State v. Roberts

• Court: Court of Criminal Appeals of Tennessee
• Decided: October 19, 1998
• Docket: 03C01-9707-CR-00259
• Status: Published

Opinion

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE

AT KNOXVILLE FILED AUGUST 1998 SESSION October 19, 1998

Cecil Crowson, Jr. Appellate C ourt Clerk STATE OF TENNESSEE, ) ) NO. 03C01-9707-CR-00259 Appellee, ) ) SULLIVAN COUNTY VS. ) ) HON. PHYLLIS H. MILLER, HAGAN PAUL ROBERTS, II, ) JUDGE ) Appellant. ) (Reckless Aggravated Assault)

FOR THE APPELLANT: FOR THE APPELLEE:

STEPHEN M. WALLACE JOHN KNOX WALKUP District Public Defender Attorney General and Reporter

TERRY L. JORDAN SANDY C. PATRICK (at trial) Assistant Attorney General Assistant Dist. Public Defender Cordell Hull Building, 2nd Floor P.O. Box 839 425 Fifth Avenue North Blountville, TN 37617-0839 Nashville, TN 37243-0493

B.C. McINTURFF H. GREELEY WELLS, JR. (on appeal) District Attorney General 132 Broad Street P.O. Box 583 J. LEWIS COMBS Kingsport, TN 37662-0583 Assistant District Attorney General P.O. Box 526 Blountville, TN 37617-0526

OPINION FILED:

AFFIRMED

JOE G. RILEY, JUDGE OPINION

The defendant, Hagan Paul Roberts, II, appeals as of right his conviction

by a Sullivan County jury of reckless aggravated assault by the display and use

of a deadly weapon. He was sentenced as a Range II, multiple offender, to

seven (7) years imprisonment. On appeal, the defendant presents the following

issues for review:

(1) whether the evidence was sufficient to support the jury’s verdict;

(2) whether the trial court properly admitted photographs of the victim into evidence;

(3) whether the trial court erred in allowing the state to question a defense witness about her gender;

(4) whether the trial court erred in allowing the victim to testify regarding prior altercations with the defendant;

(5) whether the cane used in the commission of the offense could be considered a deadly weapon; and

(6) whether the trial court properly sentenced the defendant.

After a careful consideration of the record, the judgment of the trial court is

AFFIRMED.

FACTS

The victim, Teresa Gillenwater, was the defendant’s girlfriend. She

described their 3 ½ year relationship as stormy and believed it was nearly over

when the assault occurred. Although the couple once lived together, they

maintained separate residences at the time of the incident.

On the evening of May 1, 1996, the victim called the defendant and asked

him to come to her apartment to discuss his courtship of another woman. The

victim testified that she had several drinks of vodka waiting for the defendant.

2 The defendant arrived around midnight and entered the victim’s bedroom where

she was sleeping. They began arguing about the woman the defendant was

supposedly seeing. The defendant attempted sexual intercourse, but the victim

resisted by scratching him. The defendant then punched the victim, knocking

her down. When she attempted to get up using a cane, the defendant grabbed it

and began to strike the victim with the cane.

The victim apparently lost consciousness during the incident. She

testified that the next thing she remembered was waking up the following

morning with the defendant still in her apartment. After having consensual

sexual intercourse with the victim that morning, the defendant showered and left.

The victim did not initially intend to seek medical attention for the injuries

she received in the incident. However, the following evening she lost vision in

her left eye and it became very painful. Her daughter took her to the emergency

room. Hospital personnel called the police after seeing the victim’s injuries.

Kingsport police officers questioned the victim at length and took photographs of

her injuries. Her face and neck were bruised, and she had multiple linear marks

on her back consistent with being struck with a cane.

The jury was charged as to the indicted offense of intentional aggravated

assault. They returned a verdict of guilty for the lesser offense of reckless

aggravated assault.

SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE

The defendant contends the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to

support a verdict of guilt for reckless aggravated assault. The defendant asserts

that he was defending himself from an unprovoked attack by the victim.

