A Cherokee County jury convicted Harold Ledford of aggravated assault, OCGA § 16-5-21 2; possession of a knife during the commission of a crime, OCGA § 16-11-106 b 1; and misdemeanor possession of marijuana, OCGA § 16-13-30. He appeals from the denial of his motion for new trial, contending the trial court abused its discretion in admitting evidence of a similar transaction. Because we find the evidence was properly admitted, we affirm Ledford’s conviction. The record shows the following relevant facts. On December 2, 2001, the victim was visiting his ex-wife when he saw a truck driven by Ledford hit his ex-wife’s mailbox. Ledford did not stop, but continued driving down the road. The victim got into his truck and drove down the road looking for Ledford. He soon found Ledford, standing beside the truck that had hit the mailbox. The victim approached Ledford, confirmed that Ledford had just been driving the truck down the road, and said that he had seen Ledford run over the mailbox. The victim then asked Ledford to replace the mailbox and post. When Ledford refused, the victim walked away and said that he would let the police take care of the matter. An argument ensued between the victim, Ledford, and a third person sitting in Ledford’s truck. During the argument, Ledford suddenly grabbed the victim’s face and said, “You’re not leaving this yard until I cut your f___ing throat.” As the victim shoved Ledford backwards, Ledford made three swiping movements toward him with the knife. The victim was able to move out of the way. Then, after the victim talked with Ledford and the third person for a few moments, Ledford realized that he knew the victim and apologized for “pulling a knife” on him. Ledford even offered to give the knife to the victim, but the victim declined. The victim went home and called the police.
After speaking with the victim, two officers went to the house where Ledford had threatened the victim. The officers found Ledford hiding in the woods behind the house. When an officer asked Ledford if he had threatened a man with a knife, Ledford told him, “No, I pulled out a hammer.” The officer arrested Ledford for making terroristic threats. While patting down Ledford, an officer found three pocketknives in Ledford’s pockets.
