IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE

AT KNOXVILLE

Assigned on Briefs January 22, 2003

STATE OF TENNESSEE v. JERRY LEE MILLER, SR.

Appeal from the Criminal Court for Sullivan County

No. S44,897 Phyllis H. Miller, Judge

No. E2002-01921-CCA-R3-CD

March 20, 2003

Jerry Lee Miller, Sr. appeals from the Sullivan County Criminal Court’s imposition of incarcerative

sentencing for his effective five-year sentence for two counts of statutory rape. Miller pleaded guilty

to the offenses as a Range II offender, and the manner of service of the sentence was reserved for the

lower court’s determination. Miller posits on appeal that he should have been afforded a sentence

involving either split confinement or straight probation. We disagree, however, and affirm.

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

JAMES CURWOOD WITT,JR.,J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which JOSEPH M. TIPTON and

NORMA MCGEE OGLE, JJ., joined.

Leslie Hale, Blountville, Tennessee (at trial); and Julie A. Rice, Knoxville, Tennessee (on appeal),

for the Appellant, Jerry Lee Miller.

Paul G. Summers, Attorney General and Reporter; Helena Walton Yarbrough, Assistant Attorney

General; H. Greeley Welles, Jr., District Attorney General; and Teresa M. Smith, Assistant District

Attorney General, for the Appellee, State of Tennessee.

OPINION

Over a course of several years, the defendant sexually abused the minor victim, who

is his girlfriend’s daughter. The defendant lived in the same home with the victim during most or

all of this time. This activity was discovered at one point, and the victim was placed first in foster

care and later with her biological father. The victim was eventually allowed to return to her mother’s

home, and although the defendant was not supposed to be present in the home, he arrived shortly

after the victim’s return and resumed molesting her. 
1

The charging instrument does not appear in the record, and the charge is referred to in the record as one of

“rape.”

2

The defendant had been convicted of reckless endangerment in general sessions court, and the case was

pending on appeal to the criminal court at the time it was dismissed. It is not clear whether this charge was dropped as

part of the plea agreement. It is not mentioned in the paperwork relative to the plea agreement; however, the state’s

desire to enter a nolle prosequi as to it was announced at the hearing on the plea agreement. 

-2-

The defendant’s activity came to light a second time, and he was charged with one

count of rape.1 Through agreement with the state, the defendant was later charged by information

with two counts of statutory rape, to which he pleaded guilty, and the rape charge was dismissed.

An additional charge of reckless endangerment was also dismissed, this charge apparently stemming

from the defendant’s attempt to run off the road a vehicle in which the victim was a passenger.2 The

defendant agreed to a two-year sentence on one count and a three-year sentence on the other count.

He likewise agreed to consecutive service, for a five-year effective sentence. Moreover, he agreed

to be classified as a Range II offender, even though his sole prior misdemeanor conviction would

otherwise qualify him for Range I sentencing.

Thereafter, the defendant underwent the statutorily required sexual offense risk

assessment. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-705 (Supp. 2002). The examiners opined that the

defendant presented a low risk for reoffending if he received proper treatment, although further

offenses were likely to occur absent treatment. In this regard, the examiners characterized the

defendant as a “situational child molester,” that is, he is not predatory but takes advantage of

opportunities which present themselves. He was categorized as a “fair to good candidate” for

outpatient treatment, and several restrictive conditions were recommended should he be granted a

sentence involving outpatient treatment. The examiners further opined that the defendant had not

been entirely truthful with them about his history of sexual contact with other minor children, which

he denied. They likewise noted that the defendant was not able to see the harm that he had caused

the victim, inasmuch as he blamed the victim for the offenses and characterized himself as a victim

of her seduction.

At the sentencing hearing, neither the state nor the defendant offered any testimonial

proof. The only evidence received was that contained in the presentence report and the sexual

offense risk assessment report. The presentence report contained a lengthy victim impact statement,

as well as written statements from the two relatives with whom the victim was residing.

After considering the evidence, the trial court found that the defendant should be

incarcerated for the entirety of his sentence and ordered that his sentences be served in the

Department of Correction. The defendant then appealed.

The only issue before us is the propriety of the trial court’s order of incarcerative

sentencing. In making a felony sentencing determination, the trial court, at the conclusion of the

sentencing hearing, determines the range of sentence and then determines the specific sentence and

the propriety of sentencing alternatives by considering (1) the evidence, if any, received at the trial
-3-

and the sentencing hearing, (2) the presentence report, (3) the principles of sentencing and arguments

as to sentencing alternatives, (4) the nature and characteristics of the criminal conduct involved, (5)

evidence and information offered by the parties on the enhancement and mitigating factors, (6) any

statements the defendant wishes to make in the defendant's behalf about sentencing, and (7) the

potential for rehabilitation or treatment. See Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 40-35-210(a), (b), -103(5) (1997)

and (Supp. 2002); State v. Holland, 860 S.W.2d 53, 60 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1993). 

