Smith v. State

Beasley, Judge.

John Andrew Smith appeals his conviction for aggravated assault (OCGA § 16-5-21) arising out of his pouring rubbing alcohol on his girl friend and setting her afire. He claims the court erred in (a) admitting evidence he previously attacked his estranged wife with a machete and (b) sua sponte charging the jury on voluntary intoxication.

1. “The object of all legal investigation is the discovery of truth. The rules of evidence are framed with a view to this prominent end, seeking always for pure sources and the highest evidence.” An age- old question is whether and under what…