Patterson v. Georgia
Annotate this CaseRickey Patterson was convicted on "aggravated assault with an object" when after an argument with his girlfriend's adult son ended with Patterson going to his vehicle, putting it into gear, revving the engine, and rapidly driving directly toward the end of the home, near the son, who became pinned against the side of the home by the vehicle. The son suffered internal injuries. The Georgia Supreme Court granted certiorari to the Court of Appeals to respond to two issues: (1) whether the Appeals Court erred in concluding that the crime of simple assault did not require that the defendant have the specific intent to cause the alleged victim of the assault to suffer injury or the apprehension of injury; and (2) if the Court of Appeals did so err, whether it further erred in concluding that the trial court properly refused to instruct the jury on the crimes of reckless conduct and reckless driving as lesser included offenses of aggravated assault. The Supreme Court concluded the appellate court did not err in its conclusions, and affirmed.
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