FILED

December 10, 1998

Cecil Crowson, Jr.

Appellate C ourt Clerk

 IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE

AT KNOXVILLE 

 FEBRUARY 1997 SESSION

STATE OF TENNESSEE, )

)

Appellee, ) No. 03C01-9603-CC-00134

 )

) Blount County

v. ) 

) Honorable D. Kelly Thomas, Jr., Judge 

)

JUAN PEREZ, ) (Second degree murder)

) 

Appellant. )

For the Appellant: For the Appellee:

Robert M. Cohen Charles W. Burson

303 High Street Attorney General of Tennessee

Maryville, TN 37804 and

Timothy F. Behan

Assistant Attorney General of Tennessee 

450 James Robertson Parkway

Nashville, TN 37243-0493

Michael L. Flynn

District Attorney General

and

Edward P. Bailey, Jr.

Assistant District Attorney General

363 High Street

Maryville, TN 37804

OPINION FILED:____________________

AFFIRMED

Joseph M. Tipton

Judge
2

O P I N I O N

The defendant, Juan Perez, appeals as of right from his conviction

following a jury trial in the Blount County Circuit Court for second degree murder, a

Class A felony. As a Range I, standard offender, the defendant was sentenced to

twenty-two years in the custody of the Department of Correction, and he was fined

twenty-five thousand dollars. On appeal, the defendant contends that:

(1) the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction;

(2) the trial court erred by denying his motion to suppress the

defendant’s statement he gave to police;

(3) the trial court erred by allowing the state to introduce two

photographs of the victim;

(4) the trial court erred by refusing to allow the testimony of

Barry Rice, a defense witness;

(5) the trial court erred by refusing to grant a new trial because

the defendant was unfairly prejudiced during his crossexamination by the state;

(6) the trial court erred by refusing to grant a new trial based on

newly discovered evidence; and

(7) the trial court erred by applying enhancement factors and

by not sentencing the defendant to a sentence within the lower

part of Range I.

We affirm the judgment of conviction.

On March 19, 1994, Grant Spires, Gayann Tucker and Elizabeth Lee

discovered Kimberly Bauer, the estranged girlfriend of the defendant, lying on her side

in the living room of her home. She had suffered numerous stab wounds to the chest

and the upper left side of her body. The victim died later as a result of the stabbing.

Melissa Henry, a friend of the victim, testified that around 7:00 p.m. on the

evening of the offense, she called the victim at Krystal Restaurant where the victim was

working, and they planned to meet at 8:30 p.m. She stated that she drove by the
3

victim’s house without stopping at about 7:30 p.m., and she saw the defendant’s latemodel Camaro parked at the victim’s house. She said that she returned around 8:30 or

8:45 p.m. and saw police cars and an ambulance. On cross-examination, she denied

that she told anyone that she saw a dark-colored car or an Impala. She also denied

telling Officer Lowell Ridings that she had seen the defendant wear a knife on his belt

on earlier occasions.

Sharon Fields, an assistant manager at Krystal Restaurant, testified that

the victim logged out at 7:13 p.m. She stated that she saw the victim leave work at

about 7:15 p.m. Audie Holloway, a coworker of the victim, testified that she worked with

the victim on the night of the offense. She said that the victim received two or three

telephone calls, one around 2:00 or 3:00 p.m. and the others shortly before the victim

left work. She stated that two calls were from an unidentified man. She testified that

the victim was very upset when she talked to the man and appeared to be in a hurry to

leave. She stated that the victim left the restaurant at about 7:15 p.m., appearing

distracted. Another coworker testified that the victim received a call around lunchtime

from an unidentified man, and she said that the victim spoke very fast on the telephone. 

The victim’s mother testified that the victim called her at about 7:30 p.m. 

Thelma Martin, the victim’s neighbor, testified that she saw the victim come home

around 7:30 p.m. She said that the defendant drove up shortly afterwards and parked

his car in the road. She stated that she recognized the defendant’s car because of its

loud muffler and its multi-colored paint. She said that she saw the defendant get out of

the car. She testified that the defendant left about ten minutes later, squealing the tires

as he left. Ms. Martin testified that she was not aware of anyone being at the victim’s

house before the defendant arrived. On cross-examination, Ms. Martin stated that it

was not uncommon for the defendant to be at the victim’s house. 
4

Morris Keaton, a neighbor of the victim, testified that he saw a black car

arrive at the victim’s house before the victim came home around 7:30 p.m. He said that

he heard two women’s voices. He stated that after the black car left, the victim arrived,

and the defendant arrived shortly afterwards. He said that after about fifteen minutes,

the defendant drove away quickly. On cross-examination, Mr. Keaton admitted that he

was unsure whether the black car arrived before or after the victim came home. He

stated that the defendant arrived after the black car. 

Gayann Tucker, a friend of the victim and an acquaintance of the

defendant, testified that the victim had stopped dating the defendant and had begun

dating Grant Spires. She said that two days before the offense, while she, Spires, and

Elizabeth Lee were at the victim’s house, the defendant arrived unexpectedly in his car. 

Ms. Tucker stated that two weeks earlier, she had told the defendant that Spires was

her boyfriend in order to avoid any conflict with the defendant. She testified that the

defendant put his arm around her, told her that he knew that the victim was dating

Spires, and threatened to kill the victim if she continued to see him. She believed that

the defendant was serious. 

Tucker, Spires and Lee testified that they planned to meet the victim after

she came home from work. They said that the victim had told them not to come until

8:00 p.m. because the victim was going to have the defendant over to her house to talk

to him. Lee and Spires testified that they drove by the victim’s house around 7:40 p.m.

and saw the defendant’s car parked at the house. They arrived at the victim’s house

around 8:05 or 8:15 p.m. They stated that the victim’s car was the only one in the

driveway. Tucker knocked on the door, and the door opened, revealing the victim lying

in a fetal position on her left side in the living room with her head slightly under the

coffee table. A lot of blood surrounded the victim. Tucker called 9-1-1. Following the

9-1-1 operator’s instructions, Spires turned the victim over, removed her shirt and bra,
5

and began performing CPR. Spires said that the victim was bleeding slightly and had a

faint pulse. 

Officer Larry Kauker of the Alcoa Police Department testified that the

victim was dead when he arrived and that Grant Spires was standing near the door of

the victim’s house. Sergeant Dale Boring of the Alcoa Police Department testified that

he found the victim lying on her back with her shirt torn open and her bra cut. He said

that the victim had numerous stab wounds to the chest area, and he stated that there

was no sign of a struggle. He stated that a couple of butcher knives were found in the

kitchen area, but none of the knives appeared to have blood on them. Sergeant Boring

testified that he later went to the defendant’s house, but the defendant was not at

home. He said that he then obtained a search warrant to search the defendant’s

house. He stated that a search of the house did not reveal any evidence. Sergeant

Boring testified that he later learned that the defendant had surrendered to the police,

and he met Detective Ridings to conduct an interview of the defendant. He stated that

the defendant gave inconsistent statements, first telling them that he had visited the

victim and that she was alive when he left and then telling them that he discovered the

victim injured when he arrived. 