A defendant who “is an especially mitigated or standard offender convicted of a Class

C, D, or E felony is presumed to be a favorable candidate for alternative sentencing options in the

absence of evidence to the contrary.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-102(6) (1997). However, a

defendant who commits “the most severe offenses, possess[es] a criminal histor[y] evincing a clear

disregard for the laws and morals of society, and [has failed] past efforts at rehabilitation” does not

enjoy the presumption. See id. § 40-35-102(5), (6) (1997); State v. Fields, 40 S.W.3d 435, 440

(Tenn. 2001). A sentence involving confinement is appropriate when 

(A) Confinement is necessary to protect society by restraining a defendant who

has a long history of criminal conduct;

(B) Confinement is necessary to avoid depreciating the seriousness of the offense

or confinement is particularly suited to provide an effective deterrence to

others likely to commit similar offenses; or

(C) Measures less restrictive than confinement have frequently or recently been

applied unsuccessfully to the defendant.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-103(1)(A) - (C) (1997).

Furthermore, the defendant’s potential for rehabilitation or lack thereof should be

examined when determining whether an alternative sentence is appropriate. Id. § 40-35-103(5)

(1997). Sentencing issues are to be determined by the facts and circumstances presented in each

case. See State v. Taylor, 744 S.W.2d 919, 922 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1987). 

When there is a challenge to the length, range, or manner of service of a sentence, it

is the duty of this court to conduct a de novo review of the record with a presumption that the

determinations made by the trial court are correct. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-401(d) (1997).

This presumption is “conditioned upon the affirmative showing in the record that the trial court

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

S.W.2d 166, 169 (Tenn. 1991). Likewise, the trial court has an affirmative duty to state on the

record, either orally or in writing, which enhancement and mitigating factors it found and its findings

of fact. Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 40-35-209(c), -210(f) (Supp. 2002); State v. Troutman, 979 S.W.2d

271, 274 (Tenn. 1998); State v. Russell, 10 S.W.3d 270, 278 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1999). 

The defendant in this case entered his pleas as a Range II offender; thus, he does not

enjoy the presumption of favorable candidacy for alternative sentencing. See Tenn. Code Ann. §
-4-

40-35-102(6) (1997). Therefore, he bore the burden in the trial court of demonstrating the propriety

of a sentence other than one of total confinement.

The lower court found applicable enhancement factors relative to the defendant’s

prior history of criminal convictions or behavior, the particularly great personal injuries inflicted on

the victim, the offense having been committed to gratify the defendant’s desire for pleasure or

excitement, and the defendant’s abuse of a position of private trust. See id. § 40-35-114(2), (7), (8),

(16) (Supp. 2002). On the other hand, the court found mitigating factors based upon the defendant’s

favorable work history and his voluntary admission of guilt. See id. § 40-35-113(13) (1997). The

court then found that the enhancement factors were entitled to far more weight than the mitigating

factors.

The court was significantly unimpressed with the defendant’s amenability to

rehabilitation, finding that the defendant failed to take responsibility for his actions by blaming the

victim, was not truthful about the offenses, and had engaged in similar activity with the same victim

on many prior occasions. The court expressed concern that the defendant would not exhibit

appropriate conduct toward the victim if he were allowed to remain in a non-incarcerative setting,

in that the defendant was residing in the victim’s mother’s home, and the victim was living less than

one mile away. The court found that the defendant had committed a violent offense and was not

eligible for a Community Corrections sentence, and that he had not demonstrated suitability for a

probationary sentence. Thus, the court imposed a fully incarcerative sentence.

Upon appellate review, we agree that the defendant has not demonstrated that he is

a suitable candidate for alternative sentencing. Indeed, the evidence demonstrates otherwise.

Because he was convicted of crimes against the person, the defendant is not eligible for Community

Corrections sentencing. See id. § 40-36-106(a)(2) (Supp. 2002). On appeal, he aptly concedes his

ineligibility for this form of alternative sentencing.

Thus, the remaining options for alternative sentencing are full probation and split

confinement coupled with probation. The trial court’s findings that the defendant is a poor candidate

for rehabilitation due to his lack of remorse, lack of candor, and untruthfulness are supported by the

record. These findings in turn support the lower court’s determination that the defendant did not

carry his burden of demonstrating his suitability for full probation. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-

103(5) (1997); State v. Pierson, 678 S.W.2d 905, 906 (Tenn. 1984); State v. Bunch, 646 S.W.2d 158,

160 (Tenn. 1983); State v. Nunley, 22 S.W.3d 282, 289 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1999); State v. Zeolia,

928 S.W.2d 457, 463 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1996); State v. Williamson, 919 S.W.2d 69, 84 (Tenn. Crim.

App. 1995); State v. Dowdy, 894 S.W.2d 301, 305-06 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1994).

The defendant likewise has demonstrated neither in the trial nor the appellate court

that he is an appropriate candidate for an alternative sentence involving probation as part of a

sentence of split confinement. As noted by the trial court, the potential for the defendant’s conduct

to go awry, if he is released, is substantial. On a prior occasion, the victim was returned to her

mother’s home on the condition that the defendant not be present in the home, yet he moved into the
-5-

home within a month. There is likewise evidence that following the initiation of these charges, the

defendant harassed the victim by running off the road a vehicle in which she was a passenger and

repeatedly drove by the home in which the victim lived, even though he had been ordered not to do

so. Given these overwhelming indications that the defendant has little or no desire to abide by

restrictions placed upon him relative to contact with the victim, we, like the trial court, are loath to

give judicial sanction to his remaining in the community during a portion of a sentence of split

confinement. 

In light of all of the evidence, the defendant cannot carry the burden of demonstrating

that an alternative sentence is appropriate for him. We therefore affirm the lower court’s imposition

of Department of Correction sentencing.

___________________________________ 

JAMES CURWOOD WITT, JR., JUDGE