IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT NASHVILLE
Assigned on Briefs June 19, 2007
STATE OF TENNESSEE v. JOE CARPENTER TYREE
Appeal from the Circuit Court for Marshall County
No. 16907 Robert Crigler, Judge
No. M2006-02173-CCA-R3-CD - Filed August 10, 2007
The Defendant, Joe Carpenter Tyree, was convicted of aggravated robbery following a jury trial in
Marshall County. The Defendant was sentenced as a Range I, standard offender to twelve years in
the Department of Correction. On appeal, the Defendant asserts that the evidence is insufficient to
support his conviction beyond a reasonable doubt, that the sentence imposed was excessive, and that
the trial court erred by not instructing the jury on the lesser-included offense of attempted aggravated
robbery. Finding no error, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Circuit Court Affirmed
DAVID H. WELLES, J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which NORMA MCGEE OGLE and
ROBERT W. WEDEMEYER , JJ., joined.
Andrew Jackson Dearing, III, Assistant Public Defender, Shelbyville, Tennessee, for the appellant,
Joe Carpenter Tyree.
Robert E. Cooper, Jr., Attorney General and Reporter; Rachel West Harmon, Assistant Attorney
General; Charles Crawford, District Attorney General; and Weakley E. Barnard, Assistant District
Attorney General, for the appellee, State of Tennessee.
OPINION
Background
This case arises from the theft of approximately $300.00 from a store clerk at gunpoint in
Lewisburg on August 20, 2005. The victim, Amy Marchese, testified that she was employed at the
Dollar General store in Lewisburg. Ms. Marchese stated that she was “training to be an assistant
manager on night shift” and “mainly did cash registers, stock and putting away items in the store.”
Ms. Marchese testified that, at about 7:30 in the evening, a white male customer entered the store.
Ms. Marchese testified that she had seen this man, whom she identified as the Defendant, “[m]aybe
one time” before because she had “worked in three of the main convenience stores” and had seen
“a lot of people.”
Ms. Marchese stated that the Defendant browsed in the store for a few minutes and then
“walked up to the counter and stood there for a minute.” Ms. Marchese stated that she “finally
walked around [behind the counter] and asked him, ‘Is that all.’ He didn’t say nothing [sic].” Ms.
Marchese stated that he placed some “big alligator clips” on the counter to purchase. Ms. Marchese
testified that the Defendant then “reached in his left pocket and pulled out a gun and placed it on the
counter . . . . At that point he put his index [finger] over his lips and just pretty much told [her] to
hush.” Ms. Marchese stated that she was afraid for her life when the Defendant pointed the gun at
her. Ms. Marchese stated that the Defendant was approximately “14 inches” from her and that the
barrel of the gun was aimed at her stomach. Ms. Marchese stated that she had to scan the
merchandise for the cash register to open. She stated that she placed the clips and the entire cash
register drawer into a “regular [yellow] plastic [Dollar] General bag[.]” Ms. Marchese stated that
the Defendant took the bag and left the store. Ms. Marchese stated that there was probably “about
$300” in the cash register.
As the Defendant was leaving the store, Ms. Marchese’s manager, Ms. Faith Mateos, realized
that something unusual had occurred. Ms. Marchese motioned to her not to move and told her they
had “just been robbed” and to “[c]all the cops.” Ms. Marchese stated that Ms. Mateos noticed the
Defendant leaving and “heard the change in the drawer hit the bottom of the bag.”
Ms. Marchese stated that the Defendant “just walked like a normal person would across the
parking lot . . . and got in a truck.” Ms. Marchese stated that she identified the truck as “a Nissan
Frontier, just a regular truck, wasn’t a four-wheel drive, had an extended cab, regular wheel base,
nothing fancy.” Ms. Marchese stated that the “passenger side [window] was busted or had a plastic
bag over it.” Ms. Marchese stated that the truck was a “[p]urple, blue, metallic color.” Ms.
Marchese testified that she saw the Defendant’s vehicle leaving the parking lot and turning “right
on Mooresville Highway” in the direction of Interstate 65 and the “by-pass[.]” Ms. Marchese
testified that she did not believe any other customers were in the store during the robbery.
