Opinion ID: 1058445
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: The defendant challenges the sufficiency of the convicting evidence. Although conceding that the record contains some evidence to support a finding of premeditation, the defendant argues that the evidence is insufficient for a rational trier of fact to find premeditation beyond a reasonable doubt. The defendant was convicted of first degree premeditated murder, defined as “[a] premeditated and intentional killing of another.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-202(a)(1) (1998). An act is premeditated if the act is “done after the exercise of reflection and judgment.” Id. at (d). “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. Id. Tennessee courts have identified several circumstances that may be considered indicative of premeditation, including: the use of a deadly weapon upon an unarmed victim; the particular cruelty of the killing; declarations by the defendant of an intent to kill; evidence of procurement of a weapon; preparations before the killing for concealment of the crime, and calmness immediately after the killing. State v. Holton, 126 S.W.3d 845, 859 (Tenn. 2004); State v. Bland, 958 S.W.2d 651, 660 (Tenn. 1997). -7- The proper inquiry for an appellate court reviewing a sufficiency challenge is whether, considering the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. See Tenn. R. App. P. 13(e); Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 318-19 (1979); State v. Hall, 8 S.W.3d 593, 599 (Tenn. 1999). A verdict of guilt removes the presumption of innocence and replaces it with a presumption of guilt. On appeal, the defendant has the burden of illustrating why the evidence is not sufficient to support the jury’s verdict. State v. Carruthers, 35 S.W.3d 516, 557-58 (Tenn. 2000); State v. Tuggle, 639 S.W.2d 913, 914 (Tenn. 1982). In contrast, the State on appeal is entitled to the strongest legitimate view of the trial evidence and all reasonable inferences which may be drawn from the trial evidence. Carruthers, 35 S.W.3d at 557-58; Hall, 8 S.W.3d at 599. Questions concerning the credibility of witnesses, the weight and value of the evidence, as well as all factual issues raised by the evidence are resolved by the trier of fact, and this Court does not re-weigh or re-evaluate the evidence. Id. Nor may this Court substitute inferences it draws from circumstantial evidence for those drawn by the trier of fact. See Carruthers, 35 S.W.3d at 557-58; Liakas v. State, 286 S.W.2d 856, 859 (1956). The standard of appellate review is the same regardless of whether the conviction is based upon direct or circumstantial evidence. Holton, 126 S.W.3d at 858. Considering the proof in this record in accordance with these familiar standards, we hold that the evidence clearly is sufficient to support the jury’s verdict. The proof offered at trial shows that the defendant directed the victim to drive him to an overgrown area behind an apartment complex to obtain drugs. The defendant became upset because the victim was unable to pay immediately a fifteen-dollar debt that the victim owed the defendant. The defendant pointed the gun at the victim, told the victim to open his mouth and then shot the victim first above the victim’s left eye and then again behind the victim’s left ear. By his own admission, the defendant shot the victim a second time, with the gun within one inch of the victim’s head, to ensure the victim’s death. The defendant’s statements after the crime indicate that he thought about shooting the victim before doing so. The defendant told Wells, Adams, and the police that he had committed the murder because the victim owed him money that he needed to support his pregnant girlfriend and because the victim had disrespected him. These statements support the jury’s finding of premeditation. Furthermore, the defendant’s actions before and after the murder support the jury’s verdict. The defendant directed the victim to the secluded, overgrown area where the crime occurred. Immediately after the murder, the defendant wiped clean the shells from the murder weapon and discarded them. The defendant likewise quickly disposed of the murder weapon, returning the gun to “Jewel” shortly after the crime occurred. The defendant also returned to the scene of the crime twice to recover an electronic organizer, which he feared would lead to his apprehension if not recovered. Simply stated, the record contains sufficient – indeed overwhelming – evidence to support the jury’s verdict finding the defendant guilty of premeditated first degree murder. This issue is without merit.