Summary
holding that improper testimony about a defendant's prior crime did not create a manifest necessity for a mistrial because the trial court gave an immediate curative instruction
Summary of this case from State v. HolmesOpinion
Decided September 21, 1998. Rehearing Denied October 19, 1998.
Appeal from Humphreys County, Allen W. Wallace, J.
Jennifer Davis Roberts, for Appellant Hall.
Shipp R. Weems, District Public Defender, Steve Stack, Assistant Public Defender, Charlotte, for Appellant Quintero.
John Knox Walkup, Attorney General and Reporter, Michael E. Moore, Solicitor General, Darian B. Taylor, Assistant Attorney General, Nashville, Dan M. Alsobrooks, District Attorney General, J. Kenneth Atkins, Special Prosecutor, James W. Kirby, Assistant District Attorney General, Charlotte, for Appellee.
OPINION
In this capital case, the defendants, William Eugene Hall, Jr., and Derrick Desmond Quintero, were convicted by a jury of two counts of murder during the perpetration of first degree burglary, three counts of grand larceny, one count of petit larceny and three counts of first degree burglary. For their convictions of larceny and burglary, the defendants each were sentenced to eighty years incarceration, which sentences were ordered to run consecutively to the life sentences imposed for their conviction of the first degree murder of Buford Vester. With respect to the first degree murder of Myrtle Vester, the jury found the proof established the following five aggravating circumstances: (1) the defendants were previously convicted of one or more felonies involving the use or threat of violence, Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-2-203 (i)(2) (1982); (2) the murder was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel in that it involved torture or depravity of mind, Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-2-203 (i)(5) (1982); (3) the murder was committed for the purpose of avoiding, interfering with, or preventing a lawful arrest or prosecution of themselves or others, Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-2-203 (i)(6) (1982); (4) the murder was committed while the defendant was engaged in committing or was an accomplice in the commission of, or was attempting to commit, or fleeing after committing or attempting to commit, any first-degree murder, arson, rape, robbery, burglary, larceny, kidnaping, aircraft piracy, or unlawful throwing, placing or discharging of a destructive device or bomb, Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-2-203 (i)(7) (1982); and (5) the murder was committed by the appellants while they were in lawful custody or in a place of lawful confinement or during their escape from lawful custody or from a place of lawful confinement, Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-2-203 i)(8) (1982). Finding that there were no mitigating circumstances sufficiently substantial to outweigh the aggravating circumstances, the jury sentenced the defendants to death by electrocution for the murder of Myrtle Vester.
These aggravating circumstances are now codified at Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-204 (i)(2);and (5)-(8) (1997 Repl.).
On direct appeal to the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, the defendants challenged both their convictions and their sentences. The appellate court found that the evidence did not support dual larceny convictions and ordered that the petit larceny convictions be merged with the grand larceny. convictions. The intermediate appellate court affirmed the defendants' convictions of first degree murder and sentences of life imprisonment and death by electrocution, finding the jury's erroneous reliance upon two inapplicable aggravating circumstances, (i)(6) and (i)(7), harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.
Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-206 (a)(1) (1997 Repl.), the case was docketed in this Court. The defendants have raised numerous issues in this Court. After carefully examining the law, the record, and the thorough opinion of the Court of Criminal Appeals, we have determined that none of the assignments of error require reversal. We have also concluded that the Court of Criminal Appeals erred in finding the evidence insufficient to support the (i)(6) aggravating circumstance, and accordingly reinstate the jury's finding of that circumstance. The evidence is sufficient to support the jury's findings as to the remaining aggravating circumstances and the mitigating circumstances. Finally we hold that the sentences of death are not arbitrary or disproportionate to the sentences imposed in similar cases, considering the nature of the crime and the defendant. Accordingly, the judgment of the Court of Criminal Appeals upholding the defendants' convictions and sentences of death by electrocution is affirmed as modified.
"Whenever the death penalty is imposed for first degree murder and when the judgment has become final in the trial court, the defendant shall have the right of direct appeal from the trial court to the Court of Criminal Appeals. The affirmance of the conviction and the sentence of death shall be automatically reviewed by the Tennessee Supreme Court. Upon the affirmance by the Court of Criminal Appeals, the clerk shall docket the case in the Supreme Court and the case shall proceed in accordance with the Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure."
BACKGROUND
The proof introduced by the State during the guilt phase of the trial demonstrated that Myrtle and Buford Vester were murdered in their home in the Leatherwood community of Stewart County, which is situated on Kentucky Lake and in close proximity to the Tennessee-Kentucky border. The Vesters were murdered sometime after their son left their home at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 19, 1988 and sometime before their bodies were discovered by their neighbor around 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 22, 1988.
Along with six other men, the defendants in this appeal, Derrick Quintero and William Hall, escaped from the Kentucky State Penitentiary at Eddyville during the early morning hours of June 16, 1988. Three of the escapees were apprehended in the vicinity of the prison on or before June 18, 1988. However, the other five escapees, including Quintero, Hall, James Blanton, Joseph Montgomery, and Ronnie Hudson left the area in a 1966 Chevrolet pick-up truck which they stole from Curtis Rogers who lived about one-half of a mile from the prison facility.
Bobby Shernnan, Leo Sperling, and Floyd Cook.
The truck was located seventeen months after the escape in a wooded area of Stewart County, Tennessee. It had been completely covered with branches.
The Stewart County Sheriffs department was notified at 2:30 a.m. on June 16 that inmates had escaped from the penitentiary at Eddyville. After news of the escape had been broadcast to the public, the Sheriff's department received a telephone call from Zachery Pallay, a resident of the Leatherwood community, warning that Quintero was familiar with the area and would probably seek refuge there. The Sheriff's department's also received several reports of suspicious individuals in the Leatherwood area including a report of three men attempting to flag down a car. However, when a rash of burglaries broke out in the Leatherwood community, the Sheriff's department became convinced that the escapees were in the area. The burglarized residences in Stewart County were owned by Jim McMinn, Neal Foster, Essie Settles, Alfred Cherry, Thomas Harris, and John and Virginia Crawford.
Though it is not possible to determine from the record the precise order in which the burglaries occurred, the proof demonstrates that five of the six burglaries occurred before 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 19, 1988.
The first burglary was reported and occurred on June 18, 1988. That day, Jim McMinn of Clarksville, Tennessee, arrived at his cabin in the Leatherwood area at approximately noon. He left the cabin to go fishing in his boat at around 1:00 p.m. Upon returning to the cabin at 2:30 or 3:00 p.m., McMinn noticed a box of shotgun shells lying on the floor and discovered that his loaded .22 caliber pistol was missing from the bedroom. The telephone in his cabin had been removed from the wall, and the outside portion of the phone line also had been severed. McMinn went to his truck and discovered that the windows had been rolled up and the ignition destroyed with his ax. The telephone from McMinn's cabin was in the bed of the truck.
Following the report of the McMinn burglary on June 18, the Sheriff's Department initiated an intensive search of the area, utilizing helicopters, four-wheel drive vehicles, and tracking dogs. At one point law enforcement officers chased some individuals on foot through the woods, but they were not able to overtake the persons suspected to be the escapees. At some point, perhaps during that chase, Hudson and Montgomery became separated from the defendants and Blanton. Hudson and Montgomery left the Leatherwood community and drove to Lebanon, Kentucky in a 1982 White Ford Fairmont they stole from Essie Settles, a resident of the Standing Rock Community, which is approximately six highway miles from the Leatherwood community. Montgomery's fingerprint was found on Settles' garage door. Hudson's fingerprint was found inside the car when it was later recovered. Settles had seen the car in her garage around 10:00 a.m. on Saturday morning and discovered that it was missing at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. The proof demonstrated that the car was stolen sometime Saturday night or before daylight on Sunday morning. Burned matches were found inside the garage indicating that it had been dark when the theft occurred. In addition, when she watered her flowers around 8:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, Settles noticed that someone had removed the hose from the outside faucet during the night. Settles stated that the hose had been connected when she had used it on Saturday evening around 6:00 p.m.
Hudson and Montgomery arrived at Hudson's brother's apartment in Lebanon, Kentucky on Sunday, June 19, at approximately 1:00 p.m. They were driving a white car with Tennessee license plates, which witnesses identified at trial as the vehicle which had been stolen from Settles. Hudson's brother and a friend accompanied the two escapees to a secluded area on the river where Hudson and Montgomery hid the stolen car among the weeds. Around 6:00 or 6:30 p.m., Hudson's brother left the two escapees in the company of Hudson's mother and sister. The next day, Hudson's sister, her two children, and Martha Grover picked up the two escapees and transported them to Grover's apartment where they stayed until early evening on Tuesday, June 21. The following day, Wednesday, June 22, Kentucky authorities apprehended both Hudson and Montgomery near the location where Settles' car had been hidden. Shots were exchanged prior to the convicts' apprehension. Hudson and Montgomery had in their possession McMinn's .22 caliber pistol and a .22 caliber pistol which had been stolen from another resident of the Leatherwood community, Neal Foster. Two live rounds were recovered from Foster's pistol, and four spent shells were recovered in the area. While this proof demonstrated that Hudson and Montgomery were some two hundred miles away in Lebanon, Kentucky when the Vesters were murdered in Stewart County, Tennessee, it also showed that the McMinn and Foster burglaries occurred before 1:00 p.m. on June 19.
The Cherry and Harris burglaries were discovered around 3:00 or 4:00 p.m. on June 19, 1988 by Alfred Cherry. Cherry's trailer was located approximately one-half of a mile from the murder victims' residence. The inside of the trailer was in disarray. A bed was unmade and wet towels were in the bathroom. The refrigerator light switch had been taped down to prohibit the light from operating when the refrigerator door was opened. The hot water tank had been set on high.
Missing from the trailer were two bedspreads, a green thermal blanket, a sleeping bag, a portable radio, approximately fifteen cassette tapes, a rechargeable flashlight, a small handsaw, six knives, coffee mugs, various canned goods, a gallon of homemade wine, two bottles of bourbon, a six-pack of beer, a toothbrush, underwear, and two paperweights bearing the Cumberland Electric logo.
These paperweights were found seventeen months later in the bed of the 1966 Chevrolet truck which the escapees had stolen near Eddyville and driven to the Leatherwood community.
Cherry did not have a telephone in his trailer. Upon discovering the burglary, he went next door to call the police on the telephone in the trailer owned by his brother-in-law, Thomas Harris. Cherry discovered that Harris' trailer had also been burglarized. The trailer had been ransacked. The refrigerator light had been removed. The sink was full of dirty dishes, and food was in a skillet on the stove. Wet towels and sheets were strewn about and cigarette burns were all over the floors. Stolen from the trailer were all the canned food items, two quilts, silverware, butcher knives, towels, toilet articles, and a fishing tackle.
When Harris later received his telephone bill, he realized that several unauthorized long distance telephone calls had been placed from his trailer. Three of the unauthorized calls had been placed to a number in Springtown, Texas. These calls occurred on Sunday, June 19, at 3:51 a.m., 8:55 a.m. and 9:19 a.m. Two additional unauthorized calls were placed to a telephone number in Hopewell, Pennsylvania, at 4:00 a.m. and 9:19 a.m. The telephone number called in Springtown, Texas, was listed to Bryan Quintero, who is a brother of Derrick Quintero. The telephone number called in Hopewell, Pennsylvania, was listed to a Barbara Vasser, William Hall's girlfriend.
At trial, Vasser testified that Hall told her during their first telephone conversation after the escape that his parole had been denied. Hall would not reveal to Vasser his and Quintero's location, but told Vasser that there were helicopters in the area searching for the escapees and that he and Quintero had been separated from Hudson and Montgomery.
Two knives taken from the Cherry trailer were found at Neal Foster's residence indicating that it was burglarized sometime after the Cherry and Harris trailers. Again, however, the burglary occurred sometime before 1:00 p.m on June 19, because Montgomery and Hudson had in their possession a gun which had been stolen from the Foster residence when they were apprehended.
However, Foster did not discover the burglary until Tuesday, June 21. The residence had been ransacked. Food was on a kitchen counter, deer steaks were in the microwave, and his binoculars were sitting on a kitchen counter. A green ammunition box, a plastic bag full of old coins, a flashlight, and the holster for his .22 caliber RG pistol were on the floor of the living room. The hallway floor was littered with a Diet Pepsi can, a tin can of old coins, a notebook that once had old coins in it, some socks, a laundry basket with clothes that did not belong to him, and a pair of white tennis shoes that did not belong to him. Towels were strewn around the house. He found in his bathroom a pocket knife, towels, a pair of socks, a .22 caliber shell box, and a 20 gauge shotgun shell. The beds were unmade and had items spread on top of them. The master bedroom dresser drawers were open, and items were scattered all around the bedroom, including two walkietalkies, a hacksaw, and a 12 gauge shotgun barrel. In the front bedroom, he found several hats, matchbooks, a jar of marshmallow cream, a box of graham crackers, and a small drinking glass.
In a walk-in closet in the residence Foster had kept a .22 caliber pistol, a Glenfield .22 caliber rifle, a Marlin .30-30 caliber lever action rifle, a 20 gauge shotgun, a single shot shotgun, and a Remington Model 1100, 12 gauge shotgun. Following the burglary, he found the 12 gauge shotgun lying on his bed. Someone had attempted to saw off the barrel and had rendered the gun inoperable. The 20 gauge shotgun was missing from his house, but a portion of the gun's barrel had been sawed off and left in Foster's bedroom. Also missing after the burglary were his .30-30 lever action rifle and ammunition for various weapons, including .30-30 accelerator rifle bullets, .30-30 caliber rifle shells, 20 gauge shotgun shells, and 12 gauge shotgun shells. In addition to the ammunition, several coins which Foster had collected, including silver dollars, were taken in the burglary.
The authorities found several latent prints at the Foster residence, and identified some of them as belonging to the escapees. A latent left thumb print matching that of Quintero was found on a full box of Federal 12 gauge shotgun shells. A latent right ring fingerprint matching that of Quintero was found on another Federal 12 gauge shotgun shell box. A right middle finger and a right index fingerprint matching Blanton's print was found on a Federal field load 12 gauge shotgun shell box. A right palm print matching that of Quintero was lifted from one of the gun barrels. A latent right ring fingerprint matching that of Hall was lifted from a Diet Pepsi can.
Though the Crawford burglary was not discovered until after the Vesters' bodies had been discovered, a glove taken from the Crawford residence was found at the home of the murder victims, indicating that the burglary actually occurred before the murder. The Crawford residence was less than a quarter of a mile from the Vesters' home. John and Virginia Crawford had left their trailer, clean and orderly, around 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June, 19. Following the burglary, they found their kitchen ransacked. Canned foods, crackers, and candy bars from the cabinet and refrigerator had been eaten. Prints were lifted from several items in the trailer. A latent left thumb print matching that of Hall was found on the bottom of a can of ham. A latent right index fingerprint left by Blanton was lifted from a Butterfinger candy wrapper found inside the refrigerator. The Crawfords identified two gloves found at the trailer, one white jersey and one brown jersey, as belonging to Mrs. Crawford. A patch on one of the gloves had been sewn on by Mrs. Crawford. Mr. Crawford testified that a flashlight had also been taken from the trailer. One of the gloves found at the Crawfords' trailer matched a glove found outside the Vesters' front bedroom window. A fiber analysis of the two gloves indicated that they were likely originally sold together as a pair.
With respect to the timing of the murder, the proof showed that late on Monday evening, June 20, John Corlew and Arthur Jenkins arrived at the Leatherwood boat dock launched their boat, and night fished in the Leatherwood Bay. Between 11:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. they heard five gunshots emanating from the direction of the Vesters' residence. Corlew testified that he first heard two gunshots that were fairly clear, and after a pause, he heard two additional shots, another pause, and one final shot. Corlew testified that the first two shots and the second two shots sounded as if they were from different weapons. Mr. Jenkins testified that the two initial shots sounded like repercussions from a pistol. Both Jenkins and Corlew heard a total of five gunshots.
The victims, Buford and Myrtle Vester, were last seen alive around 6:00 p.m. on Sunday June 19 by their son Wayne. He, along with his twelve-year-old son, had arrived at his parents' home for a weekend visit on the evening of Friday, June 17. He had picked up groceries for his parents including Pepsi colas, lunch meat, bread, and milk. Wayne Vester left his parents home on Sunday, June 19, at approximately 6:00 p.m. At that time, the Vesters were alive and well. Wayne attempted, unsuccessfully, to reach his parents by telephone once on Monday, June 20, and twice on Tuesday, June 21. Concerned, Wayne called their neighbor, Howard Allor, who lived approximately one quarter of a mile from the Vesters, but Allor had not seen them since the preceding Friday morning. When Wayne was still unable to reach his parents on June 22, he again called Allor and asked him to check on them. Allor drove to the Vesters' residence and discovered their dead bodies. He attempted to telephone the Sheriff from their residence, but the telephone was not functioning, so he returned home and reported the murders to the authorities.
David Hicks, Sheriff of Stewart County, was notified of the Vester murders at approximately 1:00 or 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation ("T.B.I.") conducted the primary investigation of the crime scene. The only entrance to the Vester residence was a screen door located at the side of the house opposite to the victims' bedrooms. The screen door had not been damaged. However, the front window was open, and the screen from the front window was lying on the ground near Myrtle Vester's bedroom window which was located at the back of the house. Underneath the front window was a concrete block which apparently had been taken from the front of a shed located at the back of the house. A cloth glove which matched a glove found at the Crawfords' residence was found on the ground beside the concrete block. An unopened Pepsi cola can lay next to the walkway to the screen door of the house. The packages of Pepsi cola that Wayne Vester had brought his parents were missing from the porch. The Vesters' maroon 1985 Pontiac Bonneville also was missing. The wires to the telephone connection box outside the Vesters' residence had been damaged and the line was dead. A live 20 gauge Federal shotgun shell with number 6 bird shot was found lying near the electrical box. A spent 20 gauge number 4 shot Federal shotgun shell casing was found near the shed approximately 18 feet from Mr. Vester's back bedroom window.
The windows to the victims' bedrooms were located along the back of the house. Buford Vester's bedroom window frame was visibly bent. The screen covering the window had a hole in it which indicated that Mr. Vester was shot at least once from outside the house. Some the glass louvers were broken, and shards of glass were found lying on the bed. Mr. Vester's body was found on the floor next to his bed. The covers were drawn back, and blood was on both the pillow and the bed. Number 4 and 5 bird shot pellets were retrieved from Mr. Vester's room. Two shot shell filler wads were found beside Mr. Vester's body, and a 20 gauge plastic shot wad was recovered from beside his head. A plastic shot sleeve, one shot shell, a plastic shot wad, and several shot pellets, all either number 4 or 5 bird shot, were recovered from Mr. Vester's body.
The victims were in separate bedrooms joined by a bathroom. Myrtle Vester's body was found lying in a pool of dried blood on the floor of her bedroom next to the bathroom. Mrs. Vester had been shot three times, once with a 20 gauge shotgun, once with a high-powered rifle, and once again with either a shotgun or a high-powered rifle. She also had been stabbed thirteen times. A copper-jacketed bullet was recovered from her body. Blood was found on Mrs. Vester's bed, and a considerable amount of blood was found on the bathroom floor. Blood was splattered on both the bathtub and the commode, and the bottoms of Mrs. Vester's feet also were covered in blood. The screen covering Mrs. Vester's bedroom window also had a hole in it, indicating that at least one shot had been fired from outside. The open and unbroken condition of the glass louvers indicated that the high-powered rifle or shotgun had been near the window when it was fired. Shot was sprayed all over the house, especially the kitchen. All of the shot pellets found in the house were either number 4 or 5.
On the victims' sofa authorities found a portion of The Tennessean, dated Monday, June 20, 1988. The local mail carrier testified that the victims did not receive The Tennessean, by mail. A live 20 gauge shotgun shell with number 7.5 shot was found lying on the floor in the front bedroom next to a ransacked jewelry box.
Dr. Charles Harlan, the medical examiner, performed an autopsy on each victim and testified that the Vesters had died within two hours of consuming dinner. He stated that the victims had been shot a total of five times, and a minimum of three different weapons had been used to murder them.
Mrs. Vester had sustained three gunshot wounds. Gunshot wound A, located at the right portion of Mrs. Vester's chest just below her collarbone, measured approximately a quarter of an inch and was basically round in shape. This wound resulted when a copper jacketed bullet entered Mrs. Vester's body and lodged in her left arm. Wound B resulted from a shotgun blast and was located in the upper arm. This wound measured 3.4 inches by 1.8 inches, was jagged, with an irregular edge, and had multiple associated tangential abrasions. Wound C resulted from either a high-velocity rifle or shotgun. This gunshot blast had severed the two bones in Mrs. Vester's right forearm, leaving her hand and wrist attached to her body by a piece of tissue, consisting of only skin, muscle, and fat. Dr. Harlan could not determine the order in which these three gunshot wounds were inflicted.
Mrs. Vester also had sustained thirteen stab wounds, one to the middle of her back and twelve to her head, neck, and shoulder region. A majority of the stab wounds were inflicted to the left side of her head and neck. Dr. Harlan surmised that the puncture wounds were made by a squared object with a sharp edge, such as a kitchen or hunting knife. Two of the stab wounds severed her right and left common carotid arteries. The right carotid artery was 90 percent severed, and the left was 10 percent severed. Dr. Harlan testified that either the injuries to her carotid arteries or the gunshot injury to her right forearm would have been fatal. Dr. Harlan determined that Mrs. Vester could have survived the brutal attack for up to 15 minutes. Mr. Vester had sustained two gunshot wounds. Shotgun wound A was located at the head and neck juncture. The total dispersal pattern of shotgun pellets was 13 inches. Wound A caused significant injury to his left lung, aorta, and pulmonary artery. Shotgun wound B was to Mr. Vester's right breast and caused trauma to his right lung and to his liver. Dr. Harlan recovered shotgun pellets and a shot column from Mr. Vester's chest and abdomen. Dr. Harlan opined that Mr. Vester could have survived from four to twelve minutes after sustaining the gunshot injuries.
On June 21, 1988, around 8 a.m., employees of the Memphis Funeral Home observed three men, in a maroon Pontiac which was later identified as the victims' car, enter the funeral home parking lot and park the car approximately 250 feet from the building. Two employees of the funeral home testified that one man got out of the front seat, took his tank top off, and put on three additional shirts. The two other men also exited the car. None of the witnesses could make a positive identification of the three men. The witnesses testified that all three men were white and about the same height, but two of the men were approximately 180 pounds and had darker hair. They stated that all three men had facial hair. One funeral home employee described the three men as having beards and stated that one had long hair.
