Following a bench trial, Craig Michael Moore appeals his conviction for the aggravated assault and murder of Jeffrey Stephenson, contending that the trial court erred by allowing both a handgun and a .9mm bullet into evidence without proof of an appropriate chain of custody.1 For the reasons set forth below, we affirm. 1. Viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict, the record shows that, at approximately 3:00 a.m. on July 25, 2002, Moore entered a convenience store he often frequented and walked to the refrigerator where the beers were kept. This refrigerator was located at the farthest end of the store from the cash register. At the refrigerator, Moore placed a beer into his pants, intending to steal it. According to Moore, Stephenson, the clerk on duty, then confronted him at the far end of the store by the refrigerator. There, Stephenson grabbed Moore’s shirt and warned him not to steal.2 Stephenson also threatened to call the police. At that point in time at the far end of the store by the refrigerator, Moore pulled a gun on the victim and pointed it at him, completing the crime of aggravated assault by pointing a gun. Then, Stephenson crossed back across the store to the cash register, presumably to use the phone located there to call the police. Moore apparently followed Stephenson. Moore then shot Stephenson three times. The medical examiner determined that Stephenson’s death was the result of multiple gunshot wounds which occurred in a brief period of time. Furthermore, investigation showed that money was stolen from the cash register, and five bullet casings were recovered from the scene. Forensic testing proved that the bullets were fired from a Glock pistol which Moore had possessed and sold shortly after the murder.3 A search of Moore’s home revealed an additional intact cartridge matching the type of ammunition fired from the murder weapon, and forensic testing showed that the cartridge had previously been chambered in the murder weapon. In addition, police recovered a pair of Moore’s tennis shoes, and blood spatters on the shoes were determined by DNA testing to be Stephenson’s blood. Upon questioning, Moore confessed to his crimes.
This evidence was sufficient to enable the trial court to determine that Moore was guilty of the crimes for which he was convicted beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia , 443 U. S. 307 99 SC 2781, 61 LE2d 560 1979; Griffin v. State , 280 Ga. 683 631 SE2d 671 2006 evidence sufficient to find aggravating circumstances under OCGA § 17-10-30 b.
