State v. Arnold K. Ward

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT NASHVILLE
August 16, 2000 Session

STATE OF TENNESSEE v. ARNOLD K. WARD, JR.

Direct Appeal from the Circuit Court for Williamson County
No. II-298-66 Timothy L. Easter, Judge

No. M1999-00357-CCA-R3-CD - Filed December 14, 2000

The appellant/defendant, Arnold K. Ward, Jr., appeals as of right from a judgment of conviction and
sentencing imposed by the Williamson County Circuit Court. Upon jury conviction for attempted
murder second degree and assault, the trial court imposed sentences of eleven (11) years for
attempted murder second degree and eleven (11) months and twenty-nine (29) days for assault. The
trial court ordered the sentences to be served concurrently. In his appellate issues, the defendant
asserts that: (1) the indictment for count one is defective; (2) the defendant was denied his right to
compulsory process; (3) extra-judicial communication during the trial between a witness and a juror
contaminated the proceedings; (4) there was insufficient evidence for which a rational trier of fact
could find the defendant guilty; (5) the defendant was convicted of a charge that does not exist under
Tennessee law; and (6) the defendant’s sentence is excessive. After a review of the entire record,
we find the appellate issues without merit and affirm the trial court’s judgment.

Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Circuit Court is Affirmed.

L. TERRY LAFFERTY, SR. J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which JERRY L. SMITH and JOE G.
RILEY, JJ., joined.

Eugene Honea, Assistant Public Defender, Franklin, Tennessee, for the appellant, Arnold K. Ward,
Jr.

Paul G. Summers, Attorney General & Reporter; Lucian D. Geise, Assistant Attorney General; Jeff
Burks, Assistant District Attorney; and Robert Hassell, Assistant District Attorney, for the appellee,
State of Tennessee.

OPINION

In count one, of a three count presentment, the Williamson County Grand Jury accused the
defendant of attempted murder first degree of James R. Brom on December 29, 1997. In count two,
the defendant was accused of aggravated assault of James R. Brom. In count three, the defendant
was accused of assault of Frances Jackson. After a two day trial, the jury found the defendant guilty
of attempted murder second degree as included in the first count and guilty of assault in count three.
The jury did not return a verdict to the offense of aggravated assault in count two.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

James Robert Brom testified that on December 29, 1997, the defendant and Jeffery Burns
came to his home on Vaughn Road in Hickman County. During the visit, Brom, the defendant,
Burns and Bruce Prince, the victim’s brother-in-law, smoked a “joint” and drank some beer. Brom
stated that about 4:00 p.m., they left his home and bought a 12-pack of beer and proceeded to the
home of Frances Jackson, the defendant’s girlfriend. The defendant lived with Jackson on Fisher
Road in Williamson County. At Jackson’s mobile home, they drank beer and listened to music for
several hours. However, Burns drank vodka. Brom stated that he did not smoke any marijuana at
the Jackson trailer. Brom testified that the defendant left to get some more beer, and upon his return
the defendant received a telephone call from someone who needed their car towed. The defendant
cursed the guy on the telephone and Brom told the defendant, “that’s not no way to run a business.”
Brom testified that the defendant went into another room to hang up the telephone and returned with
a gun. Brom stated that he told the defendant, “put the g-d gun away, before you hurt somebody.”
The defendant shot Brom in the shoulder and said, “I’ll blow your M-F head off again.” Brom
testified that he was shot twice, once in the left side of his head and in his left shoulder. Brom stated
that he said, “call 911, there’s someone walking down the road that’s been shot.” Brom testified that
he woke up in Vanderbilt Hospital where he spent three days. The doctors would not remove the
bullet in his left lung because it was lodged too close to his heart. Brom stated that there were no
threats made prior to the shooting and indicated that the defendant was upset that Brom did not go
with him to get some beer.

During cross-examination, Brom denied taking any pills or smoking marijuana at Jackson’s
trailer. Brom estimated that he was shot between 7:30 and 8:00 p.m. Before being shot, Brom stated
that he heard four to five shots and afterwards two or three more shots. Brom testified that he was
sitting on the couch and that the defendant was pointing the gun at him, talking to him, and there was
no chance to defend himself.