The three men remained in the parking lot for approximately five to eight minutes. Then, after one of them took something out of the trunk, the three men walked towards a hospital across the street from the funeral home. One of the men turned, walked back to the car, and appeared to have placed an item back into the car. He then joined the two other men, and then all three walked away. The funeral home employees assumed that the three men were working on a construction project at the hospital. However, when the car had not been removed by Thursday, the funeral home employees contacted the Memphis Police Department.
On the morning of Thursday, June 23, the Memphis Police Crime Scene Squad responded to the call from the Memphis Funeral Home. The police found a 1985 maroon Pontiac Bonneville in the funeral home's parking lot. The vehicle matched the description of the victims' vehicle. The keys were in the car's ignition. The officers found a sawed-off 20 gauge shotgun containing one live round under the floor mat behind the driver's seat which was later identified as the weapon stolen from the Foster residence, and as the weapon from which a spent shell found outside the Vesters' residence had been fired. Foster was able to identify the weapon by its serial number; however, the gun also had Foster's full name carved into it. The police also discovered under a floor mat a .30-30 caliber cartridge which matched ammunition that had been taken from the Foster residence. From a crumpled Budweiser beer can which also was found under the back seat police were able to lift three latent prints belonging to Blanton. No other prints were found in the car. The officer noted that the extremely hot temperatures in Memphis at the time the car was found made it difficult to lift intact prints. Other items retrieved from the vehicle included a Ray-O-Vac flashlight, similar to one taken from the Crawford residence, electrical tape, thirteen 20 gauge shotgun shells, three 12-ounce Pepsi colas, one 12-pack of Pepsi colas, a portable electric air compressor, a Black Decker car vacuum, and a brown umbrella.
Curtis Jones, who was a security guard at the Memphis Greyhound bus station, testified that he worked Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the bus station in June of 1988. The bus station, located in downtown Memphis was approximately one mile from the Memphis Funeral Home. His job was to prevent loitering at the bus station. Mr. Jones sat in a booth and observed people who came inside to determine whether they purchased tickets. Periodically, he would walk around and ask people whether they had tickets or if they were waiting for someone to arrive.
Mr. Jones recalled three men entering the bus station either Tuesday, June 21, or Wednesday, June 22, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Two of the men sat down and watched television. One of the two seated men spoke to a man seated nearby. The third man, who had darker skin and appeared Hispanic, used a telephone. Mr. Jones approached the two seated men and asked them whether they had tickets. A man, whom he identified as Blanton, told him that they would leave as soon as their friend finished using the telephone. The three men remained in the station five to ten minutes. Later that same day, the Memphis police stopped by the bus station with a photographic line-up of the eight escapees. Jones responded that Blanton and Hall had previously been at the station. Later in the week, Jones spoke with T.B.I. Agent Stout. Jones identified Blanton and Hall from a photographic line-up and made an in-court identification of Hall as one of the men at the bus station.
The Blue Movies West adult bookstore and entertainment center was located across the street from the bus station. Shirley Denise Morrow testified that she worked as a cashier in the bookstore in June of 1988. On Tuesday, June 21, the day before her birthday, three men entered the bookstore around 9:00 or 10:00 a.m. Two of the men were white, and one appeared Mexican. The men traded a few silver dollars and half dollars for tokens. Morrow also purchased some of the silver dollars and half dollars for herself.
The men went to the back of the establishment to watch movies. Darlene Christof, a dancer at the establishment, testified that three "scruffy" men entered her booth on June 21. Two of the men were white, and the other appeared either Hispanic or Mexican. Ms. Christof informed the men that only one was allowed to remain in the booth. Two of the men left. From a photographic line-up, she identified the man who remained in her booth as Quintero. Quintero later gave her several silver dollars and tried to sell her a class ring and a man's wedding band.
The men then returned to the front of the establishment approximately fifteen to twenty minutes later. They attempted to sell Morrow what appeared to be a class ring and a wedding band. Morrow declined and suggested they try a pawn shop. One of the men indicated that they did not have any identification and offered Morrow fifty dollars if she would allow them to stay in the movie house until their transportation arrived. Morrow declined their offer. Christof then came out from the back of the establishment and pretended to use the telephone. When Christof commented that the three men resembled the escapees from the Kentucky prison, they left. Morrow then contacted the police.
When shown a pre-trial photographic array of the eight escapees, Morrow identified Blanton, Quintero, and Hall as the three men who had visited the bookstore. Morrow turned over to the authorities the six silver dollars she had purchased from the men, and later, Foster identified the coins as those stolen from his residence. Morrow also made an in-court identification of both Quintero and Hall.
Lt. Thomas Pryor, an employee at the Eddyville penitentiary, testified that Quintero had long hair, a moustache, long side burns and a goatee prior to the escape. Lt. Pryor stated that he had never seen Hall with a beard.
Hall was eventually captured in El Paso, Texas. Both Blanton and Quintero were captured in Mexico near El Paso. Barbara Vasser, Hall's girlfriend at the time, testified that her mother called the Pennsylvania State Police after Hall called her for a third time following the escape. Afraid for Hall's safety, Vasser notified the authorities that she had agreed to wire money to him at the Western Union on North Stanton Street in El Paso, Texas. Hall was apprehended by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("F.B.I.") when he entered the Western Union in El Paso at approximately 2:20 p.m. on July 6, 1988.
On July 10, 1988, Quintero and Blanton were apprehended by Mexican officials at the Santa Fe Hotel in Juarez, located just across the border from El Paso, Texas, and transported across the international bridge. F.B.I. agents took custody of both Quintero and Blanton from Mexican officials at a border checkpoint. Found in Quintero's possession when he was taken into custody was an old wallet bearing an imprint of Neal Foster's driver's license.
Based upon the proof summarized above the jury convicted both Hall and Quintero of two counts of murder during the perpetration of first degree burglary, three counts of grand larceny, one count of petit larceny and three counts of first degree burglary.
Blanton was separately tried and convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death.
During the sentencing phase, the State introduced proof that both Quintero and Hall had previous convictions for crimes involving the use or threat of violence. The State showed that Quintero had been previously convicted of two charges of escape in the first degree and one charge of first degree robbery. The State also presented proof that Hall had previous convictions for two separate assaults, wanton endangerment in the first degree, and aiding and abetting in threatening the life of the President and Vice President of the United States of America.
Finally, the State introduced additional photographs and testimony concerning Mrs. Vester's body. Mrs. Vester was found lying in her bedroom just outside the bathroom. The State introduced photographs depicting the amount of blood on the bathroom floor and depicting the blood on the bottoms of Mrs. Vester's feet. The State also introduced a photograph of the front of Mrs. Vester's body to demonstrate to the jury the severity of her injuries and the brutality of the attack.
In mitigation, Quintero presented the testimony of his uncle and aunt, Paul and Josey Quintero, who said that Quintero's parents drank constantly. Quintero's father would stay away from home for long periods of time, and his mother had extramarital affairs. Quintero was hungry for love and affection when he visited his uncle and aunt's home. Paul Quintero testified that Quintero was always eager to seek his approval and never gave him any trouble. Quintero's parents did not discipline their children unless they were angry or drunk, at which time they would beat the children. Testimony also indicated that Quintero never had clothes which properly fit him, and as a result, he was ridiculed by the other children at school.
Paul and Josey Quintero testified that they had attempted to remain in contact with Quintero since learning of the criminal charges. They related that Quintero had obtained his GED in prison and was also enrolled in refrigeration and air conditioning classes. They believed that Quintero had improved himself and would make something productive of his life.
Quintero's cousin, Angela Alva, testified that she and Quintero were at one time very close. She also related how Quintero's parents had abused alcohol, and testified that Quintero had kept company with his older brother, Roderick, who was a bad influence and not a good role model. According to Alva, Quintero was a follower, and Roderick was aggressive.
A video deposition was shown of Helen Mimms Johnson, Quintero's first grade teacher. Johnson testified that Quintero was mischievous but never mean. He was held back a year and had trouble being attentive in class. Quintero was never very clean and always seemed exhausted when he came to school. Johnson never met Quintero's parents because they never attended any parent-teacher meetings.
Angela Holland and her 15-year-old son, Roderick Kent Quintero II, testified. Holland had been married to Quintero's brother for approximately three years. Holland and her son had maintained contact with Quintero and said that he had been influential in helping his nephew stay out of trouble.
In mitigation, William Hall presented the testimony of his older brother, Robert Hall, a prison minister. Robert said that defendant Hall was born in Paducah, Kentucky. Their parents divorced when defendant Hall was two years old. Their father worked on a barge and was gone for extended periods of time. Their mother died of throat cancer when defendant Hall was four, and at that point, Hall went to live with his father and stepmother. Hall's stepmother was at one time addicted to codeine.
According to Robert, the Hall children were not disciplined nor taught right from wrong but were sometimes beaten. Defendant Hall began getting into trouble in grade school. He began drinking alcohol in his pre-teens, and by his early twenties, he had begun abusing drugs. Robert testified that William Hall was a follower, not a leader.
For a time following his parole in 1982, defendant Hall had lived with Robert and his wife Ester in Pennsylvania. He worked with Robert at a tire shop and attended church with Robert and Ester. Robert testified that Hall had turned to God and changed his life. Hall lived with Robert and Ester for eight months. Hall, however, later moved into a trailer near his place of employment and began drinking. Eventually, he returned to Kentucky. The last time Robert and Ester had seen Hall was at his stepmother's funeral in 1987. They speak with him weekly by telephone, however.
Barbara Vasser also testified. She had met Hall when he had lived with his brother in Pennsylvania. Vasser said that Hall's life had changed after he accepted Christ. She and Hall were engaged but never set a date because Vasser was only seventeen years old at the time. Vasser testified that she and Hall were friends off and on between 1982 and 1988. Vasser said she had assisted the authorities because she had been afraid for Hall's safety. Vasser had not remained in contact with Hall after his apprehension.
Dr. Kenneth Anchor, an associate professor of psychology at Vanderbilt and a clinical psychologist, testified that he prepared a psychological evaluation of Hall in 1991. He testified as to the background information conveyed by Hall during the interview. Hall grew up in Paducah, and his formal education ended after the ninth grade. He later earned his GED while incarcerated. Hall began using drugs and alcohol at age eleven and was addicted to Valium by age fourteen. He was placed in juvenile detention several times and was sent to a youth development center. Hall worked at different jobs while a young adult, but he had mostly been in and out of prison since age seventeen. Hall informed Dr. Anchor that he had experienced two head injuries. He fell off a porch as a baby and was struck in the head with a baseball bat when he was fourteen.
Dr. Anchor testified that Hall was cooperative and responsive during the interview. Hall did not offer any excuses or attempt to blame others. There was no indication of malingering. Moreover, Hall was enthusiastic about his plans to pursue college courses in computers and data processing while incarcerated.
Hall scored a 99 on his I.Q. test which placed him in the 48th percentile. Dr. Anchor testified that although Hall has a reasonable amount of intelligence, he has some difficulty utilizing it. Hall experiences cognitive interference which is frequently seen in people who have habitually abused drugs and alcohol. Dr. Anchor found Hall's judgment, reasoning, and problem-solving skills to be "unstable." According to Dr. Anchor, that finding is consistent with a history composed of head injuries and substance or polysubstance abuse.
Dr. Anchor concluded that Hall is seriously maladjusted and suffers from organic personality syndrome. Dr. Anchor stated that persons with test profiles similar to Hall's usually have a strong sense of worthlessness and inferiority. Hall feels a deep sense of shame, embarrassment, and humiliation for many of his past actions. Dr. Anchor opined that Hall's psychological maladjustment can be treated effectively with counseling or psychotherapy. At the time of trial, Dr. Anchor stated that Hall did not present a danger either to himself or to others in a prison setting. Dr. Anchor opined that Hall's prognosis was good assuming he abstained from future substance abuse. Dr. Anchor concluded that the prospects for social, educational, and vocational functioning were satisfactory.
In rebuttal, the State presented the testimony of Dr. Samuel Craddock, a clinical psychologist at Middle Tennessee Mental Heath Institute. Dr. Craddock interviewed Hall and disagreed with Dr. Anchor as to the degree of danger Hall poses. Dr. Craddock further testified that he had not seen any data to support a finding that Hall suffered from an organic personality syndrome.
Based upon this proof, the jury found five aggravating circumstances which were not outweighed by the mitigating circumstances and, therefore, sentenced the defendants to death for the murder of Myrtle Vester and to life imprisonment for the murder of Buford Vester.
MURDER TO PREVENT ARREST
AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCE (i)(6)
The defendants argue that Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-2-203 (i)(6) "is unconstitutionally vague as applied to the facts in this case." The defendants contend and the appellate court found that there was no proof that the defendants killed the victims to prevent arrest or prosecution. The intermediate appellate court determined that (i)(6) was inapplicable because "there was no proof that Mrs. Vester knew the appellants or would have been able to identify them to law enforcement officers."
We reject the narrow construction argued for by the defendants and adopted by the appellate court — that (i)(6) applies only when victim knows or can identify a defendant. Aggravating circumstance (i)(6) provides for imposition of the death penalty when:
In State v. Bush, 942 S.W.2d 489 (Tenn. 1997), this Court again refused to narrow application of (i)(6) "to only those killings which are solely motivated or predominately motived by a desire to avoid arrest or prosecution." Id. at 504 (citing State v. Carter. 714 S.W.2d 241, 250 (Tenn. 1986). Instead we reaffirmed our prior holdings that application of (i)(6) is appropriate when proof shows that avoidance of prosecution or arrest was one of the purposes motivating the killing. Id. (citing State v. Smith, 868 S.W.2d 561, 581 (Tenn. 1993)).
[t]he murder was committed for the purpose of avoiding, interfering with, or preventing a lawful arrest or prosecution of the defendant or another;
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-2-203 (i)(6) (1982). By its terms, the statute does not limit the aggravating circumstance only to those instances in which a defendant kills a victim because the victim knows or can identify the defendant. For example, a witness to a robbery may be killed while attempting to restrain a masked perpetrator. The mask may effectively prevent the witness from ever identifying the perpetrator; but if the evidence established that the perpetrator killed the witness to flee the crime scene and avoid arrest, application of (i)(6) would be appropriate. While the victim's ability to identify the murderer may be evidence supporting a finding of (i)(6), a victim's inability to identify the murderer does not preclude its application if the evidence introduced establishes that one of the purposes motivating the murder was a desire to avoid, interfere with, or prevent a lawful arrest or prosecution of him or herself or another. See, e.g., State v. Smith, 868 S.W.2d 561, 580 (Tenn. 1993) (emphasizing that it is the motive of the killing that is the critical factor).
The proof in this case amply supports this aggravating circumstance. The State theorized that the defendants murdered the victims to prevent the thefts from being reported. The proof supports this theory. The evidence showed that the defendants burglarized several residences in the area where the murders were committed. At the Cherry and Harris residences, the defendants tampered with the refrigerator lights, thereby preventing the lights from illuminating and alerting others to the defendants' presence. At the McMinn residence, as well as at the Vester home, the defendants severed the telephone lines, thereby preventing help from being summoned. The defendants stole the Vesters' automobile and used it to travel to Memphis. Taken together, this proof strongly indicates that the defendants were attempting to avoid being discovered and arrested for the numerous thefts they had committed in the Leatherwood area.
The jury's application of the (i)(6) aggravator is strengthened in this case by the fact that the defendants had escaped from prison. The evidence recounted above also establishes that the defendants were concerned with avoiding apprehension and arrest for escape at the time of the murders. The jury could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendants murdered the victims so that they could steal their car to leave the area and avoid being captured. We find that the evidence is sufficient to support the jury's finding of the (i)(6) aggravating circumstance. Accordingly, we reverse the judgment of the Court of Criminal Appeals as to this issue. Because the Court of Criminal Appeals had found the error harmless our holding in this respect does not change the result.
We affirm the finding of the Court of Criminal Appeals that the jury's erroneous reliance upon the invalid felony murder aggravating circumstance was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.
MURDER COMMITTED DURING ESCAPE AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCE (i)(8)
The defendants next argue that Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-2-203 (i)(8) "is unconstitutionally vague as applied to the facts of this case." The defendants further maintain that aggravating circumstance (i)(8) "was intended to protect law enforcement officers." The State counters that the circumstance was properly applied as the victims were killed while the defendants were in the process of escaping to Mexico. While all members of the Court agree that the evidence in this case is sufficient to support the jury's finding of this aggravating circumstance, Justice Holder dissents from the rationale of the majority and would hold that the (i)(8) aggravating circumstance may be applied any time the proof establishes that a murder was committed by a person on escape status.
This aggravating circumstance applies if "the murder was committed by the defendant while the defendant was in lawful custody or in a place of lawful confinement or during the defendant's escape from lawful custody or from a place of lawful confinement."
This broad interpretation of the statutory aggravating circumstance was recently rejected by this Court in State v. Odom, 928 S.W.2d 18, 27 (Tenn. 1996) (Anderson, C.J. and Drowota, J., dissenting). In Odom the murder occurred almost six weeks after the defendant had escaped from a Mississippi jail where he was serving a life sentence for another murder. The murder for which Odom was sentenced to death in Tennessee was unconnected with and did not, in any way, further his escape. Concluding that the aggravating circumstance did not apply based upon the facts in Odom's case, this Court stated:
Our rationale is simple — "during" as used in the statute means "throughout the continuance of." The end of the escape marks the beginning of one's status as an "escapee." Although Odom was, assuredly, an "escapee," by no stretch can we say that the murder occurred during the defendant's escape from lawful confinement or during the defendant's escape from lawful custody or from a place of lawful confinement. When he committed the murder, Odom's escape was an accomplished fact — afait accompli.
Unlike the murder in Odom, the murders in this case were committed by the defendants "during [their] escape from lawful custody or from a place of lawful confinement." Indeed, these murders were committed only four days after the defendants fled confinement in Kentucky and while the defendants were in the process of obtaining the Vesters' automobile — a means of transportation to further their escape. Indeed, the proof shows that the escapees had remained in an area approximately two miles in diameter until they were able to steal automobiles to further their escape. Moreover, law enforcement officers were actively canvassing this small area for the defendants, searching with helicopters, tracking dogs, and fourwheel drive vehicles in an attempt to locate the escapees in the Leatherwood community. The plain language of the statute does not support the dissent's position that evidence of a defendant's escapee status, without more, is sufficient to support this aggravating circumstance. Had the General Assembly intended for the aggravating circumstance to apply under those circumstances, clear language dictating such a result could have been employed. It was not. Instead, the statute permits the aggravating circumstance to be applied if the proof demonstrates that a murder was committed by a defendant "during [the defendant's] escape from lawful custody or from a place of lawful confinement." Clearly, the defendants were still in the process of escaping from Kentucky to Mexico. These murders were simply a step toward accomplishing this end. Accordingly, we conclude that the evidence in this case is sufficient to support the jury's finding of this aggravating factor. Contrary to the position of the dissent, this Court's decision in Odom does not preclude application of this factor.
Apparently the dissent fails to recognize that our holding in Odom was based upon our determination that the evidence in the record on appeal was legally insufficient to support application of the aggravating circumstance. We did not weigh the evidence; therefore, contrary to the dissent's assertion, this Court did not supplant the jury's finding on the issue. Moreover, the dissent's assertion that the State had no opportunity to develop or argue the facts relevant to application of the aggravating circumstance again fails to recognize that in reviewing the legal sufficiency of the evidence in Odom, this Court considered the evidence in the record on appeal in the light most favorable to the State. Finally, our holding in Odom did not prevent the State from further developing the facts at the resentencing hearing to establish that Odom committed the murder to further his escape from custody and to support application of the (i)(8) aggravating circumstance. State v. Harris, 919 S.W.2d 323, 331 (Tenn. 1996) (At resentencing the State is not limited to proof presented in the initial sentencing hearing, "but is free to strengthen its case in any way it can by the introduction of new evidence.")
COMPARATIVE PROPORTIONALALITY REVIEW
In conducting a comparative proportionality review, we begin with the presumption that the sentence of death is proportional with the crime of first degree murder. State v. Hall, 958 S.W.2d 679 (Tenn. 1997). A sentence of death may be found disproportionate if the case being reviewed is "plainly lacking in circumstances consistent with those in similar cases in which the death penalty has previously been imposed." Id. citing State v. Ramsey, 864 S.W.2d 320, 328 (Mo. 1993). A sentence of death is not disproportionate merely because the circumstances of the offense are similar to those of another offense for which a defendant has received a life sentence. State v. Bland, 958 S.W.2d 651 (Tenn. 1997) (citing State v. Carter; 714 S.W.2d 241, 251 (Tenn. 1986)). Our inquiry, therefore, does not require a finding that a sentence "less than death was never imposed in a case with similar characteristics." Bland, 958 S.W.2d at 665. Our duty "is to assure that no aberrant death sentence is affirmed." Id. (citing State v. Webb, 238 Conn. 389, 680 A.2d 147, 203 (Conn. 1996)).
Our proportionality review is neither a rigid nor an objective test. Hall, 958 S.W.2d at 699. There is no "mathematical formula or scientific grid," and we are not bound to consider only cases in which the same aggravating circumstances were found applicable by a jury. Id.; State v. Brimmer, 876 S.W.2d 75, 84 (Tenn. 1994). This Court considers many variables when choosing and comparing cases. Bland, 958 S.W.2d at 667. Among these variables are: (1) the means of death; (2) the manner of death (e.g., violent, torturous, etc.); (3) the motivation for the killing; (4) the place of death; (5) the similarity of the victims' circumstances including age, physical and mental conditions, and the victims' treatment during the killing; (6) the absence or presence of premeditation; (7) the absence or presence of provocation; (8) the absence or presence of justification; and (9) the injury to and effects on non-decedent victims. Id.; Hall, 958 S.W.2d at 699. Factors considered when comparing characteristics of defendants include: (1) the defendants' prior criminal record or prior criminal activity; (2) the defendants' age, race, and gender; (3) the defendants' mental, emotional or physical condition; (4) the defendants' involvement or role in the murder; (5) the defendants' cooperation with authorities; (6) the defendants' remorse; (7) the defendants' knowledge of helplessness of victim(s); and (8) the defendants' capacity for rehabilitation. Id.
