Opinion ID: 1057701
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 23

Heading: The Premeditated First Degree Murder Conviction

Text: Mr. Banks argues that the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction for the premeditated first degree murder of Mr. Al-Maily. He argues that the State failed to prove that he acted with premeditation. Instead, Mr. Banks contends that he shot Mr. Al-Maily in the heat of passion and that he was not aware prior to arriving at Mr. Atilebawi's residence that Mr. Al-Maily would be there. Mr. Banks also argues that the State failed to present sufficient evidence to prove that he was the shooter. The State insists that the evidence is sufficient to prove that Mr. Banks shot Mr. Al-Maily and that he acted with premeditation. The Court of Criminal Appeals concluded that the evidence was sufficient to support Mr. Banks conviction for first degree premeditated murder. We concur with the determination of the Court of Criminal Appeals. Mr. Banks was convicted on the first count of the indictment, a charge of first degree murder for the premeditated killing of Mr. Al-Maily. Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(a)(1), first degree murder includes the premeditated and intentional killing of another. The Tennessee General Assembly has defined premeditation for purposes of first degree murder as follows: [P]remeditation is an act done after the exercise of reflection and judgment. Premeditation means that the intent to kill must have been formed prior to the act itself. It is not necessary that the purpose to kill pre-exist in the mind of the accused for any definite period of time. The mental state of the accused at the time the accused allegedly decided to kill must be carefully considered in order to determine whether the accused was sufficiently free from excitement and passion as to be capable of premeditation. Tenn.Code Ann. § 39-13-202(d). Premeditation may be inferred from the manner and circumstances of the killing. Finch v. State, 226 S.W.3d 307, 318 (Tenn.2007). Tennessee courts have identified a number of factors that tend to demonstrate a homicide was premeditated. These factors include, but are not limited to, (1) the use of a deadly weapon to kill an unarmed victim, (2) the procurement of weapons used to commit a murder, (3) declarations of intent to kill the victim, (4) preparations for the concealment of a crime, (5) lack of provocation by the victim, (6) failure to provide aid or assistance to the victim, and (7) calmness after the killing. State v. Brooks 249 S.W.3d 323, 329 (Tenn.2008). Mr. Banks used a deadly weapon, killed an unarmed victim who gave no provocation, provided no aid or assistance to his victim, and was calm afterwards. Furthermore, Mr. Al-Maily had fully cooperated with Mr. Banks during the robbery. Instead of resisting, Mr. Al-Maily handed over three hundred dollars to Mr. Banks. He also remained in the bedroom lying facedown on the floor as ordered while Messrs. Banks and Hilliard stole clothing, audio speakers, and cash from Mr. Atilebawi's home. Mr. Banks took the time to search the living room and bedroom for items to steal and then to load the Jeep with speakers and clothes. With Mr. Al-Maily lying facedown on the floor, having fully complied with his directions, Mr. Banks could simply have left the premises with his ill-gotten gains. Instead, he returned to the house, walked up to a person whom he considered a friend who was lying on the floor, and shot him in the back of the head from close range. Viewing the facts in a light most favorable to the State, a reasonable jury could have easily have found beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Banks acted with premeditation when he shot Mr. Al-Maily. We now turn to the question of whether the State presented sufficient evidence to demonstrate that Mr. Banks shot Mr. Al-Maily. We conclude that, viewing the facts in the light most favorable to the State, the testimony of Mr. Atilebawi, the physical evidence, the fact that Mr. Banks was found driving the stolen Jeep containing the property stolen from Mr. Atilebawi, and Mr. Banks's confession that he shot Mr. Al-Maily provide sufficient evidence to permit a reasonable jury to find beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Banks shot Mr. Al-Maily. B.