State of Tennessee v. William Robert Diaz ( 1998 )

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT KNOXVILLE FILED
SEPTEMBER 1997 SESSION
May 1, 1998
Cecil Crowson, Jr.
Appellate C ourt Clerk
STATE OF TENNESSEE )
) NO. 03C01-9610-CC-00375
Appellee, )
) ANDERSON COUNTY
v. )
) HON. JAMES B. SCOTT, JR.
WILLIAM ROBERT DIAZ )
) (2nd Deg. Mur. & Att. Mur.)
Appellant )
)
For the Appellant For the Appellee
J. Thomas Marshall, Jr. John Knox Walkup
District Public Defender Attorney General & Reporter
101 South Main Street, Ste. 450
Clinton, TN. 37716 Timothy F. Behan
Assistant Attorney General
425 Fifth Avenue North
2nd Floor Cordell Hull Building
Nashville, TN. 37243-0493
James N. Ramsey
District Attorney General
Janice G. Hicks
Assistant District Attorney General
127 Anderson County Courthouse
Clinton, TN. 37716
OPINION FILED:____________________
AFFIRMED
WILLIAM M. BARKER, JUDGE
OPINION
The appellant, William Robert Diaz, appeals as of right the convictions and
sentences he received in the Criminal Court of Anderson County. After a jury trial, the
appellant was convicted of second degree murder and attempted second degree
murder and was sentenced as a Range I standard offender to twenty-two (22) years
for the murder and to twelve (12) years for attempted murder. 1 The sentences were
ordered to be served concurrently.
On appeal, the appellant contends that: (1) The trial court erroneously allowed
his pretrial statements to be admitted into evidence; (2) The evidence at trial was
insufficient to sustain his convictions; (3) The trial court erred in limiting the testimony
of defense witness, Raymond Mitchell; and (4) The trial court erred in sentencing him
to twenty-two (22) years for second degree murder and to twelve (12) years for
attempted second degree murder.
After a review of the record, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
On June 19, 1994, the appellant shot his former girlfriend, Linda Arthur, and her
twenty two-year-old daughter, Terri White, with a .22 caliber revolver. Ms. Arthur
survived with extensive injuries to her face; however, Ms. White died almost
immediately from a gunshot wound to the head. The facts surrounding the shooting
are sharply disputed between the appellant and Ms. Arthur.
Ms. Arthur testified that she became romantically involved with the appellant in
1990 after she began working for his engineering consulting business. 2 The two
maintained their personal and professional relationship for several years before
eventually moving to Clinton, Tennessee in 1992. Following their move to Tennessee,
1
The appellant was indicted on the charges of first degree murder and attempted first degree
murder.
2
The appellant operated his own business as an engineering consultant after he received
training at Aiken Technical College in Aiken, South Carolina, and the University of South Carolina.
2
they formed a small corporation, Lintech Nuclear, Inc., and began conducting various
contract and temporary agency work. Ms. Arthur served as president of the
corporation and lived with the appellant in a house financed under the corporation
name. Although the appellant and Ms. Arthur purchased an engagement ring and
planned to get married, they were not married at the time of the shooting.
According to Ms. Arthur, she had planned a cookout for the appellant on June
19, 1994, because appellant’s two children, Larry and Roger, were visiting for Father’s
Day.3 The appellant spent the day working in the yard and watching movies with his
two sons while Ms. Arthur relaxed on the patio. The appellant visited with his children
until after dark and eventually went to bed around 9:30 p.m..
Ms. Arthur testified that shortly thereafter, she began moving stereo speakers
back into the living room from the patio. While cleaning up the living room, she
accidently turned on the stereo inside the house and woke the appellant from his
sleep. According to her testimony, the appellant walked out of his bedroom and
smashed the stereo onto the floor. When Ms. Arthur asked him what was wrong, he
grabbed her by the throat, pushed her out onto the deck, and slammed her against the
deck railing. Ms. Arthur testified that the appellant told her, “I could kill you right now,
you mean nothing to me.”4
Following that outburst, the appellant went back inside the house and sat down
on his bed. Ms. Arthur testified that she asked the appellant to take her to a nearby
hospital; however, the appellant refused because he had been drinking alcohol and
did not want to drive. According to Ms. Arthur, the appellant appeared angry and
frustrated, however, he did not show signs of intoxication. She testified that he
3
The re cord is un clear as to the age s of the a ppellant’s tw o children on the da te of the sh ooting.
