Opinion ID: 1057584
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Admissibility of Evidence in Capital Sentencing Trials

Text: Because this is a capital case, Tennessee Rule of Evidence 615 is not the only provision we must consider in reviewing the trial court's rulings on Defendant's pretrial motions concerning witness sequestration. Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-13-204(c) governs the admission of evidence in capital sentencing trials and provides as follows: In the sentencing proceeding, evidence may be presented as to any matter that the court deems relevant to the punishment and may include, but not be limited to, the nature and circumstances of the crime; the defendant's character, background history, and physical condition; any evidence tending to establish or rebut the aggravating circumstances enumerated in subsection (i); and any evidence tending to establish or rebut any mitigating factors. Any such evidence which the court deems to have probative value on the issue of punishment may be received regardless of its admissibility under the rules of evidence; provided, that the defendant is accorded a fair opportunity to rebut any hearsay statements so admitted. However, this subsection (c) shall not be construed to authorize the introduction of any evidence secured in violation of the constitution of the United States or the constitution of Tennessee.... The court shall permit a member or members, or a representative or representatives of the victim's family to testify at the sentencing hearing about the victim and about the impact of the murder on the family of the victim and other relevant persons. Such evidence may be considered by the jury in determining which sentence to impose. The court shall permit members or representatives of the victim's family to attend the trial, and those persons shall not be excluded because the person or persons shall testify during the sentencing proceeding as to the impact of the offense. Tenn.Code Ann. § 39-13-204(c) (2003) (emphasis added). This Court has emphasized that this statute `expressly exempts evidence adduced in capital sentencing proceedings from the usual evidentiary rules.' State v. Sims, 45 S.W.3d 1, 13 (Tenn.2001) (quoting State v. Odom, 928 S.W.2d 18, 28 (Tenn. 1996)). And, we have previously concluded that in general, [section] XX-XX-XXX(c) should be interpreted to allow trial judges wider discretion than would normally be allowed under the Tennessee Rules of Evidence in ruling on the admissibility of evidence at a capital sentencing hearing. The Rules of Evidence should not be applied to preclude introduction of otherwise reliable evidence that is relevant to the issue of punishment, as it relates to mitigating or aggravating circumstances, the nature and circumstances of the particular crime, or the character and background of the individual defendant. As our case history reveals, however, the discretion allowed judges and attorneys during sentencing in first degree murder cases is not unfettered. Our constitutional standards require inquiry into the reliability, relevance, value, and prejudicial effect of sentencing evidence to preserve fundamental fairness and protect the rights of both the defendant and the victim's family. The rules of evidence can in some instances be helpful guides in reaching these determinations of admissibility. Trial judges are not, however, required to adhere strictly to the rules of evidence. These rules are too restrictive and unwieldy in the arena of capital sentencing. Id. at 14 (emphases added); see also State v. Reid, 213 S.W.3d 792, 817 (Tenn.2006) (The rules of evidence ... do not limit the admissibility of evidence in a capital sentencing proceeding.); State v. Austin, 87 S.W.3d 447, 459 (Tenn.2002) (The Rules of Evidence should not be applied to preclude the admission of relevant evidence in a capital sentencing hearing.). Thus, we have held that, in a capital sentencing hearing, the question is not whether a particular item of proof is admissible pursuant to the Tennessee Rules of Evidence, but instead whether that evidence was reliable and relevant to one of the aggravating or mitigating circumstances. Reid, 213 S.W.3d at 817. These cases make clear that, in a capital sentencing proceeding, trial courts must carefully evaluate any and all proffered mitigation evidence, utilizing any applicable Rules of Evidence only as guidelines rather than as mandatory strictures. A rigid adherence to Rule 615, or any other particular Rule of Evidence, is contraindicated by section 39-13-204(c).