Jeffery P. Burns, age 32, testified that he has been a paraplegic for eleven (11) years. He had
been beaten with a baseball bat. He stated that he is the defendant's cousin and that he has known
Jackson for approximately two years. On December 29, 1997, he met Brom and Prince for the first
time. Burns stated that he spent about five hours with the defendant, Brom and Prince. During this
time, he drank vodka, they drank beer and everybody took some pills (Valium, Loratab, Percoset and
crack cocaine), and smoked some marijuana. Burns estimated that he and the defendant had been
drinking and taking drugs for about three days. Burns confirmed that he was with the defendant
when they picked up Brom and Prince and smoked some marijuana. Upon their return to Jackson’s
trailer, Burns was sitting in his wheelchair by the front door. After a couple of hours, the defendant
left to get some more beer. Upon the defendant’s return, the defendant and Prince got into an
argument about “business.” The defendant went into another room and obtained a gun. The
defendant shot twice into the ceiling. Prince got up and left the trailer walking down the road. They

-2-
continued to drink and the defendant and Jackson began arguing about her possible involvement with
Prince. The defendant struck Jackson with a .25 automatic pistol. Jackson went and took a shower.
Burns wheeled himself into the kitchen to catheterize himself. Burns stated that he heard two or
three shots and turned and saw Brom on the couch bleeding. The defendant was standing over by
the door, but Burns did not see anything in the defendant’s hands. Jackson came out of the bedroom
and Brom got up to walk, not saying anything. Burns believed that the defendant called 911 and that
the police arrived in approximately 10 minutes.

Burns stated that before the police arrived, the defendant wanted him to take the blame for
shooting Brom, by him being in a wheelchair. Burns testified that the defendant cut him across the
chest with a knife to make it look like self-defense. Upon their arrival, Burns told the police that he
shot Brom. Later that night, Burns went to the hospital to seek medical treatment because the cut
he received would not stop bleeding. Burns stated that shortly afterwards, he came to his senses and
told the police he did not shoot Brom. He also told the defendant, “I wasn’t going to say I shot
anybody.”

During cross-examination, Burns testified that the defendant shot into the ceiling with a .25
caliber automatic pistol, which was left by Prince. Burns stated that it was possible that he called
his mother in Manchester, Tennessee, and told her that he shot Brom, but he denied that he told his
mother that Brom was involved with what happened to his legs. Burns identified a statement that
he gave to the police on January 3, 1998, in which he stated that he shot Brom. The statement was
read to the jury. He also identified a statement given to the police on January 14, 1998, in which he
stated, “I didn’t shoot anybody.”

Jody Sexton, a former deputy of the Williamson County Sheriff's Department, testified that
he and Deputy Robert Durbin responded to a domestic call on Fisher Road in Williamson County
on December 29, 1997, at approximately 11:00 p.m. While en route, the call was changed to a
“shooting call.” Both Sexton and Durbin parked near the driveway and approached the mobile home
from a wooded area for officer safety reasons. Deputy Sexton stated that he saw the defendant
coming around the side of the trailer. Deputy Durbin handcuffed the defendant because of the
shooting call and because he did not know exactly what had happened in the trailer. Once inside the
trailer, Deputy Sexton saw Jackson, Brom and Burns. Brom had been shot twice and Burns had a
12 inch cut across his chest. Deputy Sexton searched the trailer for a weapon but did not find one.
The defendant was brought into the trailer and the handcuffs were taken off. When the defendant
was asked what happened, he said “some person came inside yelling about his car. Burns was cut
by this subject and Brom defended Burns and this person shot Brom in the head and chest.” This
unknown subject left through the rear door on foot. The defendant described the person as a white
male, 5' 4", and weighing about 150 pounds. Deputy Sexton stated that he went outside and saw
some prints in the snow and blood on the back porch. The tracks went about 50 yards into some
woods and then returned going around the corner of the trailer. Deputy Sexton checked the cedar
thicket and recovered a .22 caliber pistol, which contained three (3) spent rounds and two (2) live
rounds. Deputy Sexton did not see any tracks leaving the trailer which lead to the roadway. While
in the trailer, Deputy Sexton tagged one spent and one live .25 automatic round and also a pocket

-3-
knife which was found in Brom's front pocket. Deputy Sexton described Brom as drunk, incoherent,
had slurred speech, and speaking nonsense. Brom refused treatment stating, “he wanted another
beer.”

Robert Durbin, a deputy of the Williamson County Sheriff's Department, testified that he and
Deputy Sexton responded to a call on Fisher Road about 11:00 p.m. on December 29, 1997. Deputy
Durbin stated that he parked his car, approached the trailer and saw a white male coming around the
corner of the trailer. He identified himself and handcuffed the subject. Inside the trailer, Deputy
Durbin saw a female, Burns was sitting with a cut across his chest in a wheelchair, and Brom had
been shot twice. Deputy Durbin stated that Deputy Sexton asked the defendant what happened. The
defendant testified that “Bruce had come in the trailer about a tow. He was drunk. An argument
began, Bruce cut Burns and then shot Brom and left.” Deputy Durbin went outside to the back of
the trailer and saw a set of tracks leading into some woods. The tracks returned and went around to
the corner of the trailer. Deputy Durbin identified a .22 caliber pistol found in the woods, which
contained several empty shell casings and possibly one live round. During cross-examination,
Durbin testified that he found a knife in the breast pocket of Brom's overalls.