Considering the nature of the crime and the defendants, we find that imposition of the death penalty upon these defendants is not disproportionate to the penalty imposed in similar cases. Mrs. Vester was sixty-nine years old at the time the defendants murdered her. She was shot at least once from outside her house while she lay in bed. Her husband was shot and murdered in an adjacent room. He died of multiple shotgun wounds to the head, neck and chest. The evidence indicates that Mrs. Vester struggled to evade the brutal attack that severed her forearm and left her wrist and hand attached only by a small piece of soft tissue, consisting of skin, muscle, and fat. The record indicates that she was shot once with a shotgun, once with a high-powered rifle, and once more with either a shotgun or a high-powered rifle. She was then stabbed thirteen times. The stab wounds were to her face, head, neck, shoulder, back and upper chest. The bottoms of her feet were covered in blood indicating that she attempted to flee the attack by walking through a pool of her own blood. Medical testimony indicates that she survived for as long as fifteen minutes following the infliction of her wounds.
The defendants had escaped from prison and were fleeing authorities when they murdered the victims. They had committed several burglaries in the area, obtaining food and supplies. Law enforcement officials had focused their search to the two mile area encompassing the burglaries, and the defendants were desperate for a mode of transportation out of the area. They obtained the vehicle they needed by murdering the Vesters in their own home, traditionally the place of greatest safety and security. They committed the crime around midnight when the Vesters were asleep and most vulnerable to attack.
Both defendants had extensive criminal records. Quintero had been previously convicted of two charges of escape in the first degree and one charge of first degree robbery. Hall had previous convictions for two separate assaults, wanton endangerment in the first degree, and aiding and abetting in threatening the life of the President and Vice President of the United States of America. Neither defendant has shown remorse nor does either appear to be a candidate for rehabilitation. The defendants committed these brutal crimes only three days after escaping from lawful confinement which had been imposed as a result of other criminal activity. There is no evidence that the defendants were intellectually impaired, and the psychological testimony did not indicate that the defendants were insane at the time of the killings. Although there was some testimony regarding past drug and alcohol abuse, there was no proof offered to establish that the defendants were under the influence of drugs or alcohol when these murders were committed. The jury found five statutory aggravating circumstances, four of which were supported by the proof and otherwise appropriately applied. The mitigation proof related primarily to the defendants' childhoods.
Finally, by two separate juries, all three participants in these murders, Hall, Quintero, and Blanton, have been convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. Accordingly, we conclude that the nature of the defendants' crimes, their criminal backgrounds, their infliction of unnecessary and gratuitous violence, and their complete disregard for human life places them into that class of criminal defendants for whom a sentence of death is appropriate.
Hall argues that his sentence of death is disproportionate because the evidence placing him at the murder scene was circumstantial in nature. This argument, however, is better addressed by a sufficiency of the evidence review. The jury found Hall guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of two counts of murder in the perpetration of a felony. The appellate court found that the evidence was sufficient to support the convictions. The medical proof established that a minimum of three weapons were used to murder Myrtle Vester. Moreover, prints from the defendants and Blanton were found at the various burglaries in the Leatherwood community. Items from these burglaries were found either near the victims' residence or in their car, which was abandoned in Memphis by three individuals matching the general description of these two defendants and Blanton. In addition, these two defendants and Blanton were seen together in Memphis the day after the murder by several individuals. Upon exhaustive review of both the record and the arguments advanced by counsel, we find that the evidence supports the jury's verdict finding the defendants guilty of first degree murder during the perpetration of felony. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979); State v. Williams, 657 S.W.2d 405, 410 (Tenn. 1983), cert. denied, 465 U.S. 1073, 104 S.Ct. 1429, 79 L.Ed.2d 753 (1984); State v. Cabbage, 571 S.W.2d 832 (Tenn. 1978); Tenn. R. App. P., Rule 13 (e). The evidence also establishes that both Hall and Quintero actively participated in the killing of the Vesters. Accordingly, our review will now focus on the circumstances of the defendants' killings in comparison to other killings for which murderers have received a sentence of death. This review includes a thorough examination of Rule 12 reports from trial judges submitted over the past twenty years in all criminal trials for first degree murder in which either life imprisonment or a sentence of death has been imposed. Based upon our review, we conclude that the following cases in which the death penalty has been imposed have many similarities with this case.
In State v. Henley, 774 S.W.2d 908 (Tenn. 1989), the jury imposed the death penalty upon finding a single aggravating circumstance, which was also found in this case, the murder was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel in that it involved torture or depravity of mind. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-2-203 (i)(5). Unlike the defendants in this case, Henley had no prior criminal record, and he had been drinking the day that he forced the victims, a married couple with whom he was acquainted, from the road to their house demanding money at gunpoint. As in this case, Henley shot the husband and then the wife in their own home. When the wife began moaning, Henley shot her two times more, poured gasoline on her body, and set the house on fire. She suffered before she eventually died from burns and smoke inhalation.
In State v. McNish, 727 S.W.2d 490 (Tenn. 1987), the twenty-nine-year-old defendant murdered the seventy-year-old widow in her own home by striking her in the head and face repeatedly with a glass vase. The victim was conscious during the attack for a short time, and was alive when she was found, but later died from hemorrhaging of the brain. Unlike the defendants in this case, McNish had no prior criminal record, and he had been using drugs when the murder was committed. Nevertheless, the jury imposed the death sentence upon finding a single aggravating circumstance, one which was also found in this case, that the murder was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel in that it involved torture or depravity of mind. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-2-203 (i)(5).
In State v. Barber, 753 S.W.2d 659 (Tenn. 1988), the twenty-nine-year-old defendant killed the helpless and unresisting seventy-five-year-old victim in her own home by striking her in the head five times with a crescent wrench. As in this case, the victim in Barber remained alive during at least a portion of the assault, and attempted to avoid the assault and protect herself, which was evidenced by defensive wounds on her hands. Though Barber offered mitigation proof that he was capable of rehabilitation, the jury nevertheless imposed the death penalty upon finding two aggravating circumstances, both of which were also found by the jury in this case. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-2-203 (i)(5) (7). See Barber v. State, 889 S.W.2d 185, 189-90 (Tenn. 1994) (concluding, as in this case, that the jury's consideration of the felony murder aggravating circumstance was harmless error).
In State v. Thomson, 768 S.W.2d 239 (Tenn. 1989), the twenty-two-year-old defendant abducted his female victim at gunpoint and took her to a remote location. As in this case, the victim was repeatedly stabbed, with two fatal wounds inflicted upon her right lung. Also like this case, the victim remained alive and conscious for perhaps five to ten minutes. The jury imposed the death sentence upon finding three aggravating circumstances. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-2-203 (i)(5), (6) (7).
In State v. Payne, 791 S.W.2d 10 (Tenn. 1990), the twenty-year-old defendant entered the home of the victims and stabbed one victim approximately forty-two times and the other victim approximately nine times. The jury imposed the death penalty upon finding two aggravating circumstances, including, as in this case, that the murder was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel in that it involved torture or depravity of mind. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-2-203 (i)(3) (5).
In State v. Smith, 893 S.W.2d 908 (Tenn. 1994), a forty-one-year-old defendant broke into the home of the eighty-eight-year-old female victim. He robbed her, raped her, cut her throat and placed her into a bathtub full of water. The victim was alive when water entered her lungs. Though the defendant suffered from diminished intellectual capacity and was classified as "mentally retarded, "the jury imposed the death penalty upon finding two aggravating circumstances, both of which were also found in this case, that the defendant had been previously convicted of a felony offense involving violence to the person and that the murder was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel in that it involved torture or depravity of mind. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-203 (i)(2) (5).
In State v. Van Tran, 864 S.W.2d 465 (Tenn. 1993), the nineteen defendant killed the victim, a seventy-four year old woman during the course of a robbery by shooting her once in the lower jaw or neck region and once in the back of the head. The victim was lying on the floor helpless when she was killed, much like the Vesters who were assaulted while they lay in their beds. The victim was a member of the family which owned the Chinese restaurant that the defendants were robbing. The family lived in the area behind the restaurant, so as in this case, the victim was murdered in her own home. The jury imposed the death sentence upon finding two aggravating circumstances, Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-2-203 (i)(5) (12).
In State v. Dicks, 615 S.W.2d 126 (Tenn. 1981), a twenty-one-year-old defendant was convicted of felony murder and sentenced to death.In Dicks, the defendant and his codefendant, Strouth, robbed a store and during the course of the robbery, slit the throat of the seventy-year-old male store clerk who bled to death. As in this case, the proof did not absolutely establish which individual inflicted the fatal throat wound, although it was apparently inflicted by Strouth. The jury imposed the death penalty upon finding two aggravating circumstances, including, as in this case, that the murder was especially heinous, atrocious or cruel in that it involved torture or depravity of mind. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-2-203 (i)(5) (7). The jury also imposed a sentence of death upon the codefendant Strouth, finding the same two aggravating circumstances. State v. Strouth, 620 S.W.2d 467 (Tenn. 1981).
Two other co-defendants also received the death penalty though the proof did not absolutely identify which individual was the shooter. In State v. Sample, 680 S.W.2d 447 (Tenn. 1984) and State v. McKay, 680 S.W.2d 447 (Tenn. 1984), the twenty-five-year-old defendants, in separate trials, were convicted of felony murder and sentenced to death for shooting two store clerks to death during the course of a robbery. Though Sample appeared to be the leader in the commission of the crime, the evidence did not absolutely establish the identity of the shooter. The jury imposed the death sentence in each case finding three aggravating circumstances with respect to Sample, Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-2-203 (i)(3), (6) (7), and four aggravating circumstances, Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-2-203 (i)(2), (3), (6) (7), with respect to McKay.
We also note that there are several cases with comparable violence in which defendants have received life sentences. See State v. Jack Jay North, No. 02C01-9512-CC-00369, 1996 WL 711473 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Jackson, Dec. 12, 1996), app. denied (Tenn. 1997) (sentencing to life where victim shot multiple times with sawed-off shotgun); State v. James Morning Craft, Jr. and Lewis Moorlet, C.C.A. No. 31, 1989 WL 19678 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Jackson, Mar. 8, 1989), app. denied (Tenn. 1989) (sentencing to life where victim shot three times). In both North and Craft, the defendants either admitted to being at the scene or showed remorse. Although these cases are similar to some extent, the similarities do not render these death sentences disproportionate. As we have previously stated, our role in conducting comparative proportionality review is to assure that no aberrant death sentence is affirmed.
We have reviewed numerous cases in which either the death penalty or a lesser sentence has been imposed. While no two cases are identical, a great majority of the cases cited involved, as does this appeal, murders of unresisting, defenseless, and elderly victims who were beaten, tortured, and assaulted in their own homes or businesses. In most of the cases cited, the killings were committed to accomplish a robbery or burglary. Unlike the defendants in this case, in several of the cases discussed, the defendants offered mitigation proof to show that they had no prior criminal record and were under the influence of drugs or alcohol when the crimes were committed. Unlike these defendants, in at least one case, the defendant had a potential for rehabilitation. After reviewing the cases discussed above, and many other cases not herein described, we are of the opinion that the penalty imposed by the jury in this case is not disproportionate to the penalty imposed for similar crimes.
CONCLUSION
In accordance with the mandate of Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-206 (c)(1) and the principles adopted in prior decisions of this Court, we have considered the entire record in this case and find that the sentence of death was not imposed in an arbitrary fashion. The evidence clearly supports the jury's finding of the four aggravating circumstances and that no mitigating circumstances were sufficiently substantial to outweigh the aggravating circumstances. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-206 (c)(1)(A) — (C). We have carefully reviewed the defendants' assignments of error and have found that they are either devoid of merit or do not require reversal. With respect to issues not specifically addressed herein, we affirm the decision of the Court of Criminal Appeals, authored by Judge William M. Barker, joined in by Judge Paul G. Summers and Judge David H. Welles. The defendants' sentences of death by electrocution are affirmed and will be carried out as provided by law on the 29th day of January, 1999, unless otherwise ordered by this Court or other proper authorities.
ANDERSON, C.J., concurs.
HOLDER, J., separate concurring/dissenting opinion.
BIRCH, J., separate concurring/dissenting opinion.
REID, Special Justice, not participating.
APPENDIX (Excerpts from the Court of Criminal Appeals' Decision) State of Tennessee, Appellee, v. William Eugene Hall, Jr., a/k/a Billy Hall, and Derrick Desmond Quintero, Appellants. C.C.A. No. 01C01-9311-CC-00409 Humphreys County (Nos. 10626 10627, 10544-10647, 10556-10559 Below) The Honorable Allen W. Wallace (First-Degree Murder, Grand Larceny, Petit Larceny, and First-Degree Burglary)FOR APPELLANT HALL:
N. Reese Bagwell
Jennifer Roberts
FOR APPELLANT QUINTERO:
Shipp R. Weems District Public Defender
Steve Stack Assistant Public Defender
FOR THE APPELLEE:
Charles W. Burson Attorney General Reporter
Darian B. Taylor (oral argument) Assistant Attorney General
Kimberly A. Chance (appellate brief) Assistant Attorney General Dan M. Alsobrooks District Attorney General
J. Kenneth Atkins Assistant District Attorney General Pro Tem
James W. Kirby Assistant District Attorney General
OPINION FILED: March 5, 1997
BOTH APPELLANTS' FIRST-DEGREE MURDER CONVICTIONS AND DEATH SENTENCES AFFIRMED; BOTH APPELLANTS' FIRST-DEGREE BURGLARY AND GRAND LARCENY CONVICTIONS AFFIRMED; BOTH APPELLANTS' PETIT LARCENY CONVICTIONS MERGED
WILLIAM M. BARKER
Judge
OPINION SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE
While appellant Hall challenges the trial court's failure to dismiss the charges as the thirteenth juror, this issue has been waived by his failure to cite any authority in support of his arguments as required by Tenn. R.App. P. 27 (a)(7) and Tenn. Ct. Crim. App. R. 10(b).
The appellants contend that the evidence did not support any of the multiple convictions. They argue that had they been tried on each charge individually, they would have been acquitted of all charges. The state submits that while the evidence presented in this case was entirely circumstantial, given the remote location of the victimized community and the manner in which the appellants acted, it proved beyond a reasonable doubt the commission of each crime. We find that the evidence is sufficient to support the verdicts.
A guilty verdict, approved by the trial judge, accredits the testimony of the witnesses for the state and resolves any conflicts in favor of the state's theory. State v. Hatchett, 560 S.W.2d 627, 630 (Tenn. 1978). On appeal, the state is entitled to the strongest legitimate view of the evidence and to all reasonable inferences which might be drawn therefrom. State v. Cabbage, 571 S.W.2d 832, 836 (Tenn. 1978). When the sufficiency of the evidence is challenged, the relevant question is whether, after a consideration of the evidence in the light most favorable to the state, a rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979); State v. Williams, 657 S.W.2d 405, 410 (Tenn. 1983), cert. denied, 465 U.S. 1073, 104 S.Ct. 1429, 79 L.Ed.2d 753 (1984); Tenn. R.App. P. 13 (e).
A crime may be established by direct evidence, circumstantial evidence, or a combination of the two. State v. Tharpe, 726 S.W.2d 896, 899-900 (Tenn. 1987). Before an accused may be convicted of a criminal offense based upon circumstantial evidence, the facts and the circumstances "must be so strong and cogent as to exclude every other reasonable hypothesis save the guilt of the defendant, and that beyond a reasonable doubt." State v. Crawford, 225 Tenn. (3 Pack) 478, 482, 470 S.W.2d 610, 612 (1971). "A web of guilt must be woven around the defendant from which he cannot escape and from which facts and circumstances the jury could draw no other reasonable inference save the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt." Id. at 484, 470 S.W.2d at 613.
While the appellants were charged as principals on all counts, the jury was charged on aiding and abetting. State v. Hensley, 656 S.W.2d 410, 413 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1983). Under the pre-1989 Code, one could be considered an aider and abettor if one advised, counseled, procured, or engaged another to commit a crime. Flippen v. State, 211 Tenn. (15 McCanless) 607, 514, 366 S.W.2d 895, 899 (1963). A particular act or even physical participation in the commission of the crime is not necessary. The appellant need only to have been "constructively" present. State v. McBee, 644 S.W.2d 425, 428-29 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1982); State v. Lequire, 634 S.W.2d 608, 613 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1981).
Even if the evidence is circumstantial, there must be proof that the aider and abettor associated himself with the venture, acted with the knowledge that an offense was to be committed, and shared the principal's criminal intent. Hembree v. State, 546 S.W.2d 235, 239 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1976). Intent may be inferred from the circumstances surrounding the crime. Presley v. State, 161 Tenn. (8 Smith) 310, 315-17, 30 S.W.2d 231, 233 (1930). While mere presence is not sufficient to conclude that a defendant aided and abetted in a crime, presence, companionship, and conduct before and after the criminal event are all proper considerations. State v. McBee, 644 S.W.2d 425, 428.
In short, the state's theory in this case was that these crimes were inextricably intertwined. The evidence showed that all of the burglaries occurred within a 2-mile radius and were committed between June 16 and June 21, 1988. Two knives taken from the Cherry residence were found at the Foster residence. Three knives from the Cherry residence were never recovered. At the Harris residence (next door to the Cherrys'), phone calls were made within that time period to appellant Hall's former girlfriend in Pennsylvania and to a Bryan Quintero in Texas. At the Crawford residence, appellant Hall's fingerprint was found on a ham can that was sitting on the table. Other items from the Crawfords' house were connected to the appellants at the Vester crime scene.
Zackery Pallay testified at trial that appellant Quintero had a younger brother named Bryan.
Moreover, at the Foster residence, appellant Quintero's fingerprints were found on a Federal 12 gauge shotgun shell box, and his palm print was found on the barrel of a 12 gauge sawed-off shotgun. Appellant Hall's fingerprint was found on a Diet Pepsi can at Mr. Foster's house. At the Vester residence, ammunition similar to that taken from the Foster residence was found, including three live Federal 20 gauge shotgun shells and one casing. Pellets and shot wads removed from the residence and the victims' bodies were also consistent with the ammunition stolen from the Foster residence. Although not recovered, Mr. Foster testified that a .30-30 caliber rifle was stolen from his house. There was testimony that one of Mrs. Vester's gunshot wounds was consistent with having come from such a weapon. Also, a glove, belonging to (and positively identified by) Mrs. Crawford, was found outside the Vesters' front window.
The proof also connected the appellants to the Vesters' 1985 maroon Pontiac Bonneville which was later recovered in Memphis. In the car, the police found a sawed-off 20 gauge shotgun, which was positively identified by Mr. Foster. T.B.I. Agent Don Carmon identified this shotgun as having fired the spent 20 gauge shotgun shell found outside Mr. Vester's bedroom window. The Crawfords also testified that the flashlight found in the vehicle was exactly like the one taken from their home. Finally, three eyewitnesses saw similar looking men get out of the Vesters' vehicle at the Memphis Funeral Home. Then, an eyewitness placed appellant Quintero in Memphis at the time the Vesters' vehicle was abandoned. Two eyewitnesses also placed appellant Hall in Memphis at that time.
Based on the evidence in the record, albeit circumstantial, we find that a rational jury could have found the evidence sufficient to support the appellants' multiple convictions with one exception. We find that the evidence does not support dual convictions dealing with the larcenies of personal property belonging to the Vesters. The record does not indicate that the larcenies occurred at separate times, and, thus, the appellants' petit larceny counts for property taken from the Vesters must be merged with the grand larceny counts for the vehicle taken from the Vesters. See Greer v. State, 539 S.W.2d 855, 858 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1976).
EXCLUSION OF JURORS
The appellants argue that the trial court incorrectly excused potential jurors because of their inability to impose the death penalty based on their religious beliefs. Specifically, the appellants claim that the trial court's dismissal of these potential jurors constituted a religious test in violation of Article I, § 4 of the Tennessee Constitution, which states that "no political or religious test, other than an oath to support the Constitution of the United States and this State, shall ever be required as a qualification to any officer or public trust under this State." The appellants also claim that the excusing of these jurors violated the juror's right to serve on a jury as guaranteed by Article I, § 3 of the Tennessee Constitution, which states that "no human authority can, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of conscience."
The following jurors were challenged and excused: Patricia Matthews, Juanita Cannon, Mickie Miller, Clyde E. Capps, Gerald Bowker, Wayne Purcell, Cladys Hooper, J.B. Bradberry, Martha Beasley, Charles Daniel, Barry Bronson, Carol Cochran, David E. Buchanan, Herschel Ross, Clarence Humphrey, and Carl Brazzle. The record reflects that while some of the excluded jurors indicated there were other considerations in refusing to impose the death penalty, all admitted that religious beliefs played a part in their decision.
The trial court's findings on this issue are to be given a presumption of correctness. State v. Harris, 839 S.W.2d 54, 64 (Tenn. 1992), cert. denied, 507 U.S. 954, 113 S.Ct. 1368, 122 L.Ed.2d 746 (1993). Therefore, the burden rests on the appellants to establish by convincing evidence that the trial court's determination was erroneous. Id. Here, we find that the trial court properly excluded those jurors who indicated they would be unable to follow the law during the sentencing phase. The appellants have not shown, nor does the record reflect, that the trial court abused its discretion in excluding these jurors.
In determining whether to exclude a juror, the trial court must decide whether a prospective juror may be excluded for cause because of his or her views on capital punishment when those views would "prevent or substantially impair the performance of his duties as a juror in accordance with his instructions and his oath." Wainwright v. Witt, 469 U.S. 412, 424, 105 S.Ct. 844, 852, 83 L.Ed.2d 841(1985) (quoting Adams v. Texas, 448 U.S. 38, 45, 10 () S.Ct. 2521, 2526, 65 L.Ed.2d 581 (1980)). The trial court may permissively excuse jurors in capital cases "because their views on capital punishment render[ed] them unable to follow the law as given to them by the court and to perform their duties as jurors in accord with their oaths." State v. Bobo, 727 S.W.2d 945, 949 (Tenn.), cert. denied, 484 I.J.S. 872, 108 S.Ct. 204, 98 L.Ed.2d 155 (1987).
