IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE

AT KNOXVILLE

February 24, 1998 Session

STATE OF TENNESSEE v. JAMES HENDERSON DELLINGER & GARY

WAYNE SUTTON

Appeal as of Right from the Criminal Court for Blount County

No. C-6670 D. Kelly Thomas, Jr., 

No. E1997-00196-CCA-R3-DD

March 7, 2001

On April 6, 1992, the Blount County Grand Jury indicted Appellants James Henderson Dellinger and

Gary Wayne Sutton for one count each of first-degree murder in the death of Tommy Griffin.

Following a jury trial, the Appellants were convicted of first degree murder. After a subsequent

sentencing hearing the jury imposed the death penalty on both appellants. They raise thirty five

alleged errors concerning both the guilt and sentencing phase of their trial. After a review of the

entire record we have concluded there is no reversible error and we therefore AFFIRM the verdict.

Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Criminal Court is Affirmed.

JERRY SMITH,J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which JAMES CURWOOD WITT,JR.,J.CONCUR,

PAUL G. SUMMERS, J., not participating.

Eugene B. Dixon; Charles Deas, Maryville, Tennessee, for appellant, James Henderson Dellinger,

and F.D. Gibson, Maryville, Tennessee and John Goergen, Knoxville, Tennessee, for the appellant,

Gary Wayne Sutton.

John Knox Walkup, Attorney General & Reporter; Michael E. Moore, Solicitor General; Kenneth

W. Rucker, Assistant Attorney General; and Mike Flynn, District Attorney General, for the appellee,

State of Tennessee. 

OPINION

I. FACTS

Stella Griffin Whitted testified that she was the sister of the victims in this case, Tommy

Griffin and Connie Branam. She testified that her brother had been twenty-four years old at the time
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of his death and had walked with a pronounced limp due to an earlier amputation of one of his legs.

She also testified that her sister was thirty-three years old at the time of her death.

Jamie Carr testified that she was working as a barmaid at Howie’s Hideaway Lounge in

Maryville, Tennessee on February 21, 1992. Carr stated that during her shift, Appellants and an

individual whom she later learned was Tommy Griffin arrived in a dark blue Camaro or Trans Am.

The three men sat in a booth and began drinking beer.

Terri Newman testified that when she arrived for work at Howie’s Hideaway on February 21,

1992, a blue Camaro or Grand Prix was parked in her parking space. When Newman entered the

establishment, she saw Appellants and Griffin drinking beer and shooting pool. Newman stated that

the three men left Howie’s Hideaway at approximately 7:00 p.m. 

Cynthia Walker testified that on February 21, 1992, she and Kevin Walker were returning

to Knoxville from Maryville when she saw a dark-colored Camaro parked in the emergency lane of

the Alcoa Highway. Ms. Walker stated that she thought there might have been a fight because it

appeared that someone was being pulled from the passenger side of the Camaro. 

Kevin Walker testified that he had also seen the altercation that occurred in and around a

dark-colored Camaro that had only one headlight. Mr. Walker stated that after he saw a person who

was outside of the Camaro fighting with a person who was inside the Camaro, he used his radio to

report the incident to Blount County authorities. Mr. Walker stated that the incident happened at

approximately 7:00 p.m.

Sharon Davis testified that she and her family had also been driving along Alcoa Highway

at approximately 7:00 p.m. on February 21, 1992, when she noticed a man on the side of the road

who was not wearing a shirt or shoes and who appeared to be stumbling around. Davis stated that

she and her family traveled approximately one mile down the road to eat at the Waffle House, and

upon their return, she saw a dark-colored Camaro that was near the place where she had seen the man

who was not wearing a shirt or shoes. Davis also saw two men by the Camaro who appeared to be

searching for something or someone. 

Sandra Hicks testified that while she was working as a dispatcher at 7:11 p.m. on February

21, 1992, she received a report about a fight involving some people in a black or dark-colored

Camaro. Hicks then dispatched Officer Steven Brooks to investigate. 

Officer Steven Brooks of the Alcoa, Tennessee Police Department testified that he received

the dispatch about a possible fight at approximately 7:00 p.m. When Brooks arrived at the scene

approximately two minutes later, he observed nothing unusual. Brooks then made a routine traffic

stop and when he began questioning the occupants of the vehicle, he noticed another vehicle on Hunt

Road that was flashing its lights erratically. Brooks then radioed Officer Drew Roberts and

requested that Officer Roberts check on that vehicle. 

Brooks testified that when he subsequently joined Roberts, he saw two men standing beside

a S-10 pickup and saw another man sitting on the tailgate of the truck. Brooks stated that the man

on the tailgate was not wearing a shirt and it appeared that he had been involved in a fight because

he was upset and he had abrasions on his back and neck. 

Officer Drew Roberts testified that when he questioned the man who was not wearing a shirt,

the man told the officers that his name was Tommy Griffin and that he lived in Sevier County.

Griffin initially told the officers that an argument had taken place and that some friends put him out

of the car, but when questioned further, he stated that the men were not really his friends. Griffin
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refused to give any other information. Roberts subsequently arrested Griffin for public intoxication

and took him to the Blount County Jail. 

Sergeant Ray Herron testified that Griffin was booked into the Blount County jail at 7:40

p.m. on February 21, 1992. Herron stated that approximately forty-five minutes later, appellant

Dellinger approached him to see when Griffin could be released. Herron told Dellinger that Griffin

would be kept a minimum of four hours. Herron stated that Griffin was subsequently released from

jail at 11:25 p.m. when Dellinger returned to the jail and posted a cash bond. 

Captain Kenneth Beeler testified that on February 21, 1992, he saw both Appellants in the

lobby of the Blount County Jail at approximately 11:15 p.m. Lieutenant Tom Defoe testified that

on the evening of February 21, 1992, he saw Appellants enter the lobby of the Blount County Jail

and he noticed that one of them was carrying a shirt. Shortly thereafter, Defoe saw Appellants leave

the jail with an individual who had just been released. 

Alvin Henry testified that he lived in the same neighborhood as both Dellinger and Griffin.

Henry stated that at approximately 9:00 p.m. on February 21, 1992, he looked out the window of his

residence when his dog started barking. When Henry looked down the road, he saw someone getting

in Dellinger’s white pickup truck. Henry then saw the truck drive up the road and pull into

Dellinger’s driveway. A few seconds later, Henry looked back down the road and noticed that

flames were shooting out of Griffin’s trailer. 

Jennifer Branam, Griffin’s niece, testified that on the night of February 21, 1992, her sister

came into her bedroom and yelled that Griffin’s trailer was on fire. Jennifer Branam then awakened

her father and ran to Dellinger’s trailer to see whether Griffin was there. Jennifer Branam stated that

she believed that Dellinger was at home because his truck was in the driveway. She then knocked

on the door and Linda Dellinger answered. Jennifer Branam stated that when she asked whether

Dellinger was home, Linda said that he was not there. However, Jennifer Branam then saw both

Appellants walking down the hall. She also noticed that they were both wearing jackets and their

pants were wet up to their knees. When Jennifer Branam asked Sutton if Griffin was in the trailer,

Sutton replied that Griffin was in Blount County with a girl. Jennifer Branam then asked both

Appellants to accompany her to Griffin’s trailer, but Dellinger said he could not go because he was

in enough trouble already. 

Jennifer Branam testified that later that night, she saw Appellants move an object from

Dellinger’s truck to Linda Dellinger’s car. Jennifer Branam stated that the object was two to three

feet long and it was covered with a sheet. She stated that Appellants then left in the car. The

following morning, Jennifer Branam saw Dellinger remove the object that had been put in the trunk

of his wife’s car and place it under his trailer. She stated that the object looked like a shotgun. 

Herman Lewis, a neighbor of Griffin, testified that at approximately 10:00 p.m. on February

21, 1992, he saw someone who looked like Dellinger come out of the Dellinger trailer and put

something white that was about the size of a walking stick in the back of a car. He stated that two

people had been in the car when it drove away, but he admitted that he could not identify the two

people.

Sandy Branam, another of Griffin’s nieces, testified that she had a conversation with

Dellinger at approximately 9:00 p.m. on February 21, 1992, during which she inquired about Griffin.

She stated that defendant Dellinger told her that Griffin was at the Blount County Jail and that he

and Sutton were going to get him out of jail. Sandy Branam also stated her mother had previously
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complained that there was a faulty plug behind the television set in Griffin’s trailer. She also stated

that she saw three vehicles in the Dellinger driveway on the night of the fire: an Oldsmobile, a white

truck, and a Camaro. Sandy Branam also testified that around noon on February 22, 1992, her

mother, Connie Branam, stated that she was going to look for Griffin in Blount County. 

Jason McDonald testified that at 11:55 p.m. on February 21, 1992, he heard two or three

gunshots coming from the Blue Springs/Blue Hole area near his home. Brenda McKeehan,

McDonald’s mother, testified that she also heard two gunshots on the evening of February 21, 1992.

Jerry Sullivan, owner of a grocery store in Townsend, Tennessee, testified that on the

afternoon of February 22, 1992, Connie Branam came into his store in search of information

concerning her brother, Griffin. She showed store employees a picture of her brother and asked

Sullivan if she could leave her car in his parking lot. Sullivan testified that when he accompanied

Branam outside to ensure that her car was not blocking anyone, he saw her talking to two men in a

white pickup truck. He stated, however, that he did not get a good look at the men and he could not

identify them. 

Jamie Carr testified that she was working at Howie’s Hideaway on February 22, 1992, when

Appellants came in with Connie Branam. Carr stated that Branam was looking for her brother and

she was crying. When Branam began telling Carr about Griffin’s trailer burning down, Dellinger

interrupted by asking whether Carr remembered if Dellinger had been in the bar the previous day.

When Carr told Dellinger that she definitely remembered him from the previous day, he continued

to interrupt her by asking if she was sure that she remembered that he had been in the bar the day

before. Carr testified that Dellinger then stated that he thought that Griffin might have returned to

the bar after he was released from jail. Dellinger then told Carr that he left Griffin with a woman

down the road. 

Terri Newman testified that when she arrived for work at Howie’s Hideaway at 5:00 p.m. on

February 22, 1992, Appellants were in the bar with Connie Branam. Newman stated that Dellinger

immediately asked her if she remembered him and Sutton from the day before. Branam then said

that she was looking for her brother and wanted to know with whom he had left the bar. Newman

stated that she was confused because she knew that Griffin had left the bar with Appellants.

Newman also stated that Dellinger told her that he and Sutton brought Griffin into the bar after he

was released from jail, but Newman remembered that the group left at approximately 7:00 p.m. the

prior evening. 

Newman testified that Branam became “friendlier” with Dellinger after she consumed some

alcohol and Dellinger subsequently became jealous when Branam began flirting with another man

who was in the bar. Newman stated that Sutton subsequently attempted to get her to go with the

three of them to look for Griffin, but she refused. She stated that Sutton then told her that her

husband would be surprised when she ended up missing one morning. Newman saw Branam leave

with Appellants at approximately 6:30 p.m. 

James Gordon testified that while he was in the Clear Fork area of Sevier County at

approximately 8:00 p.m. on February 22, 1992, he heard a high-pitched whistle sound in the nearby

woods. When he looked into the woods, he saw a fire approximately two hundred yards away. Mr.

Gordon stated that because he thought the fire was started by campers, he made no further

investigation. However, at approximately 7:00 p.m. on February 28, 1992, he and his foster son

were in the area of the fire and they found a burned vehicle that contained a body. 
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Barbara Gordon testified that the day after the fire, she saw a white truck coming from the

scene of the fire that was traveling at a high rate of speed. She stated that the truck appeared to have

two occupants.

Thomas Carter testified that while he and his children were fishing in the Blue Hole area of

Blount County on February 24, 1992, his daughter informed him that a man was lying on the side

of the riverbank. Carter stated that when he investigated and saw the man lying face down, he called

911. Carter stated that he could see that the man had a bloody wound on the back of his head. 

Gary Hamilton of the Blount County Sheriff’s Department testified that he went to the Blue

Hole crime scene on February 24, 1992. Hamilton stated that he subsequently located the body and

he also found two spent twelve-gauge shotgun shells and two empty beer cans by the body. 

Dr. William Bass, an expert in forensic anthropology, testified that he had been called by the

Sevier County Sheriff’s Department to conduct an analysis of the scene where the body had been

found in the burned car. Dr. Bass identified a photograph of the burned vehicle and stated that a

body was found lying in the front seat. He stated that in light of his experience in investigating

deaths, it appeared that an accelerant was poured in the vehicle due to the burn pattern. He testified

that because the victim’s arms and legs had been burned off and the skull had been cremated at the

top, he determined that something would have had to have been added to the vehicle to present such

a high amount of burning. Dr. Bass stated that the body was so extensively burned that he had been

unable to determine a cause of death, however, a positive identification of the victim as Connie

Branam had been made from dental records. Dr. Bass also stated that a rifle cartridge shell was

found at the scene. 

Gary Clabo, an arson investigator for the State of Tennessee, testified that he was notified

of a fire involving an automobile and a dead body on February 28, 1992, and that he arrived at the

scene at approximately 11:00 p.m. Due to the darkness, an officer guarded the vehicle that night,

and Clabo began his investigation the next morning. Clabo testified that the vehicle was burned

severely and the interior was almost totally destroyed. Following a detailed investigation, he

concluded that the fire did not begin in the engine compartment because the engine components were

essentially intact. Rather, burn patterns indicated that the fire had started in the front seat area and

that an accelerant had been placed on the floor to make it burn hotter and faster. Clabo concluded

that the fire had been set by human hands with the use of an outside ignition source. 

Clabo then testified that he had investigated the fire that destroyed Griffin’s trailer. After

explaining his method of investigation, Clabo opined that the trailer fire had also been set by human

hands and that a liquid accelerant had been used. He stated that he had checked the electrical system

and appliances and concluded that there was no evidence of any electrical-caused fire from those

items. 

On cross-examination, Clabo admitted that he took samples from the vehicle to be tested for

accelerants, but the report he obtained from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (“TBI”) lab did

not reveal any petroleum distillate. However, Clabo stated that it was not unusual to get a negative

report from the TBI lab due to consumption and evaporation. Clabo also stated that the high

whistling sounds heard by James Gordon could have been caused by contents of aerosol cans in the

trunk leaking out or by the burning of the seats or a tire. Clabo admitted that none of Griffin’s
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neighbors had noticed the smell of any petroleum-based product during or after the fire. Clabo also

admitted that he had not sent any samples from the trailer to the TBI lab to be tested for accelerants.

Dr. Eric Ellington testified that when he conducted an autopsy of Griffin’s body on February

25, 1992, he immediately noted that Griffin only had one leg and he had incurred a wound to the

back of his head that was an inch and a half in diameter. Dr. Ellington testified that the cause of

death was massive trauma or injury to the brain stem which was completely destroyed by a gunshot.

Dr. Ellington testified that he removed the brain from the skull and retrieved two metal pellets and

two objects which he concluded to be wadding. He stated that he gave those objects to Deputy Larry

Muncy. 

On cross-examination, Dr. Ellington testified that because he was not trained in forensic

pathology, he had not attempted to determine the time of death. However, Dr. Ellington stated that

the emergency technician’s report indicated that rigor mortis was present in Griffin’s body when it

was recovered at 5:50 p.m. on February 24, 1992. Dr. Ellington stated that according to textbooks

he had studied, rigor mortis sets in about thirty minutes after death and lasts from twenty-four to

thirty-six hours after death.

James Widener, criminal investigator for the Blount County Sheriff’s Department, testified

that he executed a search warrant for Dellinger’s trailer and surrounding property on February 28,

1992. Widener stated that the purpose of the search was to look for shells, shotgun shell casings,

and a shotgun. He stated that several expended shotgun shells were recovered in both Dellinger’s

yard and in an adjacent yard. He stated that a .303 rifle and a Mossberg shotgun barrel were found

in Dellinger’s bedroom. On cross-examination, Widener admitted that it appeared that Dellinger was

a gun trader or collector and that various people he interviewed had stated that shooting and target

practice often took place in Dellinger’s yard. 

Don Carman, special agent with the TBI, testified that after an extensive investigation, his

office concluded that the .303 rifle shell recovered from the scene of the burned vehicle was fired

from the rifle that was found in Dellinger’s home. He also testified that shotgun shells found in

Dellinger’s yard and the surrounding area and the shells found near Griffin’s body had been fired

from the same shotgun.

Joseph Mason, firearms expert employed bythe United States Treasury Department, testified

that he had examined the shell casings that were recovered during the investigation of this case.

Mason stated that he had determined that seven of the twelve-gauge shotgun cartridges delivered to

him for examination were fired from the same shotgun, including two shells found near Griffin’s

body. 

Detective Widener was recalled to testify that he had interviewed both Appellants and that

he had recorded the interviews. Sutton’s tape recorded statement was then played for the jury, but

after listening to it, the jury informed the trial court that they had been unable to glean anything from

the poor recording. Detective Widener then testified during a jury-out hearing that he had examined

the transcript of the statement and that the transcript was accurate. The transcript of Sutton’s

statement was then submitted to the jury. 

On cross-examination,Detective Widener admitted that both Appellants had maintained their

innocence throughout their entire interrogation and statements. When questioned about witnesses’

recollection of the type of Camaro they saw on the Alcoa Highway on the night of the murder,
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Widener admitted that their description might not have matched the exact model of the Camaro

owned by Sutton. Widener also stated that he had been told that Dellinger was like a father to

Griffin and that Sutton was like a brother to him. He admitted that evidence showed that Dellinger

had bailed the victim out of jail on numerous occasions. He also stated that Dellinger had given him

an unusual amount of detail concerning a dark-haired woman with whom he had last seen the victim

and that Sutton had given an identical description. 