Howe ver, there w as evide nce tha t appellant’s yo unges t son, Larr y, was twelve or thirteen a nd that bo th
boys we re in the cu stody of the ir mothe r.
4
The State sought to prove that the appellant had threatened to kill Ms. Arthur before June 19,
1994. The appellant’s neighbor, Randall Sharp, testified that he overheard the appellant say he was
going to k ill Ms. Arthur, a few m onths b efore the shooting .
3
grabbed the bedpost and pulled the bed apart in anger before leaving the house with
his son, Larry.
A short time later, the appellant returned to the house accompanied by Ms.
Arthur’s daughter, Terri White. Ms. White agreed to take Ms. Arthur to the hospital
and the three discussed the arrangements in the living room. Ms. Arthur testified that
the appellant and Ms. White began arguing after Ms. White expressed disapproval of
the appellant’s treatment of her mother. According to Ms. Arthur, the appellant said,
“Wait a minute, I want to show you something.” The appellant thereafter retrieved his
.22 caliber pistol and returned to confront the two women.
Ms. Arthur testified that she overheard Ms. White say, “You ought to use that
on yourself, Bill,” as the appellant took aim at Ms. White. When the appellant first
pulled the trigger, the pistol clicked but did not fire. The appellant pulled the trigger a
second time and the weapon fired a bullet into Ms. White’s forehead. Thereafter, the
appellant turned the gun on Ms. Arthur and fired a final shot. The bullet struck Ms.
Arthur in the face as she was moving towards her injured daughter.
Randall Sharp, a neighbor who lived nearby the appellant’s house, testified that
although he did not hear the gunshots, he received a visit from the appellant around
10:15 p.m. that evening. According to Mr. Sharp, the appellant appeared to be frantic
and he admitted to Mr. Sharp that he had shot Ms. Arthur and Ms. W hite. Mr. Sharp
testified that he immediately went to appellant’s house to check on the two victims.
He administered CPR to Ms. White; however, she did not respond.
The appellant testified in his own defense that he never pointed the gun at Ms.
Arthur or Ms. White. He stated, instead, that he turned the gun upon himself because
his relationship with Ms. Arthur and Ms. White had become overbearing. According to
the appellant, Ms. Arthur was demanding and manipulative and often became violent
4
when he acted against her wishes.5 He testified that a few weeks before the shooting,
Ms. Arthur began fighting with him frequently about his two children, his ex-wife, and
his alleged infidelities. He further indicated that he was afraid of Ms. Arthur and that
he tried to leave her on several occasions; however, she stopped him and forced him
to return home.6
The appellant testified that on June 19, 1994, he spent the day working in the
yard with his two children while Ms. Arthur sun bathed on the patio. He stated that he
did not have much contact with Ms. Arthur that day until he went to bed around 9:30
p.m.. According to the appellant, Ms. Arthur began entering his bedroom to argue and
to interrupt his sleep. He testified that he got up and moved to different rooms in the
house; however, she followed him around and eventually cornered him in his
bedroom.
At that point, the appellant decided to leave the house with his son, Larry. 7 He
testified that as he moved past Ms. Arthur in the bedroom, he hit the bedpost and
broke the bed accidently with his shoulder. He stated that Ms. Arthur then grabbed
him from behind and knocked him into the stereo equipment. As he made his way
towards the front door, he pushed Ms. Arthur away from him several times and
eventually forced her backwards into the deck railing. Thereafter, he left the house
and took his son, Larry, to Ms. White’s apartment.