Gary Hamilton, a crime scene technician for the Blount County Sheriff’s

Department, testified that the only identifiable prints he found at the victim’s house were

from the victim and Gayann Tucker. He said that there were no signs of a struggle. He

stated that an examination of the victim’s hands did not reveal any hair or skin

underneath her nails. He testified that he examined the defendant’s car but found no

blood, knives, or bloody clothing inside the car. He said that he did not use Luminol to

detect the presence of blood because it destroys other potential evidence. On crossexamination, he stated that an examination of the defendant’s hands revealed no cuts. 

He conceded that given the nature of the crime, it was probable that blood would have
6

been on the perpetrator’s shoes, clothing or hands. He acknowledged that it was

possible to send parts of the car to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab in

Nashville for a more thorough examination. 

Dr. William Elliot, a pathologist, testified that he conducted an autopsy of

the victim. He stated that the victim suffered multiple stab wounds measuring between

six and eight inches in depth. He stated that eleven stab wounds were to the left side

of the breast and extended from above the breast to the rib area. Dr. Elliot testified that

the victim also suffered twelve stab wounds to the left side extending from the lower

part of the shoulder blade to the hip. The victim had five stab wounds to the left arm

along with four superficial wounds. Dr. Elliot stated that the victim also had defensive

wounds on her hands. He said that the victim could have died as a result of one stab

wound to a large vein in the neck and another that severed the covering of the heart. 

He stated that the victim’s death could also have been caused by three stab wounds

that perforated the victim’s lung, causing the collapse of the lung. He believed that the

victim was conscious during most of the attack, stating that the wounds would not have

caused a rapid death. Dr. Elliot testified that the wounds would have been painful. On

cross-examination, Dr. Elliot testified that it was possible but not likely to feel a pulse

forty-five to fifty minutes after the stabbing. He said that the victim most likely died as a

result of the cut vein but that the other wounds were potentially fatal.

Agent Samera Zavaro of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation testified

that he tested a towel found in the victim’s bathroom for the presence of blood and

found none. He said that he also found no blood on the knives taken from the victim’s

kitchen. He stated that swabbings of the defendant’s car showed no presence of blood

or human tissue. He testified that he also found no blood on the defendant’s clothing. 

Agent Zavaro testified that a washcloth taken from the victim’s sink revealed the

presence of blood. On cross-examination, he testified that the Tennessee Bureau of
7

Investigation could examine an entire car, a preferred procedure, although it was not

uncommon to use swabbings. 

Margaret Bash, a forensic scientist for the Tennessee Bureau of

Investigation, testified that DNA testing of the washcloth containing blood was

unsuccessful in determining the source of the blood. She said that testing of the

victim’s clothing reflected that the blood came from a single source, the victim.

Kenneth McKee testified that he was in jail in 1994 and that he was a

cellmate of the defendant. He said that a few days after the defendant arrived, the

defendant talked to him a couple of times about the offense. He said that the

defendant told him contradictory statements regarding when he arrived at the victim’s

house, initially stating that he arrived between 7:05 and 7:15 p.m. and later stating that

he arrived at 8:00 p.m. McKee testified that the defendant told him that he and the

victim argued over a truck that belonged to the victim’s parents because the defendant

had wrecked the truck and the victim’s parents were being sued. The defendant said

that he had been drinking earlier and had planned to go to a bar. McKee stated that the

defendant told him that he had blacked out during the argument and that the next thing

he remembered was standing over the victim’s body which was curled in a fetal

position. The defendant said that he touched the victim’s hair and forehead. The

defendant also told McKee that he became scared, went to the bathroom to urinate,

and then left in his car. The defendant told McKee that he surrendered to the police the

next day because he believed that it would look less suspicious.

On cross-examination, McKee admitted that he was allowed work release

and was sent for drug and alcohol treatment, but he denied that the release was related

to giving information to the police. He also admitted that he did not report back to jail

when released, resulting in felony escape charges. He denied that the felony escape
8

charges were dismissed because he agreed to testify against the defendant. He said

that the charges were dismissed because he entered guilty pleas to four counts of

violating the Habitual Motor Vehicle Offender statute. He said that he was not promised

anything in exchange for his testimony against the defendant. Another prisoner who

was incarcerated with the defendant testified similarly regarding the defendant’s

statements about the offense.

Officer Lowell Ridings testified that he went to the victim’s house at about

8:45 or 9:00 p.m. He stated that he took three kitchen utility knives located near the

kitchen sink. He testified that dirty dishes were in the sink but that he did not see any

blood. He said that he interviewed Gayann Tucker, Elizabeth Lee and Grant Spires,

and based on the information he received, he looked for the defendant at his home. 

Officer Ridings testified that he obtained an arrest warrant for the defendant, but he

learned the following day that the defendant had surrendered to the police. He stated

that he interviewed the defendant and tape-recorded the questioning, which lasted 

about one hour and fifty minutes. 

A redacted tape of the interview was played for the jury. The defendant

initially told police that he arrived at the victim’s house at about 7:40 p.m. The

defendant said that he and the victim talked and smoked a marijuana cigarette. He

stated that he left after about ten or fifteen minutes and that the victim was alive and

well when he left. He said that he went to the house of Frank Courier, his friend and

coworker, after leaving the victim’s house. After further questioning, the defendant told

the police that when he arrived at the victim’s house, he found the victim injured. He

said that he had lied about talking to the victim and smoking a marijuana cigarette with

her. 
9

Officer Ridings testified that he drove from the defendant’s house to the

victim’s house and stated that it took eighteen minutes and fifty-seven seconds driving

about fifty-five miles per hour in normal traffic. He said that it took around ten minutes

to drive from the victim’s house to the house of Frank Courier. On cross-examination,

Officer Ridings testified that a thermometer was placed under the armpit of the victim at

about 9:00 or 9:10 p.m, revealing a temperature of 98.8. He conceded that he did not

order the defendant’s car to be sent to the crime lab in Nashville, explaining that no

bloody footprints were found inside the car. He also admitted that he chose not to use

other investigative means to determine the presence of blood. He said that when he

interviewed Melissa Henry, she told him that the defendant wore a knife on his belt on

several occasions. 

Frank Courier, a coworker and friend of the defendant, testified that he

had never seen the defendant wear a knife on his belt. He stated that their job required

them to cut wrapping off pallets. He said that they generally used a paring knife with a

two and one-half inch blade. He stated that the victim called the defendant at work and

that he had never heard the defendant say anything mean to the victim. Mr. Courier

testified that on the night of the offense, the defendant arrived unexpectedly at his

house at about 8:30 or 8:45 p.m. and stayed the night. He said that the defendant did

not have blood on his clothing. On cross-examination, Mr. Courier conceded that it was

unusual for the defendant to spend the night. He stated that he had not seen the

defendant earlier in the day. He said that the defendant did not appear to have been

drinking and that the defendant was not nervous, upset or crying. Mr. Courier testified

that the defendant did not mention the victim. 