In Bobo, our Supreme Court specifically held that just because a prospective juror's "views on capital punishment may have had a religious foundation does not necessarily transform the tests mandated by the United States Supreme Court in Witherspoon v. Illinois, 391 U.S. 510, 88 S.Ct. 1770, 20 L.Ed.2d 776 (1968), and Wainwright v. Witt, supra, into religious tests for the purposes of the Tennessee Constitution." 727 S.W.2d at 949. Similarly, in State v. Jones, 789 S.W.2d 545 (Tenn.), cert. denied, 498 U.S. 908, 111 S.Ct. 280, 112 L.Ed.2d 234 (1990), our Supreme Court held that the dismissal of prospective jurors who could not impose the death penalty because of their religious beliefs does not constitute an impermissible religious test because their views on capital punishment rendered them unable to follow the law as given to them by the court and to perform their duties as jurors in accord with their oath. Id. at 547. Finally, in State v. Johnson, 762 S.W.2d 110 (Tenn. 1988), cert. denied, 489 U.S. 1091, 109 S.Ct. 1559, 103 L.Ed.2d 862 (1989), our Supreme Court held that potential jurors who admitted they could not impose the death penalty could be permissively excused because their views would prevent them from applying the law concerning the death penalty. Id at 114.
Because it is undisputed that the challenged jurors each stated that they could never impose the death penalty, these potential jurors would not have been able to render an unbiased decision. Therefore, the trial court correctly excused these jurors. This issue is without merit.
ADMINISTRATION OF OATH TO LESS THAN TWELVE JURORS
The appellants argue that the trial court abused its discretion by removing a juror who refused to take the oath when it was administered and by replacing that juror with the first alternate. The appellants contend that the swearing-in of eleven rather than twelve jurors violated T.C.A. § 40-18-106 and that the trial court's removal of the juror because she did not say the oath nor wanted to serve on the jury was an arbitrary discharge of a duly selected juror. In addition, appellant Quintero claims that the seating of the first alternate by the trial court denied him the right to exercise his remaining peremptory challenges. We disagree.
On November 7, 1991, after voir dire examination, a jury of twelve individuals and two alternates was selected by the parties. At the conclusion of this process, defense counsel requested that the twelve jurors be sworn in, but the trial court refused to do so. The next day, a third alternate was selected, and the twelve jurors and three alternates were sworn in. The trial court then questioned one of the jurors because she did not acknowledge the oath when it was administered. The juror stated that she would be more sympathetic to the witnesses who had "lost somebody at the hand of someone else" rather than towards the appellants. The trial court subsequently concluded that the juror did not want to serve.
When the trial court asked counsel for suggestions, counsel for appellant Quintero requested that jury selection be reopened since he had three preemptory challenges left. Counsel for appellant Hall and the state recommended that the first alternate be placed on the jury. Counsel for appellant Quintero again objected, and counsel for appellant Hall joined in the objection. The trial court removed the juror and replaced her with the first alternate.
Although we find this issue to be without merit, we first note that any complaint as to the trial court's actions in this matter has been waived by appellant Hall, who initially recommended the taken course of action. A party responsible for an error cannot seek relief from the recommended course of action on appeal. See Tenn. R.App. P. 36 (a).
T.C.A. § 40-18-106 states that "[i]n impaneling a jury for the trial of any felony, the court shall not swear any of the jurors until the whole number are selected for a jury." Under the statute, all twelve jurors must be selected at the time that the jurors are sworn in. Here, twelve jurors were selected and sworn in, however, one juror refused to take the oath.
In Tennessee, the trial court has wide discretion in examining prospective jurors and ruling on their qualifications. State v. Howell 868 S.W.2d 238, 248 (Tenn. 1993), cert. denied, 510 U.S. 1215, 114 S.Ct. 1339, 127 L.Ed.2d 687 (1994). It is also within the discretion of the trial judge to seat an alternate who had been selected by the parties when a regular juror must be removed. Tenn. R.Crim. P. 24 (e)(1); State v. Millbrooks, 819 S.W.2d 441, 445 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1991). Under the circumstances of this case, we find that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in removing the juror and filling the opening with the first alternate, especially since the juror was excused in part because of her admitted bias against the appellants. Moreover, the appellants have failed to show that the actual jury was impartial, making any potential error harmless.
VENUE
Appellant Quintero contends that the trial court's order changing venue the second time, from Cheatham County to Humphreys County, was in violation of Article I, § 9 of the Tennessee Constitution and of Tenn. R.Crim. P. 21. Specifically, appellant Quintero argues that he did not consent to the change of venue, and even if this Court determines that he acquiesced in the change, there was no finding by the trial court that there existed undue excitement within Cheatham County to justify the removal of this case. Moreover, appellant Quintero submits that Humphreys County is not the nearest county in the judicial district in which the prosecution was pending, as required by Tenn. R.Crim. P. 21 (c).
All of the alleged crimes occurred in Stewart County where presentments were brought against the appellants and co-defendant Blanton. Pursuant to Tenn. R.Crim. P. 21, motions, supported by affidavits, were filed by the appellants, and the trial court changed venue to Cheatham County. Subsequently, the trial court severed co-defendant Blanton's trial from that of the appellants. After co-defendant Blanton was tried in Cheatham County, the appellants filed motions for change of venue, however, the motions were not supported by affidavits. At a hearing on the motions, the state opposed the motions because there were no supporting affidavits as required by Rule 21 (b). Although Appellant Quintero withdrew his motion at that time, appellant Hall did not. There was some discussion of the issue, and counsel for appellant Quintero made the following statement concerning Cheatham County:
Your Honor, I concur with that. If the General wants to try it here, we can spend a month trying to get a jury here. The General knows, as well as everybody else knows, we can't get a jury here. But if the General wants to try it, that's fine with us.
After further discussion, the issue was reserved until the end of the hearing. Under the impression that he had withdrawn his motion for change of venue, counsel for appellant Quintero left the courtroom as counsel for appellant Hall argued his motion for change of venue. Counsel was called back into the courtroom, and the issue was again discussed. Abruptly during the hearing, the trial court changed venue to Humphreys County. The trial court stated "I'm just going to do it. If I'm in error, I'm in error." Appellant Quintero did not make any objections at that time.
Subsequently, an order was entered by the trial court allowing appellant Quintero to withdraw his motion for a change of venue and finding that the motion was of no effect. That same day, appellant Quintero filed a motion requesting that the trial be prosecuted in Stewart County, where the alleged offenses were committed. Appellant Quintero also filed a motion objecting to the change of venue to Humphreys County. A motion hearing was held that day, and the trial court upheld its earlier decision to change venue to Humphreys County.
After the trial was completed, the court entered an order denying appellant Quintero's motions. The order stated in part:
Upon consideration of all matters presented and argument of counsel for the defendant and the State, the Court finds that the defendant's Motion is not well taken. The Court finds that this defendant filed for and was granted a change of venue on or about January 14, 1991, that venue was moved to Cheatham County, Tennessee, and that the defendant filed an additional request objecting to that venue and that the Court considering all matters presented moved the venue of this case to Humphreys County, Tennessee, on August 30, 1991. The Court would further note and find that counsel for the defendant has attempted to withdraw the defendant's request for a change of venue which was denied by the Court on August 30, 1991. An order was previously entered in this Court on the 7th day of Oct., 1991, which was signed by the Court in error. That Order as it appears in Minute Book 92, page 304, is void.
Rule 21 (a) provides that "[i]n all criminal prosecutions the venue may be changed upon motion of the defendant, or upon the court's own motion with the consent of the defendant, if it appears to the court that, due to undue excitement against the defendant in the county where the offense was committed or any other cause, a fair trial probably could not be had." Venue is jurisdictional in Tennessee. An accused has the right to be tried in the county in which the crime has been committed. See Article 1, § 9 of the Tennessee Constitution.
After reviewing the record, we find that appellant Quintero waived any constitutional or procedural complaint as to venue. Initially, appellant Quintero failed to contemporaneously object to the trial court's ruling. See Tenn. R.App. P. 36 (a). Moreover, while appellant Quintero withdrew, or attempted to withdraw his motion for change of venue from Cheatham County, he did not make any objection to the trial court's ruling until he subsequently filed a motion approximately one month later. It also appears that appellant Quintero waived any constitutional argument on this issue when he made his initial request that venue be changed from Stewart County.
In State v. Nichols, 877 S.W.2d 722 (Tenn. 1994), the appellant filed a pretrial motion for change of venue. The trial court granted the motion and moved the trial to another county, over the appellant's objection, for the limited purpose of selecting an unbiased jury. Once the jury was selected, the trial was transferred back to the original county. The appellant then raised this issue on appeal, characterizing it as "two changes of venue." Id. at 727. In reviewing the appellant's claim, the Supreme Court held:
Our Tennessee Constitution obviously reflects similar concerns and values. The dispositive question here is whether the defendant waived his rights under Article I, § 9, as to both venue and vicinage when he moved for a change of venue. We conclude that the change of venue motion
constitutes a waiver of Article I, § 9, rights. Accordingly, unless the defendant is prejudiced, the administration of justice harmed, or the trial court abuses its discretion, no reversible error occurs when a trial court judge employs the unorthodox procedure used in this case in response to a defendant's motion for a change of venue.
Id. at 728.
Based on this holding, appellant Quintero waived any constitutional complaint to the second change of venue. Moreover, the record does not reflect that appellant Quintero was prejudiced, that the administration of justice was harmed, or that the trial court abused its discretion. Here, both appellants admitted at the hearing on the change of venue from Cheatham County that they would not be able to pick an unbiased jury after co-defendant Blanton had been tried in that county.
Finally, appellant Quintero does not have a claim under Rule 21, which only confers procedural rights upon a defendant. In State v. Smith, 906 S.W.2d 6 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1995), this Court held that when venue was changed to a different county, the appellant was entitled to protections similar to those he had in the original county under Rule 21. Id. at 10. The Court determined that on remand for resentencing, the trial court erred in granting a motion for change of venue over the objection of the appellant. Basing its decision on Rule 21, the Court stated:
In Smith, the appellant was granted an extraordinary appeal pursuant to Tenn. R.App. P. 10.
[R]egardless of whether the defendant or the trial court, with the defendant's consent, moves for a change of venue, the threshold determination to be made is whether, in fact, cause exists to conclude that a fair trial probably cannot be had. Rule 21 contemplates that such a showing be made of record. See, e.g., Rule 21(a) and (b).
Id.
Unlike in Smith, appellant Quintero waived any rights under Rule 21 by waiting to raise this issue now. Accordingly, while appellant Quintero may have been able to raise a claim under Rule 21 if he had pursued an interlocutory or extraordinary appeal pursuant to Tenn. R.App. P. 9 or 10, such is not available to appellant Quintero at this juncture. Moreover, by statements made to the trial court by appellant Quintero's counsel, it was clear that a fair trial could not have been had in Cheatham County. See Smith, 906 S.W.2d at 10. Finding that any constitutional or procedural claim has been waived, we affirm the trial court's decision to remove the case from Cheatham County.
CONSOLIDATION OF PRESENTMENTS
The appellants contend that the trial court erred in granting the state's pre-trial motion to consolidate the presentments in this case pursuant to Tenn. R.Crim. P. 8(b). Specifically, the appellants assert that the evidence does not support a finding of a common scheme or plan and, furthermore, that the evidence of all of the cases on trial would not have been admissible upon the trial of all the others.
Under Tenn. R.Crim. P. 13(a), a "court may order consolidation of two or more indictments, presentments, or informations for trial if the offenses and all appellants could have been joined in a single indictment, presentment, or information pursuant to Rule 8." Tenn. R.Crim. P. 8(b) provides:
Two or more offenses may be joined in the same indictment, presentment, or information, with each offense stated in a separate count, or consolidated pursuant to Rule 13 if the offenses constitute parts of a common scheme or plan or if they are of the same or similar character.
Based on the facts and on argument of counsel, the trial court granted the state's motion to consolidate the presentments in this case. Subsequently, several motions to sever were filed by the appellants and denied by the trial court.
The decision to consolidate separate indictments is a procedural matter which is within the discretion of the trial court. McCook v. State, 555 S.W.2d 411, 412 (Tenn.Crim.App. 1977). Having consolidated the offenses pursuant to Rule 8(b), the appropriate standard for evaluating whether a severance should be granted is Rule 14(b)(1). The appellants have a right to severance "unless the offenses are part of a common scheme or plan and the evidence of one would be admissible upon the trial of the others." Tenn. R.Crim. P. 14(b)(1). Both portions of the rule must be satisfied to avoid severance: there must be a common scheme or plan and the evidence of one offense must be admissible at the trial of the others.
In determining whether or not to grant a severance, the trial court must look at "the facts and circumstances involved in the various crimes that are charged." State v. Morris, 788 S.W.2d 820, 822 (Tenn.Crim.App. 1990). The decision to grant a severance is left to the sound discretion of the trial court, State v. Furlough, 797 S.W.2d 631, 642 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1990), and will not be disturbed unless the defendant is unfairly or unduly prejudiced. See Woodruff v. State, 164 Tenn. (11 Smith) 530, 539, 51 S.W.2d 843, 845 (1932); State v. Wiseman, 643 S.W.2d 354, 362 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1982). It is the responsibility of the defendant to show that he was clearly prejudiced by the trial court's refusal to sever the offenses. See State v. Hodgkinson, 778 S.W.2d 54, 61 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1989).
Common scheme or plan encompasses groups or sequences of crimes committed in order to achieve a common ultimate goal or purpose as well as crimes which occur within a single criminal action. State v. Hallock, 875 S.W.2d 285, 290 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1993). In the present case, the various crimes and the sequence of their occurrence were part of a greater plan to leave the country and to avoid capture by the Kentucky authorities; thus, establishing the first prong under Rule 14(b). All of the crimes for which the appellants were charged occurred in the Leatherwood community of Stewart County within less than a week. Key pieces of evidence found at the murder scene and in the Vesters' stolen car linked the appellants to the burglaries and thefts from the Cherry, Foster, and Vester residences; and evidence of the burglaries and thefts from the Foster, Cherry, and Vester residences aided in establishing the appellants' opportunity, motive, and intent to kill the Vesters. Further, evidence of the uncharged crimes at the McMinn, Harris, and Crawford residences helped to establish the appellants' common scheme to escape from the Kentucky authorities. See State v. Wooden, 658 S.W.2d 553, 558 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1983).
Moreover, we find that the second prong has been met. In making this determination, we have looked to the Tennessee Rules of Evidence; specifically, Rule 404(b). See State v. Hallock, 875 S.W.2d at 290-92. The "admission of evidence of other crimes which tends to show a common scheme or plan is proper to show identity, guilty knowledge, intent, motive, to rebut a defense of mistake or accident, or to establish some other relevant issue." Id. at 292. There is no doubt that in this case, the proof of each offense was inextricably connected with the evidence of the other offenses. In such cases, the Supreme Court has held that the denial of a motion to sever the offenses is not error. See State v. Shepherd, 902 S.W.2d 895, 903-904 (Tenn. 1995). This issue is without merit.
INTRODUCTION OF TELEPHONE RECORDS
At trial, an AT T telephone bill was introduced into evidence through Thomas Harris. He testified that the bill reflected phone calls made from his trailer in the Leatherwood area on June 19, 1988. The bill itself showed that three long distance calls were made to a phone number in Springtown, Texas. Mr. Harris testified that he did not place the calls. Later, Jerry Henderson, the records custodian for GTE telephone company in Dallas, Texas, testified that the phone number had been listed in the name of Bryan Quintero at the time of the calls.
Appellant Quintero argues that the initial recitation from Mr. Harris' AT T telephone bill was hearsay and constituted a violation of his Sixth Amendment right to confront witnesses. He further argues that the evidence did not bear its own indicia of reliability, and therefore the state was required to secure the presence of the custodian of records for AT T. We disagree.
In State v. Meeks, 867 S.W.2d 361 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1993), this Court held that computer generated records are not hearsay:
The role that the hearsay rule plays in limiting the fact finder's consideration to reliable evidence received from witnesses who are under oath and subject to cross-examination has no application to the computer generated record in this case. Instead, the admissibility of the computer tracing system record should be measured by the reliability of the system, itself, relative to its proper functioning and accuracy. See, e.g., Penny v. Commonwealth, 6 Va. App. 494, 370 S.E.2d 314, 316-317 (1988); People v. Holowko, 109 Ill.2d 187, 93 Ill. Dec. 344, 346, 486 N.E.2d 877, 879 (1985). In this case, the record reflects that persons with special knowledge about the operation of the computer system gave evidence about the accuracy and reliability of the computer tracing so as to justify the admission of the computer printouts. The rule against hearsay is not implicated.
Id. at 376. In Meeks, persons with special knowledge about the operation of the computer system testified as to the system's accuracy and reliability. Here, the state did not present the testimony of an AT T records custodian, but there was testimony from Mr. Henderson, an employee from the Texas phone company. He testified that AT T's billing system is highly reliable and that all local phone companies doing business with AT T have the exact same billing system. Mr. Henderson testified extensively, and we find that his testimony was sufficient to confirm the reliability of the telephone bill under Meeks.
TESTIMONY OF PRIOR CRIMES
Appellant Quintero argues that the trial court erred by failing to grant a mistrial after Zackery Pallay testified that he and Quintero had "done the armed robbery together." He contends that due to the similarities of the crime of armed robbery and the charges in this case, the mention of the armed robbery was devastating. We hold that the trial court properly denied appellant Quintero's request for a mistrial.
At a jury-out hearing, the trial court made the following ruling concerning the testimony of Mr. Pallay, a witness for the prosecution:
All right. Gentlemen, I'm going to rule that this witness is not to testify about the armed robbery conviction and the reason being is this, let me go back a little bit. He has known Mr. Quintero since they were youngsters. He will testify that he was — I'm sure the reason of this evidence that him and his father used to set up trailers in the Leatherwood area, Mr. Quintero and his father, so that puts Mr. Quintero familiar with the Leatherwood area, so that cuts down on the probative value of what else you're trying to get to.
That is, that you can prove by this testimony that Mr. Quintero was familiar with the Leatherwood area, so that cuts down on that probative value of what was even said later on when they were in prison, number one. And number two, is the prejudicial effect certainly in that case then would outweigh the probative value, so do not state that they were in prison, period.
Shortly into his testimony, Mr. Pallay stated that he and appellant Quintero had been close friends "[u]p until the time we done the armed robbery together." The trial court, sua sponte, instructed the jury to "strike that last statement, disregard that completely." A juryout hearing was then held where appellant Quintero requested a mistrial, which the trial court denied.
Whether to grant a mistrial lies in the discretion of the trial judge. State v. Adkins, 786 S.W.2d 642, 644 (Tenn. 1990). A mistrial should be declared in a criminal case only in the event of a "manifest necessity" that requires such action. State v. Millbrooks, 819 S.W.2d 441, 443 (Tenn.Crim.App. 1991). The trial court's determination will not be overturned on appeal unless it is shown that the trial court abused its discretion. State v. Adkins,6 786 S.W.2d 642, 644; see State v. Mounce, 859 S.W.2d 319, 322 (Tenn. 1993).
In the present case, the jury was already aware that appellant Quintero was an escaped convict. Moreover, Sheriff Hicks had already testified that appellant Quintero and Mr. Pallay had served time together at Eddyville.
While this testimony came out when counsel for appellant Hall was cross-examining Sheriff Hicks, there was no objection by appellant Quintero. More importantly, the trial court gave a curative instruction which the jury is presumed to have followed. Frazier v. State, 566 S.W.2d 545, 551 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1977). While Mr. Pallay should not have testified that he and appellant Quintero had previously committed an armed robbery together, we do not find that the statement, by itself, required the trial court to grant a mistrial.
IMPEACHMENT OF WITNESS
The appellants contend that the trial court erred by not allowing them to impeach the testimony of the state's witness, Mr. Pallay, after they learned that he had committed perjury during the jury-out hearing. Specifically, they contend that the trial court erred by not allowing them to present testimony and certified copies of warrants issued against the witness. The appellants further argue that it was prosecutorial misconduct for the prosecutor to neglect to bring it to the attention of the trial court when he was aware of the misrepresentation. Accordingly, the appellants request a new trial.
The questioned jury-out testimony was as follows:
Q. Mr. Pallay, do you have any convictions other than armed robbery?
A. Other than an armed robbery, bad check law, that would be about it, that's all I can recall.
Q. Would that be felonies or misdemeanors?
A. It was all settled out of court.
Q. When did those occur?
A. Back when I was eighteen years old, eighteen and nineteen years old.
THE COURT: No, I'm not going to let you do that now. That wasn't in. Anything since the armed robbery conviction?
A. No, sir, not to my recall.
THE COURT: All right.
Q. Have you had any arrests since you were released?
A. I can't recall if I have or not. I can't recall. I'm sorry, you know.
Q. That's fair enough, I suppose. One thing let me clarify a little bit, were you ever violated for parole or anything, had to go back in and do more time, then paroled again?
A. No, sir. The day I was released from parole, I have been clean since except for one time I was over at a person's house which he was busted for marijuana. I was not charged in anything on that charge in Jackson, Tennessee.
When the jury returned, Mr. Pallay testified on direct that he had previously been convicted of armed robbery.
Later in the proceedings, Sheriff Ronnie Toungette testified at a jury-out hearing that he was in the courtroom when Mr. Pallay testified. Sheriff Toungette testified that when he heard Mr. Pallay's testimony, he realized that he had previously arrested Mr. Pallay, so he checked some records at his office. The appellants sought to introduce three certified copies of arrest warrants, including one for perjury. During argument on this matter, the prosecutor stated:
I was aware of this circumstance and would have — and if Counsel had gone into it, we would have — and the Court had allowed him, we would have given the opportunity to explain. The witness told me about some run-in that he had on misdemeanor charges here in Humphreys' County Court. But, when — he wasn't questioned about it and there wasn't no requirement for me to do that. But it's just improper, it's collateral. The witness was never given an opportunity — he was never asked about it.
The trial court did not allow the appellants to present the warrants or the testimony of Sheriff Toungette to the jury. The appellants were given the opportunity to subpoena Mr. Pallay, but he was never recalled.
When Mr. Pallay testified that "I have been clean" since the day he was released from parole, he clearly testified falsely. Moreover, the prosecutor stated during the discussion of this matter that Mr. Pallay had told him about some prior "run-ins," indicating that Mr. Pallay did in fact recall the subsequent arrest warrants.
Tenn. R. Evid. 608 (b) states: Specific instances of conduct of a witness for the purpose of attacking or supporting the witness's credibility, other than convictions of crime as provided in Rule 609, may not be proved by extrinsic evidence. They may, however, if probative of truthfulness or untruthfulness and under the following conditions, be inquired into on cross-examination of the witness concerning the witness's character for truthfulness or untruthfulness or concerning the character for truthfulness or untruthfulness of another witness as to which the character witness being cross-examined has testified.