The appellant testified that when he arrived at Ms. White’s residence, he
explained to her that he and Ms. Arthur had been fighting. Ms. White decided to
accompany him back to the house and the two drove separately after the appellant left
5
Ms. Arth ur’s ex-h usban d, Ton y Arthur, testified for the de fense th at Ms. A rthur had a prope nsity
for violence and that she often screamed and threw objects at him. He testified that on one occasion,
she threw hot coffee on him after he refused her demand for money. He stated that although he
retalia ted b y strik ing he r with h is fist a nd k noc king her d own , she imm ediat ely got up an d ass aulte d him
with a hot c urling iron. M s. Arthur d enied tha t she eve r attacke d her ex -husba nd.
6
The appe llant te stified that o n sev eral o cca sion s, Ms . Arth ur pu lled a g un on him to pre vent h im
from leaving the house .
7
Appar ently, the app ellant’s other son, Ro ger, had already left the house to stay with T erri W hite
at her ne arby apar tmen t.
5
Larry at the apartment. According to the appellant, both Ms. Arthur and Ms. White
began accosting him after they returned to the house. He stated that he attempted to
exit through the garage; however, Ms. White cut him off and pushed him backwards
over the stereo.
The appellant testified that while laying on the floor, he noticed his .22 caliber
revolver positioned on top of a furniture chest.8 He returned to his feet and grabbed
the weapon saying, “I’ll get out of this house one way or another.” The appellant
testified that, in desperation, he pointed the gun at his head and pulled the trigger.
When the gun merely clicked, he pulled the trigger again and fired a bullet striking Ms.
White in the head. He stated that he was aiming at himself and never intended to
shoot Ms. White. He admitted though that he fired a final shot striking Ms. Arthur in
the face.9
Ms. Arthur spent almost a week in the hospital. Upon her return home, she
found the words, “Linda is dead,” written in dust on the side of a bedroom dresser. No
evidence was introduced as to the author or the date of the words. Police
investigators testified that they did not discover or examine the writing until after Ms.
Arthur returned home from the hospital.
Based upon the above evidence, the appellant was convicted and sentenced to
twenty-two (22) years for second degree murder and to twelve (12) years for
attempted second degree murder. On appeal, he challenges both his convictions and
sentences.
I.
The appellant first contends that the trial court should have suppressed his
pretrial statements made after he invoked his right to counsel. He argues that after
requesting the aid of counsel, he was subjected to further police interrogation in
8
The appellant testified that he normally kept his pistol fully loaded in the bedroom closet. He
stated that he did not know why it was positioned on the furniture chest in the living room.
9
The appellant testified he did not know why he fired the final shot, but that he immediately tried
to call 911. When his phone malfunctioned, he ran to a neighbor’s house.
6
violation of Edwards v. Arizona, 451 U.S. 477, 484-85, 101 S.Ct. 1880, 1884-85, 68
L.Ed.2d 378 (1981).
This issue is without merit.
On the morning after the appellant’s arrest, he was questioned by Lieutenant
Penny Baker and Sergeant Bill Breeding of the Anderson County Sheriff’s
Department. Lieutenant Baker informed the appellant of his Miranda rights and
inquired as to his level of education.10 The appellant responded that he had sixteen
years of education and that he should not be in jail for something that was not his
fault. When Sergeant Breeding asked the appellant if he wanted to discuss the case,
appellant responded that maybe he should have an attorney. Both officers
immediately ceased their questioning and Lieutenant Baker called for a jailer to return
the appellant to his cell.
While Lieutenant Baker corresponded with the jailer, the appellant spoke up
and again said that he was going to jail for something that was not his fault. Sergeant
Breeding asked the appellant if he wanted to discuss the case and appellant indicated
that anything he said could be used against him in court. Both officers re-informed the
appellant that his statements could be used against him and that he had a right not to
talk. However, they explained that if he remained silent, they would have to establish
a case on other collected evidence. Lieutenant Baker further stated that if appellant
chose to explain his version of the case, she and Sergeant Breeding were willing to
listen. At that point, the appellant discussed his relationship with Ms. Arthur and his
involvement in the shooting.
Prior to trial, the appellant filed a motion to suppress his statements on the
ground that his Miranda rights had been violated when the two officers questioned him
after he invoked his right to counsel. Both officers testified that although they believed
the appellant had invoked his right to counsel, they insisted that he initiated the
10
The appellant’s Miranda rights were read from a righ ts wa iver fo rm . How ever , durin g his
interview w ith Lieutena nt Bak er and S ergean t Breedin g, the app ellant neve r signed th at form .
