Opinion ID: 1057956
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Transou

Text: Although defendant Transou's cases were consolidated for oral argument with that of defendant Scarborough based on his similar claims of the invalidity of the DNA collection statute, we do not rely on that statute in resolving his cases. When he submitted to a blood draw in September 1999, [11] Transou did not fall within the parameters of the DNA collection statute. [12] Rather, the trial court upheld the blood draw/search on the basis that Transou consented to it. The Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the trial court. We agree that the Transou cases are not governed by the statute and that he validly consented to the blood draw and its subsequent analysis. Whether an individual consents voluntarily to a search otherwise proscribed by either the state or federal constitutions is a question of fact to be determined from the totality of the circumstances. See Schneckloth v. Bustamonte, 412 U.S. 218, 227, 93 S.Ct. 2041, 36 L.Ed.2d 854 (1973); Cox, 171 S.W.3d at 184. The consent must be `unequivocal, specific, intelligently given, and uncontaminated by duress or coercion.' State v. Simpson, 968 S.W.2d 776, 784 (Tenn.1998) (quoting State v. Brown, 836 S.W.2d 530, 547 (Tenn.1992)). The pertinent question is this: whether the [individual's] act of consenting is the product of an essentially free and unconstrained choice. If the [individual's] will was overborne and his or her capacity for self-determination critically impaired, due process is offended. Cox, 171 S.W.3d at 185 (citing Schneckloth, 412 U.S. at 225-26, 93 S.Ct. 2041). In considering this question, numerous factors come into play, including the time and place of the encounter; whether the encounter occurred in a secluded or public place; the number of officers present; whether hostility was present; whether weapons were displayed; whether consent was requested; and whether the individual initiated the contact. See id. We may also consider the individual's personal characteristics, including his or her age, education, intelligence, knowledge, maturity, sophistication, experience, and prior contact with law enforcement personnel. Id. The individual's knowledge of his or her right to refuse consent is also an appropriate circumstance to consider. Id. In this case, Transou was requested to submit to a blood draw in conjunction with standard intake procedures at the prison facility. During the intake procedure, Transou was one of a group of inmates addressed simultaneously by medical personnel. There is no indication in the record that either hostility or weapons were present. Transou was verbally informed that he could refuse to consent to the blood draw. In addition to the verbal explanation, Transou was provided with a written form on which he could indicate his consent or refusal to consent. This form indicates that only inmates with certain convictions are required to provide a biological specimen for DNA analysis. Transou had not been convicted of any of the predicate offenses. The form also indicates that an inmate who refuses to provide a specimen may be subject to disciplinary action, but that those who refuse will be provided a due process hearing. In September 1999 Transou was forty years old. Although he denied having obtained a GED, he admitted to being familiar with the prison's law library to such an extent that he drafted and filed legal pleadings on his own behalf. He further admitted to having spent a considerable amount of his adult life in custody, evincing a significant familiarity with the criminal justice system. With respect to the blood draw at issue, Transou admitted during his testimony at the suppression hearing that he had previous familiarity with the DNA consent form and that he was aware that the DNA collection statute did not apply to him in September 1999. Transou maintains that he was coerced into signing the consent form with the threat of disciplinary action upon refusal, rendering his consent invalid. We disagree. As set forth above, the Consent for DNA Analysis form provides that an inmate who refuses to consent to a blood draw will be subject to a hearing before the disciplinary board. If the board then convicts the inmate of a disciplinary offense, he/she shall forfeit the opportunity to earn behavior sentence credits until such time he/she provides a biological specimen. Thus, an inmate who refuses to consent to a blood draw for DNA analysis may lose the opportunity for an earlier release than otherwise anticipated. See Tenn.Code Ann. § 41-21-236 (setting forth the provisions for the accrual of inmate sentence reduction credits which result in the adjustment of an inmate's release eligibility and sentence expiration dates). Before that opportunity loss can occur, however, the inmate must first be convicted of a disciplinary offense. Transou was not subject to such a conviction because he did not fall within the purview of the DNA collection statute. The Department of Correction had no basis under that statute upon which to demand that Transou provide a biological specimen. Transou knew that he did not fall within the purview of the statute. The Department of Correction's threat, therefore, was empty as to Transou. [13] The trial court rejected Transou's contention that he had been coerced into consenting to the blood draw, impliedly finding Transou's testimony on this point not credible. On the specific facts of this case, we conclude that Transou has failed to demonstrate that the proof preponderates against the trial court's findings. Rather, the record demonstrates that Traunsou is both intelligent and knowledgeable about his rights. He is furthermore unafraid to assert them. Transou intelligently, knowingly, and voluntarily consented to have his blood drawn and analyzed in September 1999. Accordingly, we hold that the trial court did not err in refusing to suppress the evidence obtained as a result of the September 1999 blood draw to which Transou consented.
