Following a jury trial, Hakim Muhammad appeals his conviction for malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and tampering with evidence.1 Muhammad contends that the evidence was insufficient to support the verdict and that the trial court erred by admitting similar transaction evidence. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm. 1. Viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict, the record shows that, in the fall of 2009, Muhammad and his wife Shelia separated. On October 17, 2009, Shelia rented a house that was in short walking distance from the couple’s former marital residence, where Muhammad continued to live. At approximately 7:05 a.m. on the morning of November 4, 2009, Muhammad’s son, Hakeem, saw Muhammad and Shelia leave the marital residence in Shelia’s car while Hakeem was waiting for his school bus.2 Hakeem observed that Muhammad was driving and that the vehicle turned in the direction of Shelia’s new residence. At about 7:36 a.m., Gbolii Burton, who lived next door to the house Shelia had just rented, heard the sound of breaking glass outside and called 911. Deputy Huner and Deputy Blake responded. Deputy Huner went to the back of the house and saw a broken window with glass lying on the ground below the window, indicating that the window had been broken from the inside. Through the window, Deputy Huner observed Muhammad descending an interior staircase. As soon as Muhammad saw the deputy, he turned and went back up the stairs. Deputy Huner radioed Deputy Blake that Muhammad was coming out the front door, and Deputy Blake confronted Muhammad there. Deputy Blake testified that Muhammad “was scurrying trying to leave the area real fast.” After being ordered to stop, Muhammad calmly said, “My wife is inside and I don’t think she’s breathing.” Inside the home, Shelia’s body was found lying on the floor next to a piece of white ribbon, which Shelia’s son, Javonte, had previously seen lying on the floor of Muhammad’s home. Based on marks on her neck, the State’s medical experts determined that the ribbon had been used to strangle Shelia to death. DNA testing showed that Shelia’s DNA was on the middle and ends of the ribbon where it had been around her neck, but Muhammad’s DNA was only on the ends of the ribbon, where it would have been tied or held during strangulation. Following a search, Shelia’s wedding ring was found in Muhammad’s pocket. Later, when asked by Lt. Wolfe in a recorded interview why the situation between Muhammad and Shelia had gone so far and become violent, Muhammad replied that Shelia had actually tried to choke him. Muhammad admitted he removed Shelia’s wedding ring from her finger as she lay on the floor and put it in his pocket. He also admitted he broke the rear window. Muhammad denied any intention to harm Shelia, however, and testified that he broke into her rental home from the outside to see if she was okay.
In addition, the evidence showed that, on at least two prior occasions, there had been domestic violence between Muhammad and Shelia. In one such instance, Muhammad grabbed Shelia by the throat prior to pushing her backwards. Also, similar transaction evidence was admitted showing that Muhammad had a prior romantic involvement with Alvinice Muhammad no relation. Alvinice purchased a home in Marietta that she shared with two female housemates. Alvinice allowed Muhammad to stay at that home for a few weeks. Muhammad began acting violently toward Alvinice, however, and Alvinice asked Muhammad to move out. Muhammad refused. Alvinice then decided to obtain a restraining order against Muhammad. On the morning she planned to do so, Alvinice woke to find Muhammad straddling her body and choking her with both hands on her throat. Muhammad released Alvinice only after one of her roommates ran into the room. Thereafter, Alvinice obtained the restraining order. In retaliation, Muhammad burned down Alvinice’s house, telling her: “I told you I could get into the house anytime I got ready, and if I can’t live in the house, nobody can live in the house.”
