State of Tennessee v. Darryl Dewayne Bonds

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE

AT KNOXVILLE

April 26, 2011 Session

STATE OF TENNESSEE v. DARRYL DEWAYNE BONDS

Appeal from the Criminal Court for Hamilton County

No. 270267 Barry A. Steelman, Judge

No. E2010-01931-CCA-R3-CD-FILED-JUNE 1, 2011

The Defendant, Darryl Dewayne Bonds, pleaded guilty to one count of reckless aggravated

assault, a Class D felony. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-102(a)(2). Sentencing was left to

the discretion of the trial court. After conducting a sentencing hearing, the trial court

sentenced the Defendant as a Range I, standard offender, to four years to be served in the

Department of Correction. In this appeal, the Defendant contends that the trial court erred

in setting the length of his sentence and by denying alternative sentencing. After our review,

we affirm the judgment of the trial court.

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

D AVID H. W ELLES, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which T HOMAS T. W OODALL and

J OHN E VERETT W ILLIAMS, JJ., joined.

Robin Flores, Chattanooga, Tennessee, for the appellant, Darryl Dewayne Bonds.

Robert E. Cooper, Jr., Attorney General and Reporter; Cameron L. Hyder, Assistant Attorney

General; William H. Cox, III, District Attorney General; and Neal Pinkston, Assistant

District Attorney General, for the appellee, State of Tennessee.

OPINION

Factual Background

On June 3, 2010, the Defendant entered an “open” guilty plea to one count of reckless

aggravated assault. At the Defendant’s guilty plea hearing, the prosecutor summarized the

underlying facts of the offense as follows:

Judge, on or around February 8 th of 2008, while incarcerated at the

Hamilton County Jail, Darryl Bonds engaged in a physical altercation with

Andrew Matthews, also an inmate at the county jail. During that altercation,

Judge, it is alleged that Mr. Bonds instigated a fight which resulted in Mr.

Matthews losing an eye.

The offense occurred here in Hamilton County Judge.

The trial court conducted the Defendant’s sentencing hearing on August 30, 2010.1

At the sentencing hearing, the State called its first witness, James Rox, an employee of the

Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole. Mr. Rox testified that he had prepared the pre-

sentence report for the Defendant’s sentencing hearing. The Defendant objected to the

introduction of certain parts of the report on the grounds that it contained unreliable hearsay.

The trial court overruled the Defendant’s objection and allowed the presentence report to be

introduced. The presentence report reflects that, at the time of sentencing, the Defendant was

forty-one years old and married. The Defendant dropped out of school in the eleventh grade,

but later completed his GED while incarcerated. The report indicates that the Defendant

does not have a history of steady employment. Additionally, the presentence report reveals

that the Defendant was convicted of receiving stolen property and grand larceny in 1989,

aggravated assault in 1990, attempted second degree murder in 1991, vandalism in 2006, and

violation of the driver’s license law in 2008. On two prior occasions, the Defendant’s parole

had been revoked.

At the sentencing hearing, the State also called the victim, Andrew Matthews, as a

witness. Matthews testified that, at the time he was assaulted, he was in jail upon being

arrested following a dispute with his girlfriend. He did not know the Defendant at the time

of the assault. He testified that he and the Defendant had exchanged words before the

assault, but that he did not provoke the Defendant, and the Defendant struck him in the eye

while he was sitting down. He further testified that he was hospitalized and was blind in his

right eye as a result of his injuries.

Both the Defendant and the Defendant’s wife testified at the sentencing hearing. The

Defendant admitted that he struck the first blow against the victim and said that he did so

because of something the victim said. He admitted that he hit the victim two times. He

explained that the reason that he did not appear for his originally scheduled sentencing

hearing was because, “[i]t slipped my mind, honestly.” On cross-examination, the Defendant

1

The sentencing hearing was originally scheduled for August 16, 2010. The Defendant did not show

up for this hearing. The Defendant apparently voluntarily appeared the following day and was taken into

custody to await sentencing.

-2-

admitted that he had convictions for receiving stolen property and grand larceny as set out

in the presentence report. After being released on parole for those convictions, his parole

was revoked when he was charged with attempted second degree murder for shooting a

victim in the abdomen four times with a revolver. He was subsequently paroled from the

sentence he received for the attempted second degree murder conviction and that parole was

also revoked. Finally, he admitted that, in 2006, he had received a vandalism conviction.

Tekesha Thomas Bonds testified at the sentencing hearing that she had been married

to the Defendant for a little less than one year. She corroborated the Defendant’s testimony

that the reason he failed to appear for his original sentencing hearing was simply an

oversight. She also stated that there was a “very good possibility” that the Defendant would

have a job if he were released on probation on the present conviction.

At the conclusion of the sentencing hearing, the trial court thoroughly discussed its

consideration of the sentencing principles set forth in our sentencing law. As enhancement

factors, the court specifically found that the Defendant had a previous history of criminal

convictions or criminal behavior in addition to those necessary to establish his range and that

the felony resulted in serious bodily injury to another person. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-

114(1), (11).

