Lee v. State

Johnson, Presiding Judge.

Yung Lee was charged with cruelty to children in the first degree for beating her 17-year-old stepdaughter with a stick. Lee denied the charge and was tried before a jury, which returned a guilty verdict. Lee moved for a new trial, but the trial court denied the motion. Lee appeals, arguing that there is insufficient evidence that she acted maliciously. Contrary to Lee’s argument, there is sufficient evidence of malice.

OCGA § 16-5-70 (b) provides that a person commits cruelty to children in the first degree when she maliciously causes cruel or excessive physical or…