7
subsequent dialogue and questioning. The trial court determined that even if the
appellant triggered his right to counsel during the interview, he thereafter waived his
right both knowingly and voluntarily when he began commenting about the case.11
The appellant contends that he did not initiate any further discussion or
questioning after he invoked his right to counsel. He argues that Lieutenant Baker
and Sergeant Breeding should have ceased all questioning until counsel was made
available to him.
The appellant relies upon the landmark case of Edwards v. Arizona, 451 U.S.
477, 101 S.Ct. 1880, L.Ed.2d 378 (1981). In Edwards, the United States Supreme
Court held that when an accused invokes his right to counsel under Miranda, all police
interrogation must cease until counsel is made available or the accused himself
initiates further communications with the police. See id. at 1884-85. Under Edwards,
the first inquiry is whether the accused invoked his right to counsel. See Smith v.
Illinois, 469 U.S. 91, 95, 105 S.Ct. 490, 492, 83 L.Ed.2d 488 (1984).
Although there is no bright-line rule concerning when an accused invokes the
right to counsel, the United States Supreme Court has held that an accused must
articulate his desire to have counsel present unambiguously and sufficiently clear so
that a reasonable police officer in the circumstances would understand the statement
to be a request for counsel. See Davis v. United States, 512 U.S. 452, __, 114 S.Ct.
2350, 2355 (1994); State v. Huddleston, 924 S.W.2d 666, 669 (Tenn. 1996). “If the
statement fails to meet the requisite level of clarity, Edwards does not require that the
officers stop questioning the suspect.” See Davis, 114 S.Ct. at 2355.
11
The trial court addressed the appellant’s motion to suppress both under the Sixth Amendment
and Fifth Amendment right to counsel. We acknowledge, however, that the right to counsel under the
Sixth Amendment is not applicable in this case. That right does not attach until the adversarial judicial
proces s has b egun. See Michigan v. Jackson, 475 U.S. 625, 629, 106 S.Ct. 1404, 1407, 89 L.Ed.2d 631(1986); State v. Huddleston, 924 S.W.2d 666, 669 (Tenn. 1996). In Tennessee, the adversarial judicial
proces s is initiated “at the time of th e filing of the fo rma l charge, s uch as an arres t warrant, ind ictmen t,
presentmen t, or preliminary hearing in cases where a warrant was not obtained prior to arrest.” See
Huddleston, 924 S.W .2d a t 669 . W hen the a ppe llant m ade his st atem ent, h e had not b een form ally
charge d.
8
In the case sub judice, both Lieutenant Baker and Sergeant Breeding admitted
that when the appellant stated, “Maybe I should have an attorney,” they reasonably
believed that he was invoking his right to counsel. At that point, they ceased their
questioning and made arrangements to return the appellant to his cell. We agree that
the appellant’s statement was sufficient to invoke his right to counsel. See State v.
Furlough, 797 S.W.2d 631, 639 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1990), per. app. denied (Tenn.
1990).
The dispositive issue, therefore, is whether the two officers complied with
Edwards after the appellant requested an attorney. The record reveals that the
appellant was never provided counsel during his interview with Lieutenant Baker and
Sergeant Breeding. Accordingly, we must determine whether the appellant initiated
further discussions with the two officers, and knowingly and intelligently waived his
right to counsel. See Smith v. Illinois, 105 S.Ct. at 493.
After a careful review of the record, we find that the appellant reopened further
discussions with the two officers after he invoked his right to counsel. The evidence
reveals that before any police interrogation resumed, the appellant stated, “I am going
to jail for something that is not my fault.” Appellant’s comment related to his culpability
in the shootings and prompted Sergeant Breeding to ask if the appellant wanted to
talk. The two officers then informed appellant of his Miranda rights a second time
before he made any further statements about the case.
We agree with the trial court’s finding that the two officers refrained from
coercing the appellant or acting in a manner to overbear his free will. The appellant
had sixteen years of education and was fully capable of intelligently deciding whether
or not to make a statement. He expressed understanding that his words could be
used against him and he was further informed that he did not have to talk. Based
upon the totality of the circumstances, we conclude that the appellant voluntarily and
9
intelligently waived his right to counsel. Therefore, the trial court properly allowed his
statements into evidence.