Other coworkers of the defendant testified that the defendant ordinarily

wore jogging pants and that when the defendant wore jeans, he did not wear a belt. 

They said that the defendant never carried a knife with him at work, usually borrowing a
10

paring knife from someone else. The coworkers stated that they saw the defendant

and the victim together during the week before the offense and on other occasions, and

they appeared to be in love. One coworker stated that the defendant was a strong

man.

The defendant testified that most people called him John. He stated that

he met the victim in Wichita, Kansas, in 1989. He said that he and the victim lived

together periodically at different locations. He testified that after the victim’s parents

moved to Maryville, he and the victim moved to the area and rented a house together. 

The defendant stated that around Thanksgiving in 1993, the victim moved out of the

house and moved to her parents’ house. He said that about two or three weeks later,

the victim came by his house and gave him her new address and telephone number. 

He stated that he occasionally spent the night with the victim, and the victim

occasionally spent the night with him. He said he considered the victim to be his

girlfriend.

The defendant testified that he had a torn groin muscle at the time of the

offense. He said that around 5:30 p.m. on the day of the offense, he called the victim at

work regarding money he owed her, and they planned to meet at the victim’s house

around 8:00 p.m. He said the victim told him that she had plans with Grant Spires and

some other friends later that evening. He stated that he left his house at about 7:25 or

7:30 p.m., arriving at the victim’s house around 7:40 or 7:45 p.m. He testified that the

door to the victim’s house was partly open. The defendant said that he walked inside

and that the house was not well lit except for a light in the bedroom and bathroom. He

stated that he went to the victim’s bedroom and bathroom to look for the victim. The

defendant testified that when he returned to the living room, he discovered the victim

lying on her side in a fetal position in a pool of blood. He said the victim was

underneath the coffee table. He testified that the victim was no longer bleeding. He
11

stated he went to the bathroom and urinated and vomited. He said he rubbed his

hands over the victim’s forehead and across her hair, but the victim did not respond. 

He said he then sat on the couch and cried for a couple of minutes. The defendant

testified that he stayed about ten minutes before leaving the house. 

The defendant testified that after leaving the victim’s house, he stopped at

a gas station, purchased gas and a drink, and then started to call for help but could not

because he was very weak. He stated that instead, he went to Frank Courier’s house,

arriving around 8:30 p.m., and stayed the night. He said that his mental condition was

not good and that he was not himself, but he conceded that he did not tell Courier or

Tim Vann, who was at Courier’s house, about what he had found. The defendant

testified that he went home around 8:00 or 8:30 p.m. and found a search warrant and a

note stating that the police wanted to interview him about the victim’s death. He said

that he called the police and was then taken to the jail for an interview. He explained

that he gave two different versions of the facts to the police because he was scared and

not involved in the murder.

The defendant denied stabbing and killing the victim. He conceded that

he did not try to take the victim’s pulse or determine the nature of her injuries. He also

admitted that he did not call 9-1-1 or ask a neighbor for help, explaining that he was

afraid. He said that he held his hand over the victim’s mouth and nose but did not feel

any air. He stated that he also did not see the victim’s chest move. 

On cross-examination, the defendant testified that during the interview

with police, he made up a story, but he denied lying about not killing the victim. He said

he lied when he told Detective Ridings that he had talked to the victim for about fifteen

minutes and had smoked a marijuana cigarette with her. He conceded that he had told

the police that he was telling the truth. He admitted that he had never stayed overnight
12

at Courier’s house before, although he had stayed late. The defendant testified that he

was about six feet three inches tall and weighed about two hundred and forty-five

pounds, and the victim was about five feet three inches and weighed about one

hundred and thirty-five pounds. 

William Boddy, a private investigator, testified that he interviewed Morris

Keaton regarding the two vehicles he observed at the victim’s house. He said that

Keaton told him that he saw a black car appearing to be a Firebird or a Camaro and

that two people were in the car because he heard two car doors shut. Keaton told him

that the black car stayed about ten minutes. Mr. Boddy testified that Keaton said that

the second vehicle was a black Jeep Cherokee or Bronco. 

I. SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE

The defendant contends that the evidence is insufficient to support his

conviction for second degree murder. He argues that the state failed to prove his guilt

beyond a reasonable doubt because it did not introduce any physical evidence directly

linking the defendant to the murder. The defendant asserts that given the

discrepancies in the record and the defendant’s testimony, the evidence is insufficient.

The defendant also contends that there is no proof that the killing was done knowingly

as required by T.C.A. § 39-13-210(a)(1). The state responds that the defendant’s guilt

was proven beyond a reasonable doubt. We agree. 

Our standard of review when the sufficiency of the evidence is questioned

on appeal is "whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the

prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the

crime beyond a reasonable doubt." Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S. Ct.

2781, 2789 (1979). This means that we do not reweigh the evidence, but presume that

the jury has resolved all conflicts in the testimony and drawn all reasonable inferences
13

from the evidence in favor of the state. See State v. Sheffield, 676 S.W.2d 542, 547

(Tenn. 1984); State v. Cabbage, 571 S.W.2d 832, 835 (Tenn. 1978).

For circumstantial evidence to constitute the sole basis for a conviction,

the facts must be “so closely interwoven and connected that the finger of guilt is pointed

unerringly at the defendant and the defendant alone.” State v. Crawford, 225 Tenn.

478, 484, 470 S.W.2d 610, 613 (1971). The evidence must be both consistent with the

defendant’s guilt and inconsistent with the defendant’s innocence, exclude all other

reasonable theories except that of guilt, and establish the defendant’s guilt so as to

convince the mind beyond a reasonable doubt that he or she committed the crime. 

Patterson v. State, 4 Tenn. Crim. App. 657, 661, 475 S.W.2d 201, 203 (1971).

In the light most favorable to the state, the evidence shows that the

defendant called the victim at work on the day of the offense. The victim was upset

after receiving the phone calls. At about 7:15 p.m., the victim left work hurriedly. 

Shortly after the victim arrived at her home at 7:30 p.m., the defendant arrived. About

ten minutes later, the defendant sped away from the house. Shortly after 8:00 p.m., the

victim was found near death by her friends. Two days before the killing, the defendant

told Gayann Tucker that he knew the victim was dating Grant Spires and threatened to

kill the victim if she continued to date him. The defendant told two of his cellmates that

on the night of the offense, he had gone to the victim’s house. He defendant admitted

that he argued with the victim regarding a truck the defendant had wrecked, and he said

that he blacked out during the argument and was standing over the victim’s body when

he became conscious. We believe that this evidence satisfies the requirements for guilt

based solely on circumstantial evidence. A rational juror could find the defendant guilty

of second degree murder beyond a reasonable doubt. 