Tony Phillips, a detective for the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department, testified that he
saw Brom at Vanderbilt Hospital on December 31, 1997. Phillips stated that afterwards he obtained
an arrest warrant for the defendant. On December 31, 1997, Phillips obtained a statement from the
defendant who said, “Burns shot Brom about an incident over Burns’ loss of his legs.” Phillips
testified that he was aware that Detective Hagon had taken a statement from Burns on January 3,
1998. Phillips stated that he went on vacation about the middle of January and did not conduct any
further investigation about the case. Phillips testified that the .22 caliber pistol was not tested to
determine if that gun had fired any rounds.

Sean M. O’Brien, a corporal for the Williamson County Department Jail Center, testified that
on July 5, 1998, there was an escape from the jail. O’Brien stated that during a medical visit to the
cells he noticed a hole in one of the windows and found that the defendant and five other inmates
had escaped. O’Brien believed that the defendant was caught three days later.

Lieutenant Derrell Cagle of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department, testified that he
was notified that the defendant and six others escaped from jail on July 5, 1998. Lt. Cagle stated that
he received information that the defendant could be found at a residence in Nashville. He stated that
the defendant was found at this residence hiding on the roof. The defendant was apprehended and
returned to Williamson County Jail. Lt. Cagle estimated that the defendant was gone for
approximately four hours before he was arrested.

Frances Jackson testified that she has lived at 7925 Fisher Road, Primm Springs, Tennessee,
for the past five (5) years and that the defendant lived with her for two (2) years. She stated that on
December 29, 1997, the defendant and Burns left her trailer and returned with Brom and Prince.
They smoked some marijuana and took some pills. She described them as drinking too much and

-4-
“rocking.”1 She does not remember arguing but the defendant hit her in the left eye with the .22
caliber pistol. She testified that her eye began bleeding so she took a shower. Jackson testified that
while in the shower she heard two shots and thought it was “some guys just drinking and shooting.”
When she came out, she saw Brom lying on the floor. She lifted his head and discovered that he had
been shot in the head. She helped pick Brom up and sat him in a chair. She said to Burns and the
defendant, “there's three phones in the f—ing house and no one knows the number to 911.” The
defendant responded, “f—k the SOB, I hope he dies.” Prince had already left before this happened.
While Brom was sitting in the chair, the defendant went outside. After the paramedics had taken
Brom, Jackson went to the bedroom to lay down and the defendant came in the bedroom and slapped
her on the leg wanting to know where the gun was. Jackson testified that someone had cleaned up
the trailer because she saw bloody water in the mop bucket. As to the knife found in Brom’s pocket,
she indicated that it belonged to her. She used this knife at work and when she got home she placed
it on the counter. She saw Burns’ cut after the paramedics had taken Brom.

During cross-examination, Jackson testified that she did not know of her own personal
knowledge who shot Brom. She stated that the defendant used one of the trailer’s bedrooms as an
office in which he kept a .25 automatic pistol and her .22 caliber pistol locked in a desk. She
described herself as being messed up and that Brom was both drinking and using drugs. She stated
that after Brom was gone, Burns called his mother and told her that he shot Brom.

In his own defense, the defendant testified that he had no memory of what happened on the
night of December 29, 1997. He does not believe that he shot Brom. The defendant stated that
Burns shot Brom. In his testimony, the defendant corroborated much of the testimony of the State's
witnesses in reference to the events leading up to the shooting of the victim. He stated that the
reason they went to Brom’s home was that Brom wanted to buy some pills and that Burns would sell
the pills to Brom. The defendant stated that upon their return to the trailer, Burns and Brom had a
discussion about Burns’ paralysis. Burns told Brom that “Stormy Cochran” and four others, in
Columbia, Tennessee, had beaten him with a baseball bat. In Burns’ mind, Brom was one of the four
who had beaten him. The defendant stated that Burns and Brom were arguing, so he went into the
office and got his .25 automatic pistol and shot four (4) to five (5) times into the ceiling. They all
got quiet. Prince left, then the defendant went outside and removed the .22 caliber pistol from his
wrecker and placed it near the stereo when he came back inside the trailer. The defendant agreed
that he struck Jackson with the .22 pistol, but it was accidentally. The defendant testified that he
went to help Jackson, whose eye was bleeding, and while she was taking a shower, he heard two
gunshots. When the defendant returned to the living room, he observed that Brom had been shot and
asked Burns, “Why did you shoot Jimmy?” The defendant could not understand Burns' response.
While Jackson was on the telephone with 911, the defendant told her, “We can’t let the SOB die.”
While they were waiting for the ambulance, Burns called his mother. The defendant stated that he
asked Burns where was the gun and Burns responded that he had thrown the gun out the back door.
The defendant went outside to attempt to find the gun, but could not locate it. The defendant
explained that the deputies implied that Prince must have shot Brom since he had left and that the

