McDonald v. State

Carley, Judge.

Appellant was convicted of aggravated assault. He appeals from the judgment of conviction and sentence entered on the guilty verdict.

1. Appellant first contends that the trial court erred by expressing its opinion during the course of the trial, in violation of OCGA § 17-8-55. The record reveals that the alleged expressions of opinion occurred when the trial court ruled that it would not charge the jury on self-defense, and again during the sentencing portion of the trial. On both occasions, the trial court’s remarks were made outside the presence of the jury and in the context…