II. DENIAL OF MOTION TO SUPPRESS
14

The defendant asserts that the trial court erred by denying his motion to

suppress the statement he gave to police. He argues that the statement should have

been suppressed as the fruit of an illegal arrest because (1) the arrest warrant was

issued without the requisite determination of probable cause by the issuing magistrate

and (2) the arrest warrant was issued for a person other than the defendant. The state

responds that the trial court properly denied the motion to suppress. We agree. 

At the suppression hearing, the defendant testified that he occasionally

signs his name “John Perez.” The defendant identified his birth certificate reflecting

that he was born on October 9, 1962. He said that on March 19, 1994, he returned

home and discovered a warrant pinned to the door stating that the police had searched

his home and wanted the defendant to contact them to answer a few questions. The

defendant testified that he went to a gas station and called the police to come and take

him for questioning. He said he was arrested when the police arrived and was taken to

the county jail about 8:30 or 9:00 a.m. The defendant was then questioned at the

police station around 3:00 p.m. for about an hour or an hour and a half. He said he was

not shown a copy of the warrant until about ten days later. The defendant testified that

he had never used the aliases “Johnny Victor Perez” or “Johnny V. Perez.” 

Officer Lowell Ridings testified that he obtained the arrest warrant for the

defendant. The affidavit of complaint and the arrest warrant reflect that the name of the

person to be arrested for criminal homicide of the victim is “Johnny Vicktor Perez AKA:

JUAN PEREZ.” The words “AKA: JUAN PEREZ” also appear beside the reference to

“Johnny Vicktor Perez” on the back side of the warrant. The back side of the warrant

reflects that “Johnny Vicktor Perez AKA: JUAN PEREZ” lived at “2204 Sanderson, Ave

Knoxville - Tenn.” Below the address is a blank for the driver’s license number and the

date of birth of the person for which the arrest warrant was issued. The back side of

the warrant shows that each of the blanks were filled in, then marked out, and the
15

driver’s license number “79474258" and the birthday “10/9/62" was written above the

marked out numbers. A copy of the defendant’s driver’s license reflects that the name,

address, and driver’s license number provided on the back side of the warrant were

those of the defendant. A copy of Johnny Vicktor Perez’s driver’s license was also

introduced, reflecting a different driver’s license number, different birth date, and the

Knoxville address.

 

Officer Ridings testified that he initially filled out the warrant between

12:00 and 2:00 a.m. believing that the defendant used the name Johnny Perez with

several middle names and initials, including “Vicktor,” “Salazar,” and “N,” as a result of a

criminal history check on the defendant and a check of a motor vehicle accident in

which the defendant was involved. He stated that he later learned after talking to

witnesses and checking the defendant’s driver’s license through NCIC records that the

defendant’s name was Juan Perez with a date of birth of October 9, 1962. Officer

Ridings testified that some people called the defendant “John Perez” or “Johnny Perez,”

given the fact that Juan is Spanish for John. He stated that after learning that he had

written the wrong name and birthday on the warrant, he marked out the birthday and

wrote in “October 9, 1962" and wrote in “AKA JUAN PEREZ” beside each reference to

“Johnny Vicktor Perez.” He stated that he made all of the corrections personally before

the warrant was issued by Judicial Commissioner George Allison. Officer Ridings

testified that he swore to the correctness of the information contained in the affidavit. 

He said that he also verbally identified the witnesses that were interviewed pursuant to

the investigation. 

Officer Ridings testified that he was not sure whether he had both the

defendant’s driver’s license and Johnny Vicktor Perez’s address at the time he filled out

the warrant. He could not explain why he did not redraft the warrant deleting the

references to Johnny Vicktor Perez. On cross-examination, Officer Ridings admitted
16

that some of the officers may have looked for the defendant at the Knoxville address. 

He denied making any changes after the warrant was issued. He said that the warrant

was intended for the defendant who was the boyfriend of the victim and had a birthday

of October 9, 1962. 

Judicial Commissioner George Allison testified that when he initially read

the warrant, Officer Ridings had not signed the affidavit of complaint because Officer

Ridings was still investigating the facts. He said that Officer Ridings made some

changes to the warrant before he read it over a second time. He stated that Officer

Ridings swore to the affidavit of complaint. He believed that Officer Ridings explained

the circumstances surrounding the allegations. Judicial Commissioner Allison did not

remember if Officer Ridings named the witnesses interviewed, but he said that he

normally asked questions before signing an arrest warrant. Judicial Commissioner

Allison said that Officer Ridings made the changes before he issued the arrest warrant. 

He believed the warrant was sufficient. 

Officer Scott Johnson of the Blount County Sheriff’s Department testified

that he arrested the defendant at the gas station. He said that the arrest warrant was at

the county jail when he arrived. He stated that he did not remember if any changes had

been made to the arrest warrant when he filled out the officer’s return portion of the

arrest warrant. Tony Rayburn, a correctional officer for the Blount County Sheriff’s

Department, testified that he saw the arrest warrant at the county jail. He said that the

defendant told him that his middle name was not Vicktor. 

At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court denied the defendant’s

motion to suppress based upon the alleged defects in the arrest warrant. It held that

the corrections on the arrest warrant were made before the warrant was issued. It

found that the warrant for “Johnny Vicktor Perez AKA JUAN PEREZ” referred to the
17

defendant because the driver’s license number and birthday were that of the defendant. 

The trial court determined that the defendant was not arrested based on an arrest

warrant issued for another person. The court also denied the defendant’s motion to

suppress on grounds that the arrest warrant was not issued based upon probable

cause. It concluded that the judicial commissioner did not rely solely upon the

conclusions of Officer Ridings. It stated that although the proof was not clear regarding

the questions asked of Officer Ridings relative to the witnesses, the affidavit of

complaint set forth that independent witnesses placed the defendant at the scene and

one witness heard the defendant threaten to kill the victim. It also found that the names

of the witnesses were orally revealed to the judicial commissioner. 

A trial court's factual findings on a motion to suppress are conclusive on

appeal unless the evidence preponderates against them. State v. Odom, 928 S.W.2d

18, 23 (Tenn. 1996); State v. Jones, 802 S.W.2d 221, 223 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1990). 

The application of the law to the facts as determined by the trial court is a question of

law which is reviewed de novo on appeal. State v. Yeargan, 958 S.W.2d 626, 629

(Tenn. 1997). 

First, the defendant argues that the arrest warrant was not based upon

probable cause, and therefore, the statement he gave following his arrest should be

suppressed as fruit of an illegal arrest. He argues that the affidavit of complaint was

based upon hearsay and did not provide the basis for the credibility of the informant

who gave the information used for the arrest warrant as required by the Advisory

Committee Comments to Rule 3, Tenn. R. Crim. P. He also asserts that the trial court

did not properly examine Officer Ridings under oath to determine the reliability of the

hearsay evidence given by the informant. 

