Court Opinion

ID: 1081815
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-10-09 20:52:50.539223+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:07:42.603220
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE

                                   AT NASHVILLE               FILED
                            NOVEMBER 1998 SESSION
                                                               January 29, 1999

                                                             Cecil W. Crowson
                                                            Appellate Court Clerk
STATE OF TENNESSEE,            )
                               )      C.C.A. No. 01C01-9802-CC-00056
      Appellee,                )
                               )      Williamson County
v.                             )
                               )      Honorable Donald P. Harris, Judge
RICKY WOODARD,                 )
                               )      (Aggravated Burglary, Theft Under $500)
      Appellant.               )

FOR THE APPELLANT:                    FOR THE APPELLEE:

Larry D. Drolsum                      John Knox Walkup
Assistant Public Defender             Attorney General & Reporter
407 C Main Street                     425 Fifth Avenue, North
P. O. Box 68                          Nashville, TN 37243-0493
Franklin, TN 37065-0068
                                      Timothy Behan
OF COUNSEL:                           Assistant Attorney General
John H. Henderson                     425 Fifth Avenue, North
District Public Defender              Nashville, TN 37243-0493
407-C Main Street
P. O. Box 68                          Joseph D. Baugh, Jr.
Franklin, TN 37065-0068               District Attorney General
                                      Williamson County Courthouse
                                      P. O. Box 937
                                      Franklin, TN 37065-0937

                                      Jeffrey P. Burks
                                      Assistant District Attorney General
                                      Williamson County Courthouse
                                      P. O. Box 937
                                      Franklin, TN 37065-0937

OPINION FILED: ______________________________

AFFIRMED

L. T. LAFFERTY, SENIOR JUDGE

                                    OPINION
       The appellant, Ricky Woodard, herein referred as “the defendant,” appeals as of

right from the verdicts of a Williamson County jury finding him guilty of aggravated burglary

and theft of property under $500. At the conclusion of a sentencing hearing, the trial court

sentenced the defendant as a Range III persistent offender to fourteen years for the

aggravated burglary offense and to eleven months, twenty-nine days for the theft charge.

The sentences were ordered to run concurrently, and the trial court waived jury fines of

$5,000 and $1,500.

       After an appropriate review of the entire case, briefs of the parties, and applicable

law, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

       The defendant presents four issues for appellate review:

              1. Whether the trial court erred in permitting the in-court
                 and out-of-court identification of the defendant through
                 the testimony of Sarah Welborn.

              2. Whether the state sufficiently proved the identification
                 of the defendant through circumstantial evidence.

              3. Whether the trial court erred in denying a motion for a
                 judgment of acquittal due to insufficient evidence as a
                 matter of law to convict the defendant of aggravated
                 burglary.

              4. Whether the trial court erred in misapplying
                 enhancement factors and failing to follow sentencing
                 guidelines.

                               FACTUAL BACKGROUND

       On October 24, 1996, the home of Jerry and Sarah Welborn was burglarized and

certain personal property was taken. The defendant was a painter and had worked on

both the exterior and interior of the victims’ home prior to the offense. This work, however,

was completed in early October, at least “a couple of weeks” prior to the burglary of

October 24. On October 24, Mrs. Welborn came home at approximately 3:30 p.m. When

she started up her driveway, she met the defendant, who was coming out of her driveway

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in a truck. Mrs. Welborn backed her vehicle out to let the defendant pass and then

continued on to her house. Once inside, Mrs. Welborn discovered that her belongings

were in disarray, as though someone had rummaged through them. Mrs. W elborn

observed that drawers in an upstairs bedroom had been pulled out and their contents

strewn about the floor. Her VCR was missing. Mrs. Welborn called the police. Sometime

later, Mrs. Welborn found that some checks from her and her husband’s checking account

were missing.

       Two employees of NationsBank, Jennifer Martinez and Jamie Spears, testified that

the defendant cashed five checks from the Welborn bank account on various dates

between October 25, 1996 and October 28, 1996. The checks ranged in amounts from

$85.00 to $212.00. Also, the witnesses provided bank photographs which clearly depicted

the defendant cashing the checks on the dates in question.

