Belt v. State

I concur with Presiding Judge McMurray and wish to make the further observation that Williams v. State, 261 Ga. 640, 641 (2) (409 SE2d 649) (1991) and Stephens v. State, 261 Ga. 467 (405 SE2d 483) (1991), are rules of admissibility to ensure that the prior similar crimes are relevant, similar, and thus, admissible; such protection was fully afforded upon the trial judge holding a hearing to see if the three prongs of the Williams test were satisfied prior to such evidence being admitted at trial and the determination that such evidence was in fact admissible.

*431A defendant waives a Williams…