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Morris v. State

The defendant's confession to a clergyman who was a longtime friend and father figure was not privileged since he was seeking only the help of a respected friend, not comfort or solace of a spiritual nature.

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Appellant James Morris appeals his convictions for murder and related crimes,1 and his resulting life sentence. Having reviewed the record, we conclude that under the circumstances of this case, appellant’s statements to a family friend who had recently become a minister did not fall within the scope of Georgia’s statutory privilege attaching to communications made to members of the clergy. Finding no merit to appellant’s other claims of error, we affirm.

The evidence of record shows that appellant met his wife as she returned home from work one day and shot her to death. He then took his two daughters to the home of his step-sister, Davis, and told Davis that he had shot and killed his wife. Appellant then telephoned his long-time friend and “father figure,” Reverend Donald Boyd, and arranged to meet him in a restaurant parking lot. Appellant told Reverend Boyd that he had killed his wife, and that he wanted to turn himself in. Reverend Boyd then drove appellant to the police station, where appellant confessed to his crimes.

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