FIRST DIVISION BARNES, P. J., GOBEIL and MARKLE, JJ.
NOTICE: Motions for reconsideration must be physically received in our clerk’s office within ten days of the date of decision to be deemed timely filed. https://www.gaappeals.us/rules
DEADLINES ARE NO LONGER TOLLED IN THIS COURT. ALL FILINGS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITHIN THE TIMES SET BY OUR COURT RULES.
September 16, 2021
In the Court of Appeals of Georgia A21A0916. HENDERSON v. THE STATE.
PER CURIAM.
Following a jury trial, Tavarres Henderson was convicted in Richmond County
Superior Court of robbery by intimidation. Henderson now appeals from the denial
of his motion for a new trial, arguing that the trial court erred in considering his
criminal history during sentencing. He further contends that the trial court erred in
awarding restitution without affording him a hearing and without having evidence on
which to base such an award. For the reasons explained more fully below, we find no
reversible error by the trial court in considering Henderson’s criminal history during
sentencing, and we therefore affirm the conviction and sentencing order. We further
find, however, that the trial court erred in entering a restitution order before holding
a hearing and receiving evidence on that issue. Accordingly, we vacate the trial court’s restitution order and remand the case for further proceedings consistent with
this opinion.
Viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict,1 the record shows that the
victim was driving home one evening in a pickup truck that he used for work.
Henderson and an accomplice forced the victim to stop by pulling their car in front
of the truck, causing a minor collision. Henderson exited the car holding a gun and
took $60 from the victim’s front pocket. After taking the victim’s cash, Henderson
drove away with the victim’s truck, hitting the car driven by his accomplice.
The victim provided police with a description of the car used by the robbers,
including the damage the car sustained when hit by the victim’s truck. Approximately
two hours after the incident, police made a traffic stop of a car matching that
description. A man later identified as Henderson got out of the car and fled the scene
before he could be questioned by police. During a search of the vehicle, which was
owned by Henderson, officers located several items taken from the victim’s truck.
Police subsequently located and arrested Henderson, and he and his accomplice
were indicted together for armed robbery, hijacking a motor vehicle, possession of
a firearm during the commission of a crime, and possession of a firearm by a
1 See Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U. S. 307 (99 SCt 2781, 61 LE2d 560) (1979).
2 convicted felon.2 The jury found Henderson guilty of the lesser included offense of
robbery by intimidation and acquitted him of hijacking a motor vehicle and
possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. The State thereafter nolle
prossed the charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Immediately after dismissing the jury, the trial court proceeded with the
sentencing hearing. When the court asked the prosecutor for Henderson’s criminal
history, the prosecutor stated that Henderson had a 2002 conviction in South Carolina
for impersonating a law enforcement officer and a 2004 conviction in Florida for
grand theft of a motor vehicle, giving a false name to an officer, and possession of a
sealed handcuff key. Although the State did not offer the court copies of the
convictions, Henderson did not object to the prosecutor’s statements or dispute his
prior convictions.
The trial court sentenced Henderson to 20 years, with 18 years to be served in
incarceration and the balance on probation. The court also announced at the
sentencing hearing that it would leave the issue of restitution open for 60 days so that
2 The accomplice was not tried with Henderson.
3 an appropriate restitution amount could be determined.3 Although the record reflects
that no restitution hearing was ever held, the trial court entered a restitution order on
April 25, 2018. In that order, the court noted that Henderson had been sentenced on
February 27, 2018; that “restitution was left open for 90 days past [Henderson’s]
sentencing date”; and that “the restitution amount was determined to be proper in the
amount of $3987.97.”
Following his conviction, Henderson filed a motion for a new trial. The trial
court denied that motion, and Henderson now appeals from that order.
1. Henderson asserts that the trial court erred in considering his prior
convictions during sentencing. We disagree.
(a) Under Georgia law, the trial judge in all non-death penalty felony cases is
required to conduct a sentencing hearing, at which he or she “shall hear additional
evidence in extenuation, mitigation, and aggravation of punishment, including the
record of any prior criminal convictions.” OCGA § 17-10-2 (a) (1). And Georgia’s
criminal discovery statute (OCGA § 17-16-1, et seq.) provides that “[t]he prosecuting
attorney shall, no later than 10 days prior to trial, or at such time as the court orders
3 In contrast, in its sentencing order, the trial court stated that it was leaving the question of restitution open for 90 days.
4 but in no event later than the beginning of trial, provide the defendant with notice of
any evidence in aggravation of punishment that the state intends to introduce in
sentencing.” OCGA § 17-16-4 (a) (5).
