Opinion ID: 1085420
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Mr. Pruitt argues that the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction for first degree felony murder. Specifically, he contends that Taka Pruitt’s account of the attack on Mr. Guidroz does not differ substantially from his testimony, and that to the extent it does, her veracity is compromised because of her location and distance from the site of the attack. Our standard of review is “whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319 (1979). We do not re-weigh the evidence but presume that the trier of fact has resolved all conflicts in the testimony and drawn all reasonable inferences from the evidence in favor of the State. State v. Davis, 354 S.W.3d 718, 729 (Tenn. 2011). Questions regarding witness credibility are resolved by the jury. State v. Bland, 958 S.W.2d 651, 659 (Tenn. 1997). 13 Ms. Atkinson testified that Mr. Pruitt’s highest TCAP score occurred when Mr. Pruitt was in fifth grade and scored in the ninety-eighth percentile overall. -19- Mr. Pruitt was charged with first degree felony murder committed in the perpetration of a robbery. At the time of the offense, felony murder included a killing “committed in the perpetration of or attempt to perpetrate any first degree murder, act of terrorism, arson, rape, robbery, burglary, theft, kidnapping, aggravated child abuse, aggravated child neglect, rape of a child, aggravated rape of a child or aircraft piracy.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(a)(2) (2007). Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-13-202(b) also provided that “[n]o culpable mental state is required for conviction under subdivision (a)(2) . . . except the intent to commit the enumerated offenses or acts.” Additionally, the death must occur “in the perpetration of” the enumerated felony. State v. Buggs, 995 S.W.2d 102, 106 (Tenn. 1999). Robbery is defined as the intentional or knowing theft of property from the person of another by putting the person in fear or using violence. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-401 (2010); see also Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-103 (2010) (theft of property). Mr. Pruitt contends that the evidence supports his testimony that he had no intent to deprive Mr. Guidroz of his car and only ran to Mr. Guidroz’s car to aid Mr. Johnson, who had attacked and was struggling with Mr. Guidroz. We disagree. Mr. Johnson expressly denied playing any role in the robbery. Mr. Johnson testified that Mr. Pruitt intended to steal a car that day. Mr. Pruitt admitted as much during his testimony. Taka Pruitt testified that Mr. Pruitt acted alone in attacking Mr. Guidroz. Mr. Pruitt’s suggestion that her testimony is somehow compromised because she was unable to fully see what was happening in Mr. Guidroz’s car is a question of credibility that the jury resolved in favor of the State. After the attack, Ms. Pruitt saw Mr. Pruitt drive off in Mr. Guidroz’s car. Mr. Pruitt admitted that he took the car. Moreover, both Dr. Chancellor and Dr. Levy testified that multiple blows were inflicted on Mr. Guidroz. All of the medical testimony reflected that Mr. Guidroz died as a result of the injuries sustained during the attack. Viewed in the light most favorable to the State, the evidence supports the jury’s finding that Mr. Pruitt used violence to take Mr. Guidroz’s car and that Mr. Guidroz died as a result of injuries sustained from that use of violence. The proof is therefore sufficient to support Mr. Pruitt’s conviction for first degree felony murder committed during the perpetration of a robbery.