3 When an accused challenges the sufficiency of the evidence, this Court

must review the record to determine if the evidence adduced during the trial was

sufficient "to support the findings by the trier of fact of guilt beyond a reasonable

doubt." Tenn. R. App. P. 13(e). This rule is applicable to findings of guilt

predicated upon direct evidence, circumstantial evidence or a combination of

direct and circumstantial evidence. State v. Brewer, 932 S.W.2d 1,19 (Tenn.

Crim. App.1996).

In determining the sufficiency of the evidence, this Court does not reweigh

or reevaluate the evidence. State v. Cabbage, 571 S.W.2d 832, 835

(Tenn.1978). Nor may this Court substitute its inferences for those drawn by the

trier of fact from circumstantial evidence. Liakas v. State, 199 Tenn. 298, 305,

286 S.W.2d 856, 859 (1956). To the contrary, this Court is required to afford the

state the strongest legitimate view of the evidence contained in the record as

well as all reasonable and legitimate inferences which may be drawn from the

evidence. State v. Tuttle, 914 S.W.2d 926, 932 (Tenn. Crim. App.1995).

The victim testified that she resisted the defendant while he attempted to

perform sexual intercourse. The defendant became angry and punched the

victim. The victim testified that after the defendant knocked her down with

punches she attempted to use a cane in order to stand up. The defendant

grabbed the cane and began beating her with it. The cane was made an exhibit

at trial. Photographs admitted into evidence show linear bruises on the victim’s

back consistent with multiple blows from a cane. Viewing the facts in a light

most favorable to the state, there is sufficient evidence for the jury to have found

the defendant guilty of recklessly causing the victim bodily injury by use of a

deadly weapon.

This issue is without merit.

4 PHOTOGRAPHS

The defendant contends the trial court erred in admitting photographs of

the victim showing injuries not inflicted by the deadly weapon. The defendant

also asserts the photographs depict injuries not inflicted on the night in question.

The defendant failed to object to the admission of the photographs at trial.

The trial court, consequently, was not afforded the opportunity to determine their

potential for unfair prejudice. Therefore, the issue is waived. Tenn. R. App. P.

36(a). Furthermore, even if the issue were not waived, we would conclude that

the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the photographs. See

State v. Stephenson, 878 S.W.2d 530, 542 (Tenn. 1994).

SCOPE OF CROSS-EXAMINATION

The defendant alleges as his third issue that the trial court erred in

allowing the state to cross-examine a witness as to her gender. The witness

testified for the defendant regarding the victim’s prior conduct at the defendant’s

apartment.1 The defendant claims the questions were an impermissible attempt

to impeach the witness’ credibility.

On cross examination, the prosecutor asked the witness, “Now, is it, it’s

Mr. Sierra West, is that correct?” The witness replied, “No, sir, it’s Sierra West.”

The prosecutor replied that he needed to refer to the witness as either “Mister” or

“Miss.” The witness responded, “Miss.” Defense counsel objected,

1 The witness testified that she met the defendant one (1) month prior to the incident. She testified that she had seen the victim at the defendant’s apartment “ranting and raving.” The witness further testified that the victim acted as if she believed the defendant and the witness were romantically involved.

5 contending the state was attempting to “slur” the witness.

During a jury-out hearing, the prosecutor stated that the witness was listed

as a male on her driver’s license, but dressed as a female in court. The witness

testified in the jury-out hearing that she was born with the sexual organs of both

sexes.2 The witness preferred to be addressed as a female and was currently

“taking care of that problem.”

The prosecutor argued “[i]f she’s one sex and she’s dressed as another,

then she’s portraying herself as something she’s not . . . I think it has to do with

her credibility.” Defense counsel vociferously argued this line of questioning was

irrelevant and demeaning to the witness.

At the conclusion of the jury-out hearing, the trial court, while noting this

matter to have “some relevance to this case,” stated that the jury would be

instructed to disregard the prosecutor’s question. Defense counsel,

nevertheless, stated that he intended to give the witness an opportunity to

explain her condition. The trial court then responded that the prosecutor would

be allowed to ask the witness if she was listed as a male on her driver’s license,

and the witness would be given the opportunity to explain her condition. This

procedure was followed when the jury heard her testimony.