1
This term refers to the use of rocks of crack cocaine.

-5-
defendant decided to go along with their implication. As to his escape from jail, the defendant stated
that he observed two inmates sawing some bars on the window of their cell and broke out a window.
The defendant decided to escape so that he could sell his wrecker and hire an attorney.

SENTENCING HEARING

On February 1, 1999, the trial court conducted a sentencing hearing in which the only witness
was the defendant. Apparently, between the defendant’s convictions in October 1998, and the
sentencing hearing, the defendant entered a plea of guilty to felony escape and requested a sentencing
hearing to coincide with these convictions. The defendant acknowledged that the pre-sentence report
was correct. He also acknowledged that he was convicted in the Williamson County Circuit Court
on September 9, 1996, of DUI, 1st offense and Possession of Marijuana. The defendant was
sentenced to eleven (11) months and twenty-nine (29) days for each offense, to run concurrently.
After service of forty-five (45) days the defendant was placed on supervised probation. In addition,
the defendant was fined three hundred and fifty dollars ($350.00) and two hundred and fifty dollars
($250.00). Also, the defendant confirmed that he had a DUI arrest in Columbia, Tennessee, in 1991.
In 1993, the defendant was arrested and convicted in Little Rock, Arkansas, for battery, resisting
arrest and carrying a weapon, which he indicated was a stick.

In its determination of a proper sentence, the trial court found three (3) enhancement factors;
(1), the defendant has a previous history of criminal convictions or criminal behavior in addition to
those necessary to establish the appropriate range; (6), the crime was committed under circumstances
which the potential for bodily injury to a victim was great; and (10), the defendant had no hesitation
about committing a crime when the risk to human life was high. In considering mitigation factors,
the trial court found that mitigating factor (3) was applicable; substantial grounds exist tending to
excuse or justify the defendant’s criminal conduct, though failing to establish a defense, but the trial
court rejected mitigating factor (11), the defendant, although guilty of a crime, committed the offense
under such unusual circumstances that it is unlikely that a sustained intent to violate the law
motivated the criminal conduct. For the offense of attempted murder second degree, the trial court
imposed a sentence of eleven (11) years in the Department of Correction. For the offense of assault,
the trial court imposed a sentence of eleven (11) months and twenty-nine (29) days in the Williamson
County Jail which sentence was to run concurrent with the attempted murder second degree offense.
For the offense of escape, the trial court imposed a sentence of one (1) year to run consecutive to the
offense of attempted murder second degree.

LEGAL ANALYSIS
Issue No. 1

In his first assignment of error, the defendant submits that the indictment (presentment) is
defective in that the charging instrument, in count one, fails to charge an overt act as required by the
attempt statute, Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-12-101. The State asserts that the presentment in this case
charged the defendant with attempted first degree murder and, thus, conforms with constitutional and
statutory requirements.

-6-
 In the present case, the first count of the presentment alleges that:

Arnold K. Ward, Jr., heretofore, to wit, on the 29th day of December, 1997,
before the finding of this presentment, in the said County and State,
unlawfully, feloniously, intentionally, and with premeditation, did attempt to
kill another: James R. Brom, in violation of Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-
13-202.

Our Criminal Attempt Statute, Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-12-101 states:

(a) a person who, acting with the kind of culpability otherwise required for the
offense:

(1) Intentionally engages in action or causes a result that would constitute an offense
if the circumstances surrounding the conduct were as the person believes them to be;

(2) Acts with intent to cause a result that is an element of the offense, and believes
the conduct will cause the result without further conduct on the person’s part; or

(3) Acts with intent to complete a course of action or cause a result that would
constitute the offense, under the circumstances surrounding the conduct as the person
believes them to be, and the conduct constitutes a substantial step toward the
commission of the offense.

(b) Conduct does not constitute a substantial step under subdivision (a)(3) unless the
person’s entire course of action is corroborative of the intent to commit the offense.

