Darrell Ruben Metz, Brian Davis Hickey, and Kairi Rose Williams were jointly indicted, tried, and convicted of malice murder stemming from the stabbing death of Brenda Byars.1 Their three appeals have been consolidated for review. Metz appeals in Case No. S08A1614 asserting that the trial court erred in failing to order a severance of defendants, and in giving a jury instruction on accomplice testimony; Hickey appeals in Case No. S08A1615 asserting that the court erred in denying his special demurrer, in denying a motion for mistrial, and in its jury instruction; Williams appeals in Case No. S08A1616 similarly asserting that the trial court erred in denying her motions for severance and for a mistrial. Finding no reversible error, we affirm all convictions. In the early morning hours, Metz awoke his friend, Chelsi Whitehead, and instructed her that they were leaving Metz’s apartment in DeKalb County. Metz drove his car and made a stop to pick up the victim Brenda Byars and co-defendants Hickey and Williams. The group drove to the home of a friend in Dublin, Georgia. During the drive, Whitehead heard Byars demand crack cocaine and threaten to disclose certain information to the police if the others failed to provide the drugs for her.2 Soon afterward, the same group left in another car with Metz driving. They stopped at a convenience store where Williams, accompanied by Whitehead, purchased a pair of utility gloves. The two women returned to the car and Metz continued driving. Eventually, he pulled to the side of a rural road in Henry County where Hickey and Williams “snatched” Byars from the car and began to beat her. One of the perpetrators produced a knife and stabbed Byars in the stomach. Hickey and Williams attempted to place Byars in the trunk of the car, but when she put up a struggle Metz assisted Hickey and Williams in pulling her from the trunk. She was placed on the ground and Hickey and Williams continued to beat and stab her. One of the perpetrators cut Byars’ throat; the body was then dragged into the woods. During this time, Whitehead observed Williams wearing the gloves that she had purchased at the convenience store. Metz drove the group away from the scene. Later, he and Whitehead contacted the police and reported that they had witnessed Hickey and Williams murder Byars. Utility gloves recovered from the scene tested positive for DNA from both Williams and Byars.
Sufficiency of the evidence