As to victim S.K., Transou was convicted of one count of rape and one count of aggravated burglary. Transou does not contend that these crimes were not committed against the victim, but contends that, without the DNA evidence, the proof is not sufficient to establish his identity as the perpetrator. When evaluating the sufficiency of the evidence, we must determine whether  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, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979). In making this determination, we afford the prosecution the strongest legitimate view of the evidence as well as all reasonable and legitimate inferences which may be drawn therefrom. State v. Bland, 958 S.W.2d 651, 659 (Tenn.1997). Questions concerning the credibility of the witnesses, the weight to be given the evidence, and factual issues raised by the evidence are resolved by the trier of fact. Id. Because a verdict of guilt removes the presumption of innocence and imposes a presumption of guilt, the defendant upon conviction bears the burden of showing why the evidence is insufficient to support the verdict. State v. Rice, 184 S.W.3d 646, 661 (Tenn.2006); State v. Tuggle, 639 S.W.2d 913, 914 (Tenn. 1982). We have determined that the DNA evidence developed from Transou's September 1999 blood draw was properly obtained. As a result of that evidence, a conclusive match was made between Transou's DNA and the DNA of S.K.'s rapist. In addition, at trial the victim identified Transou as her attacker after providing a general description of him. An investigating officer testified about a similar description given by the victim on the morning of the attack. We hold that the evidence of Transou's identity in the commission of these crimes is sufficient to support his convictions. Transou is entitled to no relief on this basis.
Transou also appeals from the sentences he received for these two convictions, but only insofar as preserving his appellate rights in the event the United States Supreme Court decides to review this Court's decision in State v. Gomez, 163 S.W.3d 632 (Tenn.2005), petition for cert. filed, 74 U.S.L.W. 3131 (U.S. Aug. 15, 2005) (No. 05-296). In Gomez , we determined that Tennessee's Criminal Sentencing Reform Act of 1989 does not violate the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution as interpreted by the United States Supreme Court in Blakely v. Washington, 542 U.S. 296, 124 S.Ct. 2531, 159 L.Ed.2d 403 (2004), and its progeny. Id. at 661. For his rape conviction, a Class B felony, see Tenn.Code Ann. § 39-13-503(b), Transou was sentenced as a Range II offender to sixteen years. See id. § 40-35-112(b)(2). For his aggravated burglary conviction, a Class C felony, see id. § 39-14-403(b), Transou was sentenced as a Range III offender to a concurrent term of fifteen years. See id. § 40-35-112(c)(3). In imposing these sentences, the trial court applied a single mitigating factor: that Transou's conduct did not cause or threaten serious bodily injury. See id. § 40-35-113(1). The trial court also applied two enhancement factors: that Transou has a previous history of criminal convictions or criminal behavior in addition to those necessary to establish the appropriate range, and Transou has a previous history of unwillingness to comply with the conditions of a sentence involving release in the community. See id. § 40-35-114(2), (9). Our review of the record establishes that Transou's sentences were imposed in compliance with the Sentencing Act. Under Gomez , his sentences are also in compliance with the Sixth Amendment. Transou is entitled to no relief as to his sentences. Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the Court of Criminal Appeals as to Transou in all respects.