Supreme Court of Georgia
Blaine v. the State.
March 11, 2019826 S.E.2d 82
Summary
The court affirmed Blaine’s convictions and sentences, holding that the prosecutor’s closing argument permissibly addressed the absence of evidence rebutting the State’s case rather than commenting on Blaine’s silence or shifting the burden of proof. It also held that Blaine received meaningful access to the courts and was not denied due process, and that counsel was not ineffective for failing to seek a continuance or mistrial on that unsupported claim. The court additionally determined that the trial evidence was sufficient to support the convictions.