Ms. Mateos also testified regarding the events of August 20 as follows:
I heard the sound of jingling change which would have been one of the drawers that
we carry, you know, you could hear it clinking. I turned around to find out what was
going on and the gentleman was walking out my door with a Dollar General bag with
my till down inside it, with my drawer. I looked at my cashier and she said, “I’ve
been robbed.” She mouthed it.
Ms. Mateos stated that she never saw the man’s face, but she observed him leave the Dollar General
store in a white t-shirt with “writing on the back[,]” “cargo shorts” with “lots of pockets[,]” and a
baseball cap. Ms. Mateos saw the man leave the parking lot in a “[s]mall[,]” “bluish purple Nissan”
truck. Ms. Mateos stated that the “passenger window [was] busted out and taped up or something
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was wrong with it.” Ms. Mateos stated that, when the robbery occurred, an “older lady and her
granddaughter” were also in the store.
Officer James Johnson of the Lewisburg Police Department testified that he was the first
police officer to arrive at the Dollar General store following the robbery. Officer Johnson stated that
he interviewed Ms. Marchese and Ms. Mateos and then put a “BOLO” radio alert out to “be on the
lookout for” an individual and truck matching the given description. Officer Johnson stated that Ms.
Marchese was “very upset, very shaken about the incident” and “had a look of fear . . . on her face
. . . .”
Mr. William Beard, an employee of the Williams Interstate Market on Mooresville Highway
near Interstate 65, testified that he was at work on August 20, 2005. Mr. Beard stated that he assisted
a customer with the gas pump who was driving a “purple blue Nissan” truck. Mr. Beard testified
that the customer stated he was in a hurry and seemed anxious. Mr. Beard then had another customer
inform him that there was someone in the parking lot “getting a ticket . . . .” Mr. Beard stated that
he saw a “state trooper” “giving the gentleman commands or orders.” Mr. Beard stated that he could
not “recall whether [the officer] had his gun drawn” but that he “thought he had his hand on his gun
for sure . . . .” The trooper then “had the gentleman walk away from the pump down to the end of
the pump and he sat down on the ground. Then he cuffed him at some point there.” Mr. Beard
identified the customer as the Defendant.
Trooper Wayne Dunkleman of the Tennessee Highway Patrol testified that he heard the radio
description of the suspect and soon came into contact with a vehicle fitting the description. Trooper
Dunkleman stated that the truck was a “[p]erfect” match of the BOLO information. Trooper
Dunkleman stated that he then “[m]ade contact with the gentleman at the gas pumps.” Trooper
Dunkleman stated that he had his pistol drawn and held to his side when he approached and arrested
the suspect. Trooper Dunkleman stated that the suspect cooperated and was detained. Trooper
Dunkleman stated that the suspect identified himself as the Defendant. Trooper Dunkleman
requested the Defendant’s consent to search his truck, which the Defendant refused. Trooper
Dunkleman stated that he did a “plain view search” but that he “did not see anything.”
Corporal Jackie Robertson of the Lewisburg Police Department testified that he met Trooper
Dunkleman at the Williams Interstate Market where the Defendant was apprehended. Corporal
Robertson testified that he approached the Defendant’s truck, “opened the passenger door,” and
“located a pink-handled handgun” inside the vehicle. Corporal Robertson stated that he notified the
detectives, who were en route, of the handgun and escorted the Defendant to the Lewisburg Police
Department.
Corporal Scott Braden of the Lewisburg Police Department testified that he also met Trooper
Dunkleman at the Williams Interstate Market after hearing over the radio that a suspect’s vehicle had
been found. Corporal Braden stated that he radioed Officer Johnson asking him “if the victim would
be able to identify the individual.” Corporal Braden stated that he went to the Dollar General store,
picked up Ms. Marchese, and escorted her to the Williams Interstate Market. Corporal Braden stated
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that, as they were nearing the gas station, Ms. Marchese stated, “That’s the vehicle. That’s the
vehicle.” Corporal Braden stated that, as they approached the Defendant, Ms. Marchese identified
him as being the man who robbed the Dollar General store. Corporal Braden stated that Ms.
