Opinion ID: 1058905
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: The defendant initially contends that the evidence is insufficient to support the jury's verdict. The proper inquiry for an appellate court reviewing a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence is whether, considering the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. See Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979); State v. Hall, 8 S.W.3d 593, 599 (Tenn.1999). The prosecution is entitled to the strongest legitimate view of the evidence in the record, as well as all reasonable and legitimate inferences which may be drawn therefrom. State v. Bland, 958 S.W.2d 651, 659 (Tenn.1997). A guilty verdict by the jury, approved by the trial court, accredits the testimony of the witnesses for the State and resolves all conflicts in favor of the prosecution's theory. Id. Questions about the credibility of witnesses, the weight and value of the evidence, as well as all factual issues raised by the evidence are resolved by the trier of fact, and this Court does not re-weigh or re-evaluate the evidence. Id. Nor may this Court substitute its inferences drawn from circumstantial evidence for those drawn by the trier of fact. See State v. Carruthers, 35 S.W.3d 516, 557-58 (Tenn.2000); Liakas v. State, 199 Tenn. 298, 286 S.W.2d 856, 859 (1956). With these principles in mind we must determine whether the evidence in this record is sufficient to support the jury's verdict. We begin with the definition of the conviction offense. The offense of child abuse is committed when a person knowingly, other than by accidental means, treats a child under eighteen (18) years of age in such a manner as to inflict injury. Tenn.Code Ann. § 39-15-401 (1997 & Supp.2002). The offense of aggravated child abuse is committed when (1) the act of child abuse results in serious bodily injury to the child or (2) the act of child abuse is accomplished with a deadly weapon. Tenn.Code Ann. § 39-13-402(a) (1997). A deadly weapon is defined as: (A) A firearm or anything manifestly designed, made or adapted for the purpose of inflicting death or serious bodily injury; or (B) Anything that in the manner of its use or intended use is capable of causing death or serious bodily injury. Tenn.Code Ann. § 39-11-106(5) (1997) (emphasis added). Serious bodily injury is defined as injury involving: (A) A substantial risk of death; (B) protracted unconsciousness; (C) extreme physical pain; (D) protracted or obvious disfigurement; or (E) protracted loss or substantial impairment of a function of a bodily member, organ or mental faculty. Tenn.Code Ann. § 39-11-106(34) (1997) (emphasis added). As to the March 1 incident, the defendant was charged with and convicted of aggravated child abuse by use of a deadly weapon. The victim testified that the defendant struck him on the buttocks with a heavy-duty extension cord wrapped with coat hangers and duct tape. The victim stated that the extension cord was braided several times to increase its thickness. The victim testified that the beating initially felt like real pain, and that the pain then increased. The victim further explained that the pain hurt real bad after a period of numbness. Viewing this evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, as we are required to do, we conclude that the evidence is sufficient to support this conviction. The defendant also was charged with and convicted of aggravated child abuse by use of a deadly weapon as a result of the April 9 incident. The victim testified that the defendant struck him twice with the braided extension cord, wrapped the cord around his neck, then began slinging him around the room, causing the victim to strike objects and furniture in the room and to sustain injuries to his ribs, neck, and face. Several witnesses corroborated the victim's testimony regarding injuries to his face and neck, and the prosecution introduced photographs of these injuries at trial. Again considering the proof in the light most favorable to the State, the evidence is sufficient to support the jury's verdict finding the defendant guilty of aggravated child abuse for the April 9 incident.