Mark Turner, Director of the Narcotics Unit at the Sevier County Sheriff’s Department,

testified that he saw Sutton on March 2, 1992, driving a 1984 Camaro with a large hood scoop and

only one headlight in working condition. 

Numerous witnesses testified on the behalf of Appellants that they had previously shot

shotguns at Dellinger’s property and that Griffin had been friends with both Appellants.

Dr. Wayne Stewart, a family physician, testified that he had treated Connie Branam as a

patient and that on one occasion he treated her for injuries related to an assault committed by Jack

Sutton. Dr. Stewart stated that he had treated Branam for numerous ailments including severe

sinusitis, recurring abdominal camps, and grief over the loss of her father and worry over the medical

condition of her mother. He also stated that he had treated Branam for panic attacks and acute grief

and had prescribed valium, xanax, and vicodan on occasion. 

Matthew Cubberley, patrolman for the Sevier County Sheriff’s Department, testified that on

February 10, 1992, he was called to the home of Connie Branam on a report that Branam had taken

an overdose of drugs. Cubberley stated that when he arrived at the scene, Branam attacked him and

he arrested her for assault and took her to the emergency room. Cubberley also stated that Branam

was transported to a mental institution for a few days, and that the assault charges were subsequently

dropped. 

Dr. Ittoop Maliyekkel, psychiatrist at Lakeshore Mental Health Institute, testified that he

treated Connie Branam when she was transported to the Lakeshore facility and that she suffered from

acute depression. Dr. Maliyekkel also testified that a different drug other than the one she overdosed

on was found in Branam’s urine drug screen and that he warned her that mixing medications could

be fatal. On cross-examination, Dr. Maliyekkel stated that the discharge summary report reflected

that when Branam left Lakeshore three days after being admitted, she appeared sober, was not

psychotic or depressed, and had no suicidal ideation. 

Carolyn Weaver testified that she had been Sutton’s girlfriend in February of 1992. Weaver

stated that she had seen Sutton and Dellinger at the home of Sutton’s brother at approximately 7:00

p.m. on February 21, 1992. Weaver stated that Sutton had taken his car to be examined by his

brother and that Sutton had borrowed his brother’s truck because the radiator on Sutton’s Camaro

was broken. Weaver stated that she and both Appellants left at approximately 8:00 p.m. in a white

pickup truck and went to Dellinger’s home. Weaver stated that Griffin had not been with Appellants

and that Griffin’s trailer had definitely not been on fire when she and Appellants dove past it.

Weaver stated that Appellants left Dellinger’s residence at approximately 10:00 p.m. in order to get

Griffin out of jail. Weaver stated that Appellants returned about midnight and there was nothing

unusual about their dress at that time. 

Weaver testified that she stayed with Sutton at Dellinger’s trailer on the night of February

21, 1992, and she left the next morning with Linda Dellinger to do some shopping. When she
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returned, Appellants were gone. Weaver stated that Appellants returned at approximately 8:00 p.m.

that evening and she and Sutton stayed with the Dellingers on the night of February 22, 1992. 

Weaver testified that she had been to Griffin’s trailer on occasion and she had noticed that

it was not clean and that wires had been “hanging around.” She also stated that she had seen holes

in the stovepipe and a burned place in the floor. She stated that she knew that Griffin was afraid of

his brother James Griffin because James had often beaten him up. 

Tim Nichols, a volunteer fireman with the Sevierville Fire Department, testified that he was

the head of the fire crew that answered a call for the fire at Griffin’s trailer on February 21, 1992.

Nichols testified that he had a conversation with Connie Branam that evening in which she stated

that bad wiring might have caused the fire. Nichols stated that the trailer had been a total loss and

that he did not call an arson investigator because he had no reason to suspect arson at that time. He

also testified that he did not smell the odor of gasoline or any other chemical at the fire scene. 

Captain Larry McMahan of the Sevier County Sheriff’s Department testified that he acted

as chief investigator in the Connie Branam case and that he assisted in the investigation of this case.

McMahan testified that none of the items gathered at the scene where Connie Branam’s body had

been found, when tested, had resulted in fingerprints of Appellants being found. He also testified that

dirt samples taken from the shoes of Appellants did not match samples of dirt taken from the scene

where Branam’s body was found. 

On cross-examination, Captain McMahan testified that the shotgun that had fired the shells

in this case had never been recovered. McMahan also admitted that he did not test the fingerprints

of other potential suspects such as Bill Cogdill, Eddie Blair, or James Griffin for potential matches

of prints taken from items found at the Connie Branam fire scene. He also stated that a partial tire

track found at the Branam fire scene did not match the tracks of Dellinger’s vehicle. 

Charles Currier, a resident of the area near where Griffin’s body was discovered, testified that

it was not unusual to hear gunshots around that area because people often practiced shooting there.

Katherine Turner, another resident of the area, corroborated his testimony. 

William Dewitt was called by the defense as a fire-investigation expert and was qualified as

such by the court. Dewitt testified that new scientific evidence revealed that irregular burn patterns

were not always indicative that an accelerant had been used. Dewitt stated that if the presence of

ignited liquids is suspected, samples should always be taken. He further stated that the type and

quantity of combustible materials found in automobiles today, when burned, can produce a degree

of damage much like that caused by an accelerant. After being provided information about the fires

of the trailer and the vehicle, Dewitt opined that the cause of the fires should have been listed as

“undetermined.” 

Robert Webb, Chief Operations Manager for Tennessee for the EMS Division, testified that

he received a call in February of 1992 to investigate a dead body that had been found on the banks

of the Little River in Blount County. Webb testified that he assisted in loading the body, and it was

his opinion that rigor mortis had set in at that time. Neal Stone, a medic for the Rural Metro

Ambulance Corporation, testified that he also assisted in the recovery of the body of the victim and

that it was his opinion that rigor mortis was present. 

Martha Blair testified that in February of 1992, she lived with her ex-husband, Eddie Blair.

Ms. Blair stated that shortly after Griffin’s body was found, officers came to her home to speak with

Mr. Blair. She stated that the officers searched Mr. Blair’s car thoroughly and also found shell
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casings from a 12-gauge shotgun in her yard. Ms. Blair stated that in February of 1992, Mr. Blair

owned a 12-gauge shotgun and he took the gun with him everywhere that he went. She stated,

however, that the shotgun had mysteriously disappeared before the officers visited her home. 

Ms. Blair testified that two unusual incidents occurred about the time that Griffin was killed

that caused her concern. First, Mr. Blair came home and threw his clothes in the trash and told her

that he was throwing them away because they were muddy. She stated that in the twenty years that

she and Mr. Blair had lived together, she had never known him to throw away any muddy clothes.

The second incident that concerned Ms. Blair was that the next morning Mr. Blair took the trash out

to his car, something he had never done before. 

Robert Whiteman, park ranger with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, testified that

he checked into the records of the park service at the request of defense counsel, and in February of

1992, the park owned four white Dodge pickups. He further testified that rangers who drove two

of the pickups might have had occasion during that time to be in the area where the body of Connie

Branam had been found. 

Jack Sutton testified that in February of 1992, an individual by the name of Bill Cogdill told

him two or three days before Connie Branam’s body was found that her body would either be found

in water or a burned vehicle. 

Dr. Larry Wolfe, a physician employed by Mountain People’s Health Council, testified that

he had been provided with autopsy photographs of Griffin and he had opined that Griffin died as a

result of a single gunshot wound to the back of the neck. From the photographs, he estimated that

the time of death was twenty-four to thirty-six hours prior to the time the body was discovered. After

reciting a list of factors he had considered in determining the time of death, he testified that the

victim appeared to have been in a state of rigor mortis and rigor mortis is complete at twenty to

twenty-two hours after death and dissipates at about that same rate. Dr. Wolfe also noted the

presence of postmortem goose bumps on Griffin’s body which would further indicate complete rigor

mortis. Dr. Wolfe stated that he also considered the factors of lividity, marbling of the skin, redness

of the blood, and stage of decomposition of the organs in making his determination as to the time

of death. He testified that if Griffin’s body had been lying out in temperatures reported during the

sixty to sixty-six hour time period suggested by the State, he would have expected gross changes in

Griffin’s body that would have been readily apparent. 

Dr. Wolfe then testified about the drugs that had been prescribed for Connie Branam. Dr.

Wolfe testified that according to reports, xanax, vicodin, and sinequan had been prescribed for

Branam in the last week of her life and she had been hospitalized during that time for adjustment

reaction, severe depression, suicidal gestures, and alcohol abuse. According to Dr. Wolfe, any

individual who had been taking xanax and sinequan and been drinking alcohol would have behaved

in an intoxicated state and would have experienced extreme mood swings and disinhibition. He

testified that if an individual had taken enough of the drugs, he or she might not respond to intense

pain due to being in a comatose state. Defense counsel then hypothesized that an individual in such

a state might be able to drive a car, wander into the woods, stop the car, light a cigarette, pass out,

and then die of cardiac arrest, renal failure, or respiratory arrest. Dr. Wolfe responded that this

hypothetical was a possibility. 

On cross-examination, Dr. Wolfe admitted that he was not board-certified in forensic

pathology and that when he was the medical examiner in Union County, all autopsies were
1

Initially, we note that Appellants have failed to support the argument for this issue and for many subsequent

issues with appro priate citations to the record . For instance , Appellan ts have com pletely failed to identify the part of

the record that contains their motion for separate juries, the part of the record that contains any argument on the motion,

and the part of the record that contains the trial court’s ruling on the motion. Rule 27(g) of the Tennessee Rules of

Appellate Proced ure specifica lly states that “referenc e in the briefs to the record sha ll be to the page of the record

involved.” Further, Rule 10(b) of the Rules of the Tennessee Court of Appeals states that “[i]ssues which are not

supported by . . . appropriate references to the record will be treated as waived by this court.” 

2

For example, the trial court ruled that the State could not introduce a statement by Dellinger in which he

threatened to “wipe out the whole hill” of Griffins because there was no evidence that Sutton had adopted the statement.

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performed elsewhere. He also admitted that he had never spoken with the physician who conducted

the autopsy on Griffin. 

In rebuttal, the state called Beverly Sparks, custodian of records for the Sevier County

Sheriff’s Department, to introduce into evidence two missing persons reports filed by Viola Griffin,

the mother of Griffin and Branam, on Monday, February 24, 1992. In the reports, Ms. Griffin stated

that she had not seen or heard from Griffin since February 21, 1992, at 11:45 p.m. and she had not

seen or heard from Branam since February 22, 1992, at 1:00 p.m. 

Dr. Charles Harlan, forensic pathologist, was accepted as an expert witness by the court. Dr.

Harlan testified that after reading Dr. Ellington’s autopsy report for Griffin, it was his opinion that

Griffin died between 6:00 p.m. on February 21, 1992, and 8:00 a.m. on February 22, 1992. Dr.

Harlan based this opinion on the fact that decomposition of organs was apparent on the microscopic

examination. Dr. Harlan also testified that he had reviewed the testimony of Dr. Wolfe and he

disagreed with many of the conclusions that Dr. Wolfe had made from viewing the evidence in the

case. 

II. SEPARATE JURIES FOR EACH APPELLANT

Appellants contend that the trial court erred when it refused to grant their request for a

separate jury for each Appellant.1 We disagree.

The record indicates that in their motion for separate juries and during the hearing on the

motion, Appellants argued that they were entitled to separate juries because Appellants would be

prejudiced when the trial court admitted evidence that was admissible as to one Appellant but was

inadmissible as to the other Appellant. However, when the trial court denied the motion, the court

stated that it would not admit any evidence that was admissible as to one Appellant but was

inadmissible to the other Appellant.2

 Thus, the trial court found that there was “[no] reason that the

State and both [Appellants] can’t have a fair trial before the same jury.” 

As support for their argument on this issue, Appellants have cited a few federal court cases

in which separate juries were used. However, Appellants have failed to cite any authority that would

require separate juries in a case such as this one. Indeed, the general rule is that the decision of

whether to grant a motion for severance is within the discretion of the trial court and the trial court’s

decision will not be reversed absent a showing of prejudice. See State v. Robinson, 971 S.W.2d 30,
3While these authorities applied this rule in the context of a motion for separate trials, we see no reason why

the rule should be any different in the context of a m otion for separate juries.

4

Initially, we note that a trial court does not have any discretion to grant a motion for separate juries during the

guilt and sentencing phases of trial. Indeed, Tennessee law specifically requires that following a conviction for first

degree murder, a “sentencing hearing shall be conducted as soon as practicable before the same jury that determined

guilt.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-204(a) (1991).

5We note that it is well-settled that a criminal defendant’s constitutional rights are not violated by excusing

prospective jurors for cause when their personal beliefs concernin g the death p enalty would prevent or substantially

impair their performance as a juror in accordance with their instructions and their oath. See State v. Hutchison, 898

S.W.2d 161, 167 (Tenn. 1994 ) (citing Wainw right v. Witt, 469 U .S. 412, 4 24, 105 S.Ct. 844 , 852, 83 L.Ed.2 d 841

(1985)).

-11-

40 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1997); State v. Ensley, 956 S.W.2d 502, 508 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1996).3 In

this case, Appellants have failed to meet their burden of showing that the trial court abused its

discretion. In fact, Appellants have failed to identify a single instance in which one Appellant was

prejudiced by the introduction of evidence that was only admissible against the other Appellant. In

addition, Appellants have failed to identify any other way in which the trial court’s denial of their

motion prevented them from having a fair trial. This issue has no merit.

III. SEPARATE JURIES DURING THE GUILT AND SENTENCING PHASES

Appellants contend that the trial court erred when it denied their motion for separate juries

during the guilt and sentencing phases of trial. We disagree.4

First, Appellants contend that having the same jury during the guilt and sentencing phases

is unconstitutional because it deprived them of their right to a fair trial. Specifically, Appellants

contend that the current system is unfair because the State’s ability to challenge jurors that have

personal views against the death penalty5 leads to a system where the jury is more likely to convict.

However, the Tennessee Supreme Court has previously considered and rejected this argument. See

State v. Harbison, 704 S.W.2d 314, 318–319 (Tenn. 1986) (rejecting the argument that a defendant

is entitled to separate juries during the guilt and sentencing phases of a capital trial in order to

guarantee a fair trial by a jury that represented a cross section of the community); State v. Zagorski,

701 S.W.2d 808, 814–15 (Tenn. 1985) (rejecting the argument that a defendant is entitled to separate

juries during the guilt and sentencing phases of a capital trial on the theory that a “death qualified”

jury is skewed toward a finding of guilt in contravention of the right to a fair and impartial jury

composed of a cross-section of the community); see also State v. Hall, 958 S.W.2d 679, 717 (Tenn.

1997) (rejecting the argument that the manner of selecting “death qualified” jurors results in juries

that are prone to conviction); State v. Teel, 793 S.W.2d 236, 246 (Tenn. 1990) (rejecting the

argument that the process of “death qualifying” prospective jurors produces a jury that is biased in

favor of the State on the issue of guilt or innocence and is not fairly representative of the

community).

Second, Appellants contend that having the same jury during the guilt and sentencing phases

is unconstitutional because it violates the constitutional right to be tried by an impartial jury.

Essentially, Appellants contend that it is impossible for a jury that has convicted a defendant of firstdegree murder to be impartial when it decides whether to impose a death sentence on that defendant.
6

At the time of the homicides Tennessee Code Annotated section 39 -13-204 provided , in relevant part, that the

jury shall impose a sentence o f death if it finds that the State has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the aggravating

circumstances outweigh the mitigating circumstances. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-204(g)(1) (1991).

-12-

However, Appellants have failed to cite any authority or anything in the record in support of this

proposition. We cannot agree that the mere fact that a jury has convicted a defendant of first degree

murder automatically renders that jury incapable of impartially deciding whether to impose a death

sentence. This issue has no merit.

IV. CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE DEATH PENALTY

Appellants contend that the trial court erred when it failed to declare that Tennessee’s death

penalty statutes and procedures are unconstitutional. We disagree.

First, Appellants contend that Tennessee’s death penalty statutes and procedures are

unconstitutional because the jury is required to impose a death sentence if it finds that the

aggravatingcircumstances outweigh the mitigating circumstances and thus, the jury has no discretion

when it decides whether to impose a death sentence. 6 This argument has previously been

considered and specifically rejected by the Tennessee Supreme Court. See State v. Smith, 857

S.W.2d 1, 22 (Tenn. 1993) (holding that Tennessee’s death penalty statutes “do[] not in any way

constitutionally deprive the sentencer of the discretion mandated by the individualized sentence

requirements of the constitution”).

Second, Appellants contend that Tennessee’s death penalty statutes and procedures are

unconstitutional because imposition of the death penalty is cruel and unusual punishment. This

argument has also been considered and specifically rejected by the Tennessee Supreme Court. See

State v. Black, 815 S.W.2d 166, 187–91 (Tenn. 1991) (holding that the death penalty is not

unconstitutional per se as cruel and unusual punishment).

Third, Appellants contend that Tennessee’s death penalty statutes and procedures are

unconstitutional because the Tennessee legislature has concluded that juries are incapable of

rendering fair and just verdicts. In addition to the fact that this argument makes no mention of either

the federal or the state constitutions, this argument is also inaccurate. Appellants’ argument ignores

the fact that the Tennessee Legislature has expressly and specifically required that the jury impose

the sentence in capital cases. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-204(a) (1991). Contrary to Appellants’

assertions, it is clear that in enacting this statutory scheme, the legislature has manifested a belief that

juries are capable of rendering fair and just verdicts in capital cases. 

