A jury found Leroy McDaniel guilty of felony murder of Gregory Thompson during the commission of aggravated assault. He appeals from the judgment of conviction and life sentence entered on the jury’s guilty verdict.1 1. The State’s evidence showed that a verbal altercation escalated into a physical confrontation, which eventually ended in the fatal stabbing of the victim. Eyewitnesses testified that they saw McDaniel swinging a knife. The prosecution’s expert testified that Thompson died from a stab wound to the chest. McDaniel admitted that he was present and participated in the confrontation, but he denied that he had a knife or that he was responsible for the death. When construed most strongly in support of the jury’s verdict, the evidence is sufficient to authorize a rational trier of fact to find proof beyond a reasonable doubt that McDaniel was guilty of felony murder during the commission of aggravated assault. Jackson v. Virginia , 443 U. S. 307 99 SC 2781, 61 LE2d 560 1979. 2. After conducting a hearing, the trial court found that trial counsel provided McDaniel with an effective defense. He enumerates that ruling as error.
The record shows that McDaniel was represented by two lawyers who were retained by his family to defend him against all charges. To prevail on an ineffectiveness claim, he was required to show both a deficient performance on the part of his trial counsel and prejudice to his defense resulting from that deficiency. Strickland v. Washington , 466 U. S. 668 104 SC 2052, 80 LE2d 674 1984. In making that showing, McDaniel had to produce sufficient evidence to rebut the strong presumption that his attorneys provided him with effective representation. Flanigan v. State , 269 Ga. 160, 162-163 2 496 SE2d 255 1998. Both of McDaniel’s trial lawyers testified as to their extensive preparation and the thoroughness of their defense of the case. Riley v. State , 268 Ga. 640, 641 2 a 491 SE2d 802 1997. Having heard all of the evidence, including testimony from McDaniel, the trial court found that his constitutional right to effective counsel was not violated. “We must accept the trial court’s factual findings and credibility determinations unless they are clearly erroneous, but we apply the appropriate legal principles to the facts independently. Cit.” Silvers v. State , 278 Ga. 45, 46 2 597 SE2d 373 2004.
