State v. Clements

OPINION

FRUMAN, Judge.

Defendant appeals his conviction and sentence for aggravated battery with the use of a firearm. His first issue is whether the trial court abused its discretion in proceeding with the trial in his absence. Because we reverse and remand upon our analysis of this issue, we need not consider the additional issues raised in defendant’s docketing statement, his motion to amend that statement, and his brief-in-chief.

BACKGROUND

When the trial commenced in Roswell, the state called two witnesses and rested. Defendant called his first witness. The trial was then recessed. When…