An indictment (presentment) must state the facts constituting the offense in ordinary and
concise language, without prolixity or repetition, in such a manner as to enable a person of common
understanding to know what is intended, and with that degree of certainty which will enable the
court, on conviction, to pronounce the proper judgment. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-13-202 (1990).

In Wyatt v. State, 24 S.W.3d 319 (Tenn. 2000), our Supreme Court addressed, in a denial of
a petition for habeas corpus, the sufficiency of notice in an indictment for attempted murder first
degree. His indictment states in pertinent part:

that WILLIAM TERRY WYATT on the 7th day of March, 1994, in Cumberland County,
Tennessee, and before the finding of this indictment, did unlawfully, intentionally,
deliberately and with premeditation attempt to kill Billie Carey in violation of T.C.A. 39-12-
101. . . .

The indictment did not specify a specific act or course of conduct constituting the “attempt
to kill.” Wyatt asserted that his conviction and sentence were void because the indictment failed to

-7-
allege an overt act, which is a material element of attempted murder first degree. Thus, the trial
court had no jurisdiction. Since the defendant in this cause raised an identical issue the Supreme
Court holding is determinative of this issue. The Supreme Court held:

The form of an indictment is further governed by statute. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-13-202
(1997). Section 202 requires that an indictment “state the facts constituting the offense in
ordinary and concise language, without prolixity or repetition, in such a manner as to enable
a person of common understanding to know what is intended, and with that degree of
certainty which will enable the court, on conviction, to pronounce the proper judgment.” Id.
“Prolixity” means “[t]he unnecessary and superfluous statement of facts in pleading or in
evidence.” Black's Law Dictionary 1378 (4th Ed. 1951). We consider the sufficiency of
Wyatt's indictment with these constitutional and statutory principles in mind.

We conclude that the indictment in this case satisfies these minimum requirements. Clearly
Wyatt was placed on notice that he was charged with the intentional, deliberate and
premeditated attempt to kill the named victim on a date certain. The indictment was also
sufficient to place the trial court on notice that a judgment and sentence for attempted first-
degree murder were proper upon conviction. Finally, by expressly stating that the attempt
to kill was made against a specific victim on a date certain, the indictment offers Wyatt
double jeopardy protection from any future charge of attempted murder against that victim
on that date. Though the language “did … attempt to kill” is a general description, especially
in light of the testimony at the preliminary hearing that Wyatt committed multiple acts
against the victim which the State could have relied upon to obtain a verdict, this language
alleges an act as required by the criminal attempt statute and was sufficient to notify Wyatt
of the accused crime, to confer jurisdiction upon the trial court, and to protect against double
jeopardy. Hill, 954 S.W.2d at 727.

Wyatt v. State, 24 S.W.3d at 324-325.

Further, the Supreme Court urged the State to charge, in the future, the crime of an attempt
in such a way that informs the defendant of the precise act or acts against which he is being called
upon to defend.

We hold that the presentment in this case sets forth sufficient notice to the defendant that he
was charged with the offense of criminal attempt without the necessity of advising him of the exact
overt act in attempting to kill the victim, Jimmy Brom. The proof established that after an argument,
the defendant went into a bedroom, obtained a .22 caliber pistol, returned and shot the victim twice.
Such conduct acts as a substantial step in the commission of the offense of attempted murder second
degree. There is no merit to this issue.

-8-
 Issue No. 2

In his second assignment of error, the defendant complained that he was denied his right to
compulsory process for obtaining certain witnesses at his trial. The defendant asserts that the trial
court refused him the right to subpoena Ritha Rinholt, William Strong, Bruce Prince, and Detective
Hagon. In essence, these witnesses would have testified that Burns admitted shooting Brom. The
State contends that the record does not support the defendant’s contention.

In support of his argument in his brief, the defendant cites to the record from the videotape
of his trial, (Videotape II, 10/29/98, 09:03:50). However, a review of the videotape record
established a pre-trial conference between the defendant, his counsel, and the trial court in which his
counsel made known to the trial court that the defendant was dissatisfied with counsel’s
representation. Apparently, the defendant had instructed defense counsel not to present a certain
defense. The trial court went over the list of witnesses subpoenaed for trial in the defendant’s
presence. (Videotape II, 10/29/98, 09:07:15). The record does not establish that the defendant
requested a continuance to secure the presence of additional witnesses. The other citations to the
record by the defendant relate to jury voir dire and the questioning of Detective Tony Phillips in
regards to the defendant’s statement. We agree with the State that the defendant has waived this
issue for failure to provide proper citations to the record. See Tenn. R. Crim. App. 10(b).