The trial court also made the following findings:

Here, where an individual has the history that Mr. Bonds has and here

where Mr. Bonds has been convicted previously . . . of a prior assault and a

prior attempted second degree murder that involves shooting another person,

and here where Mr. Bonds not only has committed another violent offense that

involves the dismemberment of a person, the loss of an eye, but also

considering the fact that it happened while Mr. Bonds was in custody.

....

The [c]ourt finds that confinement is necessary to avoid depreciating

the seriousness of the offense, because he’s caused Mr. Matthews to have to

live the rest of his life without his eye.

....

Mr. Bonds also has, was using marijuana when he came to the [c]ourt

to plea, and he was using marijuana when he went to see Mr. Rox for his

appointment related to his presentence investigation.

-3-

The [c]ourt also finds that measures less restrictive than confinement

have frequently been applied unsuccessfully to the [D]efendant. He’s been

paroled twice and violated both times on parole.

....

So having found that those factors apply, the [c]ourt sentences, with

regard to the term of years, the [c]ourt sentences Mr. Bonds to four years in the

Tennessee Department of Corrections, and the [c]ourt orders that the sentence

be served in the Tennessee Department of Corrections as a Range I offender.

The [c]ourt finds here that, that the denial of probation shall also be

placed on the lack of potential for rehabilitation, based on the [D]efendant’s

prior criminal history and his prior revocations, and the fact that he did engage

in this assaultive conduct while in custody.

It is from the sentencing order of the trial court that the Defendant appeals. The

Defendant argues that the trial court erred in setting the length of his sentence and by denying

him an alternative sentence to incarceration.

Analysis

On appeal, the party challenging the sentence imposed by the trial court has the burden

of establishing that the sentence is erroneous. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-401, Sentencing

Comm’n Comments; see also State v. Arnett, 49 S.W.3d 250, 257 (Tenn. 2001). When a

defendant challenges the length, range, or manner of service of a sentence, it is the duty of

this Court to conduct a de novo review on the record with a presumption that the

determinations made by the court from which the appeal is taken are correct. 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. Pettus, 986 S.W.2d 540, 543-44 (Tenn. 1999); see also

State v. Carter, 254 S.W.3d 335, 344-45 (Tenn. 2008). If our review reflects that the trial

court failed to consider the sentencing principles and all relevant facts and circumstances,

then review of the challenged sentence is purely de novo without the presumption of

correctness. State v. Ashby, 823 S.W.2d 166, 169 (Tenn. 1991); see also Carter, 254 S.W.3d

at 344-45.

In conducting a de novo review of a sentence, this Court 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

-4-

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 Carter, 254 S.W.3d at 343; State v.

Imfeld, 70 S.W.3d 698, 704 (Tenn. 2002).

The Defendant’s conduct occurred subsequent to the enactment of the 2005

amendments to the Sentencing Act, which became effective June 7, 2005. The amended

statute no longer imposes a presumptive sentence. Carter, 254 S.W.3d at 343. As further

explained by our supreme court in Carter,

the trial court is free to select any sentence within the applicable range so long

as the length of the sentence is “consistent with the purposes and principles of

[the Sentencing Act].” [Tenn. Code Ann.] § 40-35-210(d). Those purposes

and principles include “the imposition of a sentence justly deserved in relation

to the seriousness of the offense,” [Tenn. Code Ann.] § 40-35-102(1), a

punishment sufficient “to prevent crime and promote respect for the law,”

[Tenn. Code Ann.] § 40-35-102(3), and consideration of a defendant’s

“potential or lack of potential for . . . rehabilitation,” [Tenn. Code Ann.] §

40-35-103(5).

Id. (footnote omitted).

The 2005 Amendment to the Sentencing Act deleted appellate review of the weighing

of the enhancement and mitigating factors, as it rendered these factors merely advisory, as

opposed to binding, upon the trial court’s sentencing decision. Id. Under current sentencing

law, the trial court is nonetheless required to “consider” an advisory sentencing guideline that

is relevant to the sentencing determination, including the application of enhancing and

mitigating factors. Id. at 344. The trial court’s weighing of various mitigating and enhancing

factors is now left to the trial court’s sound discretion. Id. Thus, the 2005 revision to

Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-35-210 increases the amount of discretion a trial court

exercises when imposing a sentencing term. Id. at 344.

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 id. at 343; State v. Samuels, 44 S.W.3d 489, 492

-5-

(Tenn. 2001). If our review reflects that the trial court applied inappropriate mitigating

and/or enhancement factors or otherwise failed to follow the Sentencing Act, the

presumption of correctness fails and our review is de novo. Carter, 254 S.W.3d at 345.

