Ryan Williams v. State

Opinion

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia

ATLANTA,____________________ September 11, 2025

The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order:

A26A0223. RYAN WILLIAMS v. THE STATE.

Ryan Williams was convicted of felony murder and other crimes and sentenced to life in prison. After the trial court denied his motion for new trial, Harris filed the instant appeal. We lack jurisdiction. The Supreme Court of Georgia has appellate jurisdiction over “[a]ll cases in which a sentence of death was imposed or could be imposed.” Ga. Const. of 1983, Art. VI, Sec. VI, Par. III (8). Because a penalty of death may be imposed for the crime of felony murder, jurisdiction over this appeal lies in the Supreme Court. See OCGA § 16-5-1 (c), (e) (1); see also Hart v. State, Ga. , (1) (917 SE2d 631) (Case No. S25A0136, June 24, 2025) (even in murder cases in which the death penalty was not sought, the Supreme Court has opted to exercise its jurisdiction to review all such cases). Thus, this appeal is hereby TRANSFERRED to the Supreme Court for disposition.

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia Clerk’s Office, Atlanta,____________________ 09/11/2025 I certify that the above is a true extract from the minutes of the Court of Appeals of Georgia. Witness my signature and the seal of said court hereto affixed the day and year last above written.

, Clerk.