Background
Phillip C. Dunn was convicted of murder and other crimes. The Supreme Court of Georgia affirmed his convictions in 2013.
In 2026, Dunn moved for an out-of-time appeal. The trial court dismissed that motion, and Dunn appealed to the Court of Appeals of Georgia.
The Court’s Holding
The Court of Appeals transferred the appeal to the Supreme Court of Georgia for disposition.
The court explained that the Supreme Court retains jurisdiction over all non-death-penalty murder appeals through July 1, 2027, including appeals from orders resolving post-judgment motions in murder cases. Because Dunn’s appeal arose from such a case, the Court of Appeals was required to transfer it.
Key Takeaways
- Georgia’s Supreme Court has jurisdiction over non-death-penalty murder appeals until July 1, 2027.
- That jurisdiction includes appeals from post-judgment orders in murder cases.
- The Court of Appeals did not decide the merits of Dunn’s request for an out-of-time appeal.
Why It Matters
The order confirms that jurisdiction follows the underlying murder case even when the appeal challenges a later post-judgment ruling. Parties seeking review of such rulings must proceed in the Supreme Court of Georgia during the stated jurisdictional period.