Rule 4(a), Tenn. R. Crim. P., provides in pertinent part:
18

ISSUANCE. If it appears from the affidavit of complaint or

supporting affidavits filed with the affidavit of complaint that

there is probable cause to believe that an offense has been

committed and that the defendant has committed it, a warrant

for the arrest of the defendant shall be issued by the

magistrate or clerk to any officer authorized by law to execute

it . . . . Before ruling on a request for a warrant, the magistrate

or clerk may examine under oath the complainant and any

witnesses the complainant may produce.

Probable cause must be “based upon evidence, which may be hearsay in whole or in

part provided there is a substantial basis for believing the source of the hearsay to be

credible and for believing that there is a factual basis for the information furnished.” 

Tenn. R. Crim. P. 4(b). The probable cause determination for Rule 4(b) is the same as

that necessary for a determination that probable cause exists for a warrantless arrest

and for a search warrant. State v. Tays, 836 S.W.2d 596, 600 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1992). 

The probable cause requirement under Rule 4(b) essentially encompasses the AguilarSpinelli two-pronged test adopted by our supreme court in State v. Jacumin. Id. 

Initially, we address the defendant’s contention that the affidavit of

complaint based upon hearsay must show the informant’s basis of knowledge and the

credibility of the information provided. The state notes that the defendant has provided

no law that requires that probable cause must be provided in the affidavit and asserts

that the magistrate could rely on what he was told by Officer Ridings. However, we

conclude that the probable cause must exist within the affidavit(s) of complaint before

an arrest warrant may issue. Rule 3, Tenn. R. Crim. P., defines an affidavit of

complaint as “a written statement alleging that a person has committed an offense and

alleging the essential facts constituting the offense charged.” The Advisory

Commission Comments to Rule 3 state the following:

It must be emphasized that before a valid arrest warrant can

issue, the judicial officer issuing the warrant must be supplied

with sufficient information to support an independent judgment

that probable cause exists for the warrant. Whiteley v.

Warden, 401 U.S. 560 (1971). A factually sufficient basis for

the probable cause judgment must appear within the affidavit

of the complaint. If hearsay evidence is relied upon, the basis

for the credibility of both the informant and the informant’s
19

information must also appear in the affidavit. Spinelli v. U.S.,

393 U.S. 410 (1969).

 Also, any evidence the magistrate obtains by examination of a witness must be

reduced to writing and signed by the witness. See T.C.A. §§ 40-6-203 and -204. In

this respect, issuance of the arrest warrant must be based upon probable cause as

established in the written examination conducted by the magistrate. See T.C.A. § 40-6-

205. Thus, an arrest warrant can only be validly issued upon probable cause being

shown by written affidavit pursuant to Rule 4 and T.C.A. §§ 40-6-203 through 205.

In material part, the affidavit provides the following, with the underlying

text being the portion handwritten by Officer Ridings and the remaining portion being a

printed form:

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned Judge of the

Court of General Sessions of Blount County, Tennessee, the

undersigned affiant, and made oath in due form of law, that on

or about March 19[,] 1994, the offense of criminal homicide:

T.C.A. - 39-13-201 to wit: on March 19, 1994[,] Mr. Johnny

Vicktor Perez AKA: JUAN PEREZ did go to a residence

located at 107 Belfore Circle, where with premeditation, did

deliberately and unlawfully kill Ms. Kimberly Jean Bauer by

stabbing her to death. Information pursuant to all the above

was obtained by witness who verified the suspect was at the

scene at the approximate time of death and had made

statements to the affect he (PEREZ) was going to kill Ms.

Bauer. All of the above occurred in the City of Alcoa, County

of Blount, State of Tennessee has been committed in the

State and County aforesaid and charging Johnny Vicktor Perez

AKA: JUAN PEREZ thereof. 

The defendant contends that neither the informant nor the informant’s

information are shown by the affidavit to be reliable. The state responds that because

the statements were made by “witnesses, not informants,” they should be deemed

reliable. Citizens who witness crimes or relevant events are presumed to be reliable for

probable cause purposes. See State v. Melson, 638 S.W.2d 342, 354-56 (Tenn. 1982);

State v. Smith, 867 S.W.2d 343, 346-48 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1993). We believe that the

word “witness” as used in the affidavit reasonably means a person with personal

knowledge -- whether by sight, hearing, or other experience -- of the events recounted
20

in the affidavit. This also leads to a rational inference that the source of Officer Ridings’

information was a bystander. Obviously, the affidavit of complaint could have been

more detailed, but we believe that it provided probable cause to arrest the defendant. 

Second, the defendant argues that the arrest warrant was issued for 

another person, rendering his subsequent arrest illegal and his statement to police

inadmissible as fruit of the illegal arrest. In support of his argument, the defendant

relies upon State v. Hughes, 31 Tenn. 261, 262 (1851), in which our supreme court

held that the name of the defendant must be correctly stated in the indictment,

otherwise it will be fatal. The state responds that the trial court correctly determined

that the warrant was issued for the arrest of the defendant, given the fact that the arrest

warrant contains the defendant’s correct name, birthday and address. We agree. 

There is no merit to this issue.

III. ADMISSION OF TWO PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE VICTIM

The defendant asserts that the trial court erred by admitting two

photographs of the victim. He argues that the photographs should have been excluded

because they had minimal probative value, and any probative value was substantially

outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice because the photographs were likely to

inflame or mislead the jury. See Tenn. R. Evid. 401 and 403. The state responds that

the trial court did not abuse its discretion by admitting the photographs during the crossexamination of the defendant. It argues that the photographs were particularly relevant

to impeach the defendant’s testimony that he did not see the victim when he walked

inside the victim’s house. 

The leading case in Tennessee regarding the admissibility of photographs

of murder victims is State v. Banks, 564 S.W.2d 947 (Tenn. 1978), in which our

supreme court held that the determination of admissibility is within the discretion of the
21

trial court after considering the relevance, probative value and potential unfair

prejudicial effect of such evidence. See Tenn. R. Evid. 403. The general rule, as

stated in Banks, is that “photographs of the corpse are admissible in murder

prosecutions if they are relevant to the issues on trial, notwithstanding their gruesome

and horrifying character.” Id. at 950-51. On the other hand, “if they are not relevant to

prove some part of the prosecution’s case, they may not be admitted solely to inflame

the jury and prejudice them against the defendant.” Id. at 951. 

Thus, even relevant evidence should be excluded if its probative value is

substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice to the defendant. Id.; see

also Tenn. R. Evid. 403. In Banks, the court stated, “The more gruesome the

photographs, the more difficult it is to establish that their probative value and relevance

outweigh their prejudicial effect.” 564 S.W.2d at 951.

The state first introduced a black and white photograph of the victim,

about eleven by thirteen and one-half inches in size. The photograph depicts the victim

from her knees upward lying on her back in the middle of the living room floor. Only the

lower right portion of the side of the victim’s face is showing. The photograph reflects

that the front of the victim’s shirt and bra had been cut, revealing the victim’s bare

chest. Several towels are lying beside the victim on each side of her upper body. A

coffee table is above the victim’s head directly in front of the window. It is not a closeup

shot, and the black and white photograph has a dull quality.

