Supreme Court of Georgia

Russell v. the State.

April 16, 2018813 S.E.2d 380

Summary

The court affirmed Russell's convictions for malice murder and aggravated assault, holding that the evidence was sufficient for a rational jury to find the required intent and reject his justification defense. It also held that the trial court did not plainly err by refusing to give a mutual-combat instruction because the evidence showed playful conduct that escalated into an assault, not a mutually agreed fight. No separate opinions were filed.