Lawrence v. State

Leon Lawrence appeals from his convictions for hijacking a motor vehicle, two counts of aggravated assault with intent to rob, and two counts of armed robbery. Following the denial of his amended motion for new trial, Lawrence appeals, challenging the sufficiency of the evidence and the use of his prior convictions for purposes of impeachment. He also contends that he received ineffective assistance of counsel. We find these claims to be without merit and affirm. The record reveals that on January 21, 2006, as the victim walked down the stairs outside of his apartment, a man pulled out a large gun and demanded money before taking the victim’s wallet, car keys, and cell phone. The victim described the man as a short African-American male with gold teeth and “very distinct eyes and lips.”

On March 13, 2006, a second victim was sitting with her boyfriend in her parked 2002 Ford Mustang when she heard a noise. As her boyfriend got out of the car, a man approached him and pointed a gun at his face. The victim attempted to drive away when a second man came out and told her “don’t even think about it.” The victim jumped out and the two men then drove off in the victim’s car.