Vurgess v. State of Georgia

Beasley, Judge.

Pursuant to OCGA § 16-13-49, the State petitioned to condemn $7,442 in cash claimed to belong to Vurgess which had been seized along with stolen goods and drugs when a search warrant for an apartment was executed. After a bench trial, the lower court entered judgment in favor of Vurgess and dismissed the State’s petition. Four days later, Vurgess’ attorney obtained the money from the custodian. The State appealed the court’s adverse determination. This Court reversed the trial court, holding that it erred in failing to dismiss Vurgess’ answer to the condemnation petition…