Betsill v. State

Deen, Presiding Judge.

The appellant, Tommy Betsill, was convicted of three counts of selling cocaine in violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act. On appeal his sole contention is that the trial court improperly commented on the evidence.

During cross-examination Betsill admitted selling the cocaine as a favor to the buyer, but stated that he had not meant to violate the law. During closing argument defense counsel reiterated Betsill’s declared intent, and the trial court interjected that “[y]ou don’t have to intend to break the law, you have to intend to do the act that was done. So,…