Marchese told him that she was “110 percent positive” that the man apprehended was the man who
robbed the store.
Joe Liggett, a local farmer whose property was located near the Dollar General store,
testified that he was “bush hogging around the edge of the hay field” and “noticed a yellow bag . .
. [and] what appeared to be a money tray that was turned upside down. Under that money tray also
was a pack of . . . three or four clips. . . . It was a pack of those that were unopened.” Mr. Liggett
stated that the money tray “was found inside of the bag . . . .” Mr. Liggett stated that the “bag
reminded [him] of the Dollar General Store robbery[,]” which he had heard about in the local
community. Mr. Liggett stated that he reported the items he found on his property. Mr. Liggett
stated that the location at which the items were found was accessible to Mooresville Highway by “a
number of ways” that are all very near to the Williams Interstate Market and are only a “mile and a
quarter or mile and a half” from the Dollar General store.
Detective Sergeant Dac Burrow of the Lewisburg Police Department testified that he
responded to the Williams Interstate Market. Detective Burrow stated that he recovered a .25 caliber
semi-automatic handgun from the Defendant’s truck. Detective Burrow stated that the gun was
loaded with “seven live rounds of .25 caliber bullets” in the magazine and that the clip was in the
gun. Detective Burrow stated that he also located a Wendy’s restaurant bag with $304.00 cash
inside. Following Detective Burrow’s testimony, the State rested its case-in-chief.
The Defendant then testified and initially conceded that he had a conviction for sexual abuse
in the first degree in Alabama. The Defendant stated that, before the events of August 20, he knew
the victim, Ms. Marchese. The Defendant stated that he “met her around the end of May or the first
of June” at the “Utopia Club[,]” a “strip joint.” The Defendant stated that his wife was also with him
at the Utopia Club and that he, his wife, and Ms. Marchese decided to “leave the club and go over
to our house and party.” The Defendant further explained that he, his wife, and Ms. Marchese all
smoked crack cocaine and that “all three” of them “engage[d] in sex.” The Defendant stated that,
approximately a week later, they all three “did the same thing” and that this occurred again “one
more time after that.” The Defendant stated that, following the third “encounter[,]” his wife “became
angry” that he was “paying [Ms. Marchese] too much attention.” The Defendant stated that he and
his wife separated after this disagreement and that he continued a romantic relationship with Ms.
Marchese.
The Defendant stated that he and Ms. Marchese discussed taking money from the Dollar
General store around “August 7th [or] 8th . . . .” The Defendant stated that Ms. Marchese initiated
these conversations and planned as follows:
The plan was that she . . . was to give me a call right before closing or right
at closing when she had to close up the register. I think she called it the cash in
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receipt, where they collected all of the money from the sales, and she would call me
and let me know when that was going to happen and I would walk in as a customer,
look like I was purchasing some items and when I did, she would place a bag of
money from the register in with my purchases, and I would walk out with it. She
would report it as a robbery.
The Defendant stated that, during early August when he and Ms. Marchese were plotting to steal the
money from the Dollar General store, he took his cousin’s handgun without permission because he
“was going to an area to buy crack [with Ms. Marchese in Kirkland, Tennessee] and . . . wanted the
protection.”
The Defendant stated that, on August 20, Ms. Marchese called him at approximately 7:00
p.m. and he went to the store to carry out the plan. The Defendant stated that he entered the store,
got a package of clips to purchase, and then Ms. Marchese “placed them and the [cash register]
drawer in a Dollar General bag.” The Defendant stated that, as he was leaving the store area, he
“was concerned because she handed me the drawer and put it in the sack, and that wasn’t what we
had agreed to do, so [he] decided to throw away the drawer.”