Defendants have a constitutional right to compulsory process under both the United States
Constitution and the Tennessee Constitution. The constitutional right to compulsory process
requires the trial court to issue process “for, and only for, competent, material, and resident witnesses
whose expected testimony will be admissible.” State v. West, 767 S.W.2d 387, 401 (Tenn. 1989).

Although the defendant wished to present these missing witnesses to show that Burns
admitted shooting Brom, there was ample evidence introduced at trial through various witnesses that
Burns had made such admissions at the time of the shooting, but recanted such statements before the
jury. In the present case, the defendant has failed to show that the trial court denied him compulsory
process. We find no merit to this assignment of error.

Issue No. 3

In his third assignment of error, the defendant asserts extra-judicial communication occurred
during the trial between a witness and a juror, thus contaminating the proceedings. In his brief, the
defendant contends that he spoke to Frances Jackson on November 1, 1989, by phone, and that Ms.
Jackson stated that she had spoken to a juror during a recess. According to Ms. Jackson, she made
a negative comment concerning the defendant’s “temper.” The defendant concedes that he was
unaware if such information had been presented to the trial court. We agree with the State that the
record does not reveal such occurrence was brought to the trial court’s attention at a motion for a
new trial. Tenn. R. App. P. 3(e), in pertinent part provides:

-9-
 Provided, however, that in all cases tried by a jury, no issue presented for review shall be
predicated upon error in the admission or exclusion of evidence, jury instructions granted or
refused, misconduct of jurors, parties or counsel, or other action committed or occurring
during the trial of the case, or other ground upon which a new trial is sought, unless the same
was specifically stated in a motion for a new trial; otherwise such issues will be treated as
waived.

Thus, the defendant is not entitled to any relief not raised below. There is no merit to this issue.

Issue No. 4

In his fourth assignment of error, the defendant asserts that there was insufficient evidence
for which a rational trier of fact could have found the defendant guilty of attempted murder second
degree. The State counters there is ample evidence in the record to support the defendant’s
convictions.

Following a jury conviction, the initial presumption of innocence is removed from the
defendant and exchanged for one of guilt, so that on appeal, the defendant had the burden of
demonstrating the insufficiency of the evidence. State v. Tuggle, 639 S.W.2d 913, 914 (Tenn. 1982).
It is the duty of this Court to affirm the conviction unless the evidence adduced at trial was so
deficient that no rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the offense beyond
a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 317, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 2789 (1979); State v.
Cazes, 875 S.W.2d 253, 259 (Tenn. 1994); Tenn. R. App. P. 13(e). In State v. Matthews, 805
S.W.2d 776, 779 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1990), perm. app. denied, (Tenn. 1990), this Court held this rule
is applicable to findings of guilt predicated upon direct evidence, circumstantial evidence, or a
combination of both direct evidence and circumstantial evidence.

This Court does not reweigh or reevaluate the evidence, nor may we replace our inferences
for those drawn by the trier of fact. State v. Cabbage, 571 S.W.2d 832, 835 (Tenn. 1978).
Furthermore, the State is entitled to the strongest legitimate view of the evidence and all reasonable
inferences which may be drawn therefrom. State v. Harris, 839 S.W.2d 54, 75 (Tenn. 1992), cert.
denied, 507 U.S. 954, 113 S.Ct. 1368 (1993). A jury verdict accredits the testimony of the State’s
witnesses and resolves all conflicts in favor of the State’s theory. State v. Williams, 657 S.W.2d 405,
410 (Tenn. 1983).

Although the defendant was charged with attempted murder first degree, the jury in its
discretion, based upon the evidence and jury instructions, found the defendant guilty of attempted
murder second degree. Second degree murder is the knowing killing of another. Tenn. Code Ann.
§ 39-13-210 (1997). “Knowing” refers to a person who acts knowingly with respect to the conduct
or to circumstances surrounding the conduct when the person is aware of the nature of the conduct
or that the circumstances exist. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-11-302(b)(1997). A person acts
knowingly with respect to a result of the person’s conduct when the person is aware that the conduct
is reasonably certain to cause the result. Id. One commits second degree murder if one knowingly

-10-
tries to kill another and succeeds in doing so. See State v. Bryant, 1999 Lexis 16, No. 02C01-9707-
CR-00286, 1999 WL 5633, at *6 (Tenn. Crim. App. Jan. 8, 1999), perm. app. denied, (Tenn.1999).
Thus, attempted murder second degree may be proven by showing that the defendant “intentionally
acted with the requisite culpability to commit the offense of murder second degree. . . if he had
actually killed the victims.” State v. Nolan, 1997 Lexis 597, No. 01C01-9511-CC-00367, 1997 WL
351142 at *22 (Tenn. Crim. App. June 26, 1997), perm. app. denied, (Tenn. 1998).

