Opinion ID: 1060571
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: review of aggravating and mitigating circumstances

Text: As part of our statutory duty pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-13-206(c)(1), we review all capital cases to determine whether the evidence supports the trial court's finding of aggravating circumstances and whether these aggravating circumstances outweigh any mitigating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt. In determining whether the evidence supports the application of an aggravating circumstance, the proper standard to consider is whether, after reviewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, a rational trier of fact could have found the existence of the aggravating circumstance beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Carter, 988 S.W.2d 145, 150 (Tenn.1999). After a careful review of the testimony and evidence presented at the sentencing hearing, we conclude that the evidence fully supports the findings of the trial court and that the aggravating circumstances outweigh any mitigating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt.