Thomas Ray Freeman appeals his convictions for felony murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime in connection with the death of Rodney Dixon. For the reasons that follow, we affirm.1 Construed to support the verdicts, the evidence showed that Freeman was the step-father of Patrick Phillip Stahl, his co-defendant. See Stahl v. State , 284 Ga. 316 SE2d 2008. Stahl’s sister needed money for a divorce, and Stahl believed that Dixon had large amounts of cash in his house; Stahl occasionally worked at Dixon’s car sales business and assisted him in selling illegal drugs. Late in the evening of May 13, 2002, or early in the morning of May 14, 2002, Freeman and Stahl resolved to rob Dixon. Stahl gathered a pistol, mask, and gloves for himself, and Freeman drove him to a store where they bought a mask and gloves for Freeman. Freeman drove Stahl to a location near Dixon’s residence, Stahl exited the vehicle, went alone to the house, entered the home through a window, encountered Dixon, fatally shot him in the face, and searched the home.
Prior to being implicated in the crimes, Stahl told his cousin that Freeman approached him about getting money for Stahl’s sister’s divorce; Stahl said they could rob Dixon, and, after initial reluctance, Freeman agreed to participate. Other family members learned of the crimes, and telephoned law enforcement officers. Stahl first told investigating officers that he had gone to Dixon’s home to sell him a pistol, and during a dispute, the pistol accidently discharged. The officers noted that he had told family members a different version of the events, and Stahl then told the officers that: Freeman did not know of Stahl’s plan to rob Dixon; because of a ruse of Stahl’s, Freeman drove Stahl to a store that was open all night, from which Stahl walked to Dixon’s home; after committing the crimes, Stahl telephoned Freeman to pick him up at a game room; and that he continued to tell Freeman lies about what he was doing there. He later said that he did not walk from the store to Dixon’s house, but was given a ride by a stranger he met in the store parking lot.
