Opinion ID: 2191551
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Application of Dixon to Howell

Text: Beginning with the first prong of the Dixon test, we must determine whether Howell's movement or confinement was beyond that necessary to consummate the attempted especially aggravated robbery. Especially aggravated robbery is the intentional or knowing theft of property from a person, accomplished with a deadly weapon where the victim suffers serious bodily injury. Tenn.Code Ann. §§ 39-13-401, -403 (2006). Howell informed Richardson as they walked to the stock room that Lucas was in the office. Rather than leading Howell to the office where the safe was located, Richardson moved her to an empty stock room. Howell provided Richardson's accomplice with the combination to the safe while she was confined. Richardson's accomplice then bound Howell's hands behind her back. Howell continued to be bound and confined for over twenty minutes. While Howell's movement to and confinement in the stockroom may have been helpful to Richardson, we conclude that this movement and confinement were beyond that necessary to consummate the attempted especially aggravated robbery. Having answered affirmatively the first question of the Dixon test, we now turn to the second prong. A separate conviction for kidnapping does not violate due process if the additional movement or confinement: (1) prevented the victim from summoning help; (2) lessened the defendant's risk of detection; or (3) created a significant danger or increased the victim's risk of harm. Dixon, 957 S.W.2d at 535. Howell's confinement to the stock room clearly satisfies the first factor of Dixon's second prong. Richardson stated that Howell's restraint was intended to prevent her from calling the police. Therefore, the purpose behind the confinement was to prevent the victim from summoning help. Neither Howell's later removal of the duct tape nor her call to 911 from the office compels a contrary result. As we pointed out in Fuller , the ultimate success of the confinement is not an integral part of the test. 172 S.W.3d at 537. We decline to provide Richardson with a free kidnapping merely because Richardson and his accomplice were unsuccessful in preventing Howell from summoning help. Howell's confinement also implicates the second and third factors of Dixon's second prong. By preventing Howell from summoning help, Richardson also lessened his risk of detection. In addition, Richardson struck Howell on the head with his gun, causing an open head wound that required two staples to close. Howell's confinement increased her risk of harm by leaving her severe head injury untreated. For these reasons, the especially aggravated kidnapping conviction in reference to Howell's confinement does not violate due process.