Appellant Tommy Weston appeals his convictions for malice murder and armed robbery,1 claiming the evidence demanded a directed verdict in his favor and that the trial court erred in admitting certain witness testimony and evidence. Having concluded that these claims are without merit, and having found the evidence sufficient to support the jury’s verdicts, we affirm. Construed most favorably to the verdicts, the evidence showed that on the night of August 9, 2000, appellant was observed by witness Barnes outside the home of Sue McDonald and Mercer Johnson, an elderly brother and sister who shared a house in rural Shellman, Georgia. At that time, appellant spoke to witness Barnes, then walked behind McDonald’s and Johnson’s house. Barnes then heard a banging noise, similar to the sound made by a slamming door. The following day, McDonald and Johnson were found semi-conscious, having been beaten and stabbed inside their home, which had been ransacked. McDonald and Johnson identified their assailant as an African-American man whom they recognized as having seen previously. McDonald and Johnson told police that the man kicked in their back door and attacked them. They both later died as a result of their injuries.
On the day following the attack, witness Barnes was eating in an area diner when he again saw appellant. Upon seeing Barnes, appellant raised his index finger to his lips, a gesture generally recognized as a signal to “be quiet.” During the robbery, a ring valued at $4,000 was torn from Sue McDonald’s finger. Appellant later sold the ring for ten dollars. The victims’ lawnmower was among the items stolen, and appellant tried to trade it with an area drug dealer in exchange for crack cocaine. At trial, similar transaction evidence was admitted to show: 1 that a few days before the attack, appellant invaded the home of a reclusive, elderly woman Goldberg, attacked her and stole items from her home, and 2 that a few days after the attack, appellant stole a toolbox from the truck of an elderly man Hunt who had given him a ride. Appellant admitted stealing items from Goldberg and Hunt, and evidence was admitted showing that he traded these stolen items for crack cocaine.
