A Georgia appeals court has upheld the conviction and 25-year prison sentence of Edouard Kamdem, a former nursing assistant accused of attempting to rape a helpless patient under his care.

Background of the Case

The incident occurred on September 5, 2021, at the Mann House, a specialized care facility in Fulton County. The victim, an elderly dementia patient, required around-the-clock supervision. Shift supervisor Shena Edgerton discovered Kamdem in the victim’s bed, making thrusting motions, and he was subsequently arrested and charged.

Kamdem denied the assault, testifying that he was simply performing his routine duties and was sitting on the edge of the bed to change the patient’s diaper when the supervisor walked in. However, the appellate court rejected this argument, citing the eyewitness description and corroborating hallway surveillance footage.

Appeal and Ruling

Kamdem’s appeal challenged the trial court’s decision to admit two additional surveillance videos that the prosecution received from the facility owners and handed over to the defense mid-trial. The appellate court noted that under state law, a court has wide latitude to remedy discovery delays and can only exclude evidence if there is proof of bad faith by the state.

The court also dismissed Kamdem’s claims of ineffective assistance of counsel, ruling that his lawyer’s strategy was reasonable. With all of Kamdem’s legal challenges dismissed, his 25-year sentence in confinement stands.

Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.