Fourth, Appellants contend that Tennessee’s death penalty statutes and procedures are

unconstitutional because the immediate sentencing of a capital defendant after pronouncement of

the verdict does not afford the capital defendant the same rights as other defendants who are

sentenced by the trial court during a separate sentencing hearing. Specifically, Appellants contend

that this sentencing procedure violates the constitutional right of capital defendants to equal

protection. Appellants have cited no authority in support of this proposition and we reject it. Equal

protection requires that all persons who are similarly situated must be treated alike. See State ex rel.

Stewart v. McWherter, 857 S.W.2d 875, 876 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1992). It is obvious that capital
7We note that even if we were to find that principles of equal protection were applicable, we would still find

that requiring ca pital defend ants to be sen tenced imm ediately by a jury does not violate the right to equal protection.

When no suspect class and no fundamental right is involved, a classification by the State is valid if som e reasona ble basis

can be found for the classification, or if any state of facts may reasonably be conceived to justify it. See State v. Tester,

879 S.W.2d 823, 828–2 9 (Tenn . 1994). Capital defend ants are not a suspect class for equal protection analysis and there

is no fundam ental right to be sentenced by a judge in a separate sentencing hearing. In addition, requiring capital

defendan ts to be sentenced immediately by a jury is neither arbitrary nor unreasonable. Thus, the sentencing procedure

for capital defendants does not violate the right to equal protection.

-13-

defendants and defendants in all other cases are not similarly situated and thus, principles of equal

protection are simply not implicated here.7

Fifth, Appellants contend that Tennessee’s death penalty statutes and procedures are

unconstitutional because the statutes do not narrow the class of death eligible defendants. As support

for this proposition, Appellants cite State v. Middlebrooks, in which the Tennessee Supreme Court

held that when a defendant is convicted of first-degree murder solely on the basis of felony-murder,

the felony-murder aggravating circumstance does not narrow the class of death eligible murderers

sufficiently to satisfy the federal and state constitutions. 840 S.W.2d 317, 346 (Tenn. 1992).

However, in this case, Appellants were charged and convicted of deliberate and premeditated first

degree murder, not felony murder. Further, the State sought imposition of the death penalty based

on Appellants’ prior convictions for felonies involving violence to the person and not on the felony

murder aggravating circumstance. Thus, Middlebrooks is inapplicable to this case.

Finally, Appellants contend that Tennessee’s death penalty statutes and procedures provide

for constitutionally inadequate appellate review because the statutes do not require the jury to issue

a finding as to what mitigating circumstances were found and why the aggravating circumstances

outweighed the mitigating circumstances. This argument has previously been considered and

specifically rejected by the Tennessee Supreme Court. See State v. Brimmer, 876 S.W.2d 75, 87

(Tenn. 1994) (rejecting the argument that there is no meaningful appellate review of death sentences

becausethere is no requirement for written findings concerning mitigating circumstances).Thisissue

has no merit.

V. VENUE

Appellants contend that the trial court erred when it denied their request for a change of

venue. We disagree.

“In all criminal prosecutions the venue may be changed upon motion of the defendant . . . if

it appears to the court that, due to undue excitement against the defendant in the county where the

offense was committed or any other cause, a fair trial probably could not be had.” Tenn. R. Crim.

P. 21(a). However, “[t]he mere fact that jurors have been exposed to pre-trial publicity will not

warrant a change of venue.” State v. Mann, 959 S.W.2d 503, 532 (Tenn. 1997). “The matter of

change of venue addresses itself to the sound discretion of the trial court, and a denial of a change

of venue will only be reversed on appeal for an affirmative and clear abuse of discretion.” State v.

Vann, 976 S.W.2d 93, 114 (Tenn. 1998). In addition, “[b]efore an accused is entitled to a reversal

of his conviction on the ground that the trial judge erroneously denied his motion for a change of

venue, he must demonstrate . . . that the jurors who actually sat were biased and/or prejudiced.”

Mann, 959 S.W.2d at 532 (citation and internal quotations omitted).
8

This article is not in the record.

9

Initially, we note that b ecause the re cord on ly contains pa rts of the voir dire , our review is limited. 

-14-

On January 6, 1996, Appellants filed a motion for change of venue in which they referred to

an article in that day’s edition of the Daily Times.8 Although the trial court’s order of January 31,

1996, which denied the motion states that the court heard testimony from witnesses and argument

from counsel, the record does not contain a transcript of this hearing. However, the record does

contain two volumes of excerpts from the voir dire that was conducted in this case. A review of

these excerpts indicates that the trial court carefully and meticulously orchestrated the jury selection

process to ensure the selection of an impartial jury. The trial court conducted individual voir dire

of the potential jurors in order to determine whether they had heard anything about the facts of this

case and the Connie Branam case that would interfere with their impartiality. The trial court then

gave counsel for the State and the defense the opportunity to ask further questions. The trial court

then excused any potential jurors who indicated that they would have difficulty being impartial. 

In this case, Appellants have failed to specifically identify any pretrial publicity that would

suggest that there was any “undue excitement against [them]” in Blount County or any other reason

why a fair trial could not be had in Blount County. Moreover, Appellants have failed to identify a

single juror who was allegedly biasedl. Quite simply, Appellants have failed to meet their burden

of showing that any of the jurors who sat during trial were actually biased or prejudiced against them.

This issue has no merit.

VI. VOIR DIRE

Appellants contend that the trial court erred when it limited the amount of questions that

could be asked during voir dire. We disagree.9

“The ultimate goal of voir dire is to insure that jurors are competent, unbiased and impartial,

and the decision of how to conduct voir dire of prospective jurors rests within the sound discretion

of the trial court.” State v. Stephenson, 878 S.W.2d 530, 540 (Tenn. 1994).

The record indicates that after five and one half days of voir dire, the trial court decided that

the process was taking too long. The trial court therefore decided that it would conduct the

individual voir dire of the potential jurors and it would then give counsel for the State and the

defense the opportunity to question the potential jurors about any ambiguous answers. The trial

court then conducted individual voir dire and defense counsel was allowed to question the potential

jurors about pretrial publicity and about their views on the death penalty.

Appellants’ only allegation as to how they were prejudiced by the trial court’s method of

conducting voir dire is the vague statement that “they could not get a feel of the true feeling of the

jurors concerning the death penalty.” Indeed, Appellants have failed to indicate anything they could

or would have done differently if the trial court had conducted voir dire differently. In addition,

Appellants have failed to identify a single instance in which they were prevented from asking

questions of a potential juror. Further, Appellants have not even argued that any of the jurors who

were actually selected through this method of voir dire were biased or prejudiced. Indeed, the partial

excerpts that are contained in the record indicate that the trial court excused jurors who indicated that

they would be unable to be impartial. Under these circumstances, we conclude that the trial court
-15-

did not abuse its discretion when it conducted voir dire in the manner that it did. This issue has no

merit.

VII. JURY SELECTION EXPERT

Appellants contend that the trial court erred when it revoked its authorization for funds to pay

for a jury selection expert. We find no error here.

The record indicates that on March 7, 1994, the trial court granted Appellants’ request for

funds to pay for a jury selection expert. Appellants then had the assistance of jury selection expert

Margie Fargo during the initial jury selection that began on January 22, 1996. Although it is not

clear from the record, the trial court apparently did not empanel this jury because the jury pool was

too small. Subsequently, during an ex parte hearing on June 18, 1996, the trial court revoked its

authorization of funds to pay for a jury selection expert. The trial court reasoned that because

defense counsel had spent approximately one and one-half weeks working with Fargo during the first

jury selection process, defense counsel had acquired the knowledge that was necessary to effectively

select a jury. Thus, the trial court ruled that continued employment of a jury selection expert was

not necessary to ensure that Appellants received a fair trial. 

During an ex parte hearing on July 29, 1996, Appellants asked the trial court to reconsider

its denial of funds for a jury selection expert. Appellants argued that a jury selection expert was

necessary in every capital case and in addition, a jury selection expert was needed in this case

because defense counsel had never selected a “death qualified” jury before. The trial court ruled that

Appellants’ right to a fair trial would not be violated by discontinuing the jury selection expert

services. The trial court stated that because defense counsel had already been instructed by Fargo

about how to select a jury and because three of the defense attorneys had over twenty years of almost

exclusive trial experience, defense counsel would be able to competently select a jury. In addition,

the trial court noted that Appellants had a right to have a jury that would apply the law fairly and

impartially, but Appellants did not have the right to have a jury that would never impose a death

sentence. 

Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-14-207 provides, in relevant part, that when a capital

defendant has been found to be indigent, the trial court “may in its discretion determine that

investigative or expert services or other similar services are necessary to ensure that the

constitutional rights of the defendant are properly protected.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-14-207(b)

(1990). “Absent an abuse of discretion, the trial court’s ruling on the necessity for an expert will be

upheld.” Ruff v. State, 978 S.W.2d 95, 101 (Tenn. 1998). In addition, the Tennessee Supreme

Court has expressly stated that a trial court may deny a defendant the assistance of a jury selection

expert when the defendant has failed to demonstrate a particularized need for the expert services.

Mann, 959 S.W.2d at 526; Black, 815 S.W.2d at 180.

In this case, Appellants have failed to establish that they had a “particularized need” for the

continued use of the jury selection expert. Essentially, Appellants argue that because none of the

defense attorneys had ever selected a “death qualified” jury before, they were incapable of effectively
10Appellan ts also contend that they were entitled to a jury selection expert because a jury selection expert is

necessary for an effective defense in every capital case. However, this concluso ry statement is insufficient to establish

a “particularized need” for a jury selection expert in this case.

11The record indicates that Fargo was paid $ 11,120.00 for these services.

12We note that in the argument for this issue, Appellants also make the conclusory allegations that the

revocation of funds for continued employment of Fargo violated: their right to due process, their right to equal protection,

their right to effective assistan ce of coun sel, and their righ t to compu lsory proce ss of witnesses. Howev er, Appe llants

have failed to supp ort these allega tions with any arg ument othe r than vague c itations to authorities that stand for the

general proposition that criminal defendants have constitutional rights to due process, equal protection, effective

assistance of counsel, and compulso ry process. Thus, Appellants have waived these arguments. Tenn. Ct. Crim. App.

R. 10(b).

13Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-13-203 prohibits imposition of a death sentence on any defendant who,

at the time of the offense, had an IQ level of 70 or less, had deficits in adaptive behavior, and had mental retardation

manifested during the developmental period or by age eighteen. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-203(a)–(b) (1991).

-16-

selecting a jury in this case without continued employment of the jury selection expert.10 The mere

fact that defense counsel had never selected a jury in a capital case before, standing alone, is

insufficient to establish a “particularized need” for the continued services of a jury selection expert

in this case. Indeed, as noted by the trial court, two of the defense attorneys had worked closely with

Fargo for one and one half weeks during the previous jury selection process.11 Further, defense

counsel stated at the hearing that Fargo had already collected information from Appellants and

defense counsel and had prepared two pages of questions for defense counsel to ask the potential

jurors. Under these circumstances, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion when

it revoked the funds for continued employment of Fargo. This issue is without merit.12

VIII. INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENT TESTING

Appellants contend that the trial court erred when it failed to order that an intelligence

quotient (“IQ”) test be administered to Appellants while they were under the influence of alcohol.

We disagree.

On July 27, 1995, Appellants filed a motion asking the court to order that they be tested for

IQ while they were under the influence of alcohol. At the hearing on the motion on January 30,

1996, Appellants argued that their consumption of alcohol shortly before the time that Griffin was

killed may have lowered their IQ level below 70, which would have rendered them statutorily

ineligible for the death penalty.13 However, Appellants argue on appeal that their IQ level while they

were intoxicated was relevant to the elements of intent and premeditation.

Dr. Peter Young testified for the defense that according to the results of IQ testing, Dellinger

had an IQ level of 72 in March of 1995 and Sutton had an IQ level of 76 in November of 1993. Dr.

Young then opined that Appellants’ use of alcohol could have reduced their IQ level to below 70 at

the time that Griffin was killed. On cross-examination, Dr. Young admitted that the authorities upon

which he based his opinion actually contradicted his opinion. Dr. Young also admitted that there

was no recognized statistical data that could be used to adjust Appellants’ IQ levels while they were

functioning in an intoxicated state. 
14The United States Constitution guarantees “[t]he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses,

papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures . . . .” U.S. Const. amend. IV. The Tennessee

Constitution similarly provid es “[t]hat the pe ople shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers a nd possessions, from

unreasonable searches and seizures . . . .” Tenn. Const. art I, § 7.

-17-

Dr. Eugene Cord testified for the State that the results of an IQ test would be invalid if the

test had been given to an intoxicated person. Dr. Cord also testified that while intoxication would

impair performance, it would not affect IQ level. Dr. Cord testified that he was unaware of any

statistical data that could be used to adjust an individual’s IQ level while in an intoxicated state.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court found that there was no proof that alcohol use

had any effect on IQ level. The trial court also found that it would be useless to test Appellants for

IQ level while they were intoxicated because there was no recognized test for doing so. Moreover,

the trial court found that Appellants had also failed to prove that they had deficits in adaptive

behavior or that they had mental retardation that was manifested during the developmental period

or by age eighteen.

We conclude that the evidence in the record does not preponderate against the trial court’s

findings that alcohol use does not effect IQ level and that there is no recognized test for determining

the IQ level of an intoxicated person. Thus, testing Appellants for IQ level while they were

intoxicated would have been an exercise in futility. In addition, the trial court’s refusal to order the

IQ tests did not prevent Appellants from showing that they did not have the required mental state for

first degree murder because they were intoxicated at the time of the offense. Indeed, there was a

great deal of evidence that Appellants had been drinking shortly before Griffin was killed and the

trial court instructed the jury that “[i]f you find that [Appellants] were intoxicated to the extent that

they could not have possessed the required culpable mental state, then they cannot be guilty of the

offense charged.” In short, the trial court did not err when it refused to order that Appellants be

tested for IQ levels while they were intoxicated. This issue has no merit.

IX. ADMISSION OF EVIDENCE SEIZED PURSUANT TO A SEARCH WARRANT

Appellant Dellinger contends that the trial court erred when it failed to suppress evidence that

was seized from his residence and the surrounding area pursuant to a search warrant.

On February 28, 1992, Detective Widener obtained a search warrant for Dellinger’s

residence, outbuildings, and land. Later that same day, Widener and some other officers searched

Dellinger’s property. During the search, the officers discovered and seized numerous shotgun shells,

several shells form other weapons, a .303 rifle, and a Mossberg shotgun barrel. Dellinger contends

that these items were inadmissible evidence because the search of his property was invalid under the

Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 7 of the Tennessee

Constitution.14

A. Validity of the Search Warrant on its Face

 Dellinger contends that the search warrant is void on its face because the supporting affidavit

does not create a nexus between his property and the murder of Griffin. We disagree.

An affidavit which establishes probable cause is an indispensable prerequisite to the issuance

of a search warrant. See Tenn. Code. Ann. § 40-6-103 (1997); Tenn. R. Crim. P. 41(c). “An
15We note that “[o]nly the probability and not a prima facie showing of criminal activity is the standard of

probable cause.” State v. Do well, 705 S.W.2d 138 , 140 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1985).

-18-

affidavit in support of a search warrant must set forth facts from which a reasonable conclusion

might be drawn that the evidence is in the place to be searched.” State v. Smith, 868 S.W.2d 561,

572 (Tenn. 1993). “The nexus between the place to be searched and the items to be seized may be

established by the type of crime, the nature of the items, and the normal inferences where a criminal

would hide the evidence.” Id.

The affidavit provide by Detective Widener in support of the search warrant in this case

provides:

Affiant . . . has good ground and belief, and does believe that James A. Dellinger is in

possession of . . . [o]ne 12 gauge shotgun, make and model unknown, and 12 gauge “00”

shotgun shells, Remington Peters Brand.

. . . .

[A]ffiant has information to show that at approximately 7:11 p.m., 21 February 1992,

Tommy Griffin was involved in a fight with James Dellinger and Gary Sutton. Tommy

Griffin was arrested at Blount County and booked at approximately 7:35 p.m. At

approximately 9:30 p.m. this same night, Tommy Griffin’s mobile home located in the same

proximity as that of James Dellinger’s home burned to the ground. At 11:25 p.m. this night

of 21 February 1992, at the Blount County Jail, James Dellinger and Gary Sutton showed up

and made bail for Tommy Griffin, who was last seen alive leaving the Blount County Jail at

11:25 p.m. on 21 February 1992, with Dellinger and Sutton. Affiant has further information

to show that at 11:55 p.m. Tommy Griffin was shot dead with a 12 gauge shotgun; one blast

striking him in the back of the head—that blast being “00” buckshot; and two spent 12 gauge

“00” buckshot hulls, Remington Peters Brand, were found near the body. 

We conclude that this affidavit is sufficient on its face to establish that there was probable

cause to believe that the twelve gauge shotgun that was used to kill Griffin, as well as some shotgun

shells, would be found at Dellinger’s residence. The affidavit states that Dellinger had been in an

altercation with Griffin a few hours before Griffin was killed, that Griffin was last seen alive when

Dellinger bailed him out of jail thirty minutes before he was killed, and that Griffin was killed by

a shot from a twelve gauge shotgun. This information establishes probable cause to believe that

Dellinger participated in the murder of Griffin.15 In addition, it is reasonable to conclude that a

shotgun is an item that would be kept at the owner’s residence. Indeed, as noted by the Tennessee

Supreme Court in Smith,

Where the object of the search is a weapon used in the crime or clothing worn at the time of

the crime, the inference that the items are at the offender’s residence is especially

compelling, at least in those cases where the perpetrator is unaware that the victim has been

able to identify him to the police. Other instrumentalities are also likely to be in the

offender’s home, especially when there is reason to believe he would make use of them there.