Effective June 7, 2005, our legislature amended Tennessee Code Annotated section

40-35-102(6) by deleting the statutory presumption that a defendant who is convicted of a

Class C, D, or E felony, as a mitigated or standard offender, is a favorable candidate for

alternative sentencing. Our sentencing law now provides that a defendant who does not

possess a criminal history showing a clear disregard for society’s laws and morals, who has

not failed past rehabilitation efforts, and who “is an especially mitigated or standard offender

convicted of a Class C, D or E felony, should be considered as a favorable candidate for

alternative sentencing options in the absence of evidence to the contrary. A court shall

consider, but is not bound by, this advisory sentencing guideline.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-

102(5), (6) (emphasis added). No longer is any defendant entitled to a presumption that he

or she is a favorable candidate for alternative sentencing. Carter, 254 S.W.3d at 347.

The following considerations provide guidance regarding what constitutes “evidence

to the contrary”:

(A) Confinement is necessary to protect society by restraining a

defendant who has a long history of criminal conduct;

(B) Confinement is necessary to avoid depreciating the seriousness of

the offense or confinement is particularly suited to provide an effective

deterrence to others likely to commit similar offenses; or

(C) Measures less restrictive than confinement have frequently or

recently been applied unsuccessfully to the defendant . . . .

Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-103(1); see also Carter, 254 S.W.3d at 347. Additionally, the

principles of sentencing reflect that the sentence should be no greater than that deserved for

the offense committed and should be the least severe measure necessary to achieve the

purposes for which the sentence is imposed. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-103(2), (4). The

court should also consider the defendant’s potential for rehabilitation or treatment in

determining the appropriate sentence. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-103(5).

The sentencing range for a standard offender convicted of reckless aggravated assault,

a Class D felony, is two to four years. See Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 39-13-102, 40-35-112(a)(4).

The trial court sentenced the Defendant to four years to be served in the Department of

Correction.

-6-

On appeal, the Defendant argues that the trial court erred in applying as an

enhancement factor that the felony resulted in serious bodily injury to the victim. See Tenn.

Code Ann. § 40-35-114(11). Because serious bodily injury is an element of the offense of

which the Defendant was convicted, the State concedes that the trial court erred by

considering this enhancement factor. Our review of the Defendant’s sentence will be de

novo without a presumption of correctedness.

The Defendant first argues that the trial court erred by not taking note of factors in

mitigation of the Defendant’s guilt. The Defendant argues that, because his testimony

established that the victim was the instigator of the altercation in the jail, the trial court

should have considered this fact and reduced his sentence accordingly. We note that the

victim’s testimony at the sentencing hearing conflicted with that of the Defendant. We have

reviewed the trial court’s findings and conclude that the trial court thoroughly explained the

reasons why it enhanced the Defendant’s sentence to the maximum of four years. Based

upon our review of the testimony presented at the sentencing hearing, we conclude that the

trial court did not err or abuse its discretion by declining to apply mitigating factors in the

Defendant’s favor.

The Defendant also argues that the trial court erred by considering certain portions of

the presentence report which the Defendant claims was unreliable hearsay. The Defendant

primarily objects to that portion of the presentence report which set forth the Defendant’s

prior history of criminal convictions.

This Court has consistently held that information in a presentence report is reliable

hearsay which may be admitted if the opposing party is offered the opportunity to rebut the

same. See State v. Baker, 956 S.W.2d 8, 17 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1997); State v. Richardson,

875 S.W.2d 671, 677 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1993). We also note that the trial court is required

to consider the presentence report before imposing a sentence. Tenn. Code Ann. §

40-35-210(b)(2).

Moreover, the Tennessee Criminal Sentencing Reform Act of 1989 contemplates that

much of the information contained in a presentence report will be hearsay. Baker, 956

S.W.2d at 17. However, the information is reliable because it is “based upon the presentence

officer’s research of the records, contact with relevant agencies, and the gathering of

information which is required to be included in a presentence report.” Id. In this instance,

the officer who prepared the presentence report testified at the Defendant’s sentencing

hearing and was subject to cross-examination. We conclude that the trial court did not err

by allowing the presentence report to be introduced at the Defendant’s sentencing hearing.

Furthermore, on cross-examination the Defendant admitted that the history of his previous

convictions set forth in the presentence report was accurate.

-7-

The Defendant also argues that the trial court erred by denying him an alternative

sentence. In ordering the Defendant to serve his sentence in confinement, the trial court

found confinement was necessary to avoid depreciating the seriousness of the offense, that

measures less restrictive than confinement had been applied unsuccessfully to the Defendant,

that the Defendant’s potential for rehabilitation was low, and that the Defendant had a prior

criminal history of violent offenses. We conclude that the trial court did not err or abuse its

discretion by ordering the Defendant to serve his sentence in confinement.

CONCLUSION

In our view, the four-year sentence to be served in the Department of Correction is

consistent with the purposes and principles of our sentencing laws. The Defendant’s history

of criminal convictions alone are sufficient to support the sentence ordered by the trial court.

We conclude that the judgment of the trial court should be affirmed.

_________________________________

DAVID H. WELLES, JUDGE

-8-