The evidence in this record established that the defendant and the victim had an argument
over the defendant’s “operation of his business.” Prior to this argument, the defendant and Prince
had some words and the defendant shot twice into the ceiling with a .25 automatic pistol. After the
argument with the victim, the defendant went into a bedroom and obtained a .22 caliber pistol and
shot the victim once. The defendant told the victim, “I’ll blow your M-F head off again.” The
defendant shot the victim a second time. This bullet lodged in the victim’s chest next to his heart.
After the incident, the defendant persuaded Burns to take the blame for shooting the victim. Burns
admitted telling Detective Hagon that he shot the victim, but recanted this testimony at trial.
Although the defendant denied hiding the .22 caliber pistol outside the trailer, law enforcement
officers found only one set of prints in the snow leading from the trailer to the woods. The defendant
admitted that he had gone outside, but for other reasons. Also, the jury had the benefit of Deputies
Sexton's and Burton's testimonies, stating that the defendant said Prince shot the victim and left
walking from the trailer.

Despite the defendant’s arguments about inconsistencies in the testimony, the jury resolved
all conflicts in favor of the State, as was their prerogative. We find that the evidence is amply
sufficient to support the defendant’s conviction for attempted murder second degree. There is no
merit to this argument.

Issue No. 5

In his fifth assignment of error, the defendant contends that criminal attempt requires a
specific intent to commit the particular offense, while second degree murder is not a specific intent
crime. Therefore, the attempt to commit murder second degree is not cognizable as an offense under
Tennessee law. The State differs and asserts that the offense of attempted murder second degree is
firmly established in this state.

In State v. Kimbrough, 924 S.W.2d 888, 890 (Tenn. 1996), our Supreme Court held that the
specific intent required by the criminal attempt statute was inconsistent with felony murder because
attempt requires a specific intent, and one cannot intend to commit an unintentional act. This Court
has noted, with regards to attempted murder second degree, that the mental states of intentional or
knowing both “involve a level of conscious awareness and volitional, affirmative conduct.” See
State v. Palmer, 10 S.W.3d 638, 644 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1999); State v. Nolan, No. 01C01-9511-CC-
00387,1997 WL 351142 (Tenn. Crim. App. June 26, 1997). Likewise, this Court recognized that
the offense of attempted murder second degree exists in Tennessee. State v. Palmer, Id.; State v.
Bryant, No. 02C01-9707-CR-00286, 1999 WL 5633 (Tenn. Crim. App. Jan. 8, 1999); State v.

-11-
Eldridge, 951 S.W.2d 775, 779 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1997) (upholding jury instruction on attempted
second degree murder); Grant C. Ivey v. State, No. 02C01-9801-CC-00052, 1999 WL 228271 (Tenn.
Crim. App. Apr. 20, 1999) (holding that retrial for attempted second degree murder did not violate
double jeopardy); State v. Porter, No. 03C01-9606-CC-00238, 1997 WL 661419 (Tenn. Crim. App.
Oct. 24, 1997) (holding evidence was sufficient to support attempted murder second degree
conviction).

In State v. Cribbs, 967 S.W.2d 773, 782-3 (Tenn. 1998), our Supreme Court, in a death
penalty case, addressed the question of using convictions involving attempted second degree murder
as aggravating circumstances. The Supreme Court agreed with the Court of Criminal Appeals
holding that the attempt statute requires the perpetrator to act “with the kind of culpability otherwise
required for the principal offense.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-12-101(a)(1997 Repl). The Supreme
Court held the classification of attempted second degree murder as one of whose statutory elements
involve the use of violence to the person.

We hold that an attempt to commit second degree murder is a criminal offense in Tennessee.
There is no merit to this issue.

Issue No. 6

In his sixth assignment of error, the defendant asserts that his sentence is excessive in
applying two enhancement factors, Tenn Code Ann. §§ 40-350114(1) and (6). However, the
defendant does not challenge the trial court’s determination that enhancement factor (10), the
defendant had no hesitation in committing a crime in which the risk to human life was high. The
State contends that the trial court’s judgment is correct.