The state also introduced a three and one-half by five inch color

photograph of the victim lying in the same position, but the photograph is taken from a

different angle, showing the entire body of the victim. Most of the victim’s face is

showing. Blood is on the victim’s bra and shirt, and a large blood spot and several
22

smaller blood spots are on the carpet to the left of the victim’s body and in front of the

coffee table. The photograph is a relatively close shot. 

The black and white photograph was initially introduced during the

testimony of Officer Kauker to show what he observed on the night of the offense. It

was shown to the jury during the cross-examination of the defendant following the

defendant’s testimony regarding the location of the victim when he walked into the

house on the night of the offense. The defendant claimed that he did not see the victim

when he first entered the house because most of the victim’s body was underneath the

coffee table. He said that the victim was curled on her side in a fetal position with the

blood spot in front of the victim. On redirect examination, the defendant said that the

diagram of the scene contained a discrepancy in that the large blood spot was directly

in front of the coffee table. On recross-examination, the state sought to introduce the

color photograph to show the location of the large blood spot and to show that the

victim could not have been under the coffee table given the size of the coffee table. 

The trial court agreed that the photograph was probative for such purposes and allowed

its admission. 

Initially, we note that the admitted photograph depicted the victim in a

different position than when she was discovered. This factor weighs against

admissibility. See Banks, 564 S.W.2d at 951. In the present case, the location of the

victim’s body was material given the defendant’s testimony that he was unable to see

the victim when he initially walked into the house because most of her body was

underneath the coffee table. Although not depicted in the same location as when

discovered, the photographs show the victim’s body in relation to the coffee table. We

believe that the photographs are relevant because they show that given the size of the

coffee table, it was unlikely that the victim’s body was in the location asserted by the

defendant. Although the color photograph is more gruesome than the black and white
23

photograph, the color depicts better the location of the large blood spot. The trial court

excluded other photographs that were more gruesome and graphic in nature. In our

review, we are unable to conclude that the photographs’ probative value was

substantially outweighed by the risk of unfair prejudice. See Tenn. R. Evid. 403. Given

the trial court’s full consideration of this issue, we conclude that it exercised due

discretion in admitting the photographs. 

IV. DENIAL OF TESTIMONY OF BARRY RICE

The defendant contends that the trial court erred by refusing to allow

Barry Rice to testify to statements made by Morris Keaton that a black car with at least

two occupants was at the victim’s house for about ten minutes, not a minute and a half

as Keaton testified to on direct examination. He argues that Rice’s testimony was

admissible as extrinsic evidence of Keaton’s prior inconsistent statement. See Tenn. R.

Evid. 613(b). He asserts that the trial court erred by determining that the evidence was

not admissible because Keaton was not given an opportunity to explain or deny the

statement. The defendant contends that Rule 613(b) does not require that the witness

explain or deny the prior inconsistent statement before extrinsic evidence of the

statement may be offered, arguing that Mr. Keaton could have been recalled by the

state. See N. Cohen et al., Tennessee Law of Evidence § 613.4, at 412 (3d ed. 1995). 

The state responds that the testimony was properly excluded because Keaton was not

given the opportunity to explain or deny the statement made to Rice. We agree.

During direct examination, Keaton testified that before the victim came

home, a black car with at least two female passengers arrived, knocked on the victim’s

door, returned to the car about a minute and one-half later, and left. On crossexamination, Keaton was asked if he had earlier told defense counsel or William Boddy

whether he had said that the black car had stayed at the house about ten minutes. 

Keaton answered that he had not made the statement, and he also said that he did not
24

tell anyone that the car left the house after ten minutes, asserting that the car stayed

only a minute and a half. Keaton was excused after his testimony. The defendant

presented the testimony of William Boddy that Keaton had told him that the car

remained for ten minutes. When the defendant tried to present similar testimony from

Barry Rice, the state objected on the grounds that Keaton had not been afforded the

opportunity to explain or deny the statement to Rice. The trial court sustained the

objection. 

The defendant argues that Rice’s testimony should have been admitted

as extrinsic evidence of Keaton’s prior inconsistent statement under Rule 613(b), Tenn.

R. Evid., which states:

Extrinsic Evidence of Prior Inconsistent Statement

of Witness. Extrinsic evidence of a prior inconsistent

statement by a witness is not admissible unless the witness is

afforded an opportunity to explain or deny the same and the

opposite party is afforded an opportunity to interrogate the

witness thereon, or the interests of justice otherwise require.

This provision does not apply to admissions of a partyopponent as defined in Rule 803(1.2).

Recently, our supreme court ruled that extrinsic evidence is inadmissible under Rule

613(b) unless (1) the witness is asked whether the witness made the prior inconsistent

statement and (2) the witness denies or equivocates as to having made the prior

inconsistent statement. State v. Martin, 964 S.W.2d 564, 565, 567 (Tenn. 1998). 

However, Rule 613(b) permits the trial court to depart from the foundational

requirements when “the interests of justice otherwise require.” Id. at 568.

In Martin, the witness, the defendant’s girlfriend, testified that the

defendant was with her at their apartment at the time of the robbery in issue. Id. at 566. 

On cross-examination, the witness admitted speaking to an officer shortly after the

robbery, and she said that she did not tell the officer that the defendant was with her

when the robbery occurred. Id. On rebuttal, the state called the officer who testified

that when told the date of the robbery, the witness said to the defendant, “I don’t know
25

where you were, I was in the motel.” Id. Because the extrinsic evidence of the prior

inconsistent statement was introduced without first asking the witness whether she had

made the statement to the defendant or to anyone else, the supreme court held that the

extrinsic evidence should not have been admitted. Id. at 568.

In discussing the proper foundation for admission of extrinsic evidence of

a prior inconsistent statement, the supreme court cited with approval the procedures

traditionally used in Tennessee before the implementation of Rule 613:

This practice required that a witness’ attention be drawn

to the place, persons present, time of the statement, and to the

substance of the statement before extrinsic evidence of the

prior inconsistent statement could be used to impeach the

witness’ credibility. The foundational requirements were to: (1)

provide the witness an opportunity to admit, deny, or explain

the prior inconsistent statement; (2) refresh the witness’

memory; and (3) allow the witness to respond intelligently to

the impeachment attempt. 

Id. at 567 (citations omitted). We believe that these requirements must be met for the

admission of extrinsic evidence of a prior inconsistent statement of a witness under

Rule 613(b).

Applying these standards to the present case, we hold that the trial court

properly excluded Rice’s testimony. Keaton was not afforded an opportunity to explain

or deny the statement to Rice before the defendant sought to admit the extrinsic

evidence of the statement through the testimony of Rice. We acknowledge that when

questioned about the prior statements to defense counsel and Boddy, Keaton testified

that he not only did not make the statements to them but also did not make the

statements to anyone else. However, Keaton’s attention was never drawn to the place,

persons present, time of the statement, and the substance of the prior statement to

Rice. Accordingly, Keaton was not provided an opportunity to admit or deny the

statement. Also, the case before us is not an extraordinary case warranting the
26

flexibility to deal with the strict requirements of Rule 613(b). Therefore, Rice’s

testimony was properly excluded.