868 S.W.2d at 572. Thus, we conclude that the affidavit does establish a nexus between Dellinger’s

property and the items sought pursuant to the warrant. This issue has no merit.
16Dellinger also contends that W idener’s affidavit contains false statements about the source of the information

that prevented the magistrate fro m judging th e credibility of the source . Despite Dellinger’s contention, it is clear that

Widener made no representation that he had personally observed any of the events listed in the affidavit. In addition,

it is clear that the information contained in the affidavit, by its very nature, is information that was provided either by

other police officers or by citizen w itnesses and n ot from a crim inal informant or tipster from “the criminal milieu.”

Thus, the informatio n is presume d to be reliab le. See State v. Stevens, 989 S.W.2d 290, 293 (Tenn. 1999) (citing State

v. Melson, 638 S.W.2d 342 , 354 (Tenn. 1982)).

-19-

B. Truthfulness of the Affidavit

Dellinger contends that the search warrant is invalid because it contains false statements and

misrepresentations. Specifically, Dellinger contends that the statement in the affidavit that “at

approximately 7:11 p.m., 21 February 1992, Tommy Griffin was involved in a fight with James

Dellinger and Gary Sutton” is false and misleading. We disagree.

TheTennesseeSupremeCourt has set forth two circumstances which authorize impeachment

of a facially valid search warrant affidavit: (1) when “a false statement [is] made with intent to

deceive the Court, whether material or immaterial to the issue of probable cause, and (2) [when] a

false statement, essential to the establishment of probable cause, [is] recklessly made.” State v.

Little, 560 S.W.2d 403, 407 (Tenn. 1978). The trial court concluded that neither of these

circumstances was present and rather, the statements in the affidavit were merely reasonable

conclusions based on information that Officer Widener possessed at the time. We agree with the

trial court.

 During the hearing on this issue, Widener testified that he had not seen the altercation

between Appellants and Griffin and that none of the witnesses who had seen the altercation could

identify Appellants. However, Widener testified that he had received statements from the bartenders

at Howie’s Hideaway in which they stated that Appellants and Griffin had left the bar in a dark

Camaro at approximately 7:00 p.m. Widener also testified that he had statements from Mr. and Mrs.

Walker in which they stated that they had seen a fight while they were on the Alcoa Highway at 7:10

p.m. in which they saw two men attempting to pull a third man out of a dark-colored Camaro.

Widener further testified that he had statements from Mr. and Mrs. Davis in which they related how

they had seen a shirtless man staggering around by the Alcoa Highway sometime after 7:00 p.m. and

they had subsequently seen a dark-colored Camaro and a man who appeared to looking for

something in the same area. Widener also testified that he had received statements from Alcoa

police officers in which they related that they had found Griffin in this area at approximately 7:15

p.m. and that Griffin was bruised and he told them that he had been in a fight with some friends. 

We agree with the trial court that Widener’s statement in the affidavit that he had received

information that Griffin was involved in a fight with Appellants at approximately 7:11 p.m., on

February 21, 1992, was not a false statement that was made with intent to deceive the court or a false

statement that was made recklessly. Rather, as the trial court stated, it was merely a reasonable

conclusion based on the information that Widener had at the time. This issue has no merit.16

C. Compliance with Rule 41(c) of the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure
-20-

Dellinger contends that the search warrant is invalid because execution of the warrant failed

to comply with Rule 41(c) of the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure. We disagree.

Rule 41(c) provides:

A warrant shall issue only on an affidavit or affidavits sworn to before the magistrate and

establishing the grounds of issuing the warrant. . . . The magistrate shall prepare an original

and two exact copies of the search warrant, one of which shall be kept by the magistrate as

a part of his or her official records, and one of which shall be left with person or persons on

whom the search warrant is served. . . . Failure . . . of the serving officer where possible to

leave a copy with the person or persons on whom the search warrant is being served, shall

make any search conducted under said search warrant an illegal search and any seizure

thereunder an illegal seizure.

Tenn. R. Crim. P. 41(c).

 First, Dellinger contends that the search of his property was invalid because Widener failed

to leave a copy of the warrant with the person on whom it was served. Although Linda Dellinger,

who was at home during the execution of the warrant, denied that Widener had left a copy of the

warrant with her, Widener expressly testified that he did leave a copy of the warrant with her.

Although the trial court made no express finding on this issue, the trial court’s ruling upholding the

validity of the search necessarily implies that the court found that Widener did leave a copy of the

warrant with Linda Dellinger. The record does not preponderate against that finding.

Second, Dellinger contends that the search of his property was invalid because Widener

failed to note on the officer’s return that he had left a copy of the warrant with Linda Dellinger.

However, nothing in Rule 41(c) requires this; the rule only requires that a copy of the warrant be left

with the person on whom it was served.

Third, Dellinger contends that the search of his property was invalid because the warrant does

not indicate the time at which it was issued. However, the warrant expressly states that it was issued

at 2:25 p.m. on February 28, 1992, by Judge Charles S. Sexton. This issue has no merit.

D. Compliance with Tennessee Code Annotated Section 40-6-104

Dellinger contends that the search warrant is invalid because the supporting affidavit does

not comply with the requirements of Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-6-104. We disagree.

Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-6-104 states that

The magistrate, before issuing the warrant, shall examine on oath the

complainant and any witness he may produce, and take their

affidavits in writing, and cause them to be subscribed by the persons

making them. The affidavits must set forth facts tending to establish

the grounds of the application, or probable cause for believing that

they exist.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-6-104 (1990). Dellinger contends that the affidavit supporting the warrant

is invalid because it contains no indication that it was subscribed and sworn before the warrant was

issued. Although the affidavit does not indicate what it time it was subscribed and sworn to, the
17Dellinger also challenges the manner in which the warrant was returned to the issuing magistrate. However,

as previously noted by this Court, “[an] improper return cannot negate the validity of an otherwise lega l search.” State

v. Robinson, 622 S.W.2d 62, 75 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1980).

-21-

affidavit states that it was “[s]worn and subscribed before [Judge Charles S. Sexton] this 28 day of

February, 1992.” In addition, the warrant expressly states that “[p]roof by [a]ffidavit having been

made before [Judge Charles S. Sexton] by Detective Jim Widener.” This clearly indicates that the

affidavit was subscribed and sworn to before the warrant was issued. This issue has no merit.

E. Execution of the Warrant in Sevier County by Officers from Blount County

Dellinger contends that even if the search warrant was valid, the search of his property in

Sevier County was illegal because it was conducted by officers from Blount County. We disagree.

Detective Widener of the Blount County Sheriff’s Department testified thatwhen he executed

the search warrant for Dellinger’s property, he was accompanied by Captain McMahan of the Sevier

CountySheriff’sDepartment and approximately three other officers from the Sevier County Sheriff’s

Department. Widener also testified that he witnessed Dellinger’s step-daughter, Angela Gray, give

consent to search the trailer in which she resided on Dellinger’s property. 

Dellinger contends that because Rule 41(c) of the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure

requires that a search warrant be “directed to and served by the sheriff or any deputy sheriff of the

county wherein issued, any constable, or any other peace officer with authority in the county,”

Widener had no authority as a Blount County officer to execute a warrant in Sevier County.

However, in Smith,, the Tennessee Supreme Court upheld a search that was conducted in Robertson

County by a Metropolitan Nashville police officer who was accompanied by an officer from the

Robertson County Sheriff’s Department. 868 S.W.2d at 572-73. The supreme court stated that the

Metropolitan Nashville police officer’s “participation in procuring the warrant and executing it d[id]

not invalidate the warrant.” Id. at 573. In addition, the Tennessee Supreme Court held in State v.

Pigford, 572 S.W.2d 921 (Tenn. 1978), that the issuance of a warrant to a federal officer and the

participation of the federal officer in the execution of the warrant did not invalidate the warrant so

long as it met all statutory requirements. Id. at 922. Thus, we conclude that because Widener was

accompanied by Captain McMahan when he executed the warrant for Dellinger’s property and the

warrant met all statutory requirements, the execution of the search warrant was valid.17

Dellinger also contends that Gray’s consent to search the trailer in which she was living was

invalid merely because it was given to an officer from the Blount County Sheriff’s Department.

Dellinger has cited no authority for this proposition, and we conclude that the fact that the consent

was given to officers from Blount County is completely irrelevant in this case. This issue has no

merit.

F. The Items Seized in the Search
18We note that in the arg ument sectio n for this subissue , Dellinger d oes not spe cifically challenge the

admissibility of any other evidence seized during the search. Thus, we do not address the propriety of the seizure of the

other items tha t were not exp ressly identified in the warrant.

-22-

Dellinger contends that because the warrant only authorized a search for a twelve gauge

shotgun and Remington Peters Brand twelve gauge “00” shotgun shells, the seizure of all other

brands of shotgun shells was invalid.18 We disagree.

As this Court has previously stated, “[t]here is no prohibition against the seizure of other

property not specifically mentioned in a valid search warrant, if such is relevant to the crimes

suggested by the warrant.” State v. Wright, 618 S.W.2d 310, 318 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1981); see

Vermilye v. State, 584 S.W.2d 226, 230 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1979). Because Griffin was killed by

a shot from a twelve gauge shotgun, it is obvious that all twelve gauge shotgun shells and hulls were

relevant to the crime, no matter what brand they were. Thus, the officers properly seized the shells

and hulls. This issue has no merit. 

X. EVIDENCE OF OTHER CRIMES

Appellants contend that the trial court erred when it admitted evidence about the altercation

that occurred on the Alcoa Highway, the burning of Griffin’s trailer, and the murder of Branam.

Specifically, Appellants contend that this evidence was inadmissible because its only purpose was

to show that they had violent character traits and even if it had been relevant to some other purpose,

its probative value was outweighed by its prejudicial effect. We disagree.

Under Rule 404(b) of the Tennessee Rules of Evidence:

Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not admissible to prove the character of a person

in order to show action in conformity with the character trait. It may, however, be admissible

for other purposes. The conditions which must be satisfied before allowing such evidence

are:

(1) The court upon request must hold a hearing outside the jury’s presence;

(2) The court must determine that a material issue exists other than conduct

conforming with a character trait and must upon request state on the record the

material issue, the ruling, and the reasons for admitting the evidence; and

(3) The court must exclude the evidence if its probative value is outweighed by the

danger of unfair prejudice.

Tenn. R. Evid. 404(b). A fourth prerequisite to admission is that the court find by clear and

convincing evidence that the defendant committed the other crime. Tenn. R. Evid. 404 (Advisory

Commission Comments); State v. DuBose, 953 S.W.2d 649, 654 (Tenn. 1997); State v. Parton, 694

S.W.2d 299, 303 (Tenn. 1985). When a trial court substantially complies with the procedural

requirements of the rule, its determination will not be overturned absent an abuse of discretion.
19Although it is not clear, Appellants apparently do no t challenge the trial court’s compliance with the

procedural aspects of Rule 404(b) and instead, they only challenge the trial court’s conclusion that the evidence was

relevant to issues other than Appellants’ characters and that the probative value of the evidence was not outweighed by

danger of unfair preju dice. Thus, we do not address the trial court’s compliance with Rule 404(b)’s procedural

requirements. Indeed, although the record indicates that the trial court c onducted a hearing on this issue, the recor d only

contains a brief excerpt of the hearing. Therefore, we would be precluded from reviewing the trial court’s compliance

with the proced ural requirem ents even if Ap pellants had challenged it. It is the duty of the party seeking appellate review

to prepare a record which conveys a fair, accurate and complete account of what transpired with respect to the issues

raised by the party. State v. Ballard, 855 S.W.2d 557, 56 0–61 (T enn. 199 3); State v. Rob erts, 755 S.W.2d 833, 836

(Tenn. Crim. App. 1988). When the record is incomplete, and does not contain a transcript of the proceedings relevant

to an issue presented for review, this Court is pre cluded from conside ring the issue. State v. Matthews, 805 S.W.2d 776,

784 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1990 ).

-23-

DuBose, 953 S.W.2d at 652. Where a court fails to substantially comply with these requirements,

the court’s decision is afforded no deference. Id.19

A. The Altercation on the Alcoa Highway and the Burning of Griffin’s Trailer

The trial court ruled that evidence about the altercation on the Alcoa Highway and the

burning of Griffin’s trailer was relevant to establishing the sequence of events on the night of

Griffin’s murder. In addition, the trial court also found that the probative value of this evidence was

not outweighed by danger of unfair prejudice.

We conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it ruled that this evidence

was admissible. The evidence that showed that Appellants were involved in an altercation with

Griffin and that they set fire to Griffin’s trailer on the night that he was killed was relevant to

establishing Appellants’ intent and motive for killing Griffin. Indeed, the Tennessee Supreme Court

has previously recognized that evidence of prior acts of violence against the victim are admissible

under Rule 404(b) because the evidence is relevant to show the defendant’s hostility toward the

victim, malice, intent, and a settled purpose to harm the victim. State v. Smith, 868 S.W.2d 561, 574

(Tenn. 1993). Moreover, the evidence that tied Appellants to the other crimes against Griffin that

were committed just hours before Griffin was killed was also relevant to establishing the identity of

Griffin’s killers. Indeed, Rule 404(b) provides for the admissibility of evidence about other crimes

when relevant to issues of identity, intent, and motive. See Tenn. R. Evid. 404(b) (Sentencing

Commission Comments). We also conclude that the probative value of this evidence was not

outweighed by danger of unfair prejudice. This issue has no merit.

B. The Connie Branam Murder

The trial court ruled that the State could introduce evidence about the murder of Branam, but

the State could not introduce the fact that Appellants had been convicted of the Branam murder. The

trial court found that the evidence about the Branam murder was admissible because it was relevant

to establishing the identity of Griffin’s killers. 

We conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it ruled that this evidence

was admissible. The evidence regarding the Branam murder showed that when Appellants went to

Howie’s Hideaway with Branam the day after Griffin was killed, they acted suspiciously by

repeatedly questioning the barmaids about whether they remembered seeing them with Griffin on

the previous day and by attempting to fabricate a story about drinking at the bar with Griffin after
20Appellan ts also conten d that eviden ce abou t Branam’s murder was inadmissible becau se the State failed to

prove that the body that was found in the burned vehicle was that of Branam. However, Dr. Bass testified that the body

had been identified as that of Branam by use of dental records. Although Appellants now claim th at Dr. Ba ss’s

identification of the body was improper, the record indicates that Appellants did not object to Dr. Bass’s testimony or

otherwise contest his identification of the body. Thus, they have waived any objec tion to the iden tification of Bra nam’s

body by Dr. Bass. See Tenn. R. App. P . 36(a) (“N othing in this rule shall be con strued as req uiring relief be gr anted to

a party . . . who failed to take whate ver action wa s reasonab ly available to prevent or nullify the harmful effect of an

error.”).

-24-

he had been released from jail. In addition, the evidence showed that when Newman told Appellants

that she remembered them from the day before, Sutton attempted to convince Newman to come with

them. When Newman refused, Sutton threatened her. This evidence suggests that Appellants had

the intent to silence any witness who could connect them with Griffin’s murder. Thus, the evidence

of Branam’s murder was highly relevant to establishing the identity of Griffin’s killers because it

tended to show that Appellants had killed Branam in order to conceal the fact that they had murdered

Griffin. In addition, we conclude that the highly probative value of this evidence was not

outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. Under these circumstances, we cannot say that the

trial court abused its discretion when it admitted this evidence. This issue has no merit.20

XI. ADMISSION OF A RIFLE AND SHELLS INTO EVIDENCE

Appellant Sutton contends that the trial court erred when it admitted the .303 rifle and the

.303 shells that were found at Dellinger’s residence into evidence. Specifically, Sutton contends that

this evidence was inadmissible because it was not relevant to any issue in the case. We disagree.

As this Court has previously stated, the determination of whether evidence is relevant is

within the sound discretion of the trial court. State v. Griffis, 964 S.W.2d 577, 594 (Tenn. Crim.

App. 1997). In this case, investigators testified that a .303 rifle shell had been found in the burned

car that contained Branam’s body. In addition, Carmen testified that he had determined that this rifle

shell was fired from the .303 rifle that was found in Dellinger’s residence. This evidence helped

connect Appellants to the Branam murder and as we have previously stated, evidence regarding the

Branam murder was very relevant to establishing the identity of Griffin’s killers. Thus, we conclude

that the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it admitted this evidence. This issue has no

merit.

XII. ADMISSION OF GRIFFIN’S STATEMENTS INTO EVIDENCE

Appellants contend that the trial court erred when it allowed the State to introduce the

statements that Griffin made to Officer Roberts concerning the incidents on the Alcoa Highway.

Specifically, Appellants contend that Griffin’s statements were inadmissible hearsay. We disagree.

Rule 803 of the Tennessee Rules of Evidence provides, in relevant part,

The following are not excluded by the hearsay rule:
21Appellan ts contend that because Griffin’s statements were given in response to Roberts’ questions, the

statements were not spontaneous and thus, were not made while under stress or excitement. However, the Tennessee

Supreme Court stated in Gordon that “statements made in response to questions may still be admissible if the declarant

is under the ex citement or stre ss of the event.” 9 52 S.W .2d at 820 –21. 

-25-

(2) Excited Utterance. A statement relating to a startling event or condition made

while the declarant was under the stress of excitement caused by the event or

condition.