       The defendant elected not to present any proof.

                                  APPELLATE ISSUES

                                           Part A

                             Identification of the Defendant

       The defendant argues that the testimony of Sarah Welborn regarding her

identification of him was confusing, and that the trial court’s allowance of her testimony

rises to the level of plain error. The state disagrees.

       From our review of the record, the defendant did not object to Mrs. Welborn’s

testimony at trial, nor did he raise this issue in his motion for a new trial. Thus, we agree

with the state that this issue is waived. Tenn. R. App. P. 3(e); State v. Caughron, 855
S.W.2d 526, 538 (Tenn. 1993), cert. denied, 510 U.S. 979, 114 S. Ct. 475, 126 L. Ed. 426

(1993).

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       The record establishes that the defendant challenged the testimony of Mrs.

Welborn’s identification, both in and out of court. Mrs. Welborn admitted some of her

testimony was “blurry” due, in part, to some recent “shock treatments” for a mental

disorder. Although the witness identified the defendant as leaving her property in a red

Isuzu truck, the defendant drove a red Chevrolet truck. Further, Mrs. Welborn did not

advise Deputy Sheriff Quinton Bell that the person driving the red truck was one of the

painters who had just painted her home. However, Mrs. Welborn did give a description of

the truck’s driver. At the preliminary hearing and at trial, Mrs. Welborn was positive the

defendant was the man she saw in her driveway driving a red truck.

       The trial court gave the mandatory identity jury instruction. Thus, the jury could

consider the discrepancies in Mrs. Welborn’s testimony. State v. Dyle, 899 S.W.2d 607,

612 (Tenn. 1995).

       In determining plain error, this Court must consider the following factors: (1) the

record must clearly establish what occurred in the trial court; (2) a clear and unequivocal

rule of law must have been breached; (3) a substantial right of the accused must have

been adversely affected; (4) the accused did not waive the issue for tactical reasons; and

(5) consideration of the error is “necessary to do substantial justice.” State v. Adkisson,

899 S.W.2d 626, 641-42 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1994); Tenn. R. Crim. P. 52(b). In applying

these factors to this record, we cannot find that a substantial right of the defendant has

been adversely affected by the testimony of Mrs. Welborn’s identification. The jury had the

full opportunity to determine the credibility and value of Mrs. Welborn’s testimony

surrounding her ability to adequately identify the defendant. There is no merit to this issue.

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                                       Parts B and C

                               Sufficiency of Evidence and

                      Denial of Motion for Judgment of Acquittal

       The defendant argues that the evidence established that, if the defendant was guilty

of any offense, it was theft and not aggravated burglary; thus, he was entitled to a motion

for judgment of acquittal. The state disagrees.

       When reviewing a trial court’s judgment, this Court will not disturb a verdict of guilty

unless the facts in the record and inferences which may be drawn from it are insufficient

as a matter of law for a rational trier of fact to find the defendant guilty beyond a

reasonable doubt. Tenn. R. App. P. 13 (e); State v. Tuggle, 639 S.W.2d 913, 914 (Tenn.

1982); State v. Brewer, 932 S.W.2d 1, 19 (Tenn. Crim. App.), per. app. denied (Tenn.

1996). Initially, a defendant is cloaked with the presumption of innocence. Tuggle, 639
S.W.2d at 914. However, a jury conviction removes the presumption of innocence and

replaces it with one of guilt, so that on appeal, a convicted defendant has the burden of

demonstrating that the evidence is insufficient. Id.

       In determining the sufficiency of evidence, this Court does not reweigh or reevaluate

the evidence. State v. Cabbage, 571 S.W.2d 832, 835 (Tenn. 1978); see also State v.

Blanton, 926 S.W.2d 953, 958 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1996). On appeal, the state is entitled

to the strongest legitimate view of the evidence and all legitimate or reasonable inferences

which may be drawn therefrom. State v. Harris, 839 S.W.2d 54, 75 (Tenn. 1992). It is the

appellate court’s duty to affirm the conviction if the evidence viewed under these standards

was sufficient for any rational trier of fact to have found the essential elements of the

offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S. Ct.
2781, 2789, 61 L. Ed. 2d 560 (1979); State v. Cazes, 875 S.W.2d 253, 259 (Tenn. 1994).

