Cupe v. State

Mikell, Judge.

A jury convicted Walter Charles Cupe, Jr. of battery for striking his girlfriend’s developmentally disabled eight-year-old daughter on her buttocks, legs, and lower back. OCGA § 16-5-23.1 (a). The court sentenced Cupe to 12 months to be served either in the Troup County work camp or in a work release program. After the court denied his motion for new trial, Cupe appealed, claiming that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction and that he was denied effective assistance of counsel. He further argues that the trial court erred in ruling that the victim was competent…