Opinion ID: 2336583
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Remaining Issues Raised By Riels

Text: Because we are remanding this case for a new sentencing hearing, many of the remaining issues raised by Riels are moot. However, we will briefly address those issues which will likely be relevant upon remand.
Riels argues that the trial court erred in allowing the admission of the photograph of the victim lying in the hallway surrounded by blood. The Court of Criminal Appeals upheld the trial court's decision to admit the photograph on grounds that its admission was not properly objected to and also because admission of evidence is within the sound discretion of the trial court. Whether the photograph was properly objected to at trial is certainly now moot on appeal. Upon remand, the admissibility of photographs lies within the discretion of the trial court whose ruling will not be overturned on appeal except upon a clear showing of an abuse of discretion. State v. Banks, 564 S.W.2d 947, 949 (Tenn.1978); see also State v. Hall, 8 S.W.3d 593, 602 (Tenn.1999). However, photographs may not be admitted solely to inflame the jury and prejudice the defendant. Banks, 564 S.W.2d at 950-51. The photograph must be found relevant to an issue that the jury must decide before it may be admitted into evidence. See State v. Vann, 976 S.W.2d 93, 102 (Tenn.1998); State v. Braden, 867 S.W.2d 750, 758 (Tenn.Crim.App.), perm. app. denied, (Tenn.1993); see also Tenn. R. Evid. 402. Moreover, the probative value of the photograph must outweigh any unfair prejudicial effect that it may have upon the trier of fact. Vann, 976 S.W.2d at 103; Braden, 867 S.W.2d at 758; see also Tenn. R. Evid. 403.
Riels argues that the instruction to the jury that aggravated robbery was a felony whose elements involved the use of violence was unconstitutional under Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466, 120 S.Ct. 2348, 147 L.Ed.2d 435 (2000), and Ring v. Arizona, 536 U.S. 584, 122 S.Ct. 2428, 153 L.Ed.2d 556 (2002). At the time of the trial in this case, this issue had not yet been resolved by this Court. Since that time, we have held that the determination of whether the statutory elements of a felony involve the use of violence to the person is a legal determination for the trial court. See State v. Cole, 155 S.W.3d 885, 899-905 (Tenn.2005). More recently, we interpreted the holding in Shepard v. United States, 544 U.S. 13, 125 S.Ct. 1254, 161 L.Ed.2d 205 (2005), to impose a limit on the trial court such that it may only consider the statutory definition of the offense, the charging document, the written plea agreement, the transcript of the plea colloquy, and any explicit factual findings by the trial judge to which the defendant assented. See State v. Ivy, 188 S.W.3d 132, 151 (Tenn.2006). Although the issue is moot on appeal, it appears that the trial court based its instruction on the indictments and judgments from the prior convictions, and therefore such instruction would not have been in error.
Riels argues that the instruction given to the jury on victim impact testimony was a coercive jury instruction. Because we are remanding for a new sentencing hearing, this issue is moot. However, as noted by the Court of Criminal Appeals, the instruction given by the trial court in this case was the instruction recommended by this Court in State v. Nesbit, 978 S.W.2d 872, 892 (Tenn.1998), and was subsequently discussed and approved by this Court in State v. Reid, 91 S.W.3d 247, 282-83 (Tenn.2002).
Riels argues that the trial court erred in denying his motion to suppress his statements and the evidence obtained as a result of those statements. As to this issue, we adopt and incorporate by reference the opinion of the Court of Criminal Appeals, attached hereto in the Appendix.
Riels argues that Tennessee's death penalty statutes are unconstitutional. As to this issue, we adopt and incorporate by reference the opinion of the Court of Criminal Appeals, attached hereto in the Appendix.
Riels argues that the imposition of the death penalty was arbitrary and capricious. Because we are remanding for a new sentencing hearing, this issue is moot.