Thomas v. State

Ruffin, Judge.

A jury convicted Jacqueline Thomas of possession of cocaine in violation of the Georgia Controlled Substances Act. Thomas appeals from her conviction and sentence of 15 years and the denial of her motion for new trial. We affirm.

During the State’s case, the court allowed a five-minute recess and excused the jury. After the jury returned and was seated, the State tendered an exhibit into evidence and Thomas’s attorney began cross-examining a prosecution witness. Approximately five minutes into the cross-examination, an absent juror walked into the courtroom and sat in the jury…