Dunson v. State

Eric Dunson appeals from the judgement entered after a jury convicted him of robbery by sudden snatching. He argues that he received ineffective assistance of counsel, that the trial court erred in allowing the lead investigator to remain in the courtroom before he testified, and also erred in giving certain charges to the jury. After reviewing the record, we conclude there was no error and affirm. The evidence at trial, viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict, was as follows. The victim Christopher Barnard testified that he was walking to school on the morning in question when he heard somebody calling to him. He turned and saw Eric Dunson. Dunson walked up to Barnard and asked him if the necklace he was wearing was real. Barnard replied that it was. Dunson then reached up and snatched the necklace from around Barnard’s neck. As Dunson walked away, he pulled up his shirt and showed Barnard the gun he was carrying. Dunson told Barnard not to try anything or he would shoot him.

Barnard reported the theft after he got to school. Barnard said that other students who witnessed the incident told him Dunson’s name. Barnard identified Dunson from a photographic lineup and identified him at trial as the person who snatched his necklace.