Artez Simmons appeals his conviction for murdering Antoine Tolbert. He argues that the evidence was insufficient to support the verdict and that his trial counsel was ineffective in several ways. We affirm. 1. a The evidence at trial, viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict, showed the following.1 On the evening of July 7, 2007, Brianna Jones hosted several people in her Fulton County apartment: her relatives, Appellant and co-indictee Jesse Watson; her girlfriend, Whitney Rainey; and the victim, who was a friend of Rainey’s. After a night of drinking, Appellant, Watson, and the victim began to argue about whether a certain rap artist was broke. At some point, Appellant used the word “bitch” or “whore.” Rainey responded that if Appellant did not want to be called a “bitch,” he should not call women “whores.” Appellant said that he and Watson should not be called “bitches.” Rainey then called Watson one, and as she started to walk away, Watson punched her.
The victim then stood up and said, “It’s not fixin’ to go like that, man.” Appellant punched him in the mouth, causing it to bleed. The victim told Appellant he did not want to fight, but Watson then began hitting him. Jones ordered everyone out of her apartment and led the way out the door, after which Rainey pulled the victim outside with her. On the way out, Watson punched the victim in the back of the head. He fell to the ground, and Watson then began kicking him repeatedly in the head. Rainey saw Jones unsuccessfully try to stop Watson, as Appellant stood nearby and encouraged Watson to “beat his ass.” Rainey later told the police that Appellant kicked the victim as well, although at trial she said she was mistaken on this point. The victim lost consciousness. Jones went inside and called 911, telling the operator “they” had knocked the victim out. Rainey tried to intervene, and Watson turned to hit her, but Appellant stopped him. Appellant then said “let’s go.” Watson told Appellant to go inside and get something. Appellant did so, after which he and Watson walked to Appellant’s car, and Appellant drove Watson away from the apartment.
