GA 16-5-46 - GA 16-5-46

JUDICIAL DECISIONS Convictions did not merge. - Trial court did not err in imposing separate sentences on Counts 1, 3, and 5, instead of merging the sentences and imposing a single life sentence, because Counts 1, 3, and 5 of the indictment each alleged that the defendant trafficked the victim for sexual servitude on different dates - between January 1 and April 1, 2012, between April 5 and 8, 2012, and on April 10, 2012; none of those dates or time periods overlapped; and each count was supported by specific, distinguishable, and independent evidence at trial; thus, the defendant was not convicted on more than one count for the same actions committed on a single day or during the same period of days as would be required for the convictions to merge as a matter of fact. Byrd v. State, 344 ...