Opinion ID: 1670534
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Sufficiency of the Evidence for Felony Evading Arrest

Text: We review challenges to the sufficiency of the evidence by viewing `the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution.' State v. Jackson, 173 S.W.3d 401, 408 (Tenn.2005) (quoting Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979)). We must determine whether any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. Additionally, `the State is entitled to the strongest legitimate view of the evidence and to all reasonable and legitimate inferences to be drawn therefrom.' Id. (quoting State v. Smith, 24 S.W.3d 274, 279 (Tenn.2000)).
Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-16-603(b)(3) (1997) provides that intentionally fleeing from a law enforcement officer is a Class E felony. A violation of this statute will constitute a Class D felony, however, if the flight or attempt to elude creates a risk of death or injury to innocent bystanders or other third parties. Id. The defendant contends that the evidence is insufficient for the jury to find, beyond a reasonable doubt, that he placed anyone in danger. Thus, he argues that the evidence was insufficient to elevate the evading arrest conviction to a Class D felony. The State asserts that Davis' testimony that traffic was present at the various intersections through which the pursuit coursed sufficiently demonstrates that the defendant created a risk of death or injury to others, elevating the evading arrest conviction to a Class D felony. Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-16-603(b)(3) provides that a violation of this statute will constitute a Class D felony if the flight creates a risk of death or injury to innocent bystanders or other third parties. By the plain language of the statute, proof of actual injury or death is not necessary for conviction. All that need be shown is that the defendant evaded arrest and that in so doing, he created the risk of death or injury. See State v. Payne, 7 S.W.3d 25, 28-29 (Tenn. 1999) (proof to show that a member of the public was in the zone of danger during a car chase could be made by showing that during the chase another motorist was driving on the street or that a pedestrian was walking down the sidewalk). Clearly, the defendant created a risk of death or injury to every driver and pedestrian in his proximity as he operated his vehicle heedless of the traffic signals. We conclude, as did the Court of Criminal Appeals, that a reasonable juror could have found that the defendant's conduct placed innocent bystanders or third parties at risk. Thus, we hold that the evidence was sufficient to support the defendant's conviction for Class D felony evading arrest.