This Court concludes that an attempt to utilize hermaphrodism as a

ground for general impeachment would be improper. 3 However, defense

counsel desired to allow the witness to explain her condition. This was done.

2 This anatomical condition is known as hermaphrodism or hermaphroditism. 3 As to marking “male” on the drivers license application and subsequently claiming to be female, the probative value of such evidence is clearly outweighed by its prejudicial effect even if it were deemed “relevant” to credibility. Tenn. R. Evid. 403.

6 We conclude there was no prejudice to the defendant. See Tenn. R. App. P.

36(b).4

PRIOR INCIDENTS

The defendant contends the trial court also erred by allowing the victim to

testify to prior violent episodes by the defendant on redirect examination.

Defense counsel asked the victim on cross-examination about a contempt

citation that she received for “filing a false warrant against [the defendant].”

Counsel then asked the victim, “You all hadn’t had any violent confrontations or

anything of that sort?” The victim responded, “There had been other times that

he had slapped me.”

When the state attempted to rehabilitate the victim’s testimony by

inquiring into the prior violent episodes, the defendant objected, arguing that the

prior incidents were overly prejudicial.

The prosecution replied that the defense had opened the door to the

testimony by asking whether there had been prior violent episodes between the

defendant and the victim. The trial court agreed with the state that the defendant

had opened the door to the testimony on prior violent episodes. The victim was

able to testify to three (3) instances of violence by the defendant and the injuries

she received on those occasions.

4 Canon 3B(6), Code of Judicial Conduct, Sup. Ct. Rule 10, provides as follows:

A judge shall require lawyers in proceedings before the judge to refrain from manifesting, by words or conduct, bias or prejudice based upon race, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status, against parties, witnesses, counsel, or others. This Section 3B(6) does not preclude legitimate advocacy when race, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status, or other similar factors, are issues in the proceeding.

7 The admissibility of testimony and other evidence, as well as the scope of

redirect examination, is within the discretion of the trial court, which will not be

reversed absent demonstration of an abuse of that discretion. State v. Barnard,

899 S.W.2d 617, 624 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1994).

The trial court did not abuse its discretion allowing the victim to testify on

redirect to the prior incidents as the defendant “opened the door.” The state,

attempting to avoid any potential prejudice to the defendant, had avoided

reference to the prior incidents on direct examination. The defendant, however,

created an impression on cross-examination that no prior violent incidents

occurred between them. The victim’s testimony on redirect was appropriate in

light of the circumstances.

DEADLY WEAPON

The defendant raises as his fifth issue the characterization of the cane as

a deadly weapon. The defendant alleges the state failed to prove the mens rea

of the crime as it failed to prove his intent to use the cane as a deadly weapon.

According to statute, "'[d]eadly weapon’ means: [a]nything that in the

manner of its use or intended use is capable of causing death or serious bodily

injury[.]" Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-106(5)(B). "Serious bodily injury" results from

bodily injury involving "(A) [a] substantial risk of death; (B) [p]rotracted

unconsciousness; (C) [e]xtreme physical pain; (D) [p]rotracted or obvious

disfigurement; or (E) [p]rotracted loss or substantial impairment of a function of a

bodily member, organ or mental faculty[.]" Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-106(34).

8 The trial court correctly instructed the jury as to the elements of the crime

charged and applicable definitions. The jury found the defendant guilty of

reckless aggravated assault, which necessarily included a finding that the cane

was a deadly weapon. It is clear that the jury could have found the manner in

which the defendant used the cane made it capable of causing serious bodily

injury.

SENTENCING

In his final issue, the defendant contends trial court erred in denying

probation and setting an excessive sentence. The defendant submits that the

majority of his past convictions were drug related, and that the victim was the

instigator of the subject incident.

This Court’s review of the sentence imposed by the trial court is de novo

with a presumption of correctness. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-401(d). This

presumption is conditioned upon an affirmative showing in the record that the

trial judge considered the sentencing principles and all relevant facts and

circumstances. State v. Ashby, 823 S.W.2d 166, 169 (Tenn. 1991).

A. Probation

Under the Criminal Sentencing Reform Act of 1989, trial judges are

encouraged to use alternatives to incarceration. An especially mitigated or

standard offender convicted of a Class C, D or E felony is presumed to be a

favorable candidate for alternative sentencing options in the absence of

evidence to the contrary. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-102(6).