Tenn. R. Evid. 803(2). The Tennessee Supreme Court has stated that in order for a statement to be

admissible under this rule, (1) there must be a startling event or condition, (2) the statement must

relate to the startling event or condition, and (3) the statement must be made while the declarant is

under the stress or excitement from the event or condition. State v. Gordon, 952 S.W.2d 817, 820

(Tenn. 1997). In addition, “[i]t is well established that trial courts have broad discretion in

determining the admissibility of evidence, and their rulings will not be reversed absent an abuse of

that discretion.” State v. McLeod, 937 S.W.2d 867, 871 (Tenn. 1996).

During the hearing on this issue, Officer Roberts testified that on the night of February 21,

1992, he received a report of a possible fight involving individuals in a black Camaro with one

headlight. When Roberts arrived at the scene approximately two minutes later, he found Griffin

sitting in the bed of a pickup truck. Upon viewing Griffin, Roberts concluded that Griffin had been

in a fight because he was not wearing a shirt, he had scratches on his upper body, and he had a cut

behind his left ear. Roberts testified that when he asked Griffin what had happened, Griffin stated

that he had been in an argument with some friends and they had put him out of a car. Roberts

testified that at this time, Griffin’s voice was shaky, his lip was quivering, and he appeared to be

scared. When Roberts asked for further information, Griffin said, “I just can’t tell you man,” and

he looked like he was going to cry. Griffin also looked around as if he was looking for someone. 

We conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it admitted Griffin’s

statements under Rule 803(2). First, it is clear that the altercation during which Griffin sustained

scratches and a cut qualifies as a startling event under the rule. As noted by the supreme court, “the

possibilities are endless because any event deemed startling is sufficient.” Gordon, 952 S.W.2d at

820 (citation and internal quotations omitted). Second, Griffin’s statements all related to the

altercation. As noted by the supreme court, “considerable leeway is available, because the statement

may describe all or part of the event or condition, or deal with the effect or impact of that event or

condition.” Id. (citation and internal quotations omitted). Third, Griffin made his statements while

he was still under the stress or excitement of the altercation. For this third requirement, “[t]he

ultimate test is spontaneity and logical relation to the main event and where an act or declaration

springs out of the transaction while the parties are still laboring under the excitement and strain of

the circumstances and at a time so near it as to preclude the idea of deliberation and fabrication.”

Id. (citation omitted). In this case, Roberts testified that he responded to the scene within two

minutes of receiving the call and that when he talked to Griffin, Griffin’s voice was shaky, his lip

was quivering, and he appeared to be scared and ready to cry. Thus, the evidence shows that Griffin

was still under the stress or excitement of the altercation when he made his statements.21 This issue

has no merit.
22The record indicates that although Appellants made one vague reference to hearsay during the bench

conferenc e, that was clearly not the basis o f their objectio n to this eviden ce. 

-26-

XIII. ADMISSION OF THE TRANSCRIPT OF SUTTON’S 

PRETRIAL STATEMENT INTO EVIDENCE

Appellant Sutton contends that the trial court erred when it allowed the State to introduce a

transcript of his pretrial statement into evidence. We disagree.

Initially, we note once again that “[i]t is well established that trial courts have broad

discretion in determining the admissibility of evidence, and their rulings will not be reversed absent

an abuse of that discretion.” McLeod, 937 S.W.2d at 871.

Detective Widener testified that he had interviewed Sutton at the Sevier County Sheriff’s

Department on February 25, 1992. Widener also testified that this interview had been electronically

recorded. The State then introduced the audiotape of the interview and began playing the tape for

the jury. After a few minutes, the trial court stopped the tape and asked the jurors whether they could

understand the tape. The jurors indicated that they could not.

During a subsequent jury out hearing, Widenertestified that he was present when Sutton gave

his statement, that he had heard Sutton’s words, that he had previously listened to the tape and

verified that the transcript of the tape was accurate. Widener testified that he had listened to the tape

when it was in “better shape” than it was at trial and he had compared it to the transcript several

times. Widener acknowledged that there were many instances in which the transcript indicated that

a part of the tape was “unintelligible.” The trial court subsequently allowed the State to introduce

the transcript into evidence.

Sutton essentially argues that the transcript should not have been admitted because it was not

accurate. This argument ignores the testimony of Widener that he heard Sutton give the statement,

that he had reviewed the tape, that he had reviewed the transcript, and that he had determined that

the transcript was accurate. The fact that the transcript contains numerous indications that a part of

the tape was “unintelligible” does not mean that the transcript was inaccurate. Thus, we conclude

that the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it admitted this evidence. This issue has no

merit.

XIV. ADMISSION OF MISSING PERSON REPORTS INTO EVIDENCE

Appellants contend that the trial court erred when it allowed the State to introduce the two

missing persons reports filed by Viola Griffin in which she stated that she had not seen or heard from

Griffin since February 21, 1992, at 11:45 p.m. and she had not seen or heard from Branam since

February 22, 1992, at 1:00 p.m. We conclude that Appellants have waived this issue.

The record indicates that when the State sought to introduce the reports during rebuttal,

Appellant Sutton objected on the ground that the reports were not proper rebuttal evidence. After

a bench conference, Sutton objected again on the ground that the reports were irrelevant and

immaterial. The trial court overruled the objection.

On appeal, Appellants have abandoned the argument that the reports were improper rebuttal

evidence. Thus, we do not address it. Instead, Appellants argue for the first time on appeal that the

reports were inadmissible hearsay evidence.22 “It is elementary that a party may not take one position

regarding an issue in the trial court, change his strategy or position in mid-stream, and advocate a
23In support o f their argumen t that Dr. Ha rlan should not have been allowed to testify during rebuttal because

he could hav e testified during the State’s case in chief, Appe llants cite State v. West, 825 S.W.2d 695 (Tenn. Crim. App.

1992). However West is distinguishable from this case because in West, this Court held that the testimony during

rebuttal was impro perly admitted b ecause the testimony did n ot rebut anyth ing and thus, it should have been proffered

during the State’s case in chief. Id. at 698. In this case, Dr. Harlan’s testimony clearly rebutted the testimony of Dr.

Wolfe.

-27-

different ground or reason in this Court.” State v. Dobbins, 754 S.W.2d 637, 641 (Tenn. Crim. App.

1988). Thus, this issue is waived.

XV. EXPERT TESTIMONY IN REBUTTAL

Appellants contend that the trial court erred when it allowed Dr. Harlan to testify for the State

in rebuttal. We disagree.

The determination of the admissibility of rebuttal evidence lies in the discretion of the trial

court and this Court will not interfere with the exercise of this discretion unless there has been clear

abuse of discretion appearing on the face of the record. State v. Kendricks, 947 S.W.2d 875, 884

(Tenn. Crim. App. 1996).

The record indicates that when the State attempted to call Dr. Cleland Blake, Appellants

objected and the trial court conducted a jury out hearing. Although the record indicates that the trial

court subsequently ruled that Dr. Blake would not be allowed to testify, the transcript of the hearing

was not included in the record pursuant to instructions from defense counsel. The State therefore

relied on the testimony of Dr. Ellington and Jason McDonald to establish the time of Griffin’s death.

As part of the defense proof, Dr. Wolfe opined that Griffin had died between twenty-four and

thirty-six hours before his body was discovered on February 24, 1992. Thereafter, the State called

Dr. Harlan in rebuttal and Appellants objected. The trial court overruled the objection, and Dr.

Harlan testified that it was his opinion that Griffin died between 6:00 p.m. on February 21, 1992, and

8:00 a.m. on February 22, 1992. Dr. Harlan also testified that he had reviewed the testimony of Dr.

Wolfe and he disagreed with many of the conclusions that Dr. Wolfe had made from viewing the

evidence in the case. The trial court then asked whether Appellants had anything in surrebuttal, and

Appellants stated that they did not. 

Appellants essentially argue that because Dr. Harlan could have testified during the State’s

case in chief, he should not have been allowed to testify during rebuttal. However, this Court has

previously stated that “we have observed that it is within the discretion of the trial court to permit

the state, in a criminal case, to introduce in rebuttal even testimony which should have been

introduced in chief.” Kendricks, 947 S.W.2d at 884 (citation omitted). It is clear that the State could

have called Dr. Harlan during its case in chief. However, although the record is not entirely clear

because defense counsel prevented the relevant hearing from being transcribed into the record, a

reading of the record indicates that the State’s purpose in calling Dr. Blake was to elicit expert

testimony about the time of Griffin’s death. When the trial court ruled that Dr. Blake could not

testify, the State decided to rely on what was essentially lay testimony from Ellington and McDonald

about the time of death. Once Appellants proffered the testimony of Dr. Wolfe, it was within the

trial court’s discretion to allow the State to call its own expert to rebut Wolfe’s opinion.23

Appellants also contend that it was improper for Dr. Harlan to testify in rebuttal because the

State did not disclose Dr. Harlan’s identity to Appellants before trial. However, it is clear that the
-28-

State did not disclose Dr. Harlan’s identity before trial because it intended to call Dr. Blake as its

expert. In addition, it is well-established that the State’s duty to disclose the names of its witnesses

is merely directory, not mandatory. State v. Harris, 839 S.W.2d 54, 69 (Tenn. 1992). In addition,

a defendant will be entitled to relief for nondisclosure only if he or she can demonstrate prejudice,

bad faith, or undue advantage. Id. In this case, Appellants claim that they were prejudiced because

the fact that Dr. Harlan testified without prior notice prevented them from offering anything in

surrebuttal. However, the record indicates that when the trial court asked Appellants whether they

had anything in surrebuttal, Appellants neither expressed an intention to offer surrebuttal nor asked

for a continuance in order to call other witnesses. Thus, Appellants have waived any claim that they

were prevented from calling further witnesses to offer surrebuttal. See Tenn. R. App. P. 36(a). This

issue has no merit.

XVI. SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE

Both Appellants contend that the evidence was insufficient to support their convictions for

first degree murder because the State failed to establish all of the elements of the offense beyond a

reasonable doubt. In addition, Appellant Sutton contends that the evidence was insufficient to

support his conviction under the theory that he was criminally responsible for the conduct of

Appellant Dellinger. 

When an appellant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence, this Court is obliged to review

that challenge according to certain well-settled principles. A verdict of guilty by the jury, approved

by the trial judge, accredits the testimony of the State’s witnesses and resolves all conflicts in the

testimony in favor of the State. State v. Cazes, 875 S.W.2d 253, 259 (Tenn. 1994). Although an

accused is originally cloaked with a presumption of innocence, a jury verdict removes this

presumption and replaces it with one of guilt. State v. Tuggle, 639 S.W.2d 913, 914 (Tenn. 1982).

Hence, on appeal, the burden of proof rests with Appellant to demonstrate the insufficiency of the

convicting evidence. Id. On appeal, “the [S]tate is entitled to the strongest legitimate view of the

evidence as well as all reasonable and legitimate inferences that may be drawn therefrom.” Id.

Where the sufficiency of the evidence is contested on appeal, the relevant question for the reviewing

court is whether any rational trier of fact could have found the accused guilty of every element of the

offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 2789,

61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979). In conducting our evaluation of the convicting evidence, this Court is

precluded from reweighing or reconsidering the evidence. State v. Morgan, 929 S.W.2d 380, 383

(Tenn. Crim. App. 1996). Moreover, this Court may not substitute its own inferences “for those

drawn by the trier of fact from circumstantial evidence.” Matthews, 805 S.W.2d at 779. Finally,

Rule 13(e) of the Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure provides, “findings of guilt in criminal

actions whether by the trial court or jury shall be set aside if the evidence is insufficient to support

the findings by the trier of fact beyond a reasonable doubt.”

A. The Elements of First Degree Murder

Appellants contend that the State failed to establish all of the elements of first degree murder

beyond a reasonable doubt. We disagree.
24A 1995 amendment eliminated deliberation as an element of first-degree murder. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-

13-202(a)(1) (1997) (“First degree murder is: A premeditated and intentional killing of another.”).

-29-

When Griffin was killed in 1992, Tennessee’s first-degree murder statute provided that

“[f]irst degree murder is: [a]n intentional, premeditated and deliberate killing of another.” Tenn.

Code Ann. § 39-13-202 (1991).24 

First, Appellants contend that the evidence was insufficient to support their convictions

because the State failed to prove that Appellants were the individuals who killed Griffin. However,

we conclude that when the evidence is viewed in the light most favorable to the State, as it must be,

the evidence was clearly sufficient for a rational jury to find beyond a reasonable doubt that

Appellants killed Griffin.

Carr saw Appellants and Griffin come to Howie’s Hideaway on February 21, 1992, in a dark

blue Camaro or Trans Am. Newman observed Appellants and Griffin when they left Howie’s

Hideaway at approximately 7:00 p.m. Approximately ten minutes later, Mr. and Mrs. Walker

observed an altercation on the Alcoa Highway in which a person standing outside of a dark-colored

Camaro with one headlight appeared to be fighting with a person inside the Camaro. That same

night, Davis saw a shirtless man stumbling around by the Alcoa Highway and she subsequently saw

two men standing by a dark-colored Camaro in the same area who appeared to be looking for

something. 

When Officer Roberts responded to the call about the altercation on the Alcoa Highway, he

found a shirtless Griffin sitting on the bed of a pickup truck. Griffin initially stated that an argument

had taken place and that some friends put him out of a car, but when questioned further, he stated

that the men were not really his friends. Griffin refused to give any other information and Roberts

subsequently arrested Griffin for public intoxication and took him to the Blount County Jail.

Sergeant Herron participated in the booking of Griffin into the jail at 7:40 p.m. Approximately fortyfive minutes later, Dellinger approached Herron and asked when Griffin could be released. Herron

told Dellinger that the victim would be kept a minimum of four hours. 

At approximately 9:00 p.m., HenrysawDellinger’s white pickup truck drive up the road from

the direction of Griffin’s trailer and pull into Dellinger’s driveway. A few seconds later, Henry saw

flames shooting out of Griffin’s trailer. Clabo subsequently investigated the fire and concluded that

the fire had been set by human hands using a liquid accelerant.

When Jennifer Branam learned that Griffin’s trailer was on fire, she went to Dellinger’s

trailer and asked Appellants to accompany her to Griffin’s trailer. Dellinger then stated that he could

not go because he was in enough trouble already. Later that night, Jennifer Branam saw Appellants

move an object that looked like a shotgun from Dellinger’s truck to Linda Dellinger’s car. 

Griffin was subsequently released from jail at 11:25 p.m. when Dellinger returned to the jail

and posted a cash bond. Shortly thereafter, Lieutenant Defoe saw Appellants leave the jail with an

individual who had just been released.

At 11:55 p.m., McDonald heard two or three gunshots coming from the Blue Springs/Blue

Hole area near his home. On February 24, 1992, Carter found the body of a man in the Blue Hole

area. Hamilton stated that he subsequently located the body and he also found two spent twelvegauge shotgun shells and two empty beer cans by the body. Agent Carman subsequently determined

that shotgun shells found in Dellinger’s yard and the surrounding area and the shells found near
25Although it is not clear, Ap pellants app arently claim that the evidence was also insufficient beca use the State

failed to prove tha t the body fou nd in the Blu e Hole ar ea was that of Griffin. We reject this contention because the

evidence clearly shows that the State established that the body was that of Griffin.

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Griffin’s body had been fired from the same shotgun. Dr. Harlan opined that Griffin died between

6:00 p.m. on February 21, 1992, and 8:00 a.m. on February 22, 1992. 

The next day, Appellants went to Howie’s Hideaway with Branam. While they were there,

Dellinger repeatedly asked Carr and Newman whether they remembered Appellants from the

previous day. Sutton subsequently attempted to get Newman to leave with Appellants and when

she refused, Sutton threatened her. Appellants and Branam left at 6:30 p.m., and the flames from

the vehicle that contained Branam’s body were seen at 8:00 p.m. Clabo subsequently concluded that

the fire had been set by human hands with the use of an outside ignition source. Carman

subsequently determined that the .303 rifle shell recovered from the scene of the burned vehicle was

fired from the rifle that was found in Dellinger’s home.

It is clear that the above evidence, when viewed in the light most favorable to the State, is

sufficient for a rational jury to find beyond a reasonable doubt that Appellants were the individuals

who killed Griffin. A rational jury could conclude from this evidence that Appellants fought with

Griffin at approximately 7:10 p.m., set fire to Griffin’s trailer at approximately 9:00 p.m., and then

retreived a shotgun. A rational jury could also conclude that Griffin was killed at 11:55 p.m., only

thirty minutes after he was last seen alive in the presence of Appellants. A rational jury could also

conclude that Appellants had murdered Branam in order to cover-up the murder of Griffin. Thus,

a rational jury could certainly conclude that because Appellants fought with Griffin five hours before

he was killed, that Appellants set fire to Griffin’s trailer three hours before he was killed, that

Appellants bailed Griffin out of jail and took him with them thirty minutes before he was killed, that

the shotgun hulls found near Griffin’s body had been fired from the same gun as the hulls found in

Dellinger’s yard, and that Appellants killed Branam in order to conceal the murder of Griffin, that

Appellants were the individuals who killed Griffin.25

Appellants also claim that the evidence was insufficient to support their conviction because

the State failed to prove that the murder was committed with premeditation and deliberation.

Premeditation requires a showing of a previously formed design or intent to kill. State v. West, 844

S.W.2d 144, 147 (Tenn. 1992). Deliberation requires that the offense be committed with cool

purpose, free of the passions of the moment. Id. Although premeditation “may be formed in an

instant, deliberation requires some period of reflection, during which the mind is ‘free from the

influence of excitement, or passion.’” State v. Brown, 836 S.W.2d 530, 538 (Tenn. 1992) (citation

omitted). While it remains true that no specific length of time is required for the formation of a cool,

dispassionate intent to kill, more than a “split-second” of reflection is required in order to satisfy the

elements of premeditation and deliberation. Id. at 543. 

