Opinion ID: 1773643
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: May These Convictions be Referred to the Count Charging First Degree Murder

Text: We respond to the captioned question in the negative. We read Harris v. Oklahoma as applying solely to felony-murder convictions; and, if other tests are met the commission of first degree murder and robbery, even though occurring as a part of a single criminal episode, may form the basis for dual convictions. See State v. Black, 524 S.W.2d 913 (Tenn. 1975). It is a part of our criminal law that [a] general verdict of guilty will be sustained if there is any one good count in the indictment sustained by proof, although the other counts may be fatally defective. [2] § 40-2519, T.C.A. In order to invoke this statute, there must be a general verdict. First we examine the indictment. Petitioners were charged in a three-count indictment. The first count charged felony-murder; the second count charged common law murder (or murder as defined in § 39-2402(1), T.C.A.); and the third charged armed robbery. Assuming a sufficiency of evidence, a general verdict properly may be related to the second count with the result that the conviction could be upheld for first degree murder and armed robbery. This would preclude any double jeopardy problems. Under this record, however, the conviction may not be so related. The bill of exceptions shows that the Forelady of the jury reported the verdict as follows: We, the jury find the defendants . . guilty of murder in the perpetration of a robbery as charged in the first count of the indictment... . (Emphasis supplied). [3] This verdict speaks loudly and clearly and may not be related to the second count charging common law murder. Moreover, [t]he settled law of this State is that a special verdict upon a single count of indictment is given the effect of an acquittal upon the other counts to which the jury did not respond... . Conner v. State, 531 S.W.2d 119, 126 (Tenn.Cr. App. 1975). Thus, the jury by failing to respond to the second count of the indictment, found the petitioners not guilty of murder in the first degree, as specified in the indictment and under § 39-2402(1), T.C.A., leaving the conviction solely for felony-murder with the premeditation being supplied by the fact that the killing was in the perpetration of a named felony. Again, Harris v. Oklahoma commands a reversal. We hold that dual convictions of felony-murder and the underlying felony are offensive to the Double Jeopardy Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and Article 1, Section 10 of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee and may not stand. The conviction of petitioners for armed robbery is vacated. The judgment of the Court of Criminal Appeals is Affirmed as to first degree murder; reversed as to armed robbery. FONES, COOPER, and HARBISON, JJ., and QUICK, Special Justice, concur.