Following a jury trial at which they were co-defendants, Xavier Dyer1 and Christopher Rozier2 appeal their convictions for the murder of Rufus Tony Richardson.3 For the reasons set forth below, we affirm in both cases. In the light most favorable to the verdict, the record shows that, on or around January 29, 2007, Xavier Dyer, Christopher Rozier, Liberty Harris, and Rufus Tony Richardson were fraternizing at Harris’ home, and some of them were smoking crack cocaine. Willie Dyer, who is not related to Xavier Dyer, was also there for part of the evening. Harris testified that, while there, she told Xavier Dyer and Rozier that she believed that Richardson was a “snitch,” and she suggested that Xavier Dyer and Rozier place rat poison in Richardson’s crack pipe to kill him. Xavier Dyer and Rozier did so, but it did not kill Richardson. Shortly thereafter, Xavier Dyer and Rozier left the house with Richardson, took him to a secluded area down Stewart Road, shot him, and left his body in some undergrowth. Willie Dyer left Harris’ house at the same time, but he did so in a separate car from the others. After shooting Richardson, Xavier Dyer and Rozier returned to Harris’ home and asked her if she wanted to see a dead body. When Harris asked who they were talking about, Rozier told her that they had murdered Richardson. Later, Xavier Dyer and Rozier gave a handgun to Kendrick Eubanks and told him to hide it because “it had a body on it.” Xavier Dyer and Rozier, however, later retrieved the gun, and it has never been found. Richardson’s body was discovered with several gunshot wounds, and he was still in possession of a crack pipe which tested positive for rat poison. Shell casings from a 9mm weapon were found under and around Richardson’s body.
In addition to this evidence, police discovered a hat owned by Richardson in Rozier’s trash, and shell casings found in Rozier’s yard had been fired from the same weapon used to kill Richardson. Also found in the yard were a grill and aluminum cans which had been shot with a firearm. Similar transaction evidence was also admitted at trial which showed that, approximately one month prior to Richardson’s murder, Xavier Dyer and Rozier drove Erica Brookin and Eubanks down Stewart Road and told them that they were going to kill them. At the time, Xavier Dyer had a .9mm handgun, and Rozier had a shotgun.