9 In determining if incarceration is appropriate, a trial court may consider the

need to protect society by restraining a defendant having a long history of

criminal conduct, the need to avoid depreciating the seriousness of the offense,

whether confinement is particularly appropriate to effectively deter others likely to

commit similar offenses, and whether less restrictive measures have often or

recently been unsuccessfully applied to the defendant. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-

35-103(1); see also State v. Ashby, 823 S.W.2d at 169.

The defendant, although convicted of a Class D felony, was sentenced as

a Range II, multiple offender because of prior felony convictions. The

presumption of alternative sentencing, therefore, does not apply. Tenn. Code

Ann. § 40-35-102(5), (6). In determining that incarceration was appropriate, the

trial court explicitly found that less restrictive measures had been unsuccessfully

applied to the defendant previously, that he had a long history of criminal

conduct, and that confinement was necessary to avoid depreciating the

seriousness of the offense.

The defendant had over ten (10) prior felony convictions and over ten (10)

misdemeanor convictions from 1971 until the present. On numerous prior

occasions, he had received alternative sentencing. He has continued to violate

the law. The trial court properly considered the relevant criteria for alternative

sentencing. The denial of alternative sentencing is entitled to a presumption of

correctness and was proper.

B. Length of Sentence

The defendant also contends the trial court imposed an excessive

10 sentence. The burden is upon the appealing party to show that the sentence is

improper. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-401(d) Sentencing Commission Comments.

If no mitigating or enhancement factors for sentencing are present, Tenn.

Code Ann. § 40-35-210(c) provides that the presumptive sentence shall be the

minimum sentence within the applicable range. See State v. Fletcher, 805

S.W.2d 785, 788 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1991). However, if such factors do exist, a

trial court should start at the minimum sentence, enhance the minimum sentence

within the range for enhancement factors and then reduce the sentence within

the range for the mitigating factors. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-210(e). No

particular weight for each factor is prescribed by the statute, as the weight given

to each factor is left to the discretion of the trial court as long as the trial court

complies with the purposes and principles of the sentencing act and its findings

are supported by the record. State v. Moss, 727 S.W.2d 229, 238 (Tenn. 1986);

State v. Leggs, 955 S.W.2d 845, 848 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1997); State v. Santiago,

914 S.W.2d 116, 125 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1995); see Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-

210 Sentencing Commission Comments.

The range of the defendant’s sentence was 4-8 years. Tenn. Code Ann.

§ 40-35-112(b)(4). In determining the length of sentence, the trial court applied

three (3) enhancement factors and one (1) mitigating factor. The trial court

found the defendant had an extensive criminal history as evidenced by

numerous convictions other than those relied upon to establish the defendant as

a Range II, multiple offender. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-114(1). The trial court

further found the defendant was on probation at the time of the instant offense.

11 Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-114(13)(C). The trial court enhanced the defendant’s

sentence to eight (8) years.5 The trial court then found that a sustained intent to

violate the law did not motivate the defendant’s conduct and mitigated the

sentence down to seven (7) years. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-113(11).

Based upon the trial court’s findings, the sentence of seven (7) years was

appropriate. This issue is without merit.

CONCLUSION

In summary, there was sufficient evidence for a rational trier of fact to find

the defendant guilty of reckless aggravated assault. Further, the trial court

correctly denied probation and arrived at an appropriate sentence of

incarceration. Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is AFFIRMED.

5 The trial court also found the defendant had previously shown an unwillingness to comply with conditions of a sentence involving release into the community. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-114(8). The record does not support the application of this enhancement factor. In spite of the multitude of convictions, the record does not reveal that any offense or proven violation was committed while the defendant was on probation or while on any other condition of a sentence involving release into the community. However, the trial court expressly stated at the sentencing hearing that it was giving this factor little weight. Accordingly, we see no need in reducing the defendant’s sentence.

12 _________________________ JOE G. RILEY, JUDGE

CONCUR:

___________________________ JOSEPH M. TIPTON, JUDGE

___________________________ THOMAS T. WOODALL, JUDGE