Under Rule 608 (b), extrinsic proof of Mr. Pallay's prior arrests would not be admissible in court. The appropriate avenue was to issue a subpoena for Mr. Pallay, request a jury-out hearing pursuant to Rule 608 (b)(1), and attempt to cross-examine him about his prior arrest for perjury. Because the appellants failed to avail themselves of this remedy, as offered by the trial court, any error was waived. Tenn. R.App. P. 36(a).
Finally, the prosecutor's failure to reveal that the state's witness was being untruthful, regardless of whether the questioning was proper, is troubling. A prosecutor has both a legal and ethical duty to correct the false testimony of a prosecution witness. State v. Spurlock, 874 S.W.2d 602, 612 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1993). Nevertheless, the appellants had an opportunity to correct any error and waived the issue by failing to do so. Tenn. R.App. P. 36(a).
RIGHT TO CONFRONT WITNESSES
Appellant Quintero argues that his right to confront witnesses, guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution and by Article 1, § 9 of the Tennessee Constitution, was violated when the trial court allowed the reading of Mr. Pallay's unsworn statement to the jury.
As part of appellant Hall's proof, the trial court allowed appellant Hall and the state to enter into a stipulation that Pallay's unsworn, ex parte statement was taken by T.B.I. Special Agent Mike Breedlove during the investigation of the case. Over the objection of appellant Quintero, counsel for appellant Hall was allowed to read Mr. Pallay's statement, as recorded by Special Agent Breedlove, to the jury:
I have known Quintero since I was eight years old. The last contact I had with him was a year ago. I would correspond with him through letters. I called the Sheriff's Department the day after the escape and told the woman that answered the phone that Quintero wasn't dumb; that Quintero would backtrack himself; and that he would probably stay along the lake; he could be going to Jessieville, Arkansas; he's got cousins, uncles and aunts there.
He's been over to our house.
I know that he will be looking for me, but he hasn't contacted me. I worked at Mr. Garrett's house building a roof on his trailer. I am a carpenter and heavy equipment operator. I worked on his roof until Saturday. I guess I started around six a.m., and quit seven-thirty or eight p.m. It took us four and a half days. At night I would be over at Jack Bowers' house.
I've known the Vesters' since I was six or seven years old. I'm not taking up for no killer. I talked to Mrs. Vester at ten-thirty a.m., Monday morning. She called the house. She said they were going to town that morning.
In a jury-out hearing, the trial court ruled that the portion of Pallay's statement, "I'm not taking up for no killer, " would not be redacted. In so ruling, the trial court said:
The part up there that, 'I'm not taking up for no killer, I think we have got to look at the whole circumstance. At the time this statement is made, two people, neighbors of Mr. Zach Pelay [sic], had been killed. The evidence in that case, at least whether it is true or not, everybody was looking for Blanton, Hall and Quintero. TBI was going to Mr. Pelay [sic] questioning him. He told about — the other day in here about his fear he had of the defendant, one or more of the defendants.
Gentlemen, all this goes to the state of mind. It don't identify anybody. Another neighbor down there could have said the same thing, whether they done it or not. It's not offered for the truth of the matter. It's not saying they are killers. I'm not going to redact the last statement —
After reviewing the issue further, the trial court stated:
There is nothing in this statement about Mr. Quintero by Mr. Pelay [sic] that hadn't already been testified to and the record will reflect that. There is no prejudice in this statement. I am going to go ahead and let Mr. Bagwell introduce the statement out of a — between he and the State are going to stipulate that if Mr. Stout [sic] was called his statement would be — he would testify that this is what Mr. Pelay [sic] told him.
I have again reviewed the statement, and reviewed it carefully, and reviewed the testimony of Mr. Pelay [sic], there is nothing. He's talking about Jessieville, Arkansas. He mentioned that from the witness stand. Talked about him calling the Sheriff's Department, he mentioned that from the witness stand. Talked about working on the house, Mr. Bagwell said that is the reason he wants it in because he thinks he can get him where there's some inconsistency there.
Anything that has to do with Mr. Quintero is not — he says he's known him for eight years, he testified that from the witness stand. He did deny that he has had contact with him. Here he says he's corresponded with him. I don't think that's such a prejudicial nature. I can instruct the jury otherwise. I'm going to admit the statement Mr. Bagwell and Mr. Alsobrooks submitted and I will so instruct the jury.
Before the statement was read to the jury, the trial court gave the following jury instruction:
Ladies and Gentlemen, a stipulation has been entered into between Mr. Hall's attorneys, Mr. Bagwell and Ms. Roberts, and the District Attorney, that if Mike Breedlove was called, an agent — special agent with Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, was called he would testify as to parts of a statement that's now going to be stated to you. This stipulation is not entered into by Mr. Quintero.
You cannot consider this statement in any way against Mr. Quintero, for or against him, you can't even consider it. Mr. Quintero — if there's anything in there for him, you can't consider it. If there is anything in there against him, you can't consider it. It don't exist as far as Mr. Quintero is concerned. All right.
Under Tenn. R. Evid. 613(b), "[e]xtrinsic evidence of a prior inconsistent statement by a witness is not admissible unless the witness is afforded an opportunity to explain or deny the same and the opposite party is afforded an opportunity to interrogate the witness thereon, or the interests of justice otherwise require."
[Paragraph Deleted]*
Here, the record does not indicate that Mr. Pallay was unavailable as a witness to respond to his earlier statement to Special Agent Breedlove. According to Martin, it was not procedural error to allow appellant Hall to introduce Mr. Pallay's prior inconsistent statement in order to impeach his credibility.
However, the portion of Mr. Pallay's statement to Special Agent Breedlove wherein Pallay said, "I'm not taking up for no killer, " was not inconsistent with Mr. Pallay's testimony at trial. While a direct contradiction is not necessary for a statement to be inconsistent, and it is sufficient if the inconsistency has a reasonable tendency to discredit the witness' testimony, Neil P. Cohen et al., Tennessee Law of Evidence § 613.2, at 407 (3d ed. 1995), here, the statement cannot be said to have had a reasonable tendency to discredit Mr. Pallay's testimony. While Pallay's statement that he was not taking up for a killer may have explained Pallay's state of mind at the time he made the statement, it does not explain why Mr. Pallay gave inconsistent statements and accordingly was irrelevant in attempting to impeach Mr. Pallay's credibility.
Although it was error for the trial court to fail to redact that portion of Pallay's statement wherein he said, "I'm not taking up for no killer," under the circumstances of this case, we find that this evidentiary error was harmless. Given the relative strength of the State's evidence of the guilt of appellant Quintero, we do not find that the objected-to portion of Mr. Pallay's statement effected the judgment or resulted in prejudice to the judicial process. See Tenn. R.App. P. 36(b) and Tenn. R.Crim. P. 52(a). As our Supreme Court said in State v. Carter, 714 S.W.2d 241, at 248 (Tenn. 1986):
The line between harmless error and prejudicial error is in direct proportion to the degree of the margin by which the proof exceeds the standard to convict beyond a reasonable doubt.
See also State v. Suttles, 767 S.W.2d 403 (Tenn. 1989).
Given the fact that the trial judge advised the jury that no portion of the Pallay statement could be considered against appellant Quintero, and given the fact that the proof of guilt, although circumstantial, was overwhelming, we conclude that the error was harmless beyond a reasonab]e doubt.
ADMISSION OF COLOR VIDEOTAPES AND PHOTOGRAPHS AT GUILT-INNOCENCE PHASE
The appellants argue that they were denied a fair trial by the introduction of the color videos and photographs of the crime scene and of the victims' bodies. In particular, the appellants complain that the display of bodies and blood splatterings to the jury was especially prejudicial in this case of circumstantial evidence. Further, the appellants submit that the video tapes and photographs were needlessly cumulative when compared to the physical evidence and the testimony of the crime scene investigators.
At trial, a color video of the crime scene taken by the Sheriff's Department was initially shown to the jury. On the video tape, the victims' bodies could be seen as they were found at the crime scene. Also, in conjunction with the testimony of various law enforcement officials investigating this case, numerous photographs of the exterior and interior of the Vesters' house, as well as physical evidence and drawings of the house, were introduced into evidence. A second video of the crime scene was also presented to the jury, but only that portion of the video showing the exterior of the Vesters' house.
A. Color Video Tapes
The first color video tape, which was taken when officers from the Stewart County Sheriff's Department first arrived on the scene, shows the exterior and the interior of the Vesters' home, including the victims' bodies as they were found.
The admissibility of video tapes of a crime scene is within the sound discretion of the trial court, and its ruling on the admissibility of such evidence will not be overturned without a clear showing of abuse of discretion. State v. Bigbee, 885 S.W.2d 797, 807 (Tenn. 1994); State v. Van Tran, 864 S.W.2d 465, 477 (Tenn. 1993), cert. denied, 511 U.S. 1046, 114 S.Ct. 1577, 128 L.Ed.2d 220 (1994).
In finding that this video tape was probative, the trial court stated:
I've reviewed this film. The bottom line, it's a picture of a crime scene. It's a good picture. I think it's much better than a still photo because a still photo you have all kinds of interpretation about angles and everything else. This is not. So this is very probative.
Now, every crime scene, especially if it involves the loss of a life of someone, certainly is going to have some gruesome effect to it. If anybody cares anything about human life, it's going to have a gruesome effect to it.
But in this case, the officer has done, I think, an excellent job in avoiding making the picture gruesome. It shows them, two bodies. Didn't dwell on them. It does show some blood on Mrs. Vester's leg. However, it also shows holes in the screen, one screen missing. It shows a hole in another screen. It shows the angle these had to have come from, the shots. Assuming that they prove the shots is what made the holes in the screens.
I don't think it's gruesome. No more gruesome than any death of a human being. So I'm going to overrule your objection and allow the fi]m to be admitted.
As in Bigbee, "the challenged portion of the tape is unpleasant because it shows postmortem lividity and some rigor mortis," but the trial court did not abuse its discretion in allowing the video tape to be played for the jury. 885 S.W.2d at 807. It should also be noted that no photographs of the victims' bodies were introduced at the guilt/innocence phase.
Later in the trial, a second video tape, which was taken by the T.B.I., was shown to the jury. However, the video only showed the exterior of the house and the area surrounding the house. While somewhat cumulative of the first video, it was short and provided a more concise view of the window screens and evidence found around the outside of the house. Moreover, the appellants made no contemporaneous objection to the introduction of this portion of the video. See Tenn. R.App. P. 36(a).
B. Photographs
As with the admissibility of the video tapes, "the admissibility of photographs is a matter to be determined by the trial court in the exercise of its sound discretion." Cagle v. State, 507 S.W.2d 121, 132 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1973). Absent a clear showing of abuse of discretion, the trial court's ruling will not be overturned. State v. Banks, 564 S.W.2d 947, 949 (Tenn. 1978).
Under Tenn. R. Evid. 401, relevant evidence is defined as that "having any tendency to make the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action more probable or less probable than it would be without the evidence." Relevant evidence may be excluded "if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury, or by considerations of undue delay, waste of time, or needless presentation of cumulative evidence." Tenn. R. Evid. 403.
While the appellants do not specify or discuss the individual photographs they are challenging, they cite to the record where various photographs were introduced into evidence. Most of the photographs were of the exterior of the house, the different bedroom windows, the window screens, and the damaged wires in the telephone box outside the house. Only a few of the photographs, specifically four, involved blood splatterings, and none of the photographs were of the victims' bodies.
One of the victim's bodies can also be seen in the background of a photograph of the Vesters' ]iving room, which was taken to show the heating/ air conditioning unit leaning against the television. However, It could not be considered gruesome in any way.
The first photograph shows blood on Mr. Vester's bed and pillow. After a lengthy discussion from both sides, the trial court admitted the photograph to show premeditation and to show the angle of the shot. The second photograph shows the spray of blood in the bathroom. The trial court stated "I don't think this picture is gruesome and it does have probative value so I'll overrule the objection on that."
The third photograph shows Mrs. Vester's bed with a small amount of blood. The trial court stated "I don't think that picture is overly gruesome. And it's been revealed here to the Court, it's been stated here to the Court that they're going to show that Mrs. Vester was mortally wounded several times by different instruments and I think that kind of — unless it gets completely out of bounds, it makes it all probative. Unless, as I say, it gets completely out of bounds, I'm going to keep — this right here is not that gruesome and I'm going to overrule the objection and enter # 120."
The fourth photograph shows the closet next to the bathroom where there is a substantial amount of blood. In admitting the photograph, the trial court stated "[t]he fact that it shows location, it shows where [Mrs. Vester] was in the house. We've got pictures here now that show she was wounded in different places in the house. It's probative and it's not that gruesome either. This picture is not gruesome." The trial court went on to state that "there were some real gruesome pictures that have been excluded previously. Not in this trial but in the other trial. That I excluded. These] didn't think it was gruesome then and I don't think it's gruesome now. I think it does have probative value. So the probative value outweighs its prejudicial effect. Or prejudicial effect does not outweigh its probative value."
We find that none of the photographs were inflammatory, especially considering the facts of this case. Even though the jury convicted the appellants of felony-murder, the appellants were charged with both felony murder and premeditated murder. Thus, the photographs were relevant in the state's attempt to prove that the murders were committed during the perpetration of a felony or were done with premeditation and deliberation; i.e., the circumstances and manner of death and the location and proximity of the shootings. In addition, the facts of this seven-week trial were complex, and the photographs and the videos were necessary to inform the jury and to help it keep each aspect of the case in order. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in allowing the state to introduce these photographs at the guilt phase. See State v. Stephenson, 878 S.W.2d 530, 542 (Tenn. 1994); State v. Van Tran, 864 S.W.2d 465, 477.
PHOTO LINE-UP
Appellant Hall merely copied appellant Quintero's argument on this issue and does not challenge the photo array as to himself. Accordingly this issue has been waived. See Tenn. R.App. P. 27; Tenn. Ct.Crim.App. R. 10 (b). Regardless, a review of the record does not reveal that the photographic line-up was impermissib]y suggestive as to appellant Hall.
Appellant Quintero argues that the photo array shown to the witnesses in Memphis created a substantial likelihood of misidentification due to the suggestiveness of the array. Specifically, appellant Quintero argues that based upon the facts of this case, the photographic array was impermissibly suggestive because he was the only dark complected individual in the array, and this fact was emphasized because the background of his photograph was noticeably darker. This, appellant Quintero argues, would tend to draw the eye of anyone looking for a "dark skinned" individual. He further argues that the photo array was so suggestive that the admission of Shirley Morrow's in-court identification denied him the right to due process of law. We agree that the photographic lineup was suggestive as to appellant Quintero. We also agree that Ms. Christof should not have been allowed to testify concerning her identification of appellant Quintero from the photo line-up; however, after reviewing the record we do not find that Ms. Morrow's identification was unduly tainted by the suggestive photo-line up.
Photographs contained in a photographic array do not have to mirror the accused. Instead, the law simply requires that the police refrain from "suggestive identification procedures." Neil v. Biggers, 409 U.S. 188, 93 S.Ct. 375, 34 L.Ed.2d 401 (1972). Thus, a photographic identification is admissible unless, based upon the totality of the circumstances, "the confrontation conducted . . . was so unnecessarily suggestive and conducive to irreparable mistaken identification that [the accused] was denied due process of law." Stovall v. Denno, 388 U.S. 293, 301- 302, 87 S.Ct. l967, 1972, 18 L.Ed.2d 1199, 1206 (1967). In Biggers, the Court set forth a five-factor analysis for determining whether an identification tainted by suggestion may nonetheless be admitted into evidence:
1. the opportunity of the witness to view the criminal at the time of the crime. 2. the witness's degree of attention at the time of the crime. 3. the accuracy of the witness's prior description of the criminal. 4. the level of certainty demonstrated by the witness at the confrontation. 5. the length of time between the crime and the confrontation.
Biggers, 409 U.S. at 199, 93 S.Ct. at 382; State v. Philpott, 882 S.W.2d 394, 400 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1994).
The photographic array shown to identification witnesses Darlene Christof, Shirley Denise Morrow, and Curtis Jones inc]uded pictures of the eight escapees from Eddyville, Kentucky. Co-defendant Blanton was the first picture in the first row of four photographs, appellant Quintero's photograph was number five directly underneath co-defendant Blanton's photograph, and appellant Hall's photograph was number six, next to appellant Quintero's photograph. Appellant Quintero is the only Hispanic in the line-up and his picture is a shade darker than the others. There was no attempt to choose photographs of men with similar physical characteristics.
A jury-out hearing was held on the admissibility of testimony from Darlene Christof, Shirley Morrow, and Curtis Jones. At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court held that the testimony was admissible with the exception that Mr. Jones was instructed not to testify that he had identified appellant Quintero from the photo line-up.
At the hearing, Ms. Christof testified that she was working as a dancer at Blue Movies West on June 21, 1988. Three scruffy-looking men came into her booth. Because only one person was permitted in the booth at a time, two of the men left. The third man stayed a few minutes, then left. The third man returned to the booth in a few minutes with silver dollars. He wanted Ms. Christof to dance, but he did not have enough money, so he again left.
Ms. Christof had read about the escapees in the newspaper and wanted the three men to leave. She walked to the front of the store like she was going to make a phone call and asked the people working if they had heard about the escapees from the Kentucky prison. The three men immediately left. Ms. Christof testified that the three men were only ten feet away when she made this statement.
Ms. Christof testified that she could not remember how many of the pictures she had picked out for Agent Richard Stout, who showed her the photo line-up, however, she remembered picking out number five (Quintero) because he was the only Mexican individual in the line-up. She could not pick out the three pictures at the time of her testimony, nor could she identify the men as being in the courtroom. The following colloquy occurred during cross-examination:
Q. Do you remember if you picked out anybody?
A. I think — I'm pretty sure I picked out a Mexican looking guy.
Q. And the reason that you picked him out, would I be safe in assuming or asking you this question, the reason you picked him out was because he was Mexican looking?
A. Yes.
Q. And was that the only Mexican looking photograph that was shown to you, that there was only one Mexican looking person in the array, wasn't there?
A. Yes.
At the end of the hearing, the trial court determined that the photographic array was not suggestive and that Ms. Christof could testify.
Subsequently, Ms. Christof testified at trial that she had identified number five (Quintero) for Agent Stout as one of the three men that came into her booth. She was unable to identify appellant Quintero in the courtroom, stating that she did not see any Hispanics.
Ms. Morrow testified at the hearing that in June of 1988, she worked as cashier at the Blue Movies West near the bus station. On the morning of Tuesday, June 21, three men came into the bookstore and traded silver dollars and half dollars in order to purchase tokens to watch the "live girl" shows. Ms. Morrow also purchased some silver dollars for herself.
Fifteen or twenty minutes later, the three men returned to the cash register. Ms. Morrow carried on a conversation with appellant Quintero. He tried to sell her a class ring for $50. She told him to take it to a pawn shop. but he said he didn't have any identification. The three men were standing right around the cash register, and she was able to get a good look at them. Ms. Morrow testified that at about this time, "[Ms. Christof] came out of the back and she said, did you all hear about those prisoners that broke out up in Tennessee. And she said, you all look just like them. And then they left."
Two days later, Agent Stout interviewed Ms. Morrow and showed her the same photographic array. Ms. Morrow picked out appellant Quintero, appellant Hall, and co-defendant Blanton. She testified that appellant Quintero was heavier and shorter than the other two men. She also testified that appellant Quintero had a beard. She thought the other two were clean shaven.
At trial, Ms. Morrow testified that she picked out photograph numbers one (Blanton), five (Quintero), and six (Hall) from the line-up. She was the only witness who was able to identify both appellants in the courtroom. She pointed out that appellant Quintero did not have glasses when he came in the store and that he looked like he had lost weight. Oddly enough, Ms. Morrow identified number one (Blanton) as being of mixed descent.
Finally, Curtis Jones testified at the hearing that he had been a security guard at the Memphis Greyhound bus station in 1988. As part of his job, he observed people that came into the bus station to ensure that they either had a bus ticket or were waiting for someone to arrive. On June 21, Mr. Jones saw three white men come into the bus station. All of the men had long hair, one was dark skinned and looked Spanish, and the other two men were white and had mustaches. Mr. Jones testified that two of the men sat down and began watching television while the Hispanic-looking man used the telephone. One of the men watching television, whom he identified as appellant Hall, was talking to a black man waiting on someone to arrive. When the men did not buy tickets, Mr. Jones approached the two seated men and asked if they had tickets. The man, whom Mr. Jones identified as co-defendant Blanton, told him that they would leave as soon as their friend finished using the phone, which they did. Mr. Jones testified that the three men were in the bus station approximately five to ten minutes.
That same day, officers from the Memphis police department came to the bus station and showed Mr. Jones the photo-line up. He selected the photographs of co-defendant Blanton, appellant Quintero, and appellant Hall. Mr. Jones testified that the police never indicated to him which ones were the suspects or what they had done. Two days later, T.B.I. Agent Stout interviewed Mr. Jones and showed him the same photographic array. Again, Mr. Jones selected the same three photographs. Mr. Jones was able to identify appellant Hall in the courtroom but was unable to identify appellant Quintero. During cross-examination, the following colloquy occurred:
Q. Now on the photo lineup, and let me hand this back to you, just one more question or two, on that particular lineup, how many people of Spanish descent do you see on there?
A. One looks like Spanish to me.
Q. And which one is that?
A. That's number five.
Q. And for number five then, you couldn't positively identify him other than the fact that he is Spanish?
A. That's the only way I could identify him with his — the size and the way he looked, the neck, that's the only way, but just looking him straight in the face, I didn't get a chance to see him.
Q. Well, then you're assuming because that was a Spanish one, that he must be the one you saw?
A. I'm pretty sure that's him.
Q. And you haven't seen him since?
A. No, I haven't.
Based on the testimony and the argument of counsel, the trial court allowed all three witnesses to testify, however, Mr. Jones was instructed not to testify about identifying appellant Quintero from the line-up since he was not actually able to see appellant Quintero's face at the bus station. At trial, when asked which photographs he was able to pick out, Mr. Jones inadvertently testified that he had picked out number one, number five, and number six. The trial court immediately instructed the jury to disregard Mr. Jones' statement concerning number five (Quintero) because the court had previously ruled that Mr. Jones could not identify number five (Quintero) from the line-up.