 

V. CROSS-EXAMINATION OF THE DEFENDANT

The defendant asserts that he is entitled to a new trial on the basis that he

was unfairly prejudiced during the cross-examination. He argues that the trial court

severely admonished him in front of the jury. He argues that he was “improperly baited

by the State’s attorney and should not have been admonished so severely by the trial

court, especially when the trial court could not see what the State’s attorney (through

his gestures) was asking the defendant.” He asserts that the trial court’s frustration with

and hostility towards him deprived him of a fair trial as required by the Fifth, Sixth and

Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and the Tennessee

Constitution. The state responds that the defendant has waived the issue by failing to

cite any authority in support of the position. See T.R.A.P. 27(a)(7); Tenn. Ct. Crim.

App. R. 10(b). It argues that in any event, the trial court acted within its discretion in

controlling the conduct of the trial, and it did not abuse its discretion by ordering the

defendant to answer the prosecutor’s questions. It also argues that any error was

harmless given the briefness of the admonishment during the lengthy trial. See

T.R.A.P. 36(b); Tenn. R. Crim. P. 52(a). 

Failure to cite to authorities in support of an issue constitutes a waiver of

the issue. Tenn. Ct. Crim. App. R. 10(b). The defendant’s brief cites no authority other

than the general claim that the trial court’s conduct violated his rights under the Fifth,

Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and Article I of the

Tennessee Constitution. We do not believe that the brief suffices regarding the need to

cite authority. In any event, we do not believe that the defendant is entitled to a new

trial.
27

During direct examination, the defendant testified that he did not see the

victim’s body when he first walked into the house. The defendant was cross-examined

about this testimony in an attempt to show that it was likely that the defendant would

have seen the victim’s body because it was in plain view. The prosecutor showed a

photograph depicting the view of the victim’s house when entering the house, and he

asked the defendant to show the route he used to walk to the bedroom. When the

defendant began to explain the reason for walking to the bedroom toward the light

rather than explaining the direction he took to get to the bedroom, the prosecutor asked

the defendant to answer the question by telling the jury where he went and told him he

would then be given an opportunity to explain the reasons for his action. The defendant

then responded, “In that direction.” The prosecutor tried to clarify the direction the

defendant took by asking specific questions. When the defendant did not respond to

one of the questions asked, the trial court told the defendant to listen to the question

and answer the question, and the defendant replied that he had answered the question. 

The trial court told the defendant to listen to him, but the defendant interrupted the

court, resulting in the court admonishing the defendant not to interrupt the court. 

The trial court then told the defendant:

This will help your testimony and it will help the Jury

understand your testimony. And anything that you want to

explain afterward, you can do that. And your lawyer is going

to be given a chance to question you again. 

The prosecutor asked the defendant whether he walked between a heater and the

refrigerator, and the defendant responded by asking whether he would be allowed to

explain after answering the question. The following colloquy took place:

[GENERAL BAILEY]: If you will answer the question, Mr.

Perez.

THE COURT: Do you understand the question, Mr. Perez.

MR. COHEN: Your honor --
28

THE WITNESS: I understand the question, . . . what he

doesn’t comprehend is that the space is not as it’s shown in

that picture. The space --

MR. COHEN: Excuse me, your Honor, may I interrupt.

THE WITNESS: -- is a lot wider.

MR. COHEN: Mr. Perez, be quiet..

THE COURT: I want everybody to be quiet, including the

lawyers and the witness. The question was did you walk

between a refrigerator and a heater. That’s a simple question.

THE WITNESS: Which I answered yes.

THE COURT: No, you didn’t.

THE WITNESS: Yes, I did.

THE COURT: Don’t argue with me. The first words out of your

mouth was, can I explain something and what he doesn’t

comprehend. Now, ask the question again, please, and then

when he’s answered --

MR. COHEN: Your honor -- I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to

interrupt. I thought you were through.

THE COURT: When he answers the question, then if there is

something about that question that needs to be explained, you

can explain it. But just because you might want to explain

something else doesn’t mean you can go into a speech after

a specific question has been asked. Now, do you understand

that, Mr. Perez?

THE WITNESS: Yes, sir. I asked you if I could go --

THE COURT: Then you do it.

THE WITNESS: -- into an explanation after --

THE COURT: There was nothing that needed to be explained.

If your lawyer wants to get up and start asking you about the

distances from somewhere to somewhere else, then he can do

that.

THE WITNESS: Well, isn’t that what he just asked me?

THE COURT: No, sir. Ask the question again.

The defendant then objected on the ground that the prosecutor was using

an ink pen to ask the question, causing the defendant to be confused because the
29

prosecutor was asking one question verbally and another question through his

gestures. He said that the jury could see the gestures, although he did not explain the

nature of the gestures. The judge stated that he could not see the gestures made by

the prosecutor and overruled the objection. 

At the hearing on the motion for new trial, the trial court stated that it

admonished the defendant for two reasons: (1) to control the trial and (2) to prevent the

defendant from talking over the prosecutor such that he alienated the jury. The court

stated that it did not yell at the defendant. It also found that the admonishment did not

have an effect on the jury.

A trial court has the inherent power to supervise and control its own court

proceedings. Andrews v. Bible, 812 S.W.2d 284, 291 (Tenn. 1991); State v. Bragan,

920 S.W.2d 227, 239 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1995). The control and scope of crossexamination is within the sound discretion of the trial court. Reece v. State, 555 S.W.2d

733, 735 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1977). However, the trial court must take care not to

convey to the jury an appearance of taking sides. See State v. Suttles, 767 S.W.2d

403, 407 (Tenn. 1989); State v. Brown, 823 S.W.2d 576, 588 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1991).

We hold that the trial court acted within its discretion. A review of the

record, including the audio cassette tape recording of the defendant’s crossexamination, reflects that the defendant did not first answer the question asked before

trying to explain. The defendant interrupted the trial court on several occasions. We

also note that defense counsel on one occasion had to tell the defendant to be quiet. 

The trial court had the authority to control the proceedings as it did. 

VI. NEWLY DISCOVERED EVIDENCE
30

The defendant claims that he is entitled to a new trial on the basis of

newly discovered evidence that the victim was seen at a bar near her house on the

night of the offense. He asserts that the evidence is material and would likely have

resulted in a different outcome because it increases the possibility of the existence of

other suspects, creating a reasonable doubt as to the defendant’s guilt. The state

responds that the trial court properly refused to order a new trial based on the newly

discovered evidence. We agree.

At the hearing on the motion for new trial, the defendant presented

testimony from two employees who worked for a bar located near the victim’s house. 

