Givens v. State

Blackburn, Judge.

In Givens v. State, 211 Ga. App. 290 (439 SE2d 22) (1993), we affirmed the convictions of Carroll Givens and Arthur Barfield for criminal attempt to possess cocaine. The Supreme Court granted certiorari and reversed our decision in Givens v. State, 264 Ga. 522 (448 SE2d 687) (1994).

As the testimony of two eyewitnesses supported the convictions, we determined that the trial court’s failure to allow each of the defendants the opportunity to open and conclude closing argument to the jury was harmless. However, the Supreme Court determined that the trial court’s denial of opening…