The Defendant stated that when he was in the Dollar General Store, he left his gun “in the
truck . . . .” The Defendant stated that he never displayed a gun in the store. The Defendant stated
that he could not have had the weapon in the pocket of his shorts, as Ms. Marchese claimed, because
the “front pockets are sewed together.” The Defendant admitted that he would have been able to
carry a gun “down the waist band” of the pants but denied that he did so.
Following the jury trial, the Defendant was convicted of aggravated robbery, a Class B
felony. The Defendant was sentenced as a Range I, standard offender to serve twelve years in the
Department of Correction. This appeal followed.
Analysis
I. Sufficiency of the Evidence
First, the Defendant argues that the evidence presented at trial was insufficient for a rational
juror to find him guilty of aggravated robbery beyond a reasonable doubt. The Defendant claims that
he and the robbery victim knew one another and conspired to stage the robbery. The Defendant
asserts that he did not take the handgun into the Dollar General store, did not put the victim in fear,
and did not accomplish the theft with violence. Therefore, the Defendant argues that a rational jury
could only convict him of theft. The State insists that the victim’s testimony, in which she denied
knowing the Defendant or plotting this offense with him, provided sufficient evidence to convict the
Defendant of aggravated robbery. We agree with the State.
Tennessee Rule of Appellate Procedure 13(e) prescribes that “[f]indings of guilt in criminal
actions whether by the trial court or jury shall be set aside if the evidence is insufficient to support
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the findings by the trier of fact of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” A convicted criminal defendant
who challenges the sufficiency of the evidence on appeal bears the burden of demonstrating why the
evidence is insufficient to support the verdict, because a verdict of guilt destroys the presumption
of innocence and imposes a presumption of guilt. See State v. Evans, 108 S.W.3d 231, 237 (Tenn.
2003); State v. Carruthers, 35 S.W.3d 516, 557-58 (Tenn. 2000); State v. Tuggle, 639 S.W.2d 913,
914 (Tenn. 1982). This Court must reject a convicted criminal defendant’s challenge to the
sufficiency of the evidence if, after considering the evidence in a light most favorable to the
prosecution, we determine that any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of
the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. See Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319 (1979); State v.
Hall, 8 S.W.3d 593, 599 (Tenn. 1999).
On appeal, the State is entitled to the strongest legitimate view of the evidence and all
reasonable and legitimate inferences which may be drawn therefrom. See Carruthers, 35 S.W.3d at
558; Hall, 8 S.W.3d at 599. A guilty verdict by the trier of fact accredits the testimony of the State’s
witnesses and resolves all conflicts in the evidence in favor of the prosecution’s theory. See State
v. Bland, 958 S.W.2d 651, 659 (Tenn. 1997). Questions about the credibility of witnesses, the
weight and value of the evidence, as well as all factual issues raised by the evidence are resolved by
the trier of fact, and this Court will not re-weigh or re-evaluate the evidence. See Evans, 108 S.W.3d
at 236; Bland, 958 S.W.2d at 659. Nor will this Court substitute its own inferences drawn from
circumstantial evidence for those drawn by the trier of fact. See Evans, 108 S.W.3d at 236-37;
Carruthers, 35 S.W.3d at 557.
As indicted in this case, the offense of aggravated robbery requires the “intentional or
knowing theft of property from the person of another by violence or putting the person in fear” and
must be “accomplished with a deadly weapon or by display of any article used or fashioned to lead
the victim to reasonably believe it to be a deadly weapon.” See Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 39-13-401, -
402(a).
In this case, the Defendant and the victim presented markedly different versions of events
to the jury. The Defendant does not dispute the State’s proof regarding his identification or his
participation in the offense, but the Defendant states that he was not armed with a gun during the
incident and that he and the victim plotted this scheme jointly. Factual disputes are resolved by the
trier of fact. “That the jury chose to accredit the testimony of the prosecution witnesses and reject
that of the defense witnesses is within their prerogative.” State v. Summerall, 926 S.W.2d 272, 275
(Tenn. Crim. App. 1995).
As its verdict demonstrates, the jury clearly accredited the testimony of the victim, Ms.