The employees said that they remembered the victim coming into the bar on the

evening of the offense. Both employees stated that they were not sure that they saw

the victim on the night of the offense until another person told them. One employee

said that the victim came into the bar about 4:30 or 5:00 p.m., ordered a beer, drank

half of it, and then left. She said that the victim arrived and left alone. On crossexamination, she testified that the victim was not wearing a Krystal uniform, and she

conceded that it could have been the day before the offense that she saw the victim in

the bar.

Defense counsel’s legal secretary testified that one of the employees who

saw the victim at the bar was formerly her mother-in-law. She said that about one and

a half to two weeks after the trial, she gave defense counsel both of the employees’

names and one of the employees’ addresses. 

Barry Rice, a private investigator, testified that two to three weeks after

the trial, defense counsel gave him one of the employees’ addresses. He said that he

interviewed the two employees. He testified that the employees told him that they saw
31

the victim in the bar on the night of the offense and that they remembered people

talking about the victim’s presence in the bar that night.

Officer Ridings testified that he measured the distance from the bar to the

Krystal and from the bar to the victim’s house. He stated that the distances were about

the same, six tenths of a mile. He said that it took about seven minutes and two

seconds to walk the distance between the locations.

The trial court denied a new trial on the basis of newly discovered

evidence. It found that it was arguable whether the evidence would be harmful to the

state or helpful to the defendant. It concluded that the defendant acted diligently in

discovering the evidence after trial, although there was little to show that the defendant

acted diligently before trial. The trial court determined that the evidence was not strong

and that a new trial was not justified. 

The decision to grant or deny a new trial on the basis of newly discovered

evidence is a matter that rests in the sound discretion of the trial court. State v.

Goswick, 656 S.W.2d 355, 358 (Tenn. 1983). However, a new trial is a matter of right

when the defendant establishes (1) reasonable diligence in seeking newly discovered

evidence, (2) materiality of the evidence, and (3) that the new evidence will likely

change the result of the trial to one more favorable for the defendant. State v.

Singleton, 853 S.W.2d 490, 496 (Tenn. 1993); Goswick, 656 S.W.2d at 359; Taylor v.

State, 180 Tenn. 62, 67, 171 S.W.2d 403, 405 (1943).

In this case, the state does not contest the defendant’s reasonable

diligence in discovering the evidence. Rather, it argues that the evidence was neither

material nor likely to produce a more favorable result for the defendant. Evidence is

considered material if it would be likely to change the result. Evans v. State, 557
32

S.W.2d 927, 938 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1977). When newly discovered evidence merely

tends to contradict or to impeach the trial evidence, a new trial is not always warranted.

See State v. Sheffield, 676 S.W.2d 542, 544 (Tenn. 1984); State v. Lequire, 634

S.W.2d 608, 615 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1981). In other words, a new trial will not be

granted when it appears that such newly discovered evidence merely discredits the

testimony of a witness at the original trial, contradicts a witness' statements, or

impeaches a witness, unless the testimony of the witness being impeached was so

important to the issue and the evidence impeaching the witness so convincing that a

different result must follow. Rosenthal v. State, 200 Tenn. 178, 186, 292 S.W.2d 1, 4-5

(1956).

The conviction in this case was based upon both direct and circumstantial

evidence. During the trial, the defendant sought to establish the discrepancies in the

time of events. The defendant alleged that the newly discovered evidence showed

additional discrepancies, creating reasonable doubt as to his guilt. However, the

evidence presented by the defendant was not certain either as to the time or the date

that the victim was seen at the bar. Moreover, the employees testified that they

remembered that the victim was in the bar on the night of the offense after talking to

other people. Under these circumstances, the evidence is not strong that the victim

was in fact in the bar before the offense took place. As a result, we cannot say that the

new evidence would likely change the result of the trial. We hold that the trial court did

not abuse its discretion by denying a new trial on the basis of newly discovered

evidence. 
33

II. SENTENCING

The defendant asserts that the trial court erred by sentencing him in the

upper part of Range I. He contends that the trial court erred by applying enhancement

factors. However, the defendant does not specify which enhancement factors were

inappropriately applied. Rather, the defendant merely “adopt[s] by reference the presentence report and the evidence and argument at the sentencing hearing . . . .” The

state argues that the defendant waived the issue by failing to present any argument

with citation to authorities as required by Rule 27(a)(7), T.R.A.P. We agree that the

defendant failed to follow the requirements of Rule 27(a)(7). The defendant’s

contention tells us nothing. The burden on appeal is on the defendant to show that the

sentence imposed is improper. T.C.A. § 40-35-401(d), Sentencing Commission

Comments. “With the trial court’s determinations being presumptively correct, it is not

our function to rummage through the record to glean support for a defendant’s general

claim of excessive sentencing and such a claim runs a high risk of the sentence being

summarily affirmed.” State v. Richard J. Crossman, No. 01C01-9311-CR-00394,

Wilson County, slip op. at 12 (Tenn. Crim. App. Oct. 6, 1994), app. denied (Tenn. Jan.

3, 1995). 

In any event, the record supports the sentence imposed by the trial court. 

The presentence report shows that the then thirty-two-year-old defendant has a prior

conviction for driving under the influence of an intoxicant (D.U.I.) in 1993. It reflects that

the defendant committed the present crime while on probation for the D.U.I. conviction. 

The report states that the defendant is a high school graduate who attended college for

a period of time, leaving for financial reasons. It shows that the defendant had

maintained gainful employment but that he had been involved in altercations with

several coworkers at his most recent job. The defendant denied that he used alcohol or

drugs at the time of the presentence interview. 
34

At the conclusion of the sentencing hearing, the trial court found the

following enhancement factors applicable pursuant to T.C.A. § 40-35-114:

(1) the defendant has a previous history of criminal convictions

or criminal behavior in addition to those necessary to establish

the appropriate range;

 (5) the defendant treated the victim with exceptional cruelty

during the commission of the offense;

(8) the defendant has a previous history of unwillingness to

comply with the conditions of a sentence involving release in

the community;

(9) the defendant possessed or employed a deadly weapon

during the commission of the offense; and

(15) the defendant abused a position of private trust.

The trial court gave greater weight to enhancement factors (5) and (9). In mitigation,

the court considered the defendant’s lack of a prior felony record and his history of

being gainfully employed and supporting himself, stating that the mitigating factors were

“significant.” See T.C.A. § 40-35-113(13). The court stated that a twenty-five year

sentence was appropriate based upon the applicable enhancement factors, but it

reduced the sentence to twenty-two years given the applicable mitigating factors.

The record reflects that the trial court properly followed the sentencing

principles and considered all relevant facts and circumstances. State v. Ashby, 823

S.W.2d 166, 169 (Tenn. 1991). The record supports the trial court’s sentencing

decision.

In consideration of the foregoing and the record as a whole, we affirm the

trial court’s judgment of conviction.

 

Joseph M. Tipton, Judge 
35

CONCUR:

 

Jerry L. Smith, Judge

 

Thomas T. Woodall, Judge