X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

A Crisp County jury found Michael Anderson guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of burglary, OCGA § 16-7-1. Following the denial of his motion for a new trial, Anderson appeals, contending the trial court abused its discretion in denying his motion for a continuance and his motion for a new trial based on newly discovered evidence. For the following reasons, we affirm. 1. Anderson contends the trial court abused its discretion in denying his request to delay the commencement of a retrial. Specifically, Anderson claims and the State concedes that his case first went to trial on May 20, 2004 and concluded on May 21, 2004. After the jury began deliberating, a juror reported to the trial court that he realized he had seen Anderson at the scene of the crime. Late in the day on May 21, a Friday, the trial court declared a mistrial based on the discovery that a juror had personal knowledge of the events at issue. The trial court indicated that because Anderson’s case was the only one left on the calendar the retrial would begin the following Monday morning. According to Anderson, he moved for a continuance during an unrecorded meeting in chambers, and the trial court orally denied the motion. The retrial began on Monday, May 24, 2004. Anderson took no action on the record to renew his objection to the timing of the retrial or to make a record of the trial court’s ruling. Nor has Anderson implemented any of the mechanisms provided in OCGA § 5-6-41 for supplementing the record on appeal.

We cannot disregard these omissions, as Anderson suggests, on the assumption that “no Appellant in his right mind would proceed to trial less than three days after he has been identified by a witness as being at the scene of a crime without having the opportunity to investigate the claims made against him.” Where appellant asserts error and no objection is made at the trial it cannot be made the basis of appellate review, either as a ground of a motion for new trial, or as a ground of enumerated error on direct appeal. Appellate courts review enumerations for correction of errors of law committed by the trial court —where motions or objections are properly presented for a ruling by the trial court. Enumerated errors which raise issues for the first time in a motion for new trial or on appeal present nothing for review. Footnote omitted. Ayers v. State , 251 Ga. App. 623, 625-626 5 555 SE2d 4 2001. Because Anderson’s motion for a continuance was not made a part of the record in the court below, Anderson failed to preserve any error in this regard for our appellate review. Phillips v. State , __Ga.__ Case No. S05A1553, decided October 3, 2005.

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

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
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
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
October 15, 2024
Los Angeles, CA

Join the industry's top owners, investors, developers, brokers & financiers at THE MULTIFAMILY EVENT OF THE YEAR!


Learn More
October 15, 2024
Los Angeles, CA

Law.com celebrates the California law firms and legal departments driving the state's dynamic legal landscape.


Learn More
October 15, 2024
Dallas, TX

The Texas Lawyer honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in Texas.


Learn More

Javerbaum Wurgaft, a large civil litigation firm with nine (9) offices, seeks: Plaintiff Personal Injury Attorney for Northern New Jersey of...


Apply Now ›

Mid sized NYC Personal Injury Defense Firm seeking to immediately hire several attorneys to join our firm. Preferred candidates are those w...


Apply Now ›

Mid-size Parsippany based law firm with a statewide practice is searching for a full-time motivated associate litigation attorney with 3-5 y...


Apply Now ›