II.
The appellant next contends that the evidence was insufficient to sustain his
convictions of second degree murder and attempted second degree murder. He
argues that the evidence fails to prove the necessary mens rea for the convicted
offenses.
This issue is without merit.
When a defendant challenges the sufficiency of the convicting evidence, he has
the burden of demonstrating to this Court why the evidence is insufficient to support
the verdict returned by the trier of fact. We do not reweigh or re-evaluate the evidence
and must afford the State the strongest legitimate view of the proof contained in the
record, including all reasonable and legitimate inferences which may be drawn
therefrom. See State v. Cabbage, 571 S.W.2d 832, 835 (Tenn. 1978). Under that
inquiry, we must determine whether “any rational trier of fact could have found the
essential elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. See Jackson v.
Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979).
Questions concerning the credibility of witnesses, the weight and value to be
given to the evidence, as well as any factual issues raised by the evidence are
resolved by the trier of fact, not this Court. See Cabbage, 571 S.W.2d at 835. A guilty
verdict rendered by the jury and approved by the trial judge accredits the testimony of
the witnesses for the State, and a presumption of guilt replaces the presumption of
innocence. See State v. Williams, 657 S.W.2d 405, 410 (Tenn. 1983).
In this case, although the facts were disputed between the appellant and Ms.
Arthur, the jury found that the appellant was guilty of second degree murder and
attempted second degree murder. The jury’s verdict accredits the testimony of the
State’s witnesses, including Ms. Arthur, and requires this Court to resolve any conflict
10
in favor of the State. We find that there was more than sufficient evidence to warrant
the appellant’s convictions.
To sustain the verdict of second degree murder, there must be proof in the
record that the appellant knowingly killed Terri White. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-
210(a)(1) (Supp. 1994). Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-11-302(b) provides
that a person acts knowingly “when the person is aware that the conduct is reasonably
certain to cause the result.”
The evidence in this case reveals that the appellant shot Ms. White in the head
at close range during a confrontation at appellant’s house. The appellant admitted
that he kept his pistol loaded and that he pulled the trigger twice before the weapon
fired a bullet into Ms. White’s forehead. Although he claimed that he was pointing the
gun at himself, there was sufficient proof for the jury to find that he took aim at Ms.
White each time he pulled the trigger. Viewing the evidence in a light most favorable
to the State, we conclude that the appellant fired the weapon with knowledge that his
conduct would cause the death of Ms. White.
The evidence also reasonably supports a finding that the appellant attempted
to kill Ms. Arthur. To sustain that conviction, there must be proof that the appellant
acted knowingly to commit the offense of second degree murder and that he engaged
in intentional conduct or course of action constituting a substantial step towards the
commission of second degree murder. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-12-101(a)(3)
(Supp. 1994). Conduct does not constitute a substantial step unless the appellant’s
entire course of action is corroborative of the intent to commit the particular offense.
The appellant does not dispute that he shot Ms. Arthur in the face immediately
after he fatally wounded Ms. White. He argues instead that his conviction is
inappropriate because criminal attempt requires intentional action whereas second
degree murder requires a “knowing” mental state. Appellant, however, cites no
authority for his proposition and fails to acknowledge that, as in this case, a person
11
can intentionally engage in a course of action or conduct that constitutes a substantial
step towards the knowing killing of another.12
The evidence reflects that the appellant pulled the trigger of his loaded pistol
three times during his confrontation with the two victims. Ms. White was the first
person to be struck by a bullet before the appellant ultimately turned his gun upon Ms.
Arthur. Although appellant testified that he did not know why he shot Ms. Arthur, the
evidence sufficiently demonstrates that he intentionally pulled the trigger of his pistol
and shot Ms. Arthur in the face. A reasonable jury could have determined that the
appellant intended to shoot Ms. Arthur with knowledge that his action would likely
cause her death.
III.
