›
Associate Position

Blume Forte Fried Zerres and Molinari 1 Main Street Chatham, NJ 07945Prominent Morris County Law Firm with a state-wide personal injury prac...


Apply Now ›
ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY DEFENSE LITIGATION

d Arcambal Ousley & Cuyler Burk, LLP, a well-established women-owned litigation firm, has an opening in our Parsippany, NJ office. We of...


Apply Now ›
Go to Lawjobs