The elements of premeditation and deliberation are questions for the jury which may be

established by proof of the circumstances surrounding the killing. State v. Bland, 958 S.W.2d 651,

660 (Tenn. 1997); State v. Bordis, 905 S.W.2d 214, 222 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1995). Tennessee courts

have delineated several circumstances that may be indicative of premeditation and deliberation,

including planning activity prior to the actual killing, State v. Schafer, 973 S.W.2d 269, 273 (Tenn.

Crim. App. 1997); facts from which motive may be inferred, Bordis, 905 S.W.2d at 222; the use of
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a deadly weapon upon an unarmed victim, Brown, 836 S.W.2d at 841; and facts about the nature of

the killing. Bordis, 905 S.W.2d at 222.

We conclude that the above evidence, when viewed in the light most favorable to the State,

was sufficient for a rational jury to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Appellants killed Griffin

with both premeditation and deliberation. First, there was evidence that Appellants planned the

murder of Griffin before they killed him. Indeed, the evidence shows that after fighting with Griffin,

Appellants attempted to bail him out of jail. When this attempt failed, Appellants burned down

Griffin’s trailer and then retrieved a shotgun. Appellants then returned to the jail, successfully

obtained Griffin’s release, and then killed him thirty minutes later. Second, there was evidence that

Appellants had a motive to kill Griffin. For whatever reason, Appellants were angry enough with

Griffin to fight with him and then set fire to his residence. Third, there is absolutely no indication

that Griffin was armed when he was shot with the shotgun. Fourth, the fact that Griffin was taken

to a remote area and was then shot in the back of the head indicates that the killing was done as part

of a preconceived design. In short, a rational jury could conclude from these circumstances that

Appellants decided to kill Griffin and then reflected on that decision with cool purpose for some

period that was at least more than a “split-second” before they shot and killed him. This issue has

no merit.

B. Criminal Responsibility

Sutton contends that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction because there

was no proof that he fired the shot that killed Griffin or that he did anything to assist Dellinger. We

disagree.

Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-11-402 states in relevant part that

A person is criminally responsible for an offense committed by the conduct of another if .

. . [a]cting with intent to promote or assist the commission of the offense, or to benefit in the

proceeds or results of the offense, the person solicits, directs, aids, or attempts to aid another

person to commit the offense.” 

Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-402(2) (1991). In order to establish that the defendant had the intent

required by this subsection, it must be shown “that the defendant in some way associate[d] himself

with the venture, act[ed] with knowledge that an offense [wa]s to be committed, and share[d] in the

criminal intent of the principal in the first degree.” State v. Maxey, 898 S.W.2d 756, 757 (Tenn.

Crim. App. 1994) (citation and internal quotations omitted). “The defendant must knowingly,

voluntarily and with common intent unite with the principal offenders in the commission of the

crime.” Id. (citation and internal quotations omitted).

The evidence in this case showed that both Appellants were drinking with Griffin in Howie’s

Hideaway on February 21, 1992. Both Appellants and Griffin subsequently left the establishment

in Sutton’s Camaro. Ten minutes later, the Walkers observed the altercation on the Alcoa Highway.

Two hours later, Henry saw Dellinger’s truck driving away from Griffin’s burning trailer. When

Jennifer Branam then went to Dellinger’s trailer to obtain help, Sutton lied to her and stated that

Griffin was in Blount County with a woman. Later that night, Jennifer Branam saw both Appellants

take an object that looked like a shotgun out of Dellinger’s truck and place it in a car. Both

Appellants subsequently went to the Blount County Jail and obtained Griffin’s release thirty minutes

before he was killed. The next day, Appellants and Branam went back to Howie’s hideaway. When
26Appellant Sutton also contends that the trial court erred when it failed to grant their motion for judgment of

acquittal. A motion for judgment of acquittal requires that the trial court determine the sufficiency of the evidence.

Tenn. R. Crim. P. 29(a). For the same reasons we conclude that the evidence was sufficient to support A ppellants’

convictions, we also conclude that the trial court did not err when it failed to grant the mo tion for judgment of acq uittal.

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Newman stated that she remembered Appellants andGriffin from the previous day, Sutton attempted

to get Newman to come with them and when she refused, he threatened her. We conclude that this

evidence is clearly sufficient for a rational jury to find beyond a reasonable doubt that, even if Sutton

had not fired the shot that killed Griffin, Sutton was criminally responsible for the murder of Griffin

by Dellinger because Sutton had aided Dellinger with the intent of promoting or assisting the murder

of Griffin. This issue has no merit.26

XVII. FAILURE TO REMOVE A JUROR

Appellants contend that the trial court erred when it failed to remove a juror whose ex-wife

had engaged in misconduct. We disagree.

“Whether to remove jurors who become or are found to be unable or disqualified to perform

their duties lies in the discretion of the trial court.” State v. Forbes, 918 S.W.2d 431, 451 (Tenn.

Crim. App. 1995) (citation and internal quotations omitted).

The record indicates that at the conclusion of the proof and closing arguments in this case,

one of the jurors reported that earlier that day he had received a phone call from his ex-wife in which

she had stated that “they” would give him $500.00 in return for a not guilty verdict for Sutton. The

juror reported the call to a court officer, and the officer told the juror that he would notify the court

and he told the juror not to tell any other jurors about the call. 

After the juror explained what had happened, the trial court commended him for the way that

he had handled the situation. The trial court then asked the juror how the phone call would affect

his feelings about serving on the jury and about following the court’s instructions. The juror

responded, “I already told her, it’s not going to change. I’m not going to change what I already

decided on. They can take the money and do whatever they want with it. It just made me mad . .

. .” After this somewhat ambiguous statement, the trial court asked the juror whether he would be

able to vote according to the dictates of his conscience based on the proof and the instructions from

the court. The juror responded that he would. After a brief bench conference, the trial court asked

the juror whether he had told any other jurors about the phone call and the juror responded that he

had not. The trial court then asked the juror again whether the phone call would inhibit his ability

to reach a verdict based on the facts and the law. The juror responded that it would not.

Appellants’ argument as to why this juror should have been removed is far from clear.

However, it appears that their contention is that the juror’s statement that the phone call would not

“change what I already decided on” demonstrates that the juror was biased against them and that he

had a preconceived judgment about the case. This statement could have any number of meanings

in the context in which it was given, including an assertion that the phone call would not affect his

ability to be impartial. In any case, the trial court clarified the meaning of the statement by asking

the juror about whether the phone call would affect his ability to impartially reach a verdict based

on the proof and the court’s instructions about the law. On two occasions, the juror responded that

he would follow the law and apply it to the proof that had been presented. Under these
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circumstances, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it failed to remove

this juror. This issue has no merit.

XVIII. FAILURE TO GRANT A MISTRIAL

Appellants contend that the trial court erred when it failed to grant a mistrial after jurors

where exposed to evidence indicating that Appellants had already been tried for the Branam murder.

We disagree.

The decision of whether to grant a mistrial is within the sound discretion of the trial court.

State v. McKinney, 929 S.W.2d 404, 405 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1996). This Court will not disturb that

decision absent a finding of an abuse of discretion. State v. Adkins, 786 S.W.2d 642, 644 (Tenn.

1990). “Generally, a mistrial will be declared in a criminal case only when there is a ‘manifest

necessity’ requiring such action by the trial judge.” State v. Millbrooks, 819 S.W.2d 441, 443 (Tenn.

Crim. App. 1991). “The purpose for declaring a mistrial is to correct damage done to the judicial

process when some event has occurred which precludes an impartial verdict.”State v. Williams, 929

S.W.2d 385, 388 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1996). In determining whether there is a “manifest necessity”

for a mistrial, “‘no abstract formula should be mechanically applied and all circumstances should

be taken into account.’” State v. Mounce, 859 S.W.2d 319, 322 (Tenn. 1993) (citation omitted).

The record indicates that while Larry Muncy was testifying about the chain of custody of

various pieces of evidence, he stated that certain evidence had been turned over to Jenny Noe “during

the course of the trial.” Defense counsel then objected and moved for a mistrial on the ground that

the jurors could assume based on Muncy’s use of the word “trial” that Appellants had previously

been charged and tried for the murder of Branam. The court overruled the motion.

The record also indicates that the trial court subsequently received a note from an alternate

juror in which the juror indicated that he had seen a bag with the words “not admitted in Sevier

County trial” sitting on a table. When the trial court questioned the juror about this incident, the

juror stated that because he had seen the bag and because Muncy had previously used the word

“trial,” he assumed that there had already been a trial in Sevier County. The juror then stated that

he had mentioned the bag to one other juror, but she had given no response. The trial court then

asked the juror whether seeing the bag or hearing the word “trial” would have any influence on his

ability to base his verdict on the proof presented in this case and the juror responded, “None

whatsoever.” Defense counsel renewed the motion for a mistrial and the court overruled it.

Appellants argue that they were entitled to a mistrial based on the authority of State v. Fleece,

925 S.W.2d 558 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1995). In Fleece this Court held that a defendant who was

convicted of driving under the influence was entitled to a new trial because the prosecutor had

improperly created the inference that the defendant had a previous conviction for driving under the

influence by repeatedly questioning the defendant about restrictions on his license while waving the

folder from the previous case in front of the jury. Id. at 560–61. The two incidents in this case fall

far short of the impermissible conduct of the prosecutor in Fleece. Unlike the intentional conduct

by the prosecutor in Fleece, there is no indication that Muncy’s use of the word “trial” and the

placement of the bag on the table were anything more than inadvertent mistakes. Further, the use
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of the word trial and the writing on the bag did not create any inference whatsoever about the verdict

in the Sevier County trial. In fact, when the trial court specifically asked the juror whether anything

he had seen or heard had indicated what the outcome of the Sevier County trial had been, the juror

responded no. Under these circumstances, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its

discretion when it ruled that there was no “manifest necessity” for a mistrial in this case. This issue

has no merit.

XIX. THE STATE’S CLOSING ARGUMENT DURING THE GUILT PHASE

Appellants contend that the State’s closing argument was improper and prejudicial. We

conclude that Appellants have waived this issue.

Initially, we note that the record indicates that Appellant’s did not make a single objection

to anything that either of the two prosecutors said during their closing arguments. By failing to make

a contemporaneous objection, Appellants waived this issue. See State v. Farmer, 927 S.W.2d 582,

591 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1995); Tenn. R. App. P. 36(a). Moreover, Appellants have failed to identify

which of the two prosecutors gave the allegedly improper argument and they have failed to identify

even a single statement that they claim was improper. It is not the function of this Court to speculate

as to what portions of the arguments Appellants would contend were improper. By failing to include

appropriate citations to the record, Appellants have waived this issue. Tenn. Ct. Crim. App. R.

10(b).

XX. FAILURE TO INSTRUCT ON A LESSER INCLUDED OFFENSE

Appellant Sutton contends that the trial court erred when it failed to instruct the jury on the

lesser included offense of facilitation of a felony. We disagree.

Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-11-403 provides in relevant part that

A person is criminally responsible for the facilitation of a felony if, knowing

that another intends to commit a specific felony, but without the intent

required for criminal responsibility under § 39-11-402(2), the person

knowingly furnishes substantial assistance in the commission of the felony.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-403(a) (1991). As previously noted, the intent required for criminal

responsibility under section 39-11-402(2) is “intent to promote or assist the commission of the

offense, or to benefit in the proceeds or results of the offense.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-402(2)

(1991). 

In State v. Burns, 6 S.W.3d 453 (Tenn.1999) the Tennessee Supreme Court concluded that

an offense is a lesser-included offense of another if:

(a) all of its statutory elements are included within the statutory elements of the

offense charged; or

(b) it fails to meet the definition in part (a) only in the respect that it contains a

statutory element or elements establishing

(1) a different mental state indicating a lesser kind of culpability; and/or

(2) a less serious harm or risk of harm to the same person, property or public interest;

or

(c) it consists of
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(1) facilitation of the offense charged or of an offense that otherwise meets the

definition of lesser-included offense in part (a) or (b); or

(2) an attempt to commit the offense charged or an offense that otherwise meets the

definition in part (a) or (b); or

(3) solicitation to commit the offense charged or an offense that otherwise meets the

definition of lesser-included offense in part (a) or (b). 

Id. at 466-67. The supreme court thus concluded, and recently reiterated, that facilitation is a

lesser-included offense when a defendant is charged with criminal responsibility for the conduct of

another. Id. at 470; State v. Fowler, 23 S.W.3d 285, 288 (Tenn. 2000).

“This does not mean, however, that an instruction must be given simply because an offense

is a lesser-included offense of another.” Fowler, 23 S.W.3d at 288. “First, the trial court must

determine whether ‘any evidence exists that reasonable minds could accept as to the lesser included

offense.’” Id. at 289 (citing Burns, 6 S.W.3d at 469). “Second, the trial court must determine

whether the evidence viewed in this light is legally sufficient to support a conviction for the lesserincluded offense.” Id.

 In this case, there is absolutely no evidence in the record from which a rational jury could

conclude that Dellinger forced Sutton to participate in the murder against his will. Further, we hold

that a rational jury could not conclude from the evidence in the record that Sutton was merely a

bystander during the murder of Griffin. The State’s theory of the case, which was supported by

extensive proof, was that Dellinger and Sutton acted in unison with a common purpose and design

to kill Griffin. Indeed, the State’s theory was that both Appellants fought with Griffin, attempted

to bail Griffin out of jail, set fire to Griffin’s trailer, transferred the murder weapon from a truck to

a car, successfully bailed Griffin out of jail, and then were present while one of them fired the fatal

shot. The defense theory for both Appellants was that neither one of them committed the murder.

Indeed, much of the defense proof went to establishing that they were friends with Griffin and had

no reason to kill him, that Griffin died long after he was last seen with Appellants, and that there

were several other possible culprits in this case. Thus, the evidence in the record created an “all or

nothing” situation in which Sutton and Dellinger both actively participated and promoted the murder

of Griffin or neither one of them did. There is simply no evidence in the record from which a

rational jury could conclude that Sutton provided substantial assistance to Dellinger without having

the intent to promote or assist the commission of the offense. Therefore, the trial court did not err

when it failed to instruct the jury on the lesser included offense of facilitation of a felony. This issue

has no merit.

XXI. SPECIAL INSTRUCTION ON REBUTTAL EVIDENCE

Appellants contend that the trial court erred when it failed to give the jury a special

instruction about rebuttal evidence. We conclude that Appellants have waived this issue.

Appellants claim that the trial court should have instructed the jury that it could only consider

the State’s rebuttal evidence for the impeachment of defense witnesses and it could not consider the

testimony as substantive evidence. However, Appellants have failed to provide a specific

explanation for why this instruction should have been given. In addition, Appellants have failed to
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cite any authority for their proposition that this instruction should have been given and they have also

failed to provide a proper citation to the record. Thus, Appellants have waived this issue. Tenn. Ct.

Crim. App. R. 10(b).

XXII. SPECIAL INSTRUCTION ON “LAST SEEN ALIVE”

Appellants contend that the trial court erred when it refused to instruct the jury that it could

not convict Appellants simply because Griffin was last seen alive in their presence. We disagree.

The record indicates that the trial court refused to give this special instruction because “the

charge sets out very clearly . . . what has to be proven to establish guilt.” Indeed, the charge clearly

instructs the jury that it can only convict Appellants of an offense if the State proves the elements

of that offense beyond a reasonable doubt. In addition, the charge clearly instructs the jury on the

elements of first degree murder and its lesser included offenses and the charge also instructs the jury

about criminal responsibility for the conduct of another. In short, the charge accurately and correctly

instructs the jury on burden of proof, presumption of innocence, elements of the offenses, and the

nature of different kinds of evidence. “When the instructions given by the trial judge are a correct

statement of the law, and the instructions fully and fairly set forth the applicable law, it is not error

for a trial judge to refuse to give a special instruction requested by a party.” State v. Bohanan, 745

S.W.2d 892, 897 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1987). This issue has no merit.

XXIII. CHARGING THE JURY ON SUNDAY

The record indicates that the proof was closed and closing arguments were made on Saturday,

August 31, 1996. After the trial court informed the jury that it would be instructed the next day,

court was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Court was resumed at 1:15 p.m. on Sunday, September 1, 1996,

and the trial court immediately conducted the hearing about the juror who had been contacted by his

ex-wife. Shortly thereafter, the trial court charged the jury. The jury began deliberations at 2:20

p.m. and returned with the verdicts at 7:35 p.m. 

Following this Court’s decision in State v. Debiasi Sinard King & Dewayne King, No.

03C01-9801-CR-00015, 1999 WL 281080 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Knoxville, April 30, 1999), the

Appellants raised the issue of whether the trial court’s having instructed the jury on a Sunday

coupled with the jury’s deliberations and return of verdicts on Sunday required a new trial. In that

case this Court held that as late as 1965 the Tennessee Supreme Court reaffirmed the ancient

common law rule that judicial proceedings conducted on a Sunday are void. See Smith v. State, 215

Tenn. 314, 385 S.W.2d 748 (1965). As of the time of this Court’s decision in King, this rule had not

been altered by either the legislature or the Tennessee Supreme Court. Thus, this Court granted a

new trial to the defendants in King since a portion of their trial had occurred on a Sunday. 

When the Appellants raised this issue by way of a supplemental brief this Court ordered a

response by the State. The State responded, conceded that the instant case was indistinguishable

from King, but indicated that it was pursuing an appeal to the Tennessee Supreme Court in the King

case. The State asked this Court to stay its decision in the instant case until such time as our

Supreme Court resolved the issue of the propriety of Sunday court proceedings. Without objection

from the Appellants, this Court granted the State’s request to stay our opinion in this case until the

Tennessee Supreme Court resolved this issue.
27Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-13-204 provided that one of the aggravating circumstances that can

be used as a basis for imposing a death sentence is the fact that the defendant has previously been convicted of one or

more felonies whose statutory elements involve the use of violence to the person. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-204(i)(2)

(1991).

