X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Barnes, Presiding Judge.Jorge Ventura was convicted by a Cobb County jury of two counts of child molestation and one count of enticing a child for indecent purposes. Thereafter, Ventura filed a motion and amended motion for new trial, which the trial court denied. On appeal, Ventura contends that the prosecutor should have been disqualified because of a conflict of interest, the trial court erred by failing to permit questions about witness bias or motive, trial counsel was ineffective, and that he did not have proper notice that he might be charged with the lesser included offense of child molestation. Upon our review and consideration of Ventura’s alleged errors, we affirm.   1. Ventura does not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence, however, construed in the light most favorable to the verdict, Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U. S. 307 (99 SCt 2781, 61 LE2d 560) (1979), the evidence shows that after Ventura met the victim on Facebook, he visited her at her home, forced the 13yearold victim into her bedroom, locked the door, pulled down her pants, and inserted his finger into her vagina and fondled her breasts. This evidence was sufficient for a rational trier of fact to find Ventura guilty of the crimes charged beyond a reasonable doubt. See Castaneda v. State, 315 Ga. App. 723 (1) (727 SE2d 543) (2012).   2. Ventura contends that the prosecutor had a conflict of interest and should have been disqualified because her husband had previously represented him in an unrelated felony case in Cobb County. He contends that during his representation the prosecutor’s husband learned confidential information about him which he “may have unwittingly shared” with the prosecutor. Further, according to Ventura, the same rules of professional conduct which prohibit partner and associates at a disqualified attorney’s law firm from accepting employment, should be employed in this circumstance. In denying Ventura’s motion for new trial on this ground and ascertaining no conflict of interest, the trial court found that nothing in the Georgia Rules of professional conduct prohibit a prosecutor from prosecuting the former client of his or her spouse. We agree.During the preliminary hearing before trial, the prosecutor disclosed that her husband had previously represented Ventura in a 2010 conviction for terroristic threats. And that, in the event Ventura elected to testify, “the State could be tendering that certified conviction against Ventura.” Ventura’s attorney responded that he did not see “any conflict . . . [with] the mere fact that [the prosecutor's] husband stood beside [Ventura] when he entered a plea.” Ventura acknowledged that he was aware of the relationship, but responded when asked if he was satisfied that there was no conflict,you’re husband and wife. I mean, you talk to each other every day and every night . . . Hey, guess what. I got your — the one you represented for terroristic threat, he pleading guilty or whatever, I’m going to take him to trial. So to be honest with you I don’t know, to be honest with you.

Thereafter, the trial court found that it “was satisfied that here’s no significant conflict, or no conflict with respect to proceeding with this case based upon that sole fact. And particularly the fact that . . . it was something you were able to discuss at some time prior to the time of trial.”   In liberally construing the prosecutor’s disclosure and Ventura’s response as a motion to disqualify,[w]e apply an abuse of discretion standard when reviewing a trial court’s ruling on a motion to disqualify a prosecutor. See Head v. State [253 Ga. App. 757, 758 (2) (560 SE2d 536) (2002)] (abuse of discretion standard applies to rulings on motion to disqualify). Such an exercise of discretion is based on the trial court’s findings of fact which we must sustain if there is any evidence to support them.

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
June 20, 2024
Atlanta, GA

The Daily Report is honoring those attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession.


Learn More
April 25, 2024
Dubai

Law firms & in-house legal departments with a presence in the middle east celebrate outstanding achievement within the profession.


Learn More
April 29, 2024 - May 01, 2024
Aurora, CO

The premier educational and networking event for employee benefits brokers and agents.


Learn More

Atlanta s John Marshall Law School is seeking to hire one or more full-time, visiting Legal WritingInstructors to teach Legal Research, Anal...


Apply Now ›

Lower Manhattan firm seeks a premises liability litigator (i.e., depositions, SJ motions, and/or trials) with at least 3-6 years of experien...


Apply Now ›

Evergreen Trading is a media investment firm headquartered in NYC. We help brands achieve their goals by leveraging their unwanted assets to...


Apply Now ›
04/15/2024
Connecticut Law Tribune

MELICK & PORTER, LLP PROMOTES CONNECTICUT PARTNERS HOLLY ROGERS, STEVEN BANKS, and ALEXANDER AHRENS


View Announcement ›
04/11/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
04/08/2024
Daily Report

Daily Report 1/2 Page Professional Announcement 60 Days


View Announcement ›