Harper v. State

Summary

The Supreme Court of Georgia affirmed the denial of Harper's amended motion for new trial. It held that the lengthy delay in pursuing his appeal did not violate due process because Harper failed to show actual prejudice, that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by denying a mistrial after the State referenced an excluded statement because the reference was not shown to be in bad faith and was promptly addressed with curative instructions, and that Harper could not establish prejudice from counsel's failure to obtain medical records concerning his injured hand.