Opinion
A89A1939.
DECIDED FEBRUARY 7, 1990.
Entering an auto, etc. Clarke Superior Court. Before Judge Barrow.
Donald T. Wells, Jr., Kathleen J. Anderson, for appellant.
Harry N. Gordon, District Attorney, Steve C. Jones, Assistant District Attorney, for appellee.
Anthony Zackery appeals his convictions of entering an automobile with intent to commit theft and obstruction of a police officer with violence. Held:
1. Zackery contends the trial court erred by denying his motion for mistrial after a police officer testified that he had known Zackery for almost his "entire four years in law enforcement." Zackery contends this testimony impermissibly placed his character in issue. The transcript shows the response was to one question by the trial judge (asking how well the officer knew Zackery) in a series of questions testing the officer's identification of Zackery. The transcript also shows that after the motion was denied Zackery refused the court's suggestion for remedial instructions.
"[W]hether to grant a mistrial is within the sound discretion of the trial court and his ruling will not be disturbed absent an abuse of discretion. Ladson v. State, 248 Ga. 470 ( 285 S.E.2d 508) (1981)." Buxton v. State, 253 Ga. 137, 139 ( 317 S.E.2d 538). We do not find the policeman's testimony required a mistrial. In the circumstances of this case, there was no abuse of discretion by the trial judge.
2. The second enumeration contends that the trial court erred by denying Zackery's motion for a new trial on the general grounds. We disagree. "In passing upon the general grounds, this court reviews not the weight but the sufficiency of the evidence to support the verdict.... So long as there is `any evidence' to support the jury's verdict, it will not be disturbed on appeal. Eubanks v. State, 240 Ga. 544, 546 ( 242 S.E.2d 41) (1978)." Pierce v. State, 243 Ga. 454-455 ( 254 S.E.2d 838). Review of the transcript in a light most favorable to the verdict "reveals ample evidence from which any rational trier of fact could conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that [Zackery] was guilty of [the offenses] charged." Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307 (99 SC 2781, 61 L.Ed.2d 560); Baggett v. State, 257 Ga. 735 (2) ( 363 S.E.2d 257).
Judgment affirmed. Deen, P. J., and Cooper, J., concur.