Phillips v. State

Hill, Chief Justice.

We granted certiorari in Phillips v. State, 171 Ga. App. 827 (321 SE2d 393) (1984), to determine whether a defendant in a criminal case who introduces evidence tending to show his bad character has “put his character in issue” within the meaning of OCGA § 24-9-20 (b).1

Jimmy Lee Phillips was indicted for and convicted of a robbery by intimidation which occurred in Dougherty County, Georgia, on May 17, 1982. His defense was that he was at his aunt’s home in Deerfield, Florida, from May 6 until June 1, 1982. On direct examination, his attorney asked him, “[W]hy did you go…