The appellant next contends that the trial court erred in limiting the testimony of
defense witness, Raymond Mitchell. He argues that Officer Mitchell should have been
allowed to testify concerning alleged threats that Mitchell heard during a telephone
conversation with a member of the victims’ family.
This issue is without merit.
Raymond Mitchell, a jailer at the Anderson County jail, placed a phone call to
the victims’ family before the appellant was released on a pre-trial bond. During that
call, Officer Mitchell heard a member of the victims’ family threaten to harm the
appellant if he were released from custody. Officer Mitchell, thereafter, took several
precautionary measures for the appellant’s safety upon his release.
The appellant called Officer Mitchell to testify concerning the alleged threats
that he heard during the telephone conversation. Although the trial court allowed
Mitchell to describe his reactions and safety measures taken after the call, the court
12
This C ourt has previous ly upheld co nvictions fo r attem pted se cond d egree m urder. See State
v. Freeman, 943 S.W .2d 25, 29 (Tenn . Crim. A pp. 1996 ), per. app. denied (Tenn . 1997); State v. Boyd ,
909 S.W .2d 50, 54-55 (Tenn. Crim . App. 1995).
12
ruled that Mitchell’s testimony concerning the alleged threats was inadmissible
hearsay.
The appellant contends that the trial court should have allowed the statements
into evidence on non-hearsay grounds. He argues that the statements were not
offered for their truth, but instead were offered to show the effect on the listening
officer.
Hearsay is defined as an out-of-court statement offered in evidence to prove
the truth of the matter asserted. See Tenn. R. Evid. 801. When a statement falls
under the hearsay definition, Rule 802 of the Tennessee Rules of Evidence operates
generally to exclude it on the basis of its inherent unreliability. However, in cases
where the out-of-court statement is not offered for its truth, the statement is non-
hearsay and does not fall under the exclusionary rule. See N. Cohen et al, Tennessee
Law of Evidence §§ 801.6, 801.7 (3d ed. 1995).
In this case, there was no indication that the appellant sought to prove the
substantive truth or falsity of the alleged threats. Instead, he contends that the
statements were relevant to demonstrate the animosity felt towards him by the victims’
family. 13 According to the appellant, the statements supported his theory that a
member of the victim’s family wrote, “Linda is dead” on the bedroom dresser.
If the statements were relevant on that basis, we find that they would have
been admissible as non-hearsay to circumstantially prove the declarant’s state of
mind. See N. Cohen et al, supra, § 801.7. However, in this case, the probative value
of the statements was speculative and minimal at best. The appellant offered no
proof concerning the identity of the declarant or the possible link between the
statements and the words on the dresser. Any theory that the unidentified declarant
or a member of the victims’ family wrote the message in the dust is shear speculation
13
The appellant argues that the statements were admissible to show the effect on Officer
Mitchell. However, he admits that he intended the statements to reveal the ill feelings harbored by the
victims ’ family.
13
and conjecture. Given the amount of evidence against the appellant, we conclude
that any error in the exclusion of the statements was harmless indeed. See Tenn. R.
App. P. 36(b); Tenn. R. Crim. App. 52(a).
IV.
The appellant next contends that the trial court erred in sentencing him to
twenty-two (22) years for second degree murder and to twelve (12) years for
attempted murder. He argues that the trial court failed to articulate the applicable
enhancing and mitigating factors and that his sentences are excessive.
Although the trial court failed to indicate the enhancement and mitigating
factors relied upon at sentencing, we conclude that the record supports appellant’s
sentences on both convictions.
When a defendant complains of his sentence, we must conduct a de novo
review of the record. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-401(d) (Supp. 1994). The
sentence imposed by the trial court is accompanied by a presumption of correctness
and the appealing party has the burden of showing that the sentence is improper.
See Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-401 (Sentencing Commission Comments). However,
the presumption of correctness is conditioned upon an affirmative showing in the
record that the trial court considered the sentencing principles and all relevant facts
and circumstances. See State v. Ashby, 823 S.W.2d 166, 169 (Tenn. 1991).
The record in this case fails to show that the trial court considered the
sentencing principles and all relevant facts and circumstances. Accordingly, our
review is de novo without a presumption of correctness. See Ashby, 823 S.W.2d at
169; State v. Shelton, 854 S.W.2d 116, 123 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1992).
Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-35-210 contains specific procedures for
sentencing and requires consideration of the following: (1) evidence from the trial and
sentencing hearing; (2) the presentence report; (3) the principles of sentencing and
the arguments concerning sentencing alternatives; (4) the nature and characteristics
14
of the offense; (5) information offered by the State or the defendant concerning
enhancing or mitigating factors; and (6) the defendant’s statements in his own behalf
about sentencing.
Moreover, under section 210, the trial court “must place on the record its
reasons for arriving at the final sentencing decision, identify the mitigating and
enhancement factors found, state the specific facts supporting each enhancement
factor found, and articulate how the mitigating and enhancement factors have been
evaluated and balanced in determining the sentence.” See State v. Jones, 883
S.W.2d 597, 599 (Tenn. 1994). Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-210(f) (Supp. 1994).
Those findings must be recorded to facilitate an adequate review on appeal.
However, as both the State and appellant agree, the trial court in this case made no
specific reference to the enhancing and mitigating factors. Moreover, the record is
silent as to any factual findings used to establish the appellant’s sentences.
Nevertheless, we find sufficient evidence in the record to address the appellant’s
sentences de novo.
At the sentencing hearing, the State argued for the application of two
enhancement factors: (1) the defendant employed a firearm during the commission of
the offenses; and (2) the personal injuries inflicted upon the victim, Linda Arthur, were
particularly great. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-114 (9), (6) (Supp. 1994). In addition to
relying upon the evidence presented at trial, the State called Ms. Arthur to testify about
the extent of her injuries. She testified that the bullet wound caused her pain and
permanent nerve damage to her face. Although she underwent two surgeries
following the shooting, she suffered partial vision impairment in one eye and random
spells of nausea and dizziness. She further indicated that she must remain under the
care of her doctors and that the bullet has never been extracted.
The appellant testified at the hearing and argued that the following mitigating
factors were established by the record: (1) he acted under strong provocation; (2)
15
substantial grounds existed tending to excuse or justify his criminal conduct; (3) he
was suffering from a mental condition that significantly reduced his culpability for the
offense; (4) he assisted authorities in treating the victims after the crime; (5) he
committed the offense under such unusual circumstances that it is unlikely that a
sustained intent to violate the law motivated his criminal conduct; (6) he acted under
duress or under the domination of another person, even though the duress or
domination is not sufficient to constitute a defense to the crime; and (7) he had no
prior criminal record. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-113 (Supp. 1994).
The appellant testified that although he experienced pain after the shooting, he
never felt guilt for his actions. He stated that Ms. Arthur and Ms. White were the
aggressors during the crime and that he was merely trying to get away. Furthermore,
he indicated that he prayed for Ms. Arthur and her family even though she
manipulated and abused him.
Appellant also relied upon the testimony of his former employer, Martin
Jamison, and character letters from past co-workers. Mr. Jamison corroborated
information in the letters that the appellant was a valuable employee who maintained
a positive attitude towards his colleagues. Mr. Jamison admitted on cross-
examination, however, that he had very little knowledge of the appellant’s behavior
outside of work. Additionally, while the character letters described appellant’s
demeanor at work, they provided little information about his relationship with Ms.
Arthur and Ms. White.14
In conducting our de novo review, we have considered the evidence from trial
and the sentencing hearing, the presentence report, the principles of sentencing, the
nature and characteristics of the criminal conduct, the appellant’s personal
statements, and information offered on enhancement and mitigating factors. Tenn.
14
W e acknowledge that two letters subm itted by appellant’s former co-workers, Gordon G oos
and Geneva W est, indicate that the appellant was manipulated and harasse d by Ms. Arthur. However,
no evide nce wa s prese nted at se ntencing to establish the basis or credib ility of those letters.
16
Code Ann. § 40-35-210(b) (Supp. 1994). There is no dispute that the appellant was
properly sentenced as a Range I standard offender. Accordingly, the appropriate
range of his sentences is fifteen (15) to twenty-five (25) years for second degree
murder, a Class A felony, and eight (8) to twelve (12) years for attempted second
degree murder, a Class B felony. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-112.