On appeal, Henderson contends that the State failed to comply with the notice
requirements of OCGA § 17-16-4 (a) (5) and that the trial court therefore could not
consider his prior convictions during sentencing. Henderson’s argument, however,
ignores the fact that the State is not subject to the statutory notice requirements unless
the defendant has provided written notice pursuant to OCGA § 17-16-2 (a)4 that he
has elected to participate in reciprocal discovery. See Soler v. State, 354 Ga. App. 93,
97 (2) (840 SE2d 169) (2020) (“Under the current statutory scheme, the State is not
required to provide notice of its intent to use a prior conviction in aggravation of
sentencing under OCGA § 17-16-4 (a) (5) unless written notice of a defendant’s
election to participate in reciprocal discovery under OCGA § 17-16-2 (a) is provided
to the State.”) (citation and punctuation omitted). Here, the appellate record contains
no evidence showing that either Henderson or the State “opted into the reciprocal
4 OCGA § 17-16-2
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FIRST DIVISION BARNES, P. J., GOBEIL and MARKLE, JJ.
NOTICE: Motions for reconsideration must be physically received in our clerk’s office within ten days of the date of decision to be deemed timely filed. https://www.gaappeals.us/rules
DEADLINES ARE NO LONGER TOLLED IN THIS COURT. ALL FILINGS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITHIN THE TIMES SET BY OUR COURT RULES.
September 16, 2021
In the Court of Appeals of Georgia A21A0916. HENDERSON v. THE STATE.
PER CURIAM.
Following a jury trial, Tavarres Henderson was convicted in Richmond County
Superior Court of robbery by intimidation. Henderson now appeals from the denial
of his motion for a new trial, arguing that the trial court erred in considering his
criminal history during sentencing. He further contends that the trial court erred in
awarding restitution without affording him a hearing and without having evidence on
which to base such an award. For the reasons explained more fully below, we find no
reversible error by the trial court in considering Henderson’s criminal history during
sentencing, and we therefore affirm the conviction and sentencing order. We further
find, however, that the trial court erred in entering a restitution order before holding
a hearing and receiving evidence on that issue. Accordingly, we vacate the trial court’s restitution order and remand the case for further proceedings consistent with
this opinion.
Viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict,1 the record shows that the
victim was driving home one evening in a pickup truck that he used for work.
Henderson and an accomplice forced the victim to stop by pulling their car in front
of the truck, causing a minor collision. Henderson exited the car holding a gun and
took $60 from the victim’s front pocket. After taking the victim’s cash, Henderson
drove away with the victim’s truck, hitting the car driven by his accomplice.
The victim provided police with a description of the car used by the robbers,
including the damage the car sustained when hit by the victim’s truck. Approximately
two hours after the incident, police made a traffic stop of a car matching that
description. A man later identified as Henderson got out of the car and fled the scene
before he could be questioned by police. During a search of the vehicle, which was
owned by Henderson, officers located several items taken from the victim’s truck.
Police subsequently located and arrested Henderson, and he and his accomplice
were indicted together for armed robbery, hijacking a motor vehicle, possession of
a firearm during the commission of a crime, and possession of a firearm by a
1 See Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U. S. 307 (99 SCt 2781, 61 LE2d 560) (1979).
2 convicted felon.2 The jury found Henderson guilty of the lesser included offense of
robbery by intimidation and acquitted him of hijacking a motor vehicle and
possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. The State thereafter nolle
prossed the charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Immediately after dismissing the jury, the trial court proceeded with the
sentencing hearing. When the court asked the prosecutor for Henderson’s criminal
history, the prosecutor stated that Henderson had a 2002 conviction in South Carolina
for impersonating a law enforcement officer and a 2004 conviction in Florida for
grand theft of a motor vehicle, giving a false name to an officer, and possession of a
sealed handcuff key. Although the State did not offer the court copies of the
convictions, Henderson did not object to the prosecutor’s statements or dispute his
prior convictions.
The trial court sentenced Henderson to 20 years, with 18 years to be served in
incarceration and the balance on probation. The court also announced at the
sentencing hearing that it would leave the issue of restitution open for 60 days so that
2 The accomplice was not tried with Henderson.
3 an appropriate restitution amount could be determined.3 Although the record reflects
that no restitution hearing was ever held, the trial court entered a restitution order on
April 25, 2018. In that order, the court noted that Henderson had been sentenced on
February 27, 2018; that “restitution was left open for 90 days past [Henderson’s]
sentencing date”; and that “the restitution amount was determined to be proper in the
amount of $3987.97.”
Following his conviction, Henderson filed a motion for a new trial. The trial
court denied that motion, and Henderson now appeals from that order.
1. Henderson asserts that the trial court erred in considering his prior
convictions during sentencing. We disagree.
(a) Under Georgia law, the trial judge in all non-death penalty felony cases is
required to conduct a sentencing hearing, at which he or she “shall hear additional
evidence in extenuation, mitigation, and aggravation of punishment, including the
record of any prior criminal convictions.” OCGA § 17-10-2 (a) (1). And Georgia’s
criminal discovery statute (OCGA § 17-16-1, et seq.) provides that “[t]he prosecuting
attorney shall, no later than 10 days prior to trial, or at such time as the court orders
3 In contrast, in its sentencing order, the trial court stated that it was leaving the question of restitution open for 90 days.
