Opinion ID: 1057985
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Defendant asserts that the evidence is not sufficient to establish that he murdered the victim with premeditation. We disagree. 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). Our criminal code provides that the term premeditation as used in our first degree murder statute refers to 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). The element of premeditation is a question for the jury which may be established by proof of the circumstances surrounding the killing. Bland, 958 S.W.2d at 660. Factors supporting the existence of premeditation include the use of a deadly weapon upon an unarmed victim, the particular cruelty of the killing, and preparation before the killing for concealment of the crime. Id. Additionally, the establishment of a motive for the killing is another factor from which the jury may infer premeditation. State v. Sims, 45 S.W.3d 1, 8 (Tenn.2001). The proof in this case established that Defendant carjacked the victim and forced her to remain in the car with him. He commandeered the victim's car because he was trying to evade arrest. Defendant claimed to have assured the victim that he was not going to hurt her, from which the jury could have inferred that Defendant had endeavored to keep the victim from trying to escape. Contrary to his assurances, Defendant subsequently drove the victim to a remote area and stabbed her in the back, leaving the knife blade embedded in her chest. The victim was unarmed when Defendant stabbed her. While she was still moving, Defendant dragged the victim some twenty yards and hid her body under some sheets of tin. He then left her to die, driving away and out of the state in her car. Defendant's motive in his murderous crime spree began and ended with his attempt to avoid apprehension. He carjacked the victim with that goal in mind and determined to kill her with that goal in mind. The manner and circumstances of the killing support the jury's inference that Defendant killed the victim intentionally and with premeditation. The evidence is sufficient to support Defendant's conviction of first degree premeditated murder. Accordingly, Defendant is not entitled to relief on this ground.