Our Court has held on several occasions that a pre-trial identification was admissible notwithstanding the fact that the photograph of the accused contained peculiar characteristics not contained in the remaining photographs. See, e.g. Young v. State, 566 S.W.2d 895, 898 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1978) (accused was only 6person depicted with "short hairs growing from his chin"); Cross v. State, 540 S.W.2d 289, 290 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1976) (accused only person depicted with having an unusual hairstyle); Shye v. State, 506 S.W.2d 169, 173 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1973)(accused had lighter skin and was heavier than others depicted in the remaining photographs displayed).
Initially, we note that under the test set forth in Neil v. Biggers. the array was not impermissibly suggestive as to taint Mr. Jones' and Ms. Morrow's identifications of appellant Hall. Mr. Jones was able to view appellant Hall for five to ten minutes. Moreover, it was his job to monitor who came and went at the bus station. Because appellant Hall and co-defendant Blanton did not have tickets, Mr. Jones talked with the two men about their business there, giving him an even better opportunity to view appellant Hall. Mr. Jones gave an accurate description of appellant Hall, and he was shown the photo line-up the same day as the men had been to the bus station. Accordingly, Mr. Jones' identification testimony was properly admitted under the criteria set forth in Biggers.
The same is true as to the testimony of Ms. Morrow, who conversed with the three men while they stood right around the cash register. Ms. Morrow testified that she thought appellant was the one that did most of the talking, and she was able to get a good look at the men. When Ms. Morrow was shown the photo line-up within the next few days, she had no trouble in identifying appellant Hall. Moreover, when identifying appellant Hall in the courtroom, Ms. Morrow noted that his face looked the same. Accordingly, we find that any suggestiveness in the photo line-up did not taint the witnesses' identification of appellant Hall.
The same is not true concerning the identification of appellant Quintero. Both Mr. Jones, although he was not allowed to testify that he identified appellant Quintero, and Ms. Christof testified that one of the men was Hispanic and that they picked number five (Quintero) because he was the only Hispanic in the line-up. While Ms. Christof was able to view appellant Quintero for a few minutes, her only description of him was that he looked Mexican because of his darker skin. Moreover, Ms. Christof testified that she recognized the three men from the newspaper she had read earlier that morning. Further, from a review of the testimony, Ms. Christof's certainty as to her identification of appellant Quintero at the time of the confrontation appeared to be based on his Hispanic descent. At the jury-out hearing, Ms. Christof was unable to identify appellant Quintero in the courtroom, in fact, she did not see any Hispanics in the courtroom. Under Biggers, we find that Ms. Christof's identification of appellant Quintero in the photo line-up was unduly tainted by the suggestiveness of the photo line-up. However, given the identification of Quintero by Mrs. Morrow and the other evidence of guilt, the error of allowing Ms. Christof's identification testimony was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.
Finally, we review Ms. Morrow's testimony concerning her identification of appellant Quintero. Ms. Morrow had a good opportunity to view appellant Quintero. As discussed earlier, she testified that the three men were standing around her at the cash register. Ms. Morrow testified that appellant Quintero sold her six silver dollars and that he tried to sell her a class ring. She also testified that he tried to convince her to let them stay until 11 p.m. when their ride would be there. In court, Ms. Morrow identified appellant Quintero, noting that he looked like he had lost weight and that he had not been wearing glasses when she saw him at the adult bookstore. Agent Stout testified that Ms. Morrow gave a description of the men when he interviewed her the next day. Agent Stout then showed her the photo line-up, and she immediately picked out the three men. Under Biggers, we find that Ms. Morrow's identification from the photo lineup and her in-court identification of appellant Quintero were not unduly tainted by the otherwise suggestive photo line-up.
CLOSING ARGUMENTS AT GUILT/INNOCENCE PHASE
The appellants contend that the prosecution made several improper remarks during closing arguments at the guilt/innocence phase of the trial. The standard of review in determining whether counsel was allowed too much latitude during closing argument is abuse of discretion. State v. Sutton, 562 S.W.2d 820, 823 (Tenn. 1978). Closing argument must be temperate, must be predicated on evidence introduced during the trial of a case, and must be pertinent to the issues being tried. Id. The prosecutor may state an ultimate conclusion which would necessarily follow if the testimony of the prosecution witnesses was believed by the jury. State v. Brown, 836 S.W.2d 530, 552 (Tenn. 1992). Moreover, both parties must be given the opportunity to argue not only the facts in the record but any reasonable inferences therefrom. State v. Cone, 665 S.W.2d 87, 94 (Tenn.), cert. denied, 467 U.S. 1210, 104 S.Ct. 2400, 81 L.Ed.2d 357 (1984). Having reviewed the entire record, we find that any improper comments during closing arguments by the prosecution were either harmless error or cured by the trial court's curative instructions to the jury.
The appellants first argue that the prosecutors' comments about the "slaughtered" victims, although objected to and sustained at trial, were intemperate commentaries about the nature of the crime which induced prejudice.
During closing argument, General Atkins made the following comments:
And during that process, they slaughtered these two people.
[Objection sustained]
* * * *
You think, well they could have tied them up, but they shot Mr. Vester through the window before he ever had a chance to get out of bed, slaughtered him there in his bed.
[Objection sustained, and jury instructed to disregard]
Although counsel for appellant Quintero did not refer to the "slaughtered" language during his closing argument, counsel for appellant Hall repeatedly commented on the offensiveness of the prosecutor's terminology. Subsequently, during General Alsobrooks' closing argument, he made the following comments:
Ladies and gentlemen, he objected to my co-counsel when he referred to the deaths there as slaughter and comes right back and —
[Objection sustained. Jury instructed to disregard because the issue has already been ruled on]
* * * *
Again, there have been certain objections made to the language to describe those incidents. You can put your own adjectives to what happened that night.
[No objection.]
The trial court gave a curative instruction the first time the prosecution referred to the "slaughter" of the victims. The appellants did not request a mistrial be declared based on the prosecutors' comments and thus, waived any further action by the trial court. See Tenn. R.App. P. 36(a). Moreover, appellant Hall waived any objection by repeatedly referring to the prosecutor's comments during his own closing argument. Regardless, considering the nature of this case, the prosecution's minimal comments during closing arguments were not reversible error. The trial court sustained the objections and gave curative instructions. It is presumed that the jury followed these instructions and disregarded the prosecution's improper argument. Frazier v. State, 566 S.W.2d 545, 551.
Our holding should in no way be interpreted by the state as condoning its disregard for the rulings of the trial court.
The appellants next contend that General Atkins' closing argument went beyond the scope of opening argument and of the appellants' intervening argument in violation of Tenn. R.Crim. P. 29.1(b). Specifically, the appellants point to the continuous characterization of the defenses' theories and perceived theories as "smoke screens" and to the description of the appellants as "these escapees, these desperate men." While the trial court overruled the appellants' objections to the state's characterizations of their defense theories, the appellants concede that they did not contemporaneously object to the "desperate escapees" references. Instead, the appellants argue that these statements were made under the objections to improper argument and therefore, should not be considered waived.
As stated earlier, the standard of review in determining whether counsel was allowed too much latitude during closing argument is abuse of discretion. State v. Sutton, 562 S.W.2d 820, 823. Closing argument must be temperate, must be predicated on evidence introduced during the trial of a case, and must be pertinent to the issues being tried. Id. In addition, Tenn. R.Crim. P. 29.1(b) provides in part that "the State's closing argument shall be limited to the subject matter covered in the State's opening argument and the defendant's intervening argument."
Based in great measure upon the role of the prosecutor in the criminal justice system, the most restrictions are placed on the state. Coker v. State, 911 S.W.2d 357, 368 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1995). Accordingly, "the state must refrain from argument designed to inflame the jury and should restrict its commentary to matters in evidence or issues at trial." Id. Moreover, comments should not reflect unfavorably upon defense counsel or the trial tactics employed during the course of the trial. See Dupree v. State, 219 Tenn. (23 McCanless) 492, 496-97, 410 S.W.2d 890, 892 (1967); McCracken v. State, 489 S.W.2d 48, 50 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1972).
During his closing argument, General Atkins made several comments about the strength and believability of the defense theories in this case. Throughout the argument, General Atkins used phrases such as "that's not a reasonable alternative, " "such a ridiculous position, " "smoke screens, " and "phantom dog." Through their own witnesses and through cross-examination, the appellants offered various explanations, implied and expressed, as to the state's proof. The state was entitled to argue in response that the proof did not support these alternative theories. It cannot be said that the trial court abused its discretion in overruling the appellants' objections.
The appellants also assert that the prosecutor improperly referred to them as "desperate escapees." At the beginning of his argument, General Atkins stated that "[t]hroughout the history of the world in this country and everywhere else, some of the most desperate people are escaped convicts. That's what we're dealing with, that's what we had on our hands, that was what was in the Leatherwood community."
Epithets characterizing a defendant himself are generally improper, especially where they are made to prejudice the jury against the defendant. See e.g., State v. Robinson, 622 S.W.2d 62, 71 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1980) cert. denied, LeMay v. Tennessee, 454 U.S. 1096, 102 S.Ct. 667, 70 L.Ed.2d 636 (1981)(references to defendants as pill-headed pimps and prostitutes); State v. Tyson, 603 S.W.2d 748, 754 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1980) (comparing defendant to rats in the barn). Here, however, there was proof in the record that the appellants had escaped from prison, and this status was used to show motivation for the crimes committed. Given the facts of this case, the characterization of the appellants as "desperate escapees" was not improper.
REASONABLE DOUBT JURY INSTRUCTION
This issue was waived by the appellants' failure to raise it at trial or in their motions for new trial. See State v. Baker, 785 S.W.2d 132, 135 (Tenn.Crim.App. 1989). However, because of the qualitative difference between death and other sentences and because of the seriousness of the issue, we have chosen to address the merits or the issue. See State v. Bigbee, 885 S.W.2d 797, 805 (Tenn. 1994); State v. Strouth, 620 S.W.2d 467, 471 (Tenn. 1981), cert. denied, 455 U.S. 983, 102 S.Ct. 1491, 71 L.Ed.2d 692 (1982).
The appellants contend that the jury instruction on reasonable doubt did not lend content to the moral certainty phraseology used by the trial court. Thus, the appellants argue that there was a reasonable likelihood that the jury understood it to allow conviction based on insufficient proof in violation of the standard set forth in Cage v. Louisiana, 498 U.S. 39, 41, 111 S.Ct. 328, 329-30, 112 L.Ed.2d 339 (1990) and Victor v. Nebraska, 511 U.S. 1,____, 114 S.Ct. 1239, 1247-48, 127 L.Ed.2d 583 (1994).
In this case. following the language of T.P.I. — Crim. § 2.03, the trial court gave this instruction to the jury:
Reasonable doubt is that doubt engendered by an investigation of all the proof in the case and an inability after such investigation to let the mind rest easily as to the certainty of guilt. Reasonable doubt does not mean the capricious, possible, or imaginary doubt. Absolute certainty of guilt is not demanded by law to convict of any criminal charge but morale [sic] certainty is required, and this certainty is required as to every proposition of proof requisite to constitute the offense.
The State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt all the elements of the crimes charged; that the crimes if in fact committed were committed by the defendants in Stewart County, Tennessee; and they were committed before the finding and returning of the presentments of this case.
Later in the charge, the trial court instructed the jury:
Before a verdict of guilty is justified, the circumstances taken together must be of a conclusive nature and tendency leading the whole to a satisfactory conclusion and produce in effect a morale [sic] certainty that the defendants and no one else committed the offense.
In Victor v. Nebraska, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the phrase "moral certainty" may have lost its historical meaning and that modern juries, unaware of the historical meaning, might understand "moral certainty, " in the abstract, to mean some thing less than the high level of determination constitutionally required in criminal cases. While the Court expressed criticism of the continued use of the "moral certainty" phrase, the Court did not actually hold that it was constitutionally invalid. Instead, the Court looked to the full jury charge to determine if the phrase was placed in such a context that a jury would understand that it meant certainty with respect to human affairs. Id. at ___, 114 S.Ct. at 1247-48. In particular, the Supreme Court was concerned with the terms "grave uncertainty" and "actual substantial doubt." Cage v. Louisiana, 498 U.S. 39, 41, 111 S.Ct. 328, 329-30, 112 L.Ed.2d 339.
In this case, the terms of particular concern to the United States Supreme Court were not included in the jury charge. In several cases, this Court has upheld similar instructions as consistent with constitutional principles. See Pettyjohn v. State, 885 S.W.2d 364, 365-66 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1994); State v. Hallock, 875 S.W.2d 285, 294. Moreover, our Supreme Court has held that "the use of the phrase 'moral certainty' by itself is insufficient to invalidate an instruction on the meaning of reasonable doubt." State v. Nichols, 877 S.W.2d 722.
Thus, the full charge given by the trial court, although containing the phrase "moral certainty, " did not violate the appellants' rights under the United States or Tennessee Constitutions.
ARREST AND EXTRADITION FROM MEXICO
Appellant Quintero argues that imposition of the death penalty violates his due process rights under the United States and Tennessee Constitutions because he was unlawfully seized without a warrant or other process in Juarez, Mexico, and transported to El Paso, Texas, by Mexican officials acting in concert with F.B.I. agents in Texas. Consequently, appellant Quintero asserts that his death sentence is the fruit of an illegal action by agents of the United States government. Although his habeas corpus petitions filed in Texas and in Kentucky were denied, he claims that the findings of these courts support his claim that his seizure in Mexico and transport to the United States violated his rights to judicial process and the appointment of counsel under the Mexican Constitution and under Mexico's obligation under the American Convention on Human Rights. Moreover, appellant Quintero argues that the means by which his presence was acquired so that he could be sentenced to death "shocks the conscience" in violation of due process. We find this issue to be without merit.
In order to determine whether due process requires that an extradited defendant must be returned, a two-prong test must be applied: (1) was the extradition procedure challenged in advance of trial, and (2) did an evidentiary hearing establish that the conduct of governmental authorities was so illegal and outrageous as to shock the conscience of the court. Sneed v. State, 872 S.W.2d 930, 937 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1993).
In affirming the denial of appellant Quintero's habeas corpus petition, the Texas Court of Appeals acknowledged the illegality of the action taken by Mexican and F.B.I. agents:
The case law proffered by the State and relied upon by this Court in previously upholding these denials of habeas corpus relief stand only for the proposition that isolated spontaneous illegal seizures of the person, absent abusive treatment shocking to the conscience, will not support a challenge to the Court's personal jurisdiction over the fugitive, Frisbie v. Collins, 342 U.S. 519, 72 S.Ct. 509, 96 L.Ed. 541 (1952); Ker v. Illinois, 119 U.S. 436, 7 S.Ct. 225, 30 L.Ed. 421 (1886); United States v. Toscanino, 500 F.2d 267 (2nd Cir. 1974). We do not construe these cases and others cited in Day and Quintero as affirmative, prospective sanctions for the F.B.I. or any other state or federal law enforcement agency, either directly or through surrogates, to establish a regular policy and practice of engaging in such activity of illegally seizing United States citizens in a foreign country.
We uphold the denial of relief in this case because the four seizures which we have been presented, in fact, reflect but two transactions. A third occurrence will in all probability necessitate consideration of whether we are not, in fact, seeing the results of an organized, coordinated program of international kidnapping which has become a policy of at least this regional branch of the F.B.I. That agency and any other law enforcement agency acting in concert in such activity would be well-advised not to rely upon this Court's resolutions of the Day-Day and Quintero-Blanton cases. This caveat applies to any such seizure occurring after the date of this opinion. Otherwise, Appellant's four points of error are overruled.
Day v. State, 763 S.W.2d 535, 536 (Tex. App. — El Paso 1988). See Quintero v. State, 761 S.W.2d 438 (Tex.App. — El Paso 1988), cert. denied, 493 U.S. 826, 110 S.Ct. 90, 107 L.Ed.2d 55 (1989); Blanton v. State, 753 S.W.2d 504 (Tex.App. — Beaumont 1988).
Once extradited to Kentucky, appellant Quintero filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus in the Circuit Court of Lyons County, Kentucky, which was denied and then affirmed on appeal. The trial court's factual findings were, in part, as follows:
The Kentucky circuit court's findings are included in the appendix to the appellant's brief; however, the document does not appear in the record.
1. Petitioners, James Blanton, William Hall, and Derrick Quintero escaped from the Kentucky State Penitentiary on June 16, 1988.
2. Petitioner Hall was apprehended in the United States and returned to Kentucky State Penitentiary on July 9, 1988.
3. On July 10, 1988, Eric Benson and other FBI agents went to Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, and arrested James Blanton and Derrick Quintero in a room at the Santa Fe Hotel.
4. There were no arrest warrants issued in Mexico authorizing the arrest of Petitioners Blanton and Quintero.
5. There was no formal extradition request made by authorities of the United States to apprehend and arrest the Petitioners and have the Petitioners extradited from Mexico to the United States for trial. Petitioners Blanton and Quintero were brought from Juarez, Mexico, to El Paso, Texas, by FBI agents acting in joint concert with Mexican Federal Judicial Police, without benefit of having any judicial process in Mexico used to aid in their apprehension.
7. Petitioners Blanton and Quintero were not brought before any Judge in Mexico for purposes of having any hearing regarding their arrest.
8. Petitioners Blanton and Quintero were neither formally deported from Mexico nor afforded any deportation hearing in Mexico.
9. On January, 25, 1980, Mexico and the United States entered into a Treaty regarding extradition.
10. Officials of the United States did not go through diplomatic channels to extradite Petitioners Blanton and Quintero.
11. Officials of the United States did not send the following documents to Mexico: a description of the offense; a statement of facts; text of legal provisions describing essential elements of the offense; text of legal provisions describing the punishment for the offenses; time limitations on prosecution or execution of sentence; identification information; certified copies of arrest warrants; and evidence justifying apprehension.
12. Mexico does not have a death penalty.
13. All three of the Petitioners were arrested pursuant to fugitive warrants issued by the U.S. District Court, Western District of Kentucky.
While the order of the Kentucky court is not contained in the record, it is implicit that it did not find these facts to be sufficiently "shocking" so as to grant the appellant's writ of habeas corpus.
Before trial in this case, appellant Quintero filed a Motion to Bar the State From Seeking the Death Penalty, alleging that his illegal seizure by government agents prevented the government from receiving assurances that he would not be subjected to the death penalty, and that kidnapping him from Mexico violated his state and federal constitutional rights, including those guaranteed by Article I, § 8 of the Tennessee Constitution. This motion was summarily denied by the trial court.
In Sneed v. State, this Court stated:
In our view, Swaw [v. State, 3 Tenn. Crim.App. 92, 457 S.W.2d 875 (1970)] stands for the proposition that after a fair trial and conviction, there is simply no remedy available irrespective of the nature of the governmental action bringing the defendant into this jurisdiction. The Ker-Frisbie doctrine would prevail. The failure to assert any due process violation before trial would serve as a waiver of personal jurisdiction. If, however, the procedure is challenged in advance of trial and an evidentiary hearing establishes that the conduct of governmental authorities, as opposed to that of any private individual, is so illegal and outrageous as to shock the conscience of the court, the law of the land clause provides a measure of relief. See Tenn. Const. art. I, § 8. The accused must be returned to the asylum state pending the initiation of the extradition procedure.
In the present case, the issue of whether appellant Quintero's extradition violated his due process rights has been reviewed by the courts in Texas and Kentucky. The courts have agreed that the actions of the F.B.I. were illegal, yet neither court found that such action shocked the conscience. Appellant Quintero argues that this Court should find that "extradition to execute" shocks the conscience. However, in this state, our Supreme Court has determined that the death penalty is not cruel and unusual punishment. See State v. Black, 815 S.W.2d 166, 179 (Tenn. 1991). Thus, the fact that appellant Quintero received a death sentence does not suggest that the Texas and Kentucky courts incorrectly held that the illegal actions of the F.B.I. were not so outrageous as to demand relief.
ADMISSION OF PHOTOGRAPHS AT SENTENCING PHASE
The appellants contend that the photographs of Mrs. Vester's body, which were introduced at the sentencing phase, even if relevant, should have been excluded because their value was substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice or an undue tendency to suggest to the jury that it reach a decision based on emotion. We find that the trial court properly allowed the state to introduce these photographs to show that the murder was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel.
At a jury-out hearing, the trial court determined that the three photographs of which the appellants complain were admissible. The first photograph shows the bathroom where Mrs. Vester's body was found just outside the door. There is a substantial amount of blood on the floor and some splatterings of blood on the bathtub and commode. The second photograph shows a full length view of Mrs. Vester as she was found at the crime scene. In admitting these two photographs, the trial court stated:
Gentlemen, I'm going to admit Exhibit # 288, and 286. 286 and 288 will show everything that you can expect to see as far as the State is concerned in Exhibit 287 and 285. In addition to that, the one, the Exhibit # 288 shows more of an evidence of a struggle on the bed, the floor, the wall, the bathroom. And also 286 shows extreme struggling, so I'm going to admit those.
The third photograph shows Mrs. Vester's feet with blood on them. In admitting this photograph, the trial court held:
Exhibit # 290 shows the feet of Mrs. Vester. The Court is of the opinion that that picture does go and is admissible to show that the torture and the — that Mrs. Vester run around in her own blood, somebody's blood. It's obvious on her feet. I think that that picture certainly has probative value and it's not that prejudicial. It's a horrible scene but this is a horrible crime, so I'm going to overrule your objection as to # 290 and admit that.
The introduction of photographs of the victim's body at the sentencing phase in order to prove that a murder was heinous, atrocious, or cruel has been repeatedly upheld. See State v. McNish, 727 S.W.2d 490, 494-95 (Tenn.), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 873, 108 S.Ct. 210, 98 L.Ed.2d 161 (1987); State v. Smith, 868 S.W.2d 561, 579 (Tenn. 1993), cert. denied, 513 U.S. 960, 115 S.Ct. 417, 130 L.Ed.2d 333 (1994); State v. Cazes, 875 S.W.2d 253, 263 (Tenn. 1994), cert. denied, 513 U.S. 1086, 115 S.Ct. 743, 130 L.Ed.2d 644 (1995). In comparison, the photograph introduced in the present case were not shockingly gruesome. Moreover, the photographs were not shockingly gruesome in comparison to the photographs excluded by the trial court in this case. Thus, under the standard of abuse of discretion, the photographs were properly admitted into evidence to show that the murder of Mrs. Vester was heinous, atrocious, or cruel.
