Following a jury trial, judgments of conviction were entered against Bobby Strozier for the felony murder of Dianne Mitchell with aggravated assault as the underlying felony, aggravated assaults on Derek Jones and Melody Bonner, and two counts of possession of firearm during the commission of a felony.1 On appeal, Strozier submits, inter alia, that the trial court was without authority to preside over the trial, that the court erred in denying his motion to sever his trial from that of co-defendant Darrick Hubbard, as well as refusing to grant a severance of offenses, and that he was denied effective assistance of trial counsel. Finding no error, we affirm. This night-long crime spree began at about 10:00 p.m. when Strozier, co-defendant Hubbard,2 and a man identified as Barry B, all of whom were armed, gained entry to the home of Derek Jones and Melody Bonner. Several others were visiting the apartment at the time. Barry held two of the occupants of the apartment at gunpoint in the living room. Strozier and Hubbard went to the back of the apartment and ordered Jones and Bonner out of a closet where they were hiding, and brought them into the living room at gunpoint. In the process, Strozier hit Jones in the head with his pistol. The intruders demanded money from the victims and threatened to shoot them. Jones managed to escape through a window as Strozier fired several shots at him, grazing his arm.
In the early morning hours, Strozier, Hubbard, and Barry drove to a crack house owned by Charles Spikes. Later, Katrina Gemes arrived at the house. Hubbard accused Gemes of being a “snitch” while he beat her repeatedly with his pistol. Hubbard told Strozier that he intended to kill Gemes and he instructed Strozier to guard her. Strozier complied by cocking his weapon and holding her at gunpoint. Meanwhile, Spikes went out in search of women and he returned with Dianne Mitchell. Mitchell had sex with two of the men in exchange for cocaine. Then Strozier went into the bedroom, ordered Mitchell at gunpoint to perform oral sex, and threatened to shoot her if she failed to comply. Strozier and Hubbard debated as to whose turn it was to kill someone; whereupon, Hubbard shot Mitchell. She bled to death later that morning from a gunshot wound to the lower abdomen.
