Johnny Lee Ward was convicted of malice murder, felony murder, kidnapping, four counts of aggravated assault, seven counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, burglary, armed robbery, five counts of false imprisonment, and theft by taking.1 On appeal, he raises the general grounds and asserts that his custodial statement was involuntary and should have been deemed inadmissible. We find no error and affirm. Gertrude Powell was at home with her son, Willie Powell, and her grandson, Willie Powell, Jr. Another grandson, Calvin Powell, and his two cousins, Larry McTier and Moses Jones, were in front of the house in a rental car. Calvin exited the car and headed to the house. Two gunmen, wearing dark clothing with all but their eyes covered by some sort of bandana or mask, approached. One gunman put a gun in Moses’ face and ordered Moses and Larry out of the car. He forced them to lie face down on the ground and began kicking them and demanding money. The second gunman pointed a gun at Calvin and demanded money. Calvin complied. Then the second gunman ordered Calvin to approach the door of the house. When Gertrude saw that a gun was pointed at Calvin, she opened the door and allowed the second gunman and Calvin to enter. The gunman forced Willie Sr., to the floor, kicked him, and demanded money. Willie Sr. gave the gunman the money in his pocket. Calvin attempted to run back to the rental car to retrieve a gun, but the second gunman fired a shot in his direction and ordered him back inside. In the meantime, Willie Jr. emerged from his room, but only briefly because the gunman immediately instructed him to go back.
Meanwhile, Moses and Larry were still being questioned and kicked on the ground. Moses heard a shot and turned to look; he saw Larry stand and fall against the car. Moses and Larry then ran in opposite directions. Moses heard gunshots racing past him as he dove into the bushes. The gunman pursued Larry, and then returned and acted as a lookout by the door. The second gunman came out of the house and said, “I got it.” Then both gunmen jumped into the rental car and sped off.
