Rouse v. State

Thompson, Chief Justice.

Appellant Steven Rouse was found guilty of felony murder and robbery in connection with the beating death and robbery of Scott Gillens. His motion for new trial, in which he asserted the general grounds, was denied, and he appeals, arguing that the trial court erred by commenting on the evidence in violation of OCGA § 17-8-57. After reviewing the record and relevant case law, we agree that the trial court’s statement to the venire that the murder “happened in Muscogee Count/’ violated OCGA § 17-8-57 and reverse the judgment of the trial court.1

1. Viewing the evidence…