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On January 19, 2001, the Tennessee Supreme Court handed down its decision in State v.

Debiasi Sinard King and Dewayne King, No. E1998-00283-SC-R11-CD, 2001 WL 46244 (Tenn.

2001). In that decision the Court rejected a perse rule invalidating Sunday Court proceedings. The

Court held whether to conduct court proceedings on a Sunday rests within the discretion of the trial

court. The Court went on to hold:

In exercising this discretion, the trial court should be deferential to the

preferences of the litigants, witnesses, jurors, and attorneys and must

be mindful of the need for every participant in a trial proceedings to

be prepared and rested. The trial court must also respect and

accommodate the genuinely-held religious view of any litigant,

witness, juror, or attorney. Finally, the trial court must weigh all of

these concerns against whatever pressing need or compelling interest

may necessitate a Sunday proceeding.

Id. at * 8

In the instant case the trial had been lengthy and hard fought. The jury had been sequestered.

When the trial court proposed giving his instructions to the jury and having the jury deliberate on

Sunday the jurors indicated that was fine with them. No attorney or either of the Appellants voiced

any objection to the Sunday proceedings. The trial court made appropriate arrangements for jurors

who wished to attend religious services. Under these circumstances, we find no abuse of discretion

in conducting Sunday court proceedings in the instant case. This issue is without merit.

XXIV. USE OF APPELLANTS’ CONVICTIONS FOR 

THE BRANAM MURDER IN SENTENCING

Appellants contend that the trial court erred when it allowed the State to introduce their

convictions for the Branam murder into the sentencing phase of trial. We disagree.

Appellants contend that because the trial court allowed the State to introduce facts about the

Branam murder into evidence in order to establish the identity of Griffin’s killers, the trial court

should not have allowed the State to introduce Appellants’ convictions for the Branam murder

during the sentencing phase of trial in order to establish the aggravating circumstance that Appellants

had previously been convicted of a felony involving violence to the person.27 As authority for this

proposition, Appellants cite State v. Bigbee, 885 S.W.2d 797 (Tenn. 1994), in which the Tennessee

Supreme Court held that when the State is seeking imposition of a death sentence on the basis that

the defendant has previously been convicted of a felony involving violence to the person, the State

may not introduce evidence about the specific facts of the prior crime during the sentencing phase

when the conviction shows on its face that it involved violence to the person. Id. at 811. 

We conclude that Appellants’ reliance on Bigbee is misplaced. Nothing in Bigbee prevents

the State from relying on a previous conviction for a felony involving violence to the person as an
28The State introduced evidence th at Sutton had a prior co nviction in G eorgia for ag gravated a ssault.

29In a related issue , Appellan ts contend tha t the trial court erre d when it failed to strike the State’s notice of

intent to seek the death penalty. Specifically, Appellants contend that because the trial court had ruled that the State

would be allowed to introduce facts about the B ranam mu rder into evid ence in ord er to establish the identity of Griffin’s

killers, the trial court sho uld have stric ken the State’s notice of intent to seek the death penalty because it relied on

Appellants’ convictions for the Branam murder as the aggravating circumstance upon which the death penalty was

sought. For the same reasons t hat we conclude that the trial court did not err when it allowed the State to introduce

Appellants’ convictions for the Bra nam murd er into evidence during the sentencing phase, we also conclude that the trial

court did n ot err when it failed to strike the State ’s notice of intent to seek the dea th penalty.

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aggravating circumstance after the State has introduced the facts of the prior conviction during the

guilt phase of trial in order to establish an element of first degree murder. Rather, Bigbee simply

precludes the State from introducing the specific facts of the prior offense during the sentencing

phase itself. Indeed, the State fully complied with this requirement. The record indicates that the

State introduced no evidence about the specific facts of the Branam murder during the sentencing

phase and the prosecutors made no mention of the specific facts during their closing arguments.

Instead, the State merely used Appellants’ convictions to establish that Dellinger had one prior

conviction for felonies involving violence against the person and that Sutton had two prior

convictions for a felony involving violence to the person.28 Further, the trial court instructed the jury

that in imposing sentence, it could only consider “any of the statutory aggravating circumstances

which have been raised during the sentencing phase” and that it “shall not take account of any other

aggravating facts or circumstances as the basis for deciding whether the death penalty would be

appropriate in this case.” The jury is presumed to have followed those instructions. See State v.

Nesbit, 978 S.W.2d 872, 885 (Tenn. 1998). Under these circumstances, we conclude that the trial

court did not err when it allowed the State to introduce Appellants’ convictions for the Branam

murder during the sentencing phase. This issue has no merit.29

XXV. THE STATE’S CLOSING ARGUMENT DURING THE SENTENCING PHASE

Appellants contend that the State’s closing argument during the sentencing phase was

improper and prejudicial. We disagree.

Initially, we note that the record indicates that Appellants did not make a single objection to

anything that either of the two prosecutors said during their closing arguments during the sentencing

phase. By failing to make a contemporaneous objection, Appellants waived this issue. Farmer, 927

S.W.2d at 591); Tenn. R. App. P. 36(a). However, notwithstanding waiver, we conclude that

Appellants are not entitled to relief even on the merits.

Essentially, Appellants claim that the closing arguments of both prosecutors were improper

because they included references to the fact that each Appellant had been previously convicted of

first-degree murders. As support for this proposition, Appellants cite State v. Smith, 755 S.W.2d

757 (Tenn. 1988) and State v. Bigbee, 885 S.W.2d 797 (Tenn. 1994). However, Smith and Bigbee

are clearly distinguishable from this case. In Smith, the Tennessee Supreme Court held that because

the jury had been informed that the defendant had received a life sentence for one murder conviction,

it was improper for the prosecutor to argue that the jury would be imposing no punishment at all if

it imposed another life sentence for the second murder conviction. 755 S.W.2d at 767–68. In
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Bigbee, the supreme court held that the prosecutor’s argument was improper because he had strongly

implied that imposition of a death sentence for a second murder conviction would be an appropriate

way to punish the defendant for a previous murder conviction for which the defendant received a life

sentence. 885 S.W.2d at 812. The prosecutors in this case did neither of these things. First, the

prosecutors never mentioned the fact that Appellants had received a life sentence for the Branam

murder and they never argued that imposition of a life sentence in this case would be no punishment

at all. Second, the prosecutors never stated or implied that imposition of a life sentence for the

Griffin murder would be an appropriate punishment for the Branam murder. Instead, the prosecutors

only mentioned the Branam murder in the context of arguing that because the State had proven the

existence of the aggravating circumstance and had proven that the aggravating circumstance

outweighed the mitigating circumstances, the death sentence was the appropriate sentence in this

case. There is nothing improper about arguing that the existence of the prior conviction as an

aggravating circumstance supports imposition of a death sentence. See id. This issue has no merit.

XXVI. FAILURE TO INFORM THE JURY ABOUT 

THE PREVIOUS LIFE SENTENCE

Appellants contend that the trial court erred when it failed to instruct the jury that Appellants

had received life sentences for their convictions in the Branam murder case. We disagree.

Appellants concede that under current law, the trial court properly refused to instruct the jury

about the sentences in the Branam murder case. Indeed, the Tennessee Supreme Court has

specifically held that it is improper to inform a jury in a capital case that the defendant received a life

sentence for a previous first degree murder conviction. State v. Smith, 857 S.W.2d 1, 24–25 (Tenn.

1993). This Court has neither the authority nor the desire to overrule the supreme court on this issue.

This issue has no merit.

XXVII. INSTRUCTION ABOUT PROOF OF IDENTITY

Appellants contend that the trial court failed to properly instruct the jury about the State’s

burden of proof in establishing that Appellants were the same individuals who were convicted of

prior felonies involving violence to the person. We disagree.

The record indicates that during the sentencing phase, the trial court instructed the jury that

The burden of proof is upon the state to prove any statutory aggravating

circumstance or circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt. A reasonable

doubt is a doubt based upon reason and common sense after careful and

impartial consideration of all the evidence in this case, and is an inability

after such investigation to let the mind rest easily. 

The trail court then instructed the jury that in order to show the existence of the aggravating

circumstance for Sutton, the State was relying on a Sevier County first degree murder conviction and

on a Georgia aggravated assault conviction. The trail court further instructed the jury that in order

to show the existence of the aggravating circumstance for Dellinger, the State was relying on a

Sevier County first degree murder conviction. Thereafter the trial court gave the following

instruction:

Members of the Jury, the court has read to you the aggravating circumstances which the law

requires you to consider if you find beyond a reasonable doubt that the evidence was
-40-

established. You shall not take account of any other aggravating facts or circumstances as

the basis for deciding whether the death penalty would be appropriate punishment in this

case.

As support for their proposition, Appellants rely on Lowe v. State, 805 S.W.2d 368 (Tenn.

1991). However, Lowe is clearly distinguishable from this case. In Lowe, the Tennessee Supreme

Court held that the trial court erred when it instructed the jury pursuant to a habitual criminal statute

that “a judgment of conviction of any person under the same name as that of the defendant is prima

facie evidence that the identity of such person is the same as the defendant” and defined the term

“prima facie” to mean that the evidence “is to be taken as an established fact unless and until it is

overturned or rebutted by proof.” Id. at 371. The supreme court held that the trial court erred

because its instruction impermissibly shifted the burden of proof to the defendant. Id. In this case,

nothing in the trial court’s instructions shifted the burden of proving identity to Appellants. The trial

court never informed the jury that it could consider the fact that Appellants were named in the

judgements of conviction from the prior cases as prima facie evidence that they had in fact been

convicted of the named offenses. To the contrary, the trial court clearly informed the jury that the

State had the burden of proving the existence of the aggravating circumstance beyond a reasonable

doubt. Thus, the jury was clearly aware that in order to prove that the aggravating circumstance

existed, the State had to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that Appellants were the people who

had been convicted of the prior felonies involving violence against the person. This issue has no

merit.

XXVIII. PROOF OF APPELLANTS’ IDENTITIES

Appellants contend that the State failed to prove the existence of the aggravating factor in

this case beyond a reasonable doubt. Specifically, Appellants contend that the State failed to prove

that they were the same individuals who were named in the judgments of conviction for the prior

felonies. We disagree.

During the sentencing hearing, Scott Greene, Assistant District Attorney General for Sevier

County, testified that he was present in the Criminal Court of Sevier County on February 24, 1993.

Greene then testified that he was acquainted with James Dellinger and he identified Dellinger on the

record. Greene subsequently identified a judgment of conviction for first degree murder in Sevier

County case 5035. Greene testified that he had prepared the judgment form and the form had been

signed by Judge Rex Henry Ogle. Green then testified that the defendant who was named in the

judgment form was James Dellinger, the individual whom he had just identified. Shortly thereafter,

the judgment of conviction was admitted into evidence.

Green also testified that he was acquainted with Gary Sutton, and he identified Sutton on the

record. Green then identified a document dated February 24, 1993, as a judgment of conviction for

first degree murder in Sevier County case 5033. Greene testified that he had also prepared this

judgment form and this form had likewise been signed by Judge Rex Henry Ogle. Green then

testified that the defendant who was named in the judgment form was Gary Wayne Sutton. Shortly

thereafter, the judgment of conviction was admitted into evidence.

Anthony Rollins of the Cobb County, Georgia Sheriff’s Department subsequently identified

some documents pertaining to indictment number 82-2313. Rollins testified that the name of the

person identified in the records was Gary Wayne Sutton and that the records included a photograph
30In support of his proposition that the State failed to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that he was the same

individual who was convicted of first degree murder in Sevier County, Sutton cites State v. Robert Williams, No.

03C01-9302-CR-00050, 1996 WL 146696, at *4–5 (Tenn. Crim. Ap p., at Knoxville, April 2, 1996), in which this Court

held that the State failed to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant had previously been convicted of

violent felonies when the State simp ly admitted judgments of convictions for prior felonies committed by an individual

with the same n ame as the d efendant. T his case is distingu ishable from Williams because in addition to the judgment

of conviction, the State introduced the testimony of Greene in which he he identified Sutton and then stated that he had

prepared the judgment form.

-41-

and rolled fingerprint impressions of Gary Wayne Sutton. The documents were then admitted into

evidence. One of the documents is a judgment of conviction which indicates that Gary Dewayne

Sutton had entered a guilty plea to the charge of aggravated assault as charged in indictment number

82-2313. 

Crime Scene Technician Larry Muncy testified that he had previously prepared a card that

contained the fingerprints of Appellant Gary Wayne Sutton. Muncy then testified that he had

compared the fingerprint card that he had prepared with the fingerprint card obtained from the Cobb

County Sheriff’s Department and he had concluded that the fingerprints on both cards were from the

same individual.

We conclude that the above evidence is sufficient to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that

both Appellants had previously been convicted of felonies involving violence to the person. First,

the evidence was clearly sufficient to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that Appellant Dellinger

had previously been convicted of first degree murder in Sevier County. Greene identified Dellinger,

identified the judgment of conviction that he had prepared which showed that James Dellinger had

been convicted of first degree murder in Sevier County, and testified that Appellant Dellinger was

the same James Dellinger named in the judgment of conviction. Second, the evidence was sufficient

to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that Appellant Sutton had previously been convicted of first

degree murder in Sevier County. Greene identified Sutton, identified the judgment of conviction that

he had prepared which showed that Gary Wayne Sutton had been convicted of first degree murder,

and testified that the defendant who was named in the judgment form was Gary Wayne Sutton.

Appellant Sutton is correct that Greene did not specifically testify that Appellant Sutton was the

same Gary Wayne Sutton named in the judgment of conviction. However, it is obvious from

Greene’s prior identification of Appellant Gary Sutton, his testimony that he was present in the

Criminal Court of Sevier County on February 24, 1993; his testimony that he had prepared the

judgment of conviction, and his testimony that the defendant named in the judgment of conviction

was Gary Wayne Sutton that Greene was indicating that Appellant Sutton is the same individual that

was named in the judgment of conviction for first degree murder in Sevier County.30 Third, the

evidence was clearly sufficient to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that Appellant Sutton had

previously been convicted of aggravated assault. The State introduced the judgment of conviction

and Muncy testified that he had examined the fingerprints and determined that the individual

convicted of aggravated assault was Appellant Sutton. This issue has no merit.

XXIX. INSTRUCTION ON REASONABLE DOUBT DURING SENTENCING

Appellants contend that the trial court erred when it instructed the jury about reasonable

doubt during the sentencing phase of trial. We disagree.
-42-

In its charge to the jury during the sentencing phase, the trial court instructed the jury that

The burden of proof is upon the state to prove any statutory aggravating circumstance

or circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt. A reasonable doubt is a doubt based upon

reason and common sense after careful and impartial consideration of all the evidence in this

case, and is an inability after such investigation to let the mind rest easily. 

It is not necessary that the aggravating circumstance or circumstances be proved

beyond all possible doubt, as absolute certainty is not demanded by the law.

A reasonable doubt is just that—a doubt that is reasonable after an examination of

all the facts of this case. 

Appellants contend that this charge was improper in that the use of the phrase “let the mind rest

easily” violated their right to due process because the fact that the phrase is not qualified or otherwise

explained makes the instruction impermissibly vague and ambiguous.

Tennessee courts have repeatedly upheld the use of the phrase “let the mind rest easily” in

instructions about reasonable doubt. In State v. Bush, 942 S.W.2d 489 (Tenn. 1997), the Tennessee

Supreme Court held that the trial court did not err when it instructed the jury that 

Reasonable doubt is that doubt engendered by an investigation of all

the proof in the case and an inability, after such investigation, to let

the mind rest easily as to the certainty of guilt. Reasonable doubt

does not mean a captious, possible, or imaginary doubt. Absolute

certainty of guilt is not demanded by the law to convict of any

criminal charge, but moral certainty is required, and this certainty is

required as to every element of proof necessary to constitute the

offense. 

Id. at 520–21. Similarly, in State v. Nichols, 877 S.W.2d 722 (Tenn. 1994), the supreme court held

that the trial court did not err when it instructed the jury that it must find proof “beyond a reasonable

doubt” and be convinced to a “moral certainty” of the existence of the aggravating circumstances and

of the fact that they outweighed the mitigating circumstances in conjunction with an instruction that

“[r]easonable doubt is that doubt engendered by an investigation of all the proof in the case and an

inability, after such investigation, to let the mind rest easily upon the certainty of your verdict.” Id.

at 734. The supreme court stated that “[t]he context in which the instruction was given clearly

conveyed the jury’s responsibility to decide the verdict based on the facts and the law.” Id. Further,

in Pettyjohn v. State, 885 S.W.2d 364 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1994), this Court held that the trial court

did not err when it instructed the jury that 

Reasonable doubt is that doubt engendered by an investigation of all the

proof in the case and an inability, after such investigation, to let the mind rest

easily as to the certainty of guilt. Reasonable doubt does not mean a captious,

possible, or imaginary doubt. Absolute certainty of guilt is not demanded by

the law to convict of any criminal charge, but moral certainty is required, and

this certainty is required as to every proposition of proof to constitute the

offence [sic].

It is not necessary that each particular fact should be proved beyond a

reasonable doubt[ ] [i]f enough facts are proved to satisfy the jury beyond a
31In a related issue, Appellants contend that the trial court erred when it refused to consider their motion

challenging the validity of this jury instruction even though the motion was no t filed until after the trial court had

conducted a hearing on their motion for a new trial and denied the motion for a new trial. However, Rule 33(b) of the

Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure clearly states that a motion for a new trial must be in writing, must be made

within thirty days of sentencing, and amendments to the motion shall be allowed un til the day of the hearing on the

motion. Thus, the trial co urt did not err when it refused to conside r the motion th at was filed after the hearing on the

motion for a new trial. In any ca se, Appe llants’ challenge to the jury charge has no merit.

