Opinion ID: 1044002
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Reckless Homicide

Text: While the proof in this case is not sufficient to support Defendant's conviction of second degree murder, it is sufficient to support a conviction of reckless homicide. Our criminal code defines reckless homicide as the reckless killing of another, Tenn.Code Ann. § 39-13-215(a) (2003), and provides that [r]eckless refers to a person who acts recklessly with respect to . . . the result of the conduct when the person is aware of but consciously disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that . . . the result will occur. The risk must be of such a nature and degree that its disregard constitutes a gross deviation from the standard of care that an ordinary person would exercise under all the circumstances as viewed from the accused person's standpoint. Id. § 39-11-302(c) (2003). [16] Certainly, the proof demonstrates that Defendant acted with reckless disregard when he choked and pushed down Ms. Lackey, who was very slight in build and who appeared even older than her age of sixty-five, resulting in the subdural hematoma that killed her. Accordingly, we reverse and vacate Defendant's conviction of second degree murder and remand to the trial court for amendment of the judgment order to reflect a conviction of reckless homicide. See, e.g., United States v. Dhinsa, 243 F.3d 635, 674-75 (2d Cir.2001) (recognizing that an appellate court may vacate a conviction for a greater offense and enter a judgment of conviction on a lesser offense where the evidence is insufficient to support the greater but sufficient to support the lesser where the reviewing court is convinced that the defendant will not be prejudiced as a result); State v. Brown, 836 S.W.2d 530, 533, 554 (Tenn.1992) (entering a judgment on the lesser-included offense of second degree murder where the evidence was insufficient to support conviction of greater offense of first degree murder); State v. Long, 45 S.W.3d 611, 622 (Tenn. Crim.App.2000) (stating that, where evidence is not sufficient to support the greater offense but is sufficient to support the lesser-included offense, an appellate court may order reduction in the degree of the offense for which the defendant could be convicted). Further, the trial court shall sentence Defendant for reckless homicide.