Marchese. Ms. Marchese testified that she did not know the Defendant before August 20, 2005. She
stated that he entered the Dollar General store where she was employed, motioned to her to be quiet,
displayed a gun, and told her to empty the contents of the cash register. Ms. Marchese said she
feared for her life as the Defendant held the gun pointed at her. Ms. Marchese stated that she gave
the contents of the drawer to the Defendant and that he left the store. The Defendant was ultimately
apprehended with $304.00 cash and a handgun in his truck. In light of this evidence, a rational juror
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could have found the Defendant guilty of aggravated robbery beyond a reasonable doubt. Therefore,
we conclude that this issue has no merit.
II. Sentencing
The Defendant’s second issue is that his sentence of twelve years—the maximum within
Range I—is excessive. The State responds that the trial court properly enhanced the Defendant’s
sentence based upon his “extremely lengthy history of criminal convictions or criminal behavior[,]”
his past failures to comply with sentences involving release into the community, his lack of
hesitation to commit the offense when the risk to human life was high, and the fact that he was on
probation when he committed the instant offense. The State additionally notes that the trial court
found no mitigating factors. We agree with the State that the trial court did not err in sentencing the
Defendant to the maximum allowable within the range.
Before a trial court imposes a sentence upon a convicted criminal defendant, it must consider
(a) the evidence adduced at the trial and the sentencing hearing; (b) the presentence report; (c) the
principles of sentencing and arguments as to sentencing alternatives; (d) the nature and
characteristics of the criminal conduct involved; (e) evidence and information offered by the parties
on the enhancement and mitigating factors set forth in Tennessee Code Annotated sections
40-35-113 and 40-35-114; (f) any statistical information provided by the Administrative Office of
the Courts as to Tennessee sentencing practices for similar offenses; and (g) any statement the
defendant wishes to make in the defendant’s own behalf about sentencing. Tenn. Code Ann. §
40-35-210(b); see also State v. Imfeld, 70 S.W.3d 698, 704 (Tenn. 2002). To facilitate appellate
review, the trial court is required to place on the record its reasons for imposing the specific
sentence, including the identification of the mitigating and enhancement factors found, the specific
facts supporting each enhancement factor found, and the method by which the mitigating and
enhancement factors have been evaluated and balanced in determining the sentence. See State v.
Samuels, 44 S.W.3d 489, 492 (Tenn. 2001).
Upon a challenge to the sentence imposed, this Court has a duty to conduct a de novo review
of the sentence with a presumption that the determinations made by the trial court are correct. See
Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-401(d). However, this presumption “is conditioned upon the affirmative
showing in the record that the trial court considered the sentencing principles and all relevant facts
and circumstances.” State v. Ashby, 823 S.W.2d 166, 169 (Tenn. 1991). If our review reflects that
the trial court followed the statutory sentencing procedure, that the court imposed a lawful sentence
after having given due consideration and proper weight to the factors and principles set out under
the sentencing law, and that the trial court’s findings of fact are adequately supported by the record,
then the presumption is applicable, and we may not modify the sentence even if we would have
preferred a different result. See State v. Fletcher, 805 S.W. 2d 785, 789 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1991).
We will uphold the sentence imposed by the trial court if (1) the sentence complies with the purposes
and principles of the 1989 Sentencing Act and (2) the trial court’s findings are adequately supported
by the record. See State v. Arnett, 49 S.W.3d 250, 257 (Tenn. 2001). The burden of showing that
a sentence is improper is upon the appealing party. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-401, Sentencing
Commission Comments; Arnett, 49 S.W.3d at 257.
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The presentence report reflects that, at the time of sentencing, the Defendant was forty-three
years old and separated from his wife. He has a high school education. The report states there is
some confusion about whether the Defendant has children. He has been employed sporadically as
a cook at restaurants and bars.
At the sentencing hearing, the trial court found as follows:
There is only one conviction, only one charge, aggravated robbery. It is a B
felony. So he is looking at between 8 and 12 years. . . .
. . . [T]his is not a 100 percent sentence. . . . It is going to be a 30 percent
sentence.