4 but in no event later than the beginning of trial, provide the defendant with notice of
any evidence in aggravation of punishment that the state intends to introduce in
sentencing.” OCGA § 17-16-4 (a) (5).
On appeal, Henderson contends that the State failed to comply with the notice
requirements of OCGA § 17-16-4 (a) (5) and that the trial court therefore could not
consider his prior convictions during sentencing. Henderson’s argument, however,
ignores the fact that the State is not subject to the statutory notice requirements unless
the defendant has provided written notice pursuant to OCGA § 17-16-2 (a)4 that he
has elected to participate in reciprocal discovery. See Soler v. State, 354 Ga. App. 93,
97 (2) (840 SE2d 169) (2020) (“Under the current statutory scheme, the State is not
required to provide notice of its intent to use a prior conviction in aggravation of
sentencing under OCGA § 17-16-4 (a) (5) unless written notice of a defendant’s
election to participate in reciprocal discovery under OCGA § 17-16-2 (a) is provided
to the State.”) (citation and punctuation omitted). Here, the appellate record contains
no evidence showing that either Henderson or the State “opted into the reciprocal
4 OCGA § 17-16-2 (a) provides, in relevant part, that the criminal discovery statute “shall apply to all criminal cases in which at least one felony offense is charged in the event that at or prior to arraignment, or at such time as the court permits, the defendant provides written notice to the prosecuting attorney that such defendant elects to have [the statute] apply to the defendant’s case.”
5 discovery provisions of [the criminal discovery statute]. Thus the ten-day time
requirement of OCGA § 17-16-4 (a) [(5)] did not apply in this case.” Sullins v. State,
350 Ga. App. 83, 91 (3) (a) (828 SE2d 142) (2019). See also Wright v. State, 226 Ga.
App. 848, 849-850 (4) (487 SE2d 405) (1997).
(b) During the sentencing hearing, the State’s evidence of Henderson’s prior
convictions consisted of the statements of the prosecutor, which were not challenged
by Henderson. See State v. Rosenbaum, 305 Ga. 442, 451 (2) (a) (826 SE2d 18)
(2019) (because “attorneys are officers of the court,” in the context of the hearing, “a
statement to the court in [the attorney’s] place is prima facie true and needs no further
verification unless the same is required by the court or the opposite party”) (citation
and punctuation omitted); Johnson v. State, 348 Ga. App. 667, 673 (1) (a) (824 SE2d
561) (2019) (noting that “in the absence of an objection, a prosecutor’s evidentiary
proffers to the trial court during a hearing will be treated on appeal as the equivalent
of evidence”) (citation and punctuation omitted). On appeal, Henderson contends that
the trial court erred in considering this evidence because the State was required to
provide the court with certified copies of any prior convictions. Given that Henderson
failed to object to the State’s evidence at the time it was offered, however, he is
barred from raising this issue on appeal. See Foston v. State, 342 Ga. App. 508, 510
6 (2) (804 SE2d 151) (2017) (defendant’s failure to challenge in the trial court the
alleged deficiency in his prior conviction waived appellate review of the issue); Rubi
v. State, 258 Ga. App. 815, 820 (4) (575 SE2d 719) (2002) (“Objections to evidence
cannot be raised for the first time either in a motion for new trial or on appeal, and the
admission of evidence will not be reviewed by this court where no objection was
made below to its admission.”) (citation and punctuation omitted).
2. Henderson argues that the trial court erred in entering a restitution order
without holding a hearing or otherwise receiving any competent evidence on the issue
of restitution. We agree.
Georgia law permits a trial court to enter a restitution award in an amount not
to exceed the victim’s damages.5 OCGA §§ 17-14-3 (a); 17-14-9. Where “the parties
have not agreed on the amount of restitution prior to sentencing, the [trial court] shall
set a date for a hearing to determine restitution.” OCGA § 17-14-7 (b). At such a
hearing, the State bears the burden of proving, by a preponderance of the evidence,
“the amount of the loss sustained by [the] victim,” while the defendant must prove
5 The restitution statute defines “damages” as “all special damages which a victim could recover against an offender in a civil action, . . . based on the same act or acts for which the offender is sentenced, except punitive damages and damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish, or loss of consortium.” OCGA § 17-14-2 (2).
7 both his financial resources and the financial needs of his dependents. OCGA §
17-14-7 (b). And when determining the amount of restitution to be paid, the trial court
should consider the factors set forth in OCGA § 17-14-10 (a) (1)-(8).
Here, the record shows that the trial court entered the restitution order without
holding a hearing. Moreover, neither party introduced any evidence at trial or at the
sentencing hearing that demonstrated either the amount of the victim’s damages or
Henderson’s ability to pay restitution. Given that the restitution award lacked an
evidentiary basis and failed to comply with the relevant statutory requirements, we
vacate the restitution order and remand the case for a restitution hearing. See Parker
v. State, 320 Ga. App. 319, 323-324 (2) (741 SE2d 159) (2013).
Judgment affirmed in part and vacated in part, and case remanded with
direction. Division Per Curiam. All Judges concur.