Although one photograph of Mr. Vester's body was admitted to show that his murder was also heinous, atrocious, or cruel, the jury did not sentence the appellants to death for the murder or Mr. Vester.
HEINOUS, ATROCIOUS, AND CRUEL AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCE
Pointing to the language of the jury instruction given by the trial court, the appellants argue that the aggravating circumstance set forth in T.C.A. § 39-2-203 (i)(5) (1982), (that the murder was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel in that it involved torture or depravity of mind) is constitutionally vague. The appellants contend that this aggravating circumstance is undefined and is not cured by defining "depravity of mind" as moral corruption or a wicked or perverse act, thus, making the aggravating circumstance unconstitutional.
] The present statute, T.C.A. § 39-13-204(i)(5), effective November 1, 1989, states that the murder was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel in that it involved torture or serious physical abuse beyond that necessary to produce death. Because the murder of Mrs. Vester took place in 1988, the "torture or depravity of mind" standard found in T.C.A. § 39-2-203 (i)(5)(1982) was properly applied. See State v. Cazes, 875 S.W.2d 253, 267; State v. Smith, 893 S.W.2d 908, 920 (Tenn. 1994), cert. denied, 516 U.S. 829, 116 S.Ct. 99, 133 L.Ed.2d 53 (1995).
Our Supreme Court has repeatedly held that this aggravating circumstance is not unconstitutionally vague or overbroad. See State v. Williams, 690 S.W.2d 517, 526-30 (Tenn. 1985). See also State v. Black, 815 S.W.2d 166, 181; State v. Barber, 753 S.W.2d 659, 670 (Tenn.), cert. denied, 488 U.S. 900, 109 S.Ct. 248, 102 L.Ed.2d 236 (1988).
The appellants also argue that this aggravating circumstance was not an appropriate basis for a death sentence in this case because the evidence does not support a finding that the murder of Mrs. Vester involved "torture or depravity of mind." The appellants argue that the murder did not involve torture because there were no defensive wounds, with the possible exception of the shotgun wound to the victim's right forearm, and because there were no torture wounds. Moreover, the appellants argue that there is no proof of depravity of mind, citing State v. Van Tran, 864 S.W.2d 465, 479-80. The appellants also assert that there is no physical evidence placing them at the scene of the murder or showing that either of them were the ones who actually shot or stabbed the victim. We find that the evidence overwhelmingly supports application of this aggravating factor.
Here, the proof showed that Mrs. Vester was initially shot from her bedroom window. She was then shot two more times. One of the wounds was from a shotgun blast and nearly severed her forearm. As she struggled to save herself, stepping in her own blood, she was stabbed 13 times, resulting in the two fatal wounds. The medical testimony indicated that Mrs. Vester could have lived up to fifteen minutes after receiving these wounds. The medical examiner testified that there were no torture wounds, wounds inflicted for the purpose of torturing the victim, or defensive wounds, with the potential exception of the wound to Mrs. Vester's forearm. Because the medical examiner could not determine the position of the arm when Mrs. Vester was shot, he could not rule out the possibility that this was a defensive wound. Moreover, the presence of blood in Mrs. Vester's bed, bedroom, and bathroom clearly indicates a struggle was involved.
As in State v. Smith, 893 S.W.2d 908, the evidence supports a finding of either torture or depravity of mind. Id. at 920. Moreover, this case is easily distinguished from the facts in State v. Odom, 928 S.W.2d 18 (Tenn. 1996), in which the Supreme Court held that "rape (penile penetration) does not ordinarily constitute 'torture' or 'serious physical abuse' within the meaning of the statute." Id. at 26. The Court also found "[i]n a similar vein, and with the same disclaimer above appearing, we must reject the conclusion that the three stab wounds evidenced in this case constituted 'torture' or serious physical abuse beyond that necessary to produce death." Id.
Odom was decided under the Current statute which requires that the murder involve torture or serious physical abuse beyond that necessary to produce death in order to be found heinous, atrocious, or cruel.
Based on the facts in the present case, as set out above, the proof of torture and depravity of mind is overwhelming. Cf. State v. Smith, 868 S.W.2d 561, 579-80; State v. McNish, 727 S.W.2d 490, 494 (victim beaten several times and remained alive and at least partially conscious throughout her ordeal); State v. Zagorski, 701 S.W.2d 808, 814 (Tenn. 1985), cert. denied, 478 U.S. 1010, 106 S.Ct. 3309, 92 L.Ed.2d 722 (1986)(infliction of gratuitous violence and needless mutilation of victims who were already helpless from fatal wounds). This issue is without merit.
FELONY-MURDER AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCE
The appellants contend that it was error to allow the state to use felony-murder as an aggravating circumstance at the sentencing hearing after they had been convicted of murder in the perpetration of first-degree burglary. See State v. Middlebrooks, 840 S.W.2d 317, 346 (Tenn. 1992). We agree, however, under State v. Howell, 868 S.W.2d 238, 259-62, we find that this error was harmless.
The felony-murder aggravating circumstance is set forth in T.C.A. § 39-2-203 (i)(7)(1982):
The murder was committed while the defendant was engaged in committing, or was an accomplice in the commission of, or was attempting to commit, or was fleeing after committing or attempting to commit, any first degree murder, arson, rape, robbery, burglary, larceny, kidnapping, aircraft piracy, or unlawful throwing, placing or discharging of a destructive device or bomb;
In Middlebrooks, the Tennessee Supreme Court held that the state is precluded from using felony-murder as an aggravating circumstance when the underlying conviction is felony-murder. Id. at 346. However, in State v. Hines, 919 S.W.2d 573 (Tenn. 1995), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 117 S.Ct. 133, 136 L.Ed.2d 82 (1996), the Supreme Court held:
Where, as in the instant case, a felony not underlying the felony murder conviction is used to support the felony murder aggravating circumstance, there is no duplication. Furthermore, under these facts the aggravating circumstance as applied restricts the sentencer's discretion to those who kill while in the perpetration of multiple felonies, a class of murderers demonstrably smaller and more blameworthy than the general class of murderers eligible for the death penalty . . . Under these circumstances, where a felony other than that used to prove the substantive offense is used to establish the aggravating circumstance, there is no constitutional prohibition against the use of the aggravating circumstance in § 39-2-203 (i)(7) to support the imposition of the death penalty for felony murder.
Id. at 583. The Court also stated that "the felony underlying the conviction in this case is clear, as is the use of the two different and additional felonies to establish the aggravating circumstance found by the jury." Id.
In the present case, the appellants were convicted for the murder of Mrs. Vester during the perpetration of first-degree burglary. Also in relation to the Vesters, the appellants were convicted of first-degree burglary, grand larceny, and petit larceny. The state argues that because the jury could have relied on one of these other felonies in applying the felony-murder aggravating circumstance, there is no Middlebrooks violation. We find that the holding in Hines requires something more.
During its opening statement at the sentencing phase, the state read the felony-murder aggravating circumstance to the jury and then stated "[i]n our circumstances, we'll be talking about burglary. That's felony murder, the aggravated circumstance." Moreover, during closing argument, the state told the jury "I believe the Judge will charge you, the murder was committed while the defendant was engaged in committing or was attempting to commit or was an accomplice in the commission of several crimes. And that has been found by your verdict that these defendants committed murder while perpetrating the crime of first degree burglary." Later the state argued to the jury that "[t]here's no question and you found it in your first verdict, that these murders were committed while the defendant, these defendants and their cohort in this case were burglarizing, and robbing the Vesters and taking their car. No one would question that, and there's no doubt about it by your original verdict." When the jury returned its verdict, it did not specify which felony or felonies it was relying on in applying this aggravating circumstance, thus, we are left to speculate as to the basis of the jury's decision.
Middlebrooks was released after this case was tried, but before the motions for new trial were heard. At the hearing on the motions for new trial, the trial court ruled:
I'm going to rule that if — that the felony murder was harmless error in this case — I don't think the jury even considered it, I think we've got something to look at to show they didn't . . . What I'm saying is, in this case we've got here, it's different. I'm not going to grant a new trial. I've thought about this and thought about it and read the Middlebrooks case two or three times, I just feel like this case is different.
Because of the way they found in Mr. Vester's case as opposed to Ms. Vester's case, every aggravating circumstance that could have been used in both cases except — it's no different, they escaped, felony murder, everything used in Mr. Vester's case was used in Ms. Vester's case. And they ruled that it was not a death penalty case in Mr. Vester's case, ruled it was in hers. You could only come down to the final conclusion that the atrocious and cruel part of the charge was what they considered and I'm going rule it like that and that's it.
On the record before us, the Court cannot determine which felony or felonies the jury relied on in applying the felony-murder aggravating circumstance. The trial court did not limit its jury instruction on this aggravating circumstance to the felonies involved in this case. As with the charge, the jury's verdict included all the felonies listed in the statute. ThisCourt cannot assume that the jury relied on a felony other than first-degree burglary, especially in light of the prosecution's argument to the jury. Thus, use of this aggravating circumstance is invalid under Middlebrooks and Hines.6 However, as stated earlier, we find that application of this circumstance was harmless error under State v. Howell, 868 S.W.2d 238, 259-62.
HARMLESS ERROR ANALYSIS
The appellants argue that under State v. Howell, 868 S.W.2d 238, the invalidation of one or more aggravating circumstances requires that this matter be remanded for resentencing. Although we find two of the applied aggravating factors are invalid in this case, we have determined that their erroneous application was harmless error.
In State v. Howell, our Supreme Court held that:
In order to guarantee the precision that individualized sentencing considerations demand and provide a principled explanation for our conclusion in each case, it is important, when conducting harmless error review, to completely examine the record for the presence of factors which potentially influence the sentence ultimately imposed.
Id. at 260-61. These factors include, without limitation, the following:
(1) The number and strength of remaining valid aggravating circumstances.
(2) The prosecutor's argument at sentencing.
(3) The evidence admitted to establish the invalid aggravator.
(4) The nature, quality, and strength of the mitigating evidence.
Id. at 261.
In Howell, the jury found two aggravating circumstances: (1) that the defendant had been previously convicted of one or more felonies involving the use or threat of violence, and (2) that the murder had been committed while the defendant was engaged in committing a felony. T.C.A. § 39-2-203 (i)(2) and (7) (1982). Howell, charged with first-degree felony murder of a quick shop employee, had been previously convicted of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and two armed robberies.
In the case under review, the jury was instructed to consider five possible statutory aggravating circumstances: (1) that the appellants had been previously convicted of one or more felonies involving the use or threat of violence to the person, (2) that the murder was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel in that it involved torture or depravity of mind, (3) that the murder was committed for the purpose of avoiding, interfering with, or preventing a lawful arrest or prosecution of the appellants or another, (4) that the murder was committed while the appellants were engaged in committing or were accomplices in the commission of, or were attempting to commit, or were fleeing after committing or attempting to commit, any first-degree murder, arson, rape, robbery, burglary, larceny, kidnapping, aircraft piracy, or unlawful throwing, placing, or discharging of a destructive device or bomb, and (5) that the murder was committed by the appellants while they were in lawful custody or in a place of lawful confinement or during their escape from lawful custody or from a place of lawful confinement. T.C.A. § 39-2-203(i)(2), (5), (6), (7), and (8) (1982). In returning its verdict, the jury found all five aggravating circumstances.
Initially, several factors support a finding of harmless error under Howell. First, no additional evidence, nor any evidence that was not already properly before the jury, was introduced in support of the invalid aggravators. At the sentencing hearing, the state only introduced proof of the prior convictions and proof that the murders were heinous, atrocious, or cruel. Second, while the prosecutors did talk about all five aggravating circumstances during opening and closing argument, their main focus was on the heinous, atrocious, or cruel aggravator. Compare Barber v. State, 889 S.W.2d 185, 189-90 (Tenn. 1994), cert. denied, 513 U.S. 1184, 115 S.Ct. 1177, 130 L.Ed.2d 1129 (1995). The prosecution's other emphasis was on the appellants' escapee status, especially during the guilt phase. In contrast, the mitigating proof was minimal.
To determine whether application of the felony-murder and avoidance of arrest or prosecution aggravating circumstances was harmless error, it is necessary to review the weight of the remaining three aggravating circumstances (previous convictions of felonies involving the use or threat of violence, the murder was heinous, atrocious, or cruel, and the murder was committed during escape from lawful custody).
First, the state presented proof that appellant Quintero had been previously convicted twice in Kentucky of escape in the first degree and once of first-degree robbery. The state also presented proof that appellant Hall had been previously convicted of two separate assault in the second degree charges, wanton endangerment in the first degree, and aiding and abetting in threatening the life of the President and Vice-President of the United States. As stated in Howell, "more crucial than the sum of the remaining aggravating circumstances is the qualitative nature of each circumstance, its substance and persuasiveness, as well as the quantum of proof supporting it." 868 S.W.2d at 261. This is particularly true of this aggravating factor, and its effect and qualitative persuasiveness increases where there is proof, as in this case, of more than one prior violent felony conviction. See State v. Nichols, 877 S.W.2d 722, 738.
Furthermore, as discussed earlier, the proof that the murder of Mrs. Vester was heinous, atrocious, or cruel in that it involved torture or depravity of mind was strong. Our Supreme Court has upheld a death sentence where this was the only valid aggravating circumstance remaining. See Barber v. State, 889 S.W.2d 185, 190. Finally, proof that the murders were committed during the appellants' escape from lawful custody to Mexico is also supported by the proof.
Accordingly, although we find that two of the five aggravating circumstances applied by the jury are invalid, it is clear that any error was harmless under Howell. Therefore, both appellants' sentences of death are affirmed.
CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE DEATH PENALTY STATUTES
The appellants argue, without raising any specific challenges, that under T.C.A. §§ 39 2-203 and -205 (1982), there is no meaningful narrowing of death eligible defendants. Specifically, the appellants assert that Tennessee's death penalty statutes have resulted in the arbitrary and capricious infliction of the death penalty in violation of the Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and Article I, §§ 8, 9, 16, and 17, and Article II, § 2 of the Tennessee Constitution.
This argument has been rejected by our Supreme Court on numerous occasions. See State v. Middlebrooks, 840 S.W.2d 317, 335; State v. Howell, 868 S.W.2d 238, 258-59. The Supreme Court has held repeatedly that the death sentence under the Tennessee statutory scheme is not imposed capriciously and arbitrarily. State v. Shepherd, 902 S.W.2d 895, 907; State v. Smith, 893 S.W.2d 908, 926. This issue is without merit.
CLOSING ARGUMENTS AT PENALTY PHASE
The appellants contend that the prosecution made several improper remarks during closing arguments. The standard of review in determining whether counsel was allowed too much latitude during closing argument is abuse of discretion. State v. Sutton, 562 S.W.2d 820, 823. Closing argument must be temperate, must be predicated on evidence introduced during the trial of a case, and must be pertinent to the issues being tried. Id. The prosecutor may state an ultimate conclusion which would necessarily follow if the testimony of the prosecution witnesses were believed by the jury. State v. Brown, 836 S.W.2d 530, 552. As compared to the comments made during the prosecutors' closing arguments in State v. Blanton, 01C01- 9307-CC-00218, 1996 WL 219609 (Tenn. Crim.App. April 30, 1996), it is clear that the prosecutors' closing arguments in this case did not violate the appellants' constitutional rights. Slip Op. at 53-60.
The appellants first contend that the prosecutor improperly urged the jury to impose the death penalty because the appellants represented a future danger. At the beginning of closing arguments, the prosecution misrepresented the proof concerning the appellants' prior convictions and stated "[t]he society won't be safe from these individuals until they are removed from ___ ." The appellants' objections were sustained, and a bench conference followed. At the end of the bench conference, the trial court instructed the prosecution not to talk about the safety of society and to stay within the proof. Immediately, the prosecution made the following remarks:
Ladies and gentlemen, the facts in this case, under the law that Judge Wallace will give you, under the facts that you have heard requires that these defendants, both of them individually — you consider their cases individually — it requires that they be put on death row, where they won't pose this type of threat to the community again. That's what the law and the evidence in this case requires.
* * * *
And you as the jury, I believe you have the right to protect your community against these people.
[Objection sustained, and jury told to disregard that statement.]
In its final closing argument, the prosecution made the following comment:
Can you risk that kind of individual [defendant Hall] in a life sentence? And it's also presuming that he's going to stay in the penitentiary.
[Objection overruled because defendant Hall opened the door by arguing that he could become a productive citizen with life sentence]
A capital sentencing jury is not precluded from consideration of the future dangerousness of a particular defendant where such is a relevant factor under a state's capital sentencing law. See Jurek v. Texas, 428 U.S. 262, 96 S.Ct. 2950, 49 L.Ed.2d 929 (1976); California v. Ramos, 463 U.S. 992, 1001, 103 S.Ct. 3446, 3453, 77 L.Ed.2d 1171 (1983); Spaziano v. Florida, 468 U.S. 447, 461-62, 104 S.Ct. 3154, 3163, 82 L.Ed.2d 340 (1984).
Generally, however, our Courts have held that the issue of specific or general deterrence should be avoided by the prosecution in closing argument at a capital sentencing hearing. See State v. Bates, 804 S.W.2d 868, 881-82 (Tenn.), cert. denied, 502 U.S. 841, 112 S.Ct. 131, 116 L.Ed.2d 98 (1991); State v. Irick, 762 S.W.2d 121, 131 (Tenn. 1988), cert. denied, 489 U.S. 1072, 109 S.Ct. 1357, 103 L.Ed.2d 825 (1989). Specifically, the deterrence argument is usually irrelevant to the aggravating circumstances listed in Tennessee's statute. State v. Bates, 804 S.W.2d at 882. Thus, "unless relevant to some theory raised by the State[']s proof, or the defense, it interjects an element into the jury's considerations not provided for by the law." Id. In Bates, the defendant's mitigating theory was that the defendant was mentally disturbed to such a degree that it lessened his culpability, that he would be confined for the rest of his natural life, and that he would be amenable to treatment and rehabilitation. The Supreme Court held that the state's argument concerning specific deterrence was in direct response to the defendant's theory and was not improper under the circumstances. Id.
In the present case, as found by the trial court, appellant Hall opened the door to such argument by presenting proof that if sentenced to life imprisonment, he could become a productive citizen, leaving the impression to the jury that he was going to stay in prison. Although appellant Quintero waived closing argument, his proof implied that he could be rehabilitated if given a life sentence. Regardless, as pointed out in State v. Irick, 762 S.W.2d 121, in reviewing the propriety of argument in a capital sentencing proceeding, the reviewing court must determine whether the prosecutor's comments affected the sentencing decision. Id. at 131. "If the Court cannot say the comments had no effect on the sentencing, then the jury's decision does not meet the standard of reliability required by the Eighth Amendment." Id. (citing Caldwell v. Mississippi, 472 U.S. 320, 105 S.Ct. 2633, 2646, 86 L.Ed.2d 231 (1985)). Based on the proof presented, it is clear that these few comments did not affect the jury's sentencing decision.
The appellants next assert that the prosecutor diminished the jury's sense of responsibility in determining the sentence in violation of Caldwell v. Mississippi, 472 U.S. 320, 105 S.Ct. 2633, 86 L.Ed.2d 231.
In Caldwell, the Supreme Court stated that "it is constitutionally impermissible to rest a death sentence on a determination made by a sentencer who has been led to believe that the responsibility for determining the appropriateness of the defendant's death rests elsewhere." Id. at 328-29, 105 S.Ct. at 2639. In reviewing an alleged violation under Caldwell, the Court must "first determine whether the prosecutor's comments to the jury were such that they would minimize the jury's role and sense of responsibility for determining the appropriateness of death as a sentence and, if so, whether the trial judge sufficiently corrected the impression left by the prosecutor." State v. Cazes, 875 S.W.2d 253, 263; State v. West, 767 S.W.2d 387, 399 (Tenn. 1989), cert. denied, 497 U.S. 1010, 110 S.Ct. 3254, 111 L.Ed.2d 764 (1990).
The prosecution made comments during closing argument such as "it requires that they be put on death row, where they won't pose this type of threat to the community again. That's what the law and the evidence this case requires. There is no other way you can look at it." And, "you as the jury, I believe you have the right to protect your community against these people." The appellants objected, the objection was sustained, and the trial court gave a curative instruction. Without objection, the prosecution went on to state:
And if we don't impose it, it can't be imposed. It has to be done by our Constitution just like we have done it in this case. It has to be done by following the procedure. We have followed that procedure. And we can either follow the law or we can ignore the law, and I'm asking you not to ignore the law and the facts in this case and do what is appropriate under the facts and under the law.
While the last comment possibly could be construed as violating the dictates of Caldwell, it was not necessarily meant to nor gave the impression that the jury was not responsible for deciding the verdict. Regardless, the trial court gave the following instruction at the end of the sentencing hearing:
It is now your duty to determine, within the limits prescribed by law, the penalty which shall be imposed as punishment for each defendant for each offense. . . . In arriving at this determination, you are authorized to weigh and consider any mitigating circumstances and any of the statutory aggravating circumstances which may have been raised by the evidence throughout the entire course of this trial, including the guilt finding phase or the sentencing phase or both. You the Jury, are the sole judges of the facts, and of the law as it applies to the facts in these cases.
Under Cazes and West, the error, if any, in the prosecution's argument was rendered harmless. The trial court did not endorse the state's argument, and it correctly instructed the jury before deliberation.
Next, the appellants submit that it was improper for the prosecution in its closing argument to state:
Murder of an innocent couple, they didn't have anything to do with the prison in Eddyville. They didn't have anything to do with law enforcement. They were just an elderly couple that were semi-helpless almost. They had retired over there on Kentucky Lake. Had a right to live in that little house that overlooked the lake and go fishing and have their grandson come down to visit with them.
[Objection overruled]
* * * *
[B]ut I believe that under the law of our land, that Mr. and Mrs. Vester, they had a right to go on living. They had the right to have been alive this Thanksgiving and had their children. They had rights. They had rights. Even though they are not alive on the face of this earth, these rights — and our law was designed to make sure they have rights. So don't get lost in this case on what the defendants' rights are —
[Objection overruled]
* * * *
But I will tell you what, these two people that are buried over there somewhere in Stewart County have a right, too. They have a right to the protection of the law. It's too late to do them any good. . . .
