Opinion ID: 1859644
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: SUFFICIENCY OF (i)(5) AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCE

Text: The defendant also contends that the evidence was insufficient to support the jury's finding of aggravating circumstance (i)(5) that the murder was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel in that it involved torture or serious physical abuse beyond that necessary to produce death. [4] Pursuant to Tenn.Code Ann. § 39-13-206(c) (1997), this Court must review the sufficiency of the aggravating evidence against the mitigating evidence offered and determine the following: whether the sentence of death was imposed in an arbitrary fashion; whether the evidence supports the jury's finding of the existence of each aggravating circumstance beyond a reasonable doubt; whether the evidence supports the jury's finding that the aggravating circumstances outweigh the mitigating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt; and whether the sentence of death is disproportionate. The especially heinous, atrocious or cruel aggravating circumstance may be proved under either of two prongs: torture or serious physical abuse. This Court has defined torture as the infliction of severe physical or mental pain upon the victim while he or she remains alive and conscious. State v. Williams, 690 S.W.2d 517, 529 (Tenn.1985). The terms serious physical abuse beyond that necessary to produce death are self-explanatory; the abuse must be physical rather than mental in nature. Abuse is defined as an act that is `excessive' or which makes `improper use of a thing,' or which uses a thing `in a manner contrary to the natural or legal rules for its use.' Odom, 928 S.W.2d at 26 (quoting Black's Law Dictionary 11 (6th ed.1990)). The evidence presented in this case supports a finding of the heinous, atrocious or cruel aggravating circumstance under either, or both, of the two prongs. We agree with the Court of Criminal Appeals that Mrs. Hall suffered mental torture over the welfare of her children as the defendant beat her in their presence. After hearing the defendant's threats to kill her if the children went for help, she most certainly would have feared for her own fate as well. This Court has repeatedly held that the anticipation of physical harm to one's self or a loved one constitutes mental torture. State v. Carter, 988 S.W.2d 145, 150 (Tenn.1999); Nesbit, 978 S.W.2d at 886-87; State v. Cauthern, 967 S.W.2d 726, 732 (Tenn.1998); State v. Hodges, 944 S.W.2d 346, 358 (Tenn.1997). The evidence here clearly supports a finding of mental torture. Furthermore, the extent and severity of the beating support a finding of either physical torture or serious physical abuse beyond that necessary to produce death due to the pain Mrs. Hall suffered before she finally died. Therefore, we find the evidence sufficient to support the existence of the (i)(5) aggravating circumstance beyond a reasonable doubt. As proof of mitigating circumstances, the jury may reasonably have found that the defendant did not have a significant history of prior criminal activity, that he was a good worker and employee, and that he was a caring and nurturing father. Nevertheless, we agree with the jury's conclusion that the aggravating circumstance outweighed the mitigating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt. This issue is wholly without merit.