Redding v. State

MILLER, Presiding Judge.

Following a jury trial, James Redding was convicted of two counts of simple battery (OCGA § 16-5-23 (a) (1)). Redding appeals, contending that the trial court erred (i) in denying his request to instruct the jury that lack of consent is an element of the simple battery offense and (ii) in excluding evidence that the victims’ actions were indicative of gang membership. We discern no error and affirm.

Viewed in the light most favorable to the jury’s verdict,1 the trial evidence showed that Redding owned and operated the Coco Loco restaurant bar located in DeKalb County.…