Opinion ID: 1058329
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Plain Error Review The Record on Appeal

Text: As previously explained, this Court will reverse for plain error only if (a) the record ... clearly establish[es] what occurred in the trial court; (b) a clear and unequivocal rule of law [has] been breached; (c) a substantial right of the accused [has] been adversely affected; (d) the accused did not waive the issue for tactical reasons; and (e) consideration of the error is necessary to do substantial justice. Smith, 24 S.W.3d at 282 (quoting Adkisson, 899 S.W.2d at 641-42). An appellate court need not consider all five factors if consideration of any one factor indicates that relief is not warranted. Smith, 24 S.W.3d at 283. In this case, factor (a) is satisfied. The record clearly establishes what occurred in the trial court. Gomez and Londono were convicted of: (1) conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, a Class C felony which carries a three to six year sentence; (2) facilitation of felony murder, a Class A felony, which carries a fifteen to twenty-five year sentence; (3) facilitation of especially aggravated robbery, a Class B felony, which carries an eight to twelve year sentence; and (4) facilitation of aggravated robbery, a Class C felony, which carries a three to six year sentence. The trial court found and applied two enhancement factors as to all four convictions: [t]he defendant has a previous history of criminal convictions or criminal behavior in addition to those necessary to establish the appropriate range; and [t]he defendant was a leader in the commission of the offense involving two (2) or more criminal actors. Tenn.Code Ann. § 40-35-114(2), (3) (2003). As to the defendants' conviction for facilitation of felony murder, the trial court applied an additional enhancement factor  [t]he defendant possessed or employed a firearm, explosive device or other deadly weapon during the commission of the offense. Id. at (10). As to each defendant and all convictions, the trial judge imposed the maximum sentence within the range: (1) six years for conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery; (2) twenty-five years for facilitation of felony murder; (3) twelve years for facilitation of especially aggravated robbery; and (4) six years for facilitation of aggravated robbery. The trial court stated that, in selecting the maximum sentence as the appropriate sentence, it had afforded great weight to the first factor, the defendants' previous history of criminal convictions. At the time of the sentencing hearing, Gomez had been convicted of Theft from Interstate Shipment, April 14, 1999, United States District Court, Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division, and Londono had been convicted of Manslaughter, April 12, 2000, Houston, Texas Criminal Court.