-43-

reasonable doubt, of all the facts necessary to constitute the crime charged.

Before a verdict of guilty is justified that [sic] circumstances taken together

must be of a conclusive nature and tendency, leading on the whole to

satisfactory conclusion and producing in effect a “moral certainty” that the

defendant committed the offence [sic].

Id. at 365–66.

We conclude that, just like the instructions in Bush, Nichols, and Pettyjohn, the instruction

in this case was proper because it sufficiently informed the jury about the standard against which it

was to examine the evidence. Contrary to Appellants’ contention, the fact that the phrase “let the

mind rest easily” was not qualified in this case by something such as “to the certainty as to the

establishment of the aggravating factor” does not make the statement impermissibly vague. As

stated by the supreme court in Bush, “[i]n order to meet the requirements of due process, the jury

instructions must be examined as a whole, without considering particular phrases out of context.”

942 S.W.2d at 521. It is absolutely obvious that when the phrase “let the mind rest easily” is

considered in context, it is referring to the jury’s determination, based on a consideration of all the

evidence, that the State has satisfied its burden of establishing the existence of the aggravating

circumstance and establishing that the aggravating circumstance outweighs the mitigating

circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt. In short, the trial court’s instruction on reasonable doubt

properly reflects the evidentiary certainty required by principles of due process. This issue has no

merit.31

XXX. FAILURE TO INSTRUCT THE JURY THAT 

APPELLANTS ARE HUMAN BEINGS

Appellants contend that their death sentences must be vacated because the trial court failed

to instruct the jury that Appellants are human beings and that the jury can consider that fact as a

mitigating circumstance. We disagree.

In support of their argument that their death sentences must be vacated because the trial court

failed to instruct the jury that they are human beings, Appellants cite Tennessee Code Annotated

section 39-13-204, which states in relevant part,

The trial judge shall also include in the instructions for the jury to weigh and consider any

mitigating circumstances raised by the evidence at either the guilt or sentencing hearing, or

both, which shall include, but not be limited to, those circumstances set forth in subsection

(j). No distinction shall be made between mitigating circumstances as set forth in subsection

(j) and those otherwise raised by the evidence which are specifically requested by either the

state or the defense to be instructed to the jury. These instructions and the manner of
-44-

arriving at a sentence shall be given in the oral charge and in writing to the jury for its

deliberations. 

Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-204(e)(1) (1991). Appellants argue that because the fact that they are

human beings was raised by the evidence, the trial court was required to grant their request to

instruct the jury that Appellants are human beings.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has held that the above statute requires a trial court to

“instruct the jury on nonstatutory mitigating circumstances when raised by the evidence and

specifically requested by either the State or the defendant.” State v. Odom, 928 S.W.2d 18, 30

(Tenn. 1996). However, the supreme court has also stated that the right to have the jury instructed

on nonstatutory mitigating circumstances is statutory rather than constitutional in nature and thus,

the failure to instruct the jury on nonstatutory mitigating circumstances when raised by the evidence

is subject to harmless error analysis. State v. Hodges, 944 S.W.2d 346, 351–52 (Tenn. 1997). The

supreme court also stated that “in determining whether instructions are erroneous, this Court must

review the charge in its entirety and read it as a whole.” Id. at 352. “A charge should be considered

prejudicially erroneous if it fails to fairly submit the legal issues or if it misleads the jury as to the

applicable law.” Id. Compare, Brimmer v. State, 29 S.W.3d 497, 520-21 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1998).

Assuming arguendo that the trial court erred when it failed to instruct the jury about the

obvious fact that Appellants are human beings, it is absolutely clear that any such error was

harmless. The record indicates that the trial court instructed the jury to consider, but not limit its

consideration, to twenty mitigating circumstances for Appellant Dellinger and fourteen mitigating

circumstances for Appellant Sutton. The trial court then instructed the jury that it could also

consider

Any other mitigating factor which is raised by the evidence produced by either the

prosecution or defense at either the guilty or sentencing hearing; that is, you shall consider

any aspect of the defendant’s character or record, or any aspect of the circumstances of the

offense favorable to the defendant which is supported by the evidence.

. . . .

No distinction shall be made betweenmitigating circumstances listed above and other

mitigating circumstances raised by the evidence although not specifically listed.

It is clear that the trial court’s failure to instruct the jury that Appellants are human beings

did not result in an instruction that “fails to fairly submit the legal issues” or “misleads the jury as

to the applicable law.” Clearly, the trial court’s instruction did not prevent the jury from considering

the obvious and readily apparent fact that Appellants are human beings. Indeed, the instruction

expressly informed the jury that it could consider anything to be a mitigating circumstance if it was

raised by the evidence. Further, the very nature of every one of the specific mitigating circumstances

that were listed necessarily encompassed the fact that Appellants are human beings. In short, we

conclude that even if the trial court erred when it failed to instruct the jury that Appellants are human

beings, it is absolutely clear that any such error was harmless. See Tenn. R. Crim. P. 52(a). This

issue has no merit.

XXXI. FAILURE TO ANSWER THE JURY’S QUESTION
32Appellan ts claim that this alleged error was compounded by the trial court’s failure to inform the jury that

life sentences would be imposed in this case if the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict. However, the Tennessee

Supreme Court has e xpressly reje cted the argument that a jury should be informed of the result of a non-unanimous

verdict. See State v. Cribbs, 967 S.W.2d 773 , 796 (Tenn. 1998).

-45-

Appellants contend that the trial court erred when it failed to answer the jury’s question about

whether life sentences in this case would run concurrently with or consecutively to life sentences

imposed for the Sevier County first degree murder convictions.32 We disagree.

At some point during deliberations in the sentencing phase, the jury submitted the following

written question to the trial court:

If James Dellinger and Gary Sutton were given life in prison from Sevier County and they

are given life in prison in Blount County—will the prison terms be consecutive and/or

concurrent.

The trial court gave the following written response: “You should concern yourself with the sentences

in these cases only.”

Appellants have cited no authority for their proposition, and we conclude that the trial court

acted properly. In State v. Smith, 857 S.W.2d 1 (Tenn. 1993), the Tennessee Supreme Court held

that the trial court acted properly when it refused to answer the following questions from the jury:

(1) Define life sentence;

(2) Define consecutive and concurrent life terms and which would apply if a second life

sentence was given;

(3) When would parole apply.

Id. at 10–11. The supreme court stated that the trial court’s refusal to answer the questions was

proper because providing a jury with this sort of information could result in death sentences that are

based on sheer speculation and on factors other than those enumerated in the governing statutes. Id.

at 11. Similarly, if the trial court had answered the jury’s question in this case, this could have

encouraged the jury to base its decision on whether to impose death sentences on speculation about

what may happen in the future rather than on the factors delineated by the death penalty statutes.

Thus, we conclude that under Smith, the trial court properly refused to answer the jury’s question.

This issue has no merit.

XXXII. WHETHER THE AGGRAVATING FACTOR APPLIED

BY THE JURY IS A DUPLICATION OF THE CRIME

 Appellants contend that their death sentences are unconstitutional because the aggravating

circumstance applied by the jury is a duplication of the offence for which they were convicted. We

disagree.

Although Appellants’ argument is not entirely clear, they apparently contend that because

the State used evidence of the Branam murder to show that they were the individuals who killed

Griffin, the State was precluded from relying on their convictions for the Branam murder as the

aggravating circumstance upon which the death penalty was sought. As support for this proposition,

Appellants cite State v. Middlebrooks, 840 S.W.2d 317 (Tenn. 1992). This reliance is completely

misguided. In Middlebrooks, the Tennessee Supreme Court held that when a defendant is convicted

of first degree murder solely on the basis of felony murder, the defendant cannot be sentenced to
33We note that bec ause the jud gments in this cas e do not ex pressly indicate whether the death sentences are to

be served concurrently with or consecutively to the previously imposed sentences, the death sentences are to run

concurrently with the other sentences. Tenn. R. Crim. P. 32(c)(2).

-46-

death because that same murder was committed during the commission, the attempt to commit, or

the fleeing after the commission or attempt to commit certain felonies. Id. at 347. First, Appellants

were convicted of premeditated and deliberate first degree murder, not felony murder. In addition,

Appellants were convicted in this case of the Griffin murder, not the Branam murder. Thus, it is

obvious that the aggravating circumstance in this case (the convictions for the Branam murder) was

not a duplication of the crime for which Appellants were convicted in this case (the Griffin murder).

This issue has no merit.

XXXIII. DOUBLE JEOPARDY

Appellants contend that the imposition of the death sentence in this case violates principles

of double jeopardy. We conclude that Appellants have waived this issue.

Appellants have failed to support their contention with any argument other than a one

sentence conclusory statement that their death sentences violate principles of double jeopardy. In

addition, Appellants have failed to cite to the record and they have failed to cite any authority in

support of their claim. Thus, this issue is waived. Tenn. R. Ct. Crim. App. 10(b).

XXXIV. FAILURE TO CONDUCT AN ADDITIONAL SENTENCING HEARING

Appellants contend that the trial court erred when it failed to hold a separate sentencing

hearing to determine whether their death sentences should be served concurrently with or

consecutively to their life sentences for the Branam murder. We disagree.

Appellants have not cited any authority that would support their proposition that the trial

court was required to conduct a separate sentencing hearing. Indeed, the statutes that govern capital

sentencing do not provide for such a hearing. Quite simply, nothing in the law of this State required

the trial court to conduct a separate sentencing hearing and thus, the court did not err in failing to do

so. This issue has no merit.33

XXXV. SENTENCE REVIEW PURSUANT TO TENNESSEE CODE ANNOTATED

SECTION 39-13-206(c)(1)(1997).

In all cases involving the sentence of death Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-13-

206(c)(1)(1997) requires that the appellate courts determine whether:

(A) The sentence of death was imposed in an arbitrary fashion:

(B) The evidence supports the jury’s finding of statutory aggravating circumstance or

circumstances;

(C) The evidence supports the jury’s finding that the aggravating circumstance or

circumstances outweigh any mitigating circumstances; and 
-47-

(D) The sentence of death is excessive or disproportionate to the penalty imposed in

similar cases, considering both the nature of the crime and the defendant.

Initially we note that there is nothing in this record to indicate that the sentence of death was

imposed arbitrarily. All appropriate statutory sentencing procedures were utilized and the jury was

properly instructed concerning how to reach its decision as to punishment. Secondly, as discussed

previously herein, the evidence is amply sufficient to support the jury’s finding that the appellants

had previous convictions involving violence therebyestablishing the aggravatingcircumstance found

at Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-13-204(i)(2). Thirdly, the mitigating evidence consisted

largely of testimony concerning the appellants’ troubled lives, injuries, and personal setbacks.

Contrasted with this was proof that the appellants had previously been convicted of a violent felony

involving a death. The jury was justified in determining the aggravating circumstance outweighed

the mitigating proof offered in this case.

Finally, we discuss whether the sentence of death is proportional in this case when compared

to similar cases. This analysis is designed to identify aberrant, arbitrary or capricious sentences by

determining whether the death penalty in a given case is “disproportionate to the punishment

imposed on others convicted of the same crime.” State v. Bland, 958 S.W.2d at 662 (Tenn. 1997).

If a case is “plainly lacking in circumstances consistent with those in cases where the death penalty

has been imposed,” then the sentence is disproportionate. Id. at 668. However, a sentence of death

is not disproportionate merely because the circumstances of the offense are similar to those of

another offense for which the defendant has received a life sentence. Id. at 665. “Since no crimes

are precisely alike, the precedent seeking method of review is not a rigid, mechanical formula.”

State v. Burns, 979 S.W.2d 276, 283 (Tenn. 1998). Instead, we consider numerous factors regarding

the offense itself: (1) the means of death; (2) the manner of death; (3) the motivation for the killing;

(4) the place of death; (5) the victim’s age, physical and psychological condition; (6) the absence

or presence of premeditation; (7) the absence or presence of provocation; (8) the absence or

presence of justification; and (9) the injury to and effects on nondecedent victims. Bland, 958

S.W.2d at 667. We also consider numerous factors about the defendant: (1) age, race and gender;

(2) prior criminal record; (3) mental, emotional, or physical condition; (4) role in the murder; (5)

remorse; (6) cooperation with authorities; (7) the defendant’s knowledge of a victim’s helplessness;

and (8) the defendant’s potential for rehabilitation. Id.

The evidence in this case showed that after an afternoon spent drinking with Griffin,

Appellants became angry with Griffin, fought with him, and abandoned him on the side of a

highway. After a subsequent unsuccessful attempt to obtain Griffin’s release from jail, Appellants

set fire to Griffin’s residence and then obtained a shotgun. Appellants then obtained Griffin’s release

from jail, took him to a remote area, and shot him in the back of the head with a shotgun. Appellants

have continued to deny all responsibility for Griffin’s murder and they have failed to show any

remorse for the senseless and unprovoked killing of their supposed friend. The jury sentenced the

Appellants to death after it found one aggravating circumstance: that the Appellants had previously

been convicted of felonies involving the use of violence to the person.

 In State v. Cribbs, 967 S.W.2d 773 (Tenn. 1998), the defendant killed a woman after the

woman and her husband came home while the defendant and an accomplice were burglarizing their

home. The defendant shot the husband in the shoulder, causing him to lose consciousness. The
-48-

defendant then killed the wife by placing a shotgun against her head and firing. The jury imposed

the death sentence after it found two aggravating circumstances: that the defendant was previously

convicted of one or more felonies involving violence to the person and that the murder was

committed while the defendant was engaged in committing or was attempting to commit a burglary.

The supreme court held that the second aggravating circumstance was invalid, but upheld the death

sentence based on the aggravating circumstance that the defendant had previously been convicted

of felonies involving violence to the person. 

 In State v. Hurley, 876 S.W.2d 57 (Tenn. 1993), the defendant killed the victim by shooting

him once in the head. The jury found the defendant guilty of premeditated murder and imposed the

sentence of death upon finding one aggravating circumstance: that the murder was committed while

the defendant was engaged in committing a robbery. The supreme court upheld the death sentence.

 In State v. Howell, 868 S.W.2d 238 (Tenn. 1993), the twenty-seven-year-old defendant

murdered the clerk of a convenience store by shooting him once in the head during the course of a

robbery. The defendant did not cooperate with the authorities and he did not express remorse. The

defendant presented evidence that he had been diagnosed as a slow learner, had been placed in

special education classes, and had dropped out of school in the eighth grade. The jury found the

defendant guilty of first degree felony murder and sentenced him to death upon finding two

aggravating circumstances: that the defendant had previously been convicted of felonies involving

the use of violence to the person, and the murder was committed while the defendant was engaged

in committing a felony. The supreme court found that the jury’s reliance upon the felony murder

aggravating circumstance was invalid, but upheld the death sentence based on the aggravating

circumstance that the defendant had previously been convicted of felonies involving the use of

violence to the person.

In State v. Van Tran, 864 S.W.2d 465 (Tenn. 1993), the defendant killed a

seventy-four-year-old victim in the course of a robbery. The victim had been shot once and was

lying on the floor when the defendant shot her in the head. The defendant was age nineteen and had

no prior record. Mitigating evidence included the defendant’s good work record, cooperation with

law enforcement, remorse, and educational problems. The jury imposed the death sentence after

finding one aggravating circumstance: that the murder was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel in

that it involved torture or serious physical abuse beyond that necessary to produce death. The

supreme court upheld the death sentence.

 In State v. Smith, 695 S.W.2d 954 (Tenn. 1985), the defendant robbed and killed a man by

shooting him twice. The defendant confessed to the police. The jury sentenced the defendant to

death after it found that one aggravating circumstance: that the defendant committed the murder

during the perpetration of a robbery. The supreme court upheld the death sentence.

In State v. Caldwell, 671 S.W.2d 459 (Tenn. 1984), the defendant and the victim were

engaged in a drinking bout that erupted into violence when the victim threw whiskey into the

defendant’s face. The defendant then shot the victim twice in the back of the head with a shotgun.

The jury sentenced the defendant to death after it found that one aggravating circumstance: that the

defendant had been previously convicted of felonies involving the use of violence to the person. The

supreme court upheld the death sentence.

These cases, although not identical, contain numerous similarities to both the offense and the

defendants before us. As is the case here, only one aggravating circumstance was validly considered
-49-

in all six of the above cases and in three of the cases, the aggravating circumstance was the same one

that the jury found was present in this case. In this case, Griffin was shot once in the head. In all

six of the above cases, the victim was only shot once or twice and in five of the cases, the victim was

shot in the head. Just as Griffin was shot while he was unarmed, the victims in all six of the above

cases were apparently also unarmed. Just as there was evidence that Appellants have a low IQ level,

there was evidence that the defendants in Howell and Van Tran had impaired mental abilities or

educational problems. Like the defendant in Howell and unlike the defendant in Van Tran,

Appellants have never accepted responsibility or expressed remorse for their crime. Finally, the

supreme court upheld the death penalty in all six of the above cases after finding that it was neither

arbitrary nor disproportionate. After reviewing the cases discussed herein, and other cases not herein

detailed, we conclude that the penalty imposed by the jury in this case is not excessive or

disproportionate to the penalty imposed for similar crimes. This issue has no merit.

XXXVI. CONCLUSION

Based on the foregoing the judgment and sentence of the trial court is AFFIRMED.

___________________________________ 

JERRY L. SMITH, JUDGE