I find no mitigating factors apply. I do find enhancement factor number 1
applies. The [D]efendant has a previous history of criminal convictions and criminal
behavior in addition to those necessary to establish the appropriate range.
Specifically he has 9 forgeries which are divided up at different times
between different victims.
And he also has the 15 year sentence out of Alabama for sexual abuse in the
first degree as well as a couple of misdemeanors.
Anyway, also he admitted to the drug usage which is criminal conduct which
also applies.
I place enormous weight on that extremely lengthy history of criminal
convictions or criminal behavior.
I also find that number 8 applies. That the [D]efendant before trial or
sentencing has failed to comply with conditions of a sentence involving release in the
community.
He was on probation for the public intoxication when these instant offenses
were committed.
And was on probation in the forgery cases when the offense in Alabama
occurred.
Also appears he was on bond for the sexual offender registry violation when
these instant offenses were committed as well.
Number 9, I do agree that that was an element of the offense.
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It is an element of the offense for his conviction that he used a firearm to
commit the robbery. So the State could not use that to further enhance his sentence.
I am going to agree with the General’s argument about number 10. It would
be unusual to think of an instance where you committed an aggravated robbery with
no hesitation about committing a crime when the risk to human life is high. I think
it is theoretically possible. I will place slight weight on that and frankly think were
I not to find that that applied, the other enhancing factors would be sufficient for the
sentence I am going to impose anyway.
Number 13-C applies as we talked about that the [D]efendant was on
probation for public intoxication at the time the instant offense was committed.
I find no mitigating factors.
I do agree with the General’s argument. Aggravated robbery is extremely
serious. The [D]efendant has a horrendous record. I impose a 12 year sentence as
a Range I Standard Offender.
We conclude that the trial court was within its discretion to sentence the Defendant to the
maximum within Range I based upon the enhancement factors and the lack of mitigating factors.
With regard to Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-35-114(1), the Defendant has extensive
criminal convictions including first degree sexual abuse and nine forgeries. The Defendant has also
admittedly used illegal drugs, which also constitutes criminal behavior. The trial court was within
its discretion to accord this enhancement factor “enormous weight.”
With regard to Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-35-114(8), the trial court was within
its discretion to enhance the Defendant’s sentence based upon his failure to comply with sentences
involving release into the community. The trial court stated on the record that the Defendant was
on probation for public intoxication when the offense in this case occurred and that the Defendant
was on probation from his sexual abuse offense when he committed the previous forgeries.
Therefore, the trial court did not err in applying this factor.
With regard to Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-35-114(10), the trial court was within
its discretion to enhance the Defendant’s sentence based upon the fact that he had “no hesitation
about committing a crime when the risk to human life was high . . . .” Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-
114(10). Although a sentence may not normally be enhanced based upon a factor that is inherent
in the offense, our supreme court has concluded that the trial court may nonetheless enhance a
sentence based upon this factor when individuals other than the victim may have been harmed by
the commission of the offense. State v. Imfield, 70 S.W.3d 698, 707 (Tenn. 2002).
We have considered a similar case involving the application of section 40-35-114(10) to an
aggravated robbery of a store clerk. In State v. Paul Biles, No. M2002 00459-CCA-R3-CD, 2003
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WL 21004724 (Tenn. Crim. App., Nashville, May 2, 2003), the Defendant entered a convenience
store and robbed the cashier at gunpoint while other customers were in the store. Id. at *1-2. In
Biles, we concluded that the trial court properly applied this enhancement factor based upon the
pronouncement in Imfield that the risk of danger to other victims was not necessarily inherent in an
aggravated robbery. Id. at *5. In the present case, Ms. Marchese’s manager was in the store and was
endangered by the Defendant. Furthermore, although Ms. Marchese did not believe other customers
were in the store during the robbery, Ms. Mateos testified that “an older lady and her granddaughter”
were in the store. As such, we conclude the Defendant caused risk to the lives of others in addition
to Ms. Marchese, the named victim.
Finally, with regard to Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-35-114(13)(C), the trial court
found that the Defendant had been on probation for public intoxication only five days at the time he
committed the aggravated robbery. Therefore, the trial court properly enhanced his sentence based
upon this factor.