When an accused challenges the length, range, or manner of service of a sentence, 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. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-401(d). 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). The burden is now on the defendant to show that the sentencing was improper. This means
that if the trial court followed the statutory sentencing procedure, made findings of fact that are
adequately supported in the record, and gave due consideration and proper weight to the factors and
principles that are relevant to sentencing under the 1989 Sentencing Act, we may not disturb the
sentence even if a different result were preferred. State v. Fletcher, 805 S.W.2d 785, 789 (Tenn.
Crim. App. 1991).

When conducting a de novo review of the sentence, this Court must consider: (a) the
evidence, if any, received at trial and or sentencing hearing; (b) the pre-sentence report; (c) the
principles of sentencing; (d) the arguments of counsel as to sentencing alternatives; (e) the nature
and characteristics of the offense; (f) any statutory mitigating and enhancement factors; (g) any
statements made by the defendant in his own behalf; and (h) the defendant’s potential or lack of

-12-
potential for rehabilitation or treatment. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-102-103, -210; State v. Smith,
735 S.W.2d 859, 863 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1987). Since the defendant was convicted of attempted
second degree murder, which is a Class B felony, the defendant is not presumed to be a favorable
candidate for an alternative sentence option. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-101(6). Should there
be enhancement and mitigating factors for a Class B felony, the trial court must start at the minimum
sentence in the range, enhance the sentence within the range as appropriate for enhancement factors,
then reduce the sentence within the range as appropriate for the mitigating factors. Tenn. Code Ann.
§ 40-35-210(e). The applicable range of punishment for the defendant’s conviction of attempted
second degree murder is eight (8) to twelve (12) years, Range I, standard offender.

First, the defendant complained that the record does not support the trial court’s finding that
Tennessee Code Annotated § 40-35-114(1); the defendant has a previous history of criminal
convictions or criminal behavior in addition to those necessary to establish the appropriate range,
in that the pre-sentence report does not reveal a history of criminal behavior. However, the evidence
at the defendant’s sentencing hearing clearly established that enhancement factor (1) is applicable.
The defendant’s own testimony established that he had two previous convictions for DUI, a
conviction for possession of marijuana, which he had taken into a jail, and three convictions in the
State of Arkansas, for battery, resisting arrest and carrying a weapon. On the day of the incident, the
testimony at trial clearly revealed that the defendant had been consuming and participating in drug
usage. Likewise at the sentencing hearing, defense counsel for both the offense of attempted second
degree murder and escape, conceded that enhancement factor (1) was applicable. The record amply
supports the trial court’s application of enhancement factor (1).

The defendant contends that the trial court erred in applying enhancement factor (6), the
personal injuries inflicted upon or the amount of damage to property sustained by or taken from the
victim was particularly great. The defendant argues that the infliction of serious bodily injury upon
another person does not apply when sentencing for the offense of attempted murder, citing State v.
Makoka, 885 S.W.2d 366 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1994). Further, the defendant would argue that there
is no medical testimony that a non-removable bullet creates a significant health hazard to the victim
or that the victim’s wounds were life threatening. The defendant’s citation to State v. Makoka is
misplaced. In Makoka, this Court addressed the application of enhancement factor (11), the felony
resulted in death or bodily injury or involved the threat of death of another person and the defendant
has previously been convicted of a felony resulted in death or bodily injury for convictions for
attempted murder first degree and attempted murder second degree.

We agree with the State that enhancement factor (6) is applicable to the facts in this case.
In State v. Nix, 922 S.W.2d 894, 903 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1995), perm. app. denied, (Tenn.1996), this
Court held that relative to attempted murder first degree, particularly great injuries are not essential
to the commission of the offense. This would be true for the offense of attempted second degree
murder. The evidence at trial revealed that the victim was shot twice, once in the lung in which the
bullet was lodged next to the heart and could not be removed without endangering the life of the
victim. The other wound was to the victim’s head, fortunately for the victim the bullet proceeded
around the skull and exited the rear of the victim’s head. At the time of the sentencing hearing, the

-13-
victim had incurred twenty thousand and three hundred dollars ($20,300.00) in medical expenses and
substantial loss of wages. He still suffers from breathing difficulties, daily headaches and
nightmares.

Although the trial court did not find that enhancement factor (9), the defendant possessed a
firearm during the commission of the offense, this Court, in its de novo review, finds this
enhancement factor applicable to the defendant’s conviction.

We hold that the trial court did not err in applying the enhancement factors as set forth in this
record. The trial court’s assessment of a sentence of eleven (11) years for the offense of attempted
second degree murder and eleven (11) months and twenty-nine (29) days for assault were proper.
There is no merit to this issue.

The trial court’s judgment is affirmed.

___________________________________
L. TERRY LAFFERTY, SENIOR JUDGE

-14-