Dustin Michael Steen was convicted of malice murder and related offenses after a fatal stabbing outside a Burke County bar. He raised multiple claims concerning trial counsel, evidentiary rulings, jury instructions, and his right to be present. The Supreme Court of Georgia affirmed the convictions supported by the record but vacated the portion of the judgment affected by a sentencing and merger error. It remanded for the trial court to make the findings and conduct the proceedings required by the opinion, after which the parties could appeal unresolved issues.