This rule is applicable to findings of guilt predicated upon the direct evidence,

circumstantial evidence, or a combination of both direct and circumstantial evidence. State

v. Matthews, 805 S.W.2d 776, 779 (Tenn. Crim. App.), per. app. denied (Tenn. 1990).

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      A criminal offense may be established exclusively by circumstantial evidence.

Duchac v. State, 505 S.W.2d 237, 241 (Tenn. 1973), cert. denied, Robinson v. Tennessee,

419 U.S. 877, 95 S. Ct. 141, 42 L. Ed. 2d 117 (1974). However, before an accused may be

convicted of a criminal offense based upon circumstantial evidence alone, the facts and

circumstances “must be so strong and cogent as to exclude every other reasonable

hypothesis save the guilt of the defendant. . . .” State v. Crawford, 470 S.W.2d 610, 612

(Tenn. 1971). In other words, “[a] web of guilt must be woven around the defendant from

which he cannot escape and from which the facts and circumstances the jury could draw

no other reasonable inference save the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Id. at 613; State v. Matthews, 805 S.W.2d 776, 780 (Tenn. Crim. App.), per. app. denied

(Tenn. 1990). A clear analysis of the evidence in this record reveals the state’s proof as

to aggravated burglary is wholly circumstantial.

      The evidence shows that the home of the Welborns was burglarized and ransacked.

Checks and a VCR were stolen on October 24, 1996, and the defendant was identified

leaving the premises. There is a reasonable inference that had the VCR been missing

prior to October 24, it would have been apparent to the Welborns. Within twenty-four

hours of the burglary, the defendant was identified cashing one of the stolen checks. The

defendant then continued cashing additional checks over a three-day time span. The

endorsements of the checks established that the defendant cashed them in Nashville,

where he was arrested while fleeing from law enforcement officers. The Welborns lived

and banked in Cottage Grove, Tennessee. Although the defendant might have had

privileged access to the Welborn home earlier, he did not have such legal access on

October 24, 1996. The evidence in this record is sufficient to establish the burglary

element of non-consensual entry into a habitation. There is no merit to these issues.

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                                          Part D

                                       Sentencing

      The defendant contends the trial court erred in finding and applying the

enhancement factor that the defendant abused a position of private trust in order to

increase his sentence. The defendant concedes the trial court was correct in finding

enhancement factors (1) and (13), namely, that the defendant had a previous history of

criminal convictions and that this felony was committed while the defendant was on parole.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-114. The state argues the sentence was appropriate.

      When a defendant complains of the imposition of his or her sentence, we must

conduct a de novo review with a presumption of correctness. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-

401(d). Therefore, the burden of showing that the sentence is improper is upon the

appealing party. Id. The presumption that determinations made by the trial court are

correct is conditioned upon the affirmative showing in the record that the trial court

considered the sentencing principles and all relevant facts and circumstances. State v.

Ashby, 823 S.W.2d 166, 169 (Tenn. 1991); State v. Smith, 898 S.W.2d 742, 745 (Tenn.

Crim. App. 1994), per. app. denied (Tenn. 1995).

      If appellate review reflects that the trial court properly considered all relevant facts

and its findings of fact are adequately supported by the record, this Court must affirm the

sentence “even if we would have preferred a different result.” State v. Fletcher, 805
S.W.2d 785, 789 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1991). In arriving at the proper determination of an

appropriate sentence, the trial court must consider: (1) the evidence, if any, received at

the trial or guilty plea and the sentencing hearing; (2) the presentence report; (3) the

principles of sentencing and arguments as to sentencing alternatives; (4) the nature and

characteristics of the criminal conduct involved; (5) evidence and information offered by

the parties on enhancement and mitigating factors; (6) any statements the defendant

wishes to make in the defendant’s behalf about the sentencing; and (7) the potential for

rehabilitation and treatment. Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 40-35-210(a) and (b) (1997); Tenn.

