T. F. was charged in juvenile court with burglary1 and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.2 He appeals the juvenile court’s order transferring his case to superior court, arguing that the court erred in i relying on hearsay testimony during the transfer hearing, ii finding that there were reasonable grounds to believe that he committed the offenses alleged, and iii finding that his and the community’s interests required transfer. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm. Pursuant to OCGA § 15-11-30.2, a juvenile court may transfer a case to an appropriate court if, in its discretion, it determines that there are reasonable grounds to believe that . . . the child committed the delinquent act alleged; . . . the child is not committable to an institution for the mentally retarded or mentally ill; . . . the interests of the child and the community require that the child be placed under legal restraint and the transfer be made; and . . . the child . . . was at least 15 years of age at the time of the alleged delinquent conduct. . . . OCGA § 15-11-30.2 a 3 A-C, 4 A. “When considering an order of the juvenile court transferring jurisdiction, the function of this court is limited to ascertaining whether some evidence exists to support the juvenile court’s determination.” Punctuation omitted. In the Interest of J. B. H. 3 “Determinations of a juvenile court made on an exercise of discretion, if based upon evidence, will not be controlled by this court.” Punctuation omitted. In the Interest of S. K. K. 4
At the hearing on the State’s motion to transfer the case to superior court, a psychologist, who conducted a mental evaluation of T. F., testified that he was not mentally retarded or mentally ill and that he would benefit from further counseling and substance abuse treatment. Regarding the burglary charge, a police officer testified, over T. F.’s objection, as to a fellow officer’s report on the investigation of the crime. According to that report, on November 23, 2007, a homeowner came home to find three black males leaving his house after having broken into it. The homeowner recognized one of the burglars as Antonio McKinley, who was a friend of his roommate’s son. After McKinley was arrested, he confessed to the burglary and identified T. F. as being one of the other persons involved. Later, McKinley’s mother was shown a photograph of T. F. and identified him as being the person who picked up her son just prior to the burglary.
