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Gresham v. Smith

Citations: 226 Ga. 290; 174 S.E.2d 420; 1970 Ga. LEXIS 513Docket: 25718

Court: Supreme Court of Georgia; April 9, 1970; Georgia; State Supreme Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

The 1967 ruling in Whitus v. Georgia is not applied retroactively to the appellant’s case, as there was no prior challenge concerning racial discrimination in the juror selection during the trial on October 15, 1960. Errors 1 and 2 raised by the appellant are deemed without merit. In addressing error 3, the court found no violation of constitutional rights under the 5th and 6th Amendments. The appellant's habeas corpus petition failed to provide factual support for claims of constitutional violations, as established in Salisbury v. Grimes. The appellant was represented by counsel and voluntarily pled guilty to charges of murder and robbery, and the proceedings, although held in chambers, indicated that he concurred with his counsel's actions. Consequently, the trial court's decision to remand the petitioner to custody was affirmed, with all justices concurring in the judgment.

Legal Issues Addressed

Affirmation of Lower Court’s Decision

Application: The decision to remand the appellant to custody was affirmed by the court, with all justices agreeing with the judgment.

Reasoning: Consequently, the trial court's decision to remand the petitioner to custody was affirmed, with all justices concurring in the judgment.

Constitutional Rights under the 5th and 6th Amendments

Application: The appellant's claim of constitutional rights violations under the 5th and 6th Amendments was not supported by factual evidence, and thus, no violation was found.

Reasoning: In addressing error 3, the court found no violation of constitutional rights under the 5th and 6th Amendments.

Habeas Corpus Petitions and Factual Support

Application: The appellant's habeas corpus petition was dismissed due to lack of factual support for alleged constitutional violations, consistent with the precedent set in Salisbury v. Grimes.

Reasoning: The appellant's habeas corpus petition failed to provide factual support for claims of constitutional violations, as established in Salisbury v. Grimes.

Non-Retroactivity of Judicial Decisions

Application: The court declined to apply the Whitus v. Georgia decision retroactively to the appellant’s case as there was no prior challenge concerning racial discrimination in juror selection.

Reasoning: The 1967 ruling in Whitus v. Georgia is not applied retroactively to the appellant’s case, as there was no prior challenge concerning racial discrimination in the juror selection during the trial on October 15, 1960.

Voluntary Guilty Plea and Representation by Counsel

Application: The court found that the appellant voluntarily pled guilty to the charges while being represented by counsel, indicating concurrence with the legal strategy employed.

Reasoning: The appellant was represented by counsel and voluntarily pled guilty to charges of murder and robbery, and the proceedings, although held in chambers, indicated that he concurred with his counsel's actions.