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Code Ann. § 40-35-103(5) (1990); State v. Holland, 860 S.W.2d 53, 60 (Tenn. Crim. App.

1993).

         In the case before us, the trial court correctly applied the sentencing principles; thus,

the presumption of correctness applies. The trial court found three enhancement factors

and one mitigating factor. At the sentencing hearing, the presentence report was

introduced, which established the defendant had seven felony convictions between 1982

and 1993, including forgery, grand larceny, attempt to commit a felony, burglary third

degree, and two felony escapes. The defendant had been sentenced as a persistent

offender for the offenses of forgery and burglary third degree. The presentence report

reveals the defendant has been on parole a number of times, and, in each instance, parole

was revoked. At the time of the burglary of the Welborn home, the defendant was on

parole. Clearly, the record supports the trial court’s finding that the defendant has a

significant history of criminal convictions and was on parole at the time of the Welborn

burglary.

         A trial court may find that an abuse of a private or public trust is grounds to consider

in the enhancement of a sentence. Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-35-114(15) reads

as follows: “The defendant abused a position of public or private trust, or used a special

skill in a manner that significantly facilitated the commission or the fulfillment of the

offense.” It is the defendant’s contention that he had no relationship with the W elborns.

The defendant was an employee of United Construction Company and had worked at the

Welborns’ only through employment. The Welborns did not personally know the defendant

nor did they place any personal trust in the defendant. In determining if the abuse of a

private trust is applicable, the defendant would have to: (1) occupy a position of trust, and

(2) abuse that position in a manner that significantly facilitated the commission of the

offense. State v. Kissinger, 922 S.W.2d 482, 488 (Tenn. 1996). In Kissinger, the Supreme

Court stated:

                The determination of the existence of a position of trust does
                not depend on the length or formality of the relationship, but
                upon the nature of the relationship. Thus, the court should

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               look to see whether the offender formally or informally stood in
               a relationship to the victim that promoted confidence, reliability,
               or faith (emphasis added).

Id. at 488.

         In appropriate cases, employees who commit crimes upon third parties in the course

of their employment may very well abuse a private trust. Homeowners have a reasonable

expectation of security of their premises and personal property when they hire contractors

to work on their homes. We believe that the defendant, by working in the Welborns’ home,

had a duty not to abuse their trust. Under the facts in this record, it is more difficult to

determine how the defendant utilized that trust to facilitate the commission of these

offenses. Kissinger, 922 S.W.2d at 488. It can be logically inferred that the defendant,

while working in the interior of the Welborns’ home, had ample opportunity to observe the

location of items of value. However, the defendant ceased working in the Welborn home

two to three weeks prior to the burglary. This fact is essential to the sufficiency issues on

the element of non-consensual entry into the home. Assuming the defendant had prior

knowledge of the dwelling’s interior, did this knowledge amount to a “significant” facilitation

of this offense? Under the facts in this record, we believe that the defendant’s prior access

to the premises does not appear to be a “significant” benefit. Our research indicates that

this enhancement factor has been most utilized in sexual abuse cases involving minor

children and in circumstances of an employee stealing directly from his employer.

Kissinger, 922 S.W.2d at 488; State v. Grissom, 956 S.W.2d 514, 518 (Tenn. Crim. App.

1997).

         Under these facts, we conclude the trial court erred in applying enhancement factor

(15), abuse of private trust. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-114. However, the application of

this enhancement factor is harmless error. The proof is overwhelming that the defendant

has a substantial history of criminal convictions and violations of parole. This defendant

falls well within the sentencing purposes of the Criminal Sentencing Reform Act of 1989:

restraining defendants with a lengthy history of criminal conduct, Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-

102(3)(B), and confinement is necessary to protect society by restraining a defendant who

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has a long history of criminal conduct, Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-103(1)(A). The trial court

was well justified in sentencing the defendant to fourteen years as a Range III, persistent

offender.

      The trial court’s judgment is affirmed.

                                         ________________________________________
                                         L. T. LAFFERTY, SENIOR JUDGE

CONCUR:

     (Not Participating)
PAUL G. SUMMERS, JUDGE

___________________________________
JOE G. RILEY, JUDGE

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