Within those ranges, we must start at the minimum sentence for each
conviction and enhance the sentences as appropriate for any enhancement factors,
and then reduce the sentences within the range for any mitigating factors. See Tenn.
Code Ann. § 40-35-210(e) (Supp. 1994).
The State argues that enhancer (9), the employment of a firearm, should apply
to both convictions and that enhancer (6), particularly great injuries, should apply
exclusively to the attempted murder conviction. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-114 (9),(6)
(Supp. 1994). We agree. There is no dispute that the appellant employed a firearm
during the commission of both crimes. The use of a firearm is not an element of either
offense and can be considered to enhance the appellant’s sentences on both
convictions. See State v. Raines, 882 S.W.2d 376, 385 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1994), per.
app. denied (Tenn. 1994).
Furthermore, we find that the injuries sustained by Ms. Arthur were particularly
great. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-114(6). The evidence shows that Ms. Arthur was
struck by a bullet penetrating her right check bone and fracturing her eye socket.
Although she underwent two corrective surgeries after the shooting, she suffered
permanent nerve damage and vision impairment. Those injuries clearly exceeded the
evidence necessary to convict the appellant of attempted second degree murder.
Therefore, although appellant contends that the injuries were elements of the offense,
we conclude that enhancer (6) should apply to the attempted murder conviction. See
State v. Freeman, No. 02C01-9601-CC-00028 (Tenn. Crim. App. at Jackson, Sept.
30, 1996), per. app. denied (Tenn. 1997).
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Lastly, we must address whether the record supports any mitigating factors.
The appellant argues that he acted under duress and strong provocation, he suffered
from a mental condition, he assisted authorities in treating the victims, he committed
the offenses under unusual circumstances, substantial grounds existed to justify his
conduct, and he has no prior history of criminal conduct. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-
113 (Supp. 1994).
From our de novo review, we find very little evidence to support appellant’s
contention. He argues, as he did at trial, that the shooting was prompted by the
constant abuse and manipulation from the two victims. However, other than his own
testimony, there is no evidence that his relationship with Ms. Arthur and Ms. White
somehow justified his criminal conduct or reduced his culpability. Instead, the
evidence as accredited by the jury, supports a finding that appellant was the
aggressor who intentionally shot both victims after he had attacked Ms. Arthur earlier
that evening.
Furthermore, although there was proof that the appellant attempted to obtain
help after the shooting, we conclude that his actions are entitled to little, if any, weight.
The evidence shows that the appellant made one phone call to 911. When he was
unable to reach 911, he left both victims unassisted and went to a neighbor’s house.
The neighbor, Randall Sharp, testified that the appellant confessed to the shootings
and promptly sat down on the couch. During that time, Ms. Arthur contacted 911 while
Mr. Sharp went over to assist both her and Ms. White. There was no evidence that
the appellant asked for Mr. Sharp’s help or did anything further to assist the two
victims. Nor do we find sufficient evidence that the appellant committed the
crimes while suffering from a mental condition. The appellant testified that his
relationship with the two victims became so abusive that he eventually broke down
and wanted to commit suicide. However, other evidence shows that during that same
time, he maintained a positive and favorable attitude at work and continued to live with
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Ms. Arthur at their home in Anderson County. Although we acknowledge that his
relationship with Ms. Arthur and Ms. White may have been difficult, we find that the
appellant has failed to prove that he suffered from any condition to reduce his
culpability for the crimes.
In sum, we find that the only mitigating factor is the appellant’s lack of a prior
criminal record. The presentence report indicates that the appellant has no prior
convictions and that, despite two prior arrests for domestic violence and criminal
littering, he has no history of criminal conduct. We agree that the absence of a
criminal history is entitled to some consideration; however, we find that it carries little
weight in this case. Based upon the nature of the offenses and injuries, and the
finding of enhancement factors, we conclude that the appellant’s sentences for both
convictions are appropriate.
Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
_____________________________
WILLIAM M. BARKER, JUDGE
CONCUR:
__________________________
JOHN H. PEAY, JUDGE
__________________________
DAVID G. HAYES, JUDGE
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