In State v. Bigbee, 885 S.W.2d 797, the Supreme Court held that it was reversible error where the prosecutor reminded the jury that there had been no one there to ask for mercy for the victims and encouraged the jury to give the defendant the same consideration that he had given his victims. Id. at 812. In finding the prosecutor's argument to be improper, the Court stated that the argument "encouraged the jury to make a retaliatory sentencing decision, rather than a decision based on a reasoned moral response to the evidence." Id.
The prosecutor's remarks cannot be said to rise to the level of error found in Bigbee, nor did they affect the jury's sentencing decision. See also, State v. Henley, 774 S.W.2d 908, 913 (Tenn. 1989), cert. denied, 497 U.S. 1031, 110 S.Ct. 3291, 111 L.Ed.2d 800 (1990).
Next, the appellants contend that the prosecutor wrongly expressed his personal opinion of the appellants' proof of mitigating circumstances.
During closing arguments, the prosecution made the following comments:
In fact I submit to you, we haven't heard any [mitigating circumstances]. I think the definition of mitigation goes something like to moderate in force or intensity, to alleviate or to become milder. I haven't heard anything. What has been shown in mitigation in this case? How many children in this world have been raised by parents that drink, maybe wore clothes too big for them to school? Does that mitigate what happened to Mr. and Mrs. Vester? You know we asked the Defendant Quintero's uncle; well, you were brought up in a good home. One turned out to be what he described as not so good, and the others were good. That's not an excuse, ladies and gentlemen, for this type of murder. If my father died the week before I was born and I didn't have a father around, does that mitigate if I go out and slaughter somebody in their bed?
* * * *
You know what you heard in mitigation, if there was any mitigation there. First of all, I don't really know — I have yet to hear anything that sounded to me like it would mitigate against what happened to the Vesters.
[Objection]
THE COURT: Yes, ladies and gentlemen — I sustain that. ladies and gentlemen, an attorney cannot give his personal opinions to you, disregard it.
In State v. Payne, 791 S.W.2d 10 (Tenn. 1990), aff'd, 501 U.S. 808, 111 S.Ct. 2597, 115 L.Ed.2d 720 (1991), our Supreme Court addressed this issue:
It is a violation of the Code of Professional Responsibility, DR 7-106(C)(4) for lawyers engaged in trial to express their personal opinion about any issue involved in the justice of the cause they represent. This Court has repeatedly condemned such conduct. See e.g. State v. Johnson, 743 S.W.2d 154, 159 (Tenn. 1987) and State v. Hicks, 618 S.W.2d 510, 516, 517 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1981). However, insofar as its effect upon Defendant's rights, it is ineffective, as well as unprofessional, and in this case was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.
Id. at 20. The same is true here. Such error was harmless.
Moreover, it should be noted that our Supreme Court has held that it is proper for the state to argue to the jury that it should not return a life sentence based on the mitigating circumstances presented by the defendant. See State v. Howell, 868 S.W.2d 238, 258. In State v. Brimmer, 876 S.W.2d 75, the Supreme Court found that "the State's argument 'that there were no mitigating circumstances in this case and that Dr. Engum's testimony concerning the defendant should be entitled little weight'. . . did no more than set out the State's interpretation of the proof." Id. at 85. The state is entitled to argue to the jury that it should not give much weight to the mitigating evidence presented.
Finally, the appellants contend that the prosecution's characterizations of them and of the murders were highly improper and resulted in an arbitrary and unreliable sentence. Specifically, the prosecution made the remark that it was "[k]ind of like killing hogs and bleeding all over the bathroom." Appellant Quintero's objection was overruled. Later, the prosecution stated "[i]f my father died the week before I was born and I didn't have a father around, does that mitigate if I go out and slaughter somebody in their bed?" The appellants' objections were overruled even though two such objections had been sustained during closing argument at the guilt phase of the trial. Finally, the appellants submit that it was improper for the prosecution to have stated "[i]f you found cancer in your body you would remove it, " in reference to the appellants.
First, we note that the appellants failed to object to this last comment. Moreover, while the state's comments do not appear to be proper argument, we find that any error was harmless. See State v. Payne, 791 S.W.2d 10, 20.
JURY INSTRUCTIONS AT SENTENCING PHASE
The record does not include the transcript of the jury instructions as actually given; instead, the typewritten instructions are included in the technical record.
The appellants contend that the jury instruction on reasonable doubt at the sentencing phase did not lend content to the moral certainty phraseology used by the trial court. Thus, they argue that there was a reasonable likelihood that the jury understood it to allow conviction based on insufficient proof in violation of the standard set forth in Cage v. Louisiana, 498 U.S. 39, 41, 111 S.Ct. 328, 329-30, 112 L.Ed.2d 339, and Victor v. Nebraska, 511 U.S. 1, 114 S.Ct. 1239, 1247-48, 127 L.Ed.2d 583. Specifically, the appellants assert that the trial court's instruction on moral certainty failed to provide a minimum burden of proof that it purports to define.
In this case, the trial court instructed the jury as follows:
The burden of proof is upon the State to prove any statutory aggravating circumstance or circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt and to a moral certainty.
Reasonable doubt is that doubt engendered by an investigation of all the proof in the case and an inability, after such investigation, to let the mind rest easily as to the certainty of your verdicts. Reasonable doubt does not mean a doubt that may arise from possibility. Absolute certainty is not demanded by the law, but moral certainty is required and this certainty is required as to every proposition of proof requisite to constitute the verdicts. The law makes you, the Jury, the sole and exclusive judges of the credibility of the witnesses and the weight to be given to the evidence.
Like the charge at the guilt-innocence phase, the terms of particular concern to the United States Supreme Court were not included in the trial court's charge to the jury at the sentencing phase. As cited earlier, in several cases, this Court has upheld similar instructions as consistent with constitutional principles. See Pettyjohn v. State, 885 S.W.2d 364, 365-66; State v. Hallock, 875 S.W.2d 285, 294. Moreover, our Supreme Court has held that "the use of the phrase 'moral certainty' by itself is insufficient to invalidate an instruction on the meaning of reasonable doubt." State v. Nichols, 877 S.W.2d 722, 734. Thus, the full charge given by the trial court at the sentencing phase, although containing the phrase "moral certainty, " did not violate the appellants' rights under the United States or Tennessee Constitutions.
DOUBLE JEOPARDY CLAIM BASED ON CONVICTIONS FOR FELONY-MURDER AND UNDERLYING FELONIES
The appellants argue that their multiple convictions for felony-murder, as well as for the underlying felonies, violated the double jeopardy provisions of both the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, § 10 of the Tennessee Constitution. The appellants cite Briggs v. State, 573 S.W.2d 157 (Tenn. 1978), and State v. Strouth, 620 S.W.2d 467 (Tenn. 1981), cert. denied, 455 U.S. 983, 102 S.Ct. 1491, 71 L.Ed.2d 692 (1982).
In State v. Blackburn, 694 S.W.2d 934 (Tenn. 1985), the Supreme Court held that the imposition in a single trial of dual convictions for both felony-murder and the underlying felony does not violate the constitutional prohibitions against double jeopardy. Id at 936-37. Our appellate courts have continued to hold that dual convictions for felony-murder and the underlying felony does not violate double jeopardy provisions. See, e.g., State v. Barber, 753 S.W.2d 659, 671; State v. Zirkle, 910 S.W.2d 874, 890 (Tenn.Crim.App. 1995); State v. Johnson, 781 S.W.2d 873, 884-85 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1989). This issue is without merit.
INTERSTATE COMPACT ON DETAINERS
Appellant Hall argues that the state failed to comply with the requirements of the Interstate Compact on Detainers, T.C.A. § 40-31-101, et seq., by not granting him a speedy trial. Specifically, appellant Hall argues that once the state requested that he be returned from Kentucky pursuant to the Interstate Compact on Detainers, it was obligated to comply with all of its requirements. Therefore, appellant Hall submits that the state was not entitled to withdraw its request under the Interstate Compact on Detainers and proceed under the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act, T.C.A. § 40-9-101, et seq. Because appellant Hall was not tried within 180 days, as required by the Interstate Compact on Detainers, Art. III, he argues that the charges should have been dismissed. We find no support for appellant Hall's position.
A detainer is "a request filed by a criminal justice agency with the institution in which a prisoner is incarcerated, asking that the prisoner be held for the agency, or that the agency be advised when the prisoner's release is imminent." Fex v. Michigan, 507 U.S. 43, 113 S.Ct. 1085, 1087, 122 L.Ed.2d 406 (1993). The purpose of the Interstate Agreement on Detainers Act is to "encourage the expeditious and orderly disposition of such charges and determination of the proper status of any and all detainers based on untried indictments, information or complaints." T.C.A. § 40-31-101, Art. 1. The purpose stems from the need to alleviate the uncertainties created by untried charges and detainers which interfere with programs of inmate treatment and rehabilitation. Edward G. Hild, The Death Penalty and the Interstate Agreement of Detainers Act: A Proposal for Change, 29 J. MARSHALL L. REV. 499. 504 (1996).
When an accused is sought in another state for crimes committed in Tennessee, the state may initiate proceedings pursuant to the Interstate Compact on Detainers or under the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act. If a defendant is returned to Tennessee under the Interstate Compact on Detainers, the state must try the defendant within 180 days of his return to the state in which the crimes were committed. T.C.A. § 40-31-101, Art. III. The receiving state only receives temporary custody of the prisoner for the sole purpose of prosecuting any untried charges. T.C.A. § 40-31-101, Art. V.
The Interstate Compact on Detainers and the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act do not indicate that the initiation of proceedings under one automatically precludes proceedings under the other. The two Acts were adopted in Tennessee "[t]o facilitate the important duties of transferring individuals into and out of this state for trial on criminal charges, and to bring uniformity to the procedures among the several states." State ex rel. Young v. Rose, 670 S.W.2d 238, 239 (Tenn.Crim.App. 1984). The main difference between the two Acts is that the procedures under the Interstate Compact on Detainers result in merely a temporary transfer to the receiving state. Id.
While the specific issue in the present case has not been addressed by Tennessee courts, we are persuaded by the holding in People v. Quackenbush, 687 P.2d 448 (Colo. 1984), where the court held that an agreement under the Interstate Compact on Detainers is not an exclusive method by which officials in one state may obtain custody of a defendant incarcerated in another state. Id. at 450. The Colorado court went on to find that a state retains its constitutional and statutory rights to extradite a fugitive from another state. Id. Accordingly, we find no error in the state's decision to withdraw its request under the Interstate Compact on Detainers and bring appellant Hall into Tennessee via the extradition process. Accordingly, appellant Hall's claim is without merit.
CONCLUSION
We have carefully considered the appellants' contentions as to alleged errors occurring during the guilt phase and the sentencing phase of the trial. We find that both of the appellants' contentions as to the sufficiency of the evidence and as to errors occurring during the guilt and sentencing phases are without merit. Accordingly, we affirm appellant Hall's convictions and death sentence with one modification: Count 2 of No. 10557 is merged with Count 1 of No. 10547.
Likewise we affirm appellant Quintero's convictions and his death sentence with one modification: Count 2 of No. 10544 is merged with Count 1 of No. 10527.
/s/ William M. Barker William M. Barker, Judge
CONCUR:
/s/ Paul G. Summers Paul G. Summers, Judge
/s/ David H. Welles David H. Welles, Judge
* One paragraph of the Court of Criminal Appeals decision has been deleled because it discussed the intermediate appellate court decision in State v. Henry Martin, No. 01C01-9411-CR 00397, 1996 WL 275010 (Tenn.Crim.App., at Nashville, May 24, 1996), which was later affirmed as modified by this Court in State v. Martin, 964 S.W.2d 564 (Tenn. 1998).
ORDER ON PETITION FOR REHEARING
A petition for rehearing has been filed on behalf of the appellants. After consideration of the same, a majority of the Court is of the opinion that the petition should be and the same is hereby denied at the cost of appellant.
Justice Birch adheres to the views expressed in his original concurring/dissenting opinion in this case.
Frank F. Drowota, III, Justice
I concur in the majority's conclusion that the defendants' convictions and sentences of death should be affirmed. I write separately because I disagree with the majority's analysis of aggravating circumstance Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-2-203 (i)(8) in this case and in State v. Odom, 928 S.W.2d 18 (Tenn. 1996). I would reverse Odom on the issue of (i)(8) and hold that aggravating circumstance (i)(8) is applicable when a defendant commits murder during his or her escape from lawful confinement. I would hold that the phrase "during an escape from lawful confinement" denotes the time frame beginning with the prisoner's unauthorized departure from the prison grounds and continuing until the prisoner is returned to lawful custody. This holding would: (1) remove any arbitrariness and ambiguity in the circumstance's application; (2) preserve the plain meaning of the statute's clear language; and (3) prevent the third prong of (i)(8) from duplicating (i)(6) so that no part of (i)(8) will be inoperative, superfluous, void or insignificant.
The aggravating circumstance in Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-2-203 (i)(8) provides that a sentence of death may be imposed upon a finding that "the murder was committed by the defendant while the defendant was in lawful custody or in a place of lawful confinement or during the defendant's escape from lawful custody or from a place of lawful confinement" (emphasis added). The leading case regarding the application of this aggravating circumstance is State v. Odom, 928 S.W.2d 18 (Tenn. 1996). In Odom, the defendant murdered an elderly woman while stealing her purse during his escape from a Mississippi jail where he was serving a life sentence for a previous murder conviction. On appeal, neither the defendant nor the state challenged the jury's finding that (i)(8) was applicable.
In Odom, the Court, without the benefit of argument from either party and without the development of facts supporting the circumstance's application, raised the (i)(8) issue sua sponte and held that the jury erred in applying (i)(8). The Court reasoned:
The State argued in its petition to rehear that it was never provided the opportunity to brief and argue the application of aggravating circumstance Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-2-203(i)(8).
Our rationale is simple — "during" as used in the statute means "throughout the continuance of." The end of the escape marks the beginning of one's status as an "escapee". Although Odom was, assuredly, an "escapee", by no stretch can we say that the murder occurred during the defendant's escape from lawful confinement or during the defendant's escape from lawful custody or from a place of lawful confinement. When he committed the murder, Odom's escape was an accomplished fact — a fait accompli.
State v. Odom, 928 S.W.2d at 27 (emphasis added). The logical interpretation of Odom on the issue of (i)(8) is that the prisoner's escape was an accomplished fact once he had left the confines of the prison facility. In the absence of any development or analysis of the facts on the issue, this is the only reasonable interpretation of Odom.
The majority's logic implies that (i)(8) was inapplicable in Odom because the murder for which Odom was sentenced to death in Tennessee was unconnected with and did not further his escape. This logic is inaccurate. In Odom, the majority noted that:
the defendant said that his initial intention was to accost Johnson and "snatch" her purse after having seen her in the parking garage beside her car.
Id. at 22. The jury could have easily made a sound and logical inference that Odom, after escaping from prison, needed money and killed the victim while stealing her purse to obtain money to continue or further his escape. Accordingly, the jury could have found that Odom's actions furthered his escape just as the majority concludes that Hall and Quintero's actions furthered their escape. Because this Court raised the issue, however, sua sponte and decided without either development of facts or argument by either party, this Court merely supplanted the jury's findings with a finding of its own on the (i)(8) aggravator.
The apparent initial motivation for the attack on the 78-year-old victim was that the defendant wanted to steal her purse. As noted by the dissent in Odom, the defendant accosted the 78-year o]d victim and forced her into her car during the robbery attempt.
The majority's analysis in this case appears to distinguish Odom on two bases: (1) time; and (2) the fact that the defendants' acts furthered their escape (were "simply a step toward accomplishing the end"). Employing time as the sole distinguishing factor creates an ambiguous and arbitrary standard. Is an escape accomplished after a week, two weeks, or perhaps after six months? An escape, in my view, is simply ongoing until an escapee is returned to lawful confinement. Attempting to utilize time as a distinguishing factor on an ad hoc basis provides absolutely no guidance. Accordingly, the majority in this case, unlike in Odom, now focuses on whether the murder also furthered the escape, i.e. whether the "murders were simply a step toward accomplishing this end".
I believe that the focus in (i)(8) should not be on whether the murder furthered the escape. Whether a murder was committed to further an escape or to avoid an arrest is specifically addressed by Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-204(i)(6). The focus in (i)(8), however, is on the defendant's status when the murder was committed. I believe that circumstance (i)(8) was codified to provide protection to society from escaped convicts who are less likely to be deterred by the prospect of further confinement from committing additional crimes. The danger Odom posed to society as a desperate escaped convict needing money is the precise danger that (i)(8) was designed to deter. Obviously, the threat of possible further confinement did not deter Odom, already sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, from robbing the victim, brutally raping her and stabbing her multiple times.
The dissent in Odom indicates Odom's complete disregard for the law and welfare of others. The dissent noted that victim pleaded with Odom, during the attack, to stop and in her plea referred to the defendant as "son." The defendant then stated "I'll give you a son" and raped her in apparent retaliation before killing her.
Aggravating circumstance (i)(8) may be broken into three prongs: (I) murder while in lawful confinement; (2) murder while in lawful custody; or (3) murder during escape from lawful custody or confinement. As applied to the facts of this case, the first prong would apply to any killing that occurred while the defendants were on the prison facility's premises. The second would apply if the defendants had continued to be in lawful custody when they murdered the victims. See Burns v. State, 584 S.W.2d 827, 829 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1979) (holding inmate in constructive custody of correctional center although unguarded while receiving training on college campus; unauthorized leave constituted an escape from lawful custody). Neither of these prongs is applicable to this case.
The third prong encompasses a murder that occurs "during escape from lawful custody or confinement." See State v. Workman, 667 S.W.2d 44, 49 (Tenn. 1984) (holding (i)(8) applicable when a fleeing defendant killed officer who had arrested and escorted defendant from a Wendy's restaurant). If this language is construed only to encompass a murder occurring on the premises of a prison, the construction will duplicate the first prong thereby rendering the third prong superfluous. This Court, however, must construe a statute so that no part of it will be inoperative, superfluous, void or insignificant. Tidwell v. Collins, 522 S.W.2d 674, 676 (Tenn. 1975). The third prong, therefore, should apply when a defendant commits murder on the premises of the prison facility and during an unauthorized leave from confinement or custody. See generally State v. Gundlah, 166 Vt. 518, 702 A.2d 52, 58 (Vt. 1997) (interpreting "murder committed while . . . in custody under a sentence of confinement" to apply to escaped prisoners "who have shown by their previous conduct that additional deterrence may be required") (citing Model Penal Code § 210.6(3)(a), commentary at 136).
The legislature's choice of words in the statute also supports this conclusion. The legislature used the word "escape" in (i)(8) as a noun, indicating an accomplished fact. Had the legislature intended the language "during the defendant's escape from lawful custody or from a place of lawful confinement" to be limited only to the actual act of leaving the prison facility grounds, the legislature should have used escape as a verb, i.e., "while the defendant was escaping from lawful custody." Alternatively, the legislature could have limited the factor to "hot pursuit," as a handful of states have done, by explicitly limiting the circumstance's application only to murders committed to "effect, perfect or during an attempt to perfect" an escape from lawful custody or confinement. See generally Cal.Penal Cade § 190.2 (5) ("The murder was committed for the purpose of avoiding or preventing a lawful arrest, or perfecting or attempting to perfect, an escape from lawful custody."); Nev.Rev.Stat. 200.033(5) ("The murder was committed to avoid or prevent a lawful arrest or to effect an escape from custody."); Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-202(1)(e) ("homicide was committed . . . for the purpose of effecting . . . escape").
The phrase "during escape" implies that the circumstance applies to a murder committed by a defendant while on escape status from a sentence of imprisonment. A defendant who has unlawfully departed from confinement or custody and temporarily regained his liberty is on "escape status" until returned to lawful custody. See generally People v. Davis, 43 N.Y.2d 17, 400 N.Y.S.2d 735, 741, 371 N.E.2d 456 (N.Y. 1977) ("escaped from such confinement or custody and had not yet been returned"). Extending (i)(8) to murders occurring off the prison premises while a defendant is on escape status fulfills society's need for protection from escaped convicts who are less likely to be deterred from committing homicide merely by the prospect of possible further confinement. See generally People v. Davis, 794 P.2d 159, 181-82 (Colo. 1990) ("providing additional deterrence to persons with little to lose in committing criminal acts"). Accordingly, I believe that the legislature intended the third scenario of (i)(8) to apply when an escaped convict commits murder while on escape status or during an unauthorized leave from custody or confinement.
In the case now before us, the evidence establishes that the defendants murdered the victims during their escape from the state in Eddyville, Kentucky, just as Odom murdered his victim during his escape from lawful confinement where he was serving a life sentence for a prior murder. The majority distinguishes the present case on the basis that these defendants stole a car to further their escape. This contingency, however, is covered by aggravating circumstance (i)(6). Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-204(i)(6) ("murder was committed for the purpose of avoiding, interfering with or preventing a lawful arrest . . . ").
Limiting (i)(8)'s application to only those circumstances in which the proof establishes that the defendant killed another to further his escape would render the third prong of (i)(8) duplicative of (i)(6). I do not believe that the legislature intended the third prong of (i)(8) to apply only when (i)(6) is applicable. Moreover, I find it tenuous to distinguish this case from Odom especially when the facts in Odom were neither developed nor argued on the (i)(8) issue now before this Court.
In conclusion, I would overrule Odom's interpretation of (i)(8). I would hold that (i)(8) is applicable when a prisoner commits murder during an unauthorized departure from lawful confinement.
I concur in the conclusion reached by the majority in this case except with respect to the issue of proportionality. On that issue, the majority holds that the punishment of death is not disproportionate under the record in this case. I respectfully dissent, and I do so for the same reasons outlined in State v. Blanton, 975 S.W.2d 269 (Tenn. 1998) (Birch, J., dissenting).
In Blanton, no direct evidence was adduced that Blanton shot either victim or stabbed Mrs. Vester. The same analysis applies here — there is no direct evidence that Hall or Quintero shot either victim or stabbed Mrs. Vester. Thus, considering the factor of "the defendant[s'] involvement or role in the murder[s], " the absence of direct evidence that either defendant was the actual killer compels my conclusion that the punishment of death is, in this case, disproportionate. See Tison v. Arizona, 481 U.S. 137, 107 S.Ct. 1676, 95 L.Ed.2d 127 (1987) (discussing how a defendant's role in a murder affects the sentencing decision); State v. Branam, 855 S.W.2d 563, 570-71 (Tenn. 1993). I would, accordingly, remand the cause for a new sentencing hearing.
The charges against Blanton, Quintero, and Hall all arose from the same incident.