We conclude that the Defendant has failed to meet his burden of demonstrating that the trial
court erred in enhancing his sentence. Therefore, this issue has no merit.
III. Lesser-Included Offense Instruction
The Defendant’s final issue is whether the trial court erred in failing to instruct the jury on
the lesser-included offense of attempted aggravated robbery. The Defendant bases this argument
solely on the fact that attempted aggravated robbery is classified as a lesser-included offense of
aggravated robbery. See State v. Burns, 6 S.W.3d 453, 456 (Tenn. 1999). The State responds that
the issue is waived for failure to “support this issue with argument, citation to authorities, or
appropriate references to the record” and also “because the [D]efendant has failed to show that he
properly requested instructions for the lesser-included offense of attempt.” The State also argues that
the trial court is not required to instruct the jury on a lesser-included offense unless the “evidence
introduced at trial is legally sufficient to support a conviction for the lesser-included offense.” See
Burns, 6 S.W.3d at 469. The State contends that the Defendant completed the robbery and that the
trial court did not err by failing to charge the jury on attempted aggravated robbery.
The State contends that Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-18-110(b) requires that
counsel provide a “written request . . . specifically identifying the particular lesser included offense
or offenses on which a jury instruction is sought . . . .” The statute further provides that if a written
request for a specific lesser-included offense is not filed, the lesser included offense instruction is
waived and may not be presented as an issue on appeal. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-18-110(c). In this
case, the record shows that no written request was filed for a jury instruction on attempted
aggravated robbery. We conclude that the Defendant has waived the issue.
Waiver aside, our supreme court has held that appellate courts are not precluded from
reviewing this issue under the plain error doctrine. See State v. Page, 184 S.W.3d 223, 230 (Tenn.
2006).
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Under the Burns test, an offense is a lesser included offense if it meets the following
requirements:
(a) all of its statutory elements are included within the statutory elements
of the offense charged; or
(b) it fails to meet the definition in part (a) only in the respect that it
contains a statutory element or elements establishing
(1) a different mental state indicating a lesser kind of culpability; and/or
(2) a less serious harm or risk of harm to the same person, property or
public interest; or
(c) it consists of
(1) facilitation of the offense charged or of an offense that otherwise meets
the definition of lesser-included offense in part (a) or (b); or
(2) an attempt to commit the offense charged or an offense that otherwise
meets the definition of lesser-included offense in part (a) or (b); or
(3) solicitation to commit the offense charged or an offense that otherwise
meets the definition of lesser-included offense in part (a) or (b).
Burns, 6 S.W.3d at 466-67. Furthermore, our supreme court stated in Burns that a lesser-included
offense instruction is not required unless the particular facts of the case would support a jury
conviction on that charge. Id. at 469.
On appeal, “[t]he question whether a given offense should be submitted to the jury as a
lesser-included offense is a mixed question of law and fact.” State v. Rush, 50 S.W.3d 424, 427
(Tenn. 2001) (citing State v. Smiley, 38 S.W.3d 521, 524 (Tenn. 2001)). The standard of review on
appeal is de novo. Burns, 6 S.W.3d at 461.
Upon review, we conclude that the trial judge did not err in its determination that an attempt
instruction is necessary under Burns only “when there is a factual situation where it could go
either/or as to whether it is a completed act or not.” The trial court correctly found that the facts of
this case did not support an instruction for attempt because the Defendant admitted to taking the
money from the Dollar General store. As the trial court noted, the jury was “either . . . going to
believe the State’s case or believe [the Defendant].” Therefore, the issue was whether the Defendant
was guilty of theft or of aggravated robbery. The facts adduced at trial, in any light that the jury may
have chosen to view them, did not warrant an instruction for attempt. The trial court did not err by
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declining to instruct the jury on attempted aggravated robbery. Because we conclude that the trial
court did not err, a plain error analysis is unnecessary.
Conclusion
Based upon the foregoing authorities and reasoning, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
______________________________
DAVID H. WELLES, JUDGE
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