State of Tennessee v. Patrick Brown

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE

AT JACKSON

Assigned on Briefs April 14, 2009

STATE OF TENNESSEE v. PATRICK BROWN

Direct Appeal from the Criminal Court for Shelby County

No. 06-09028 Paula Skahan, Judge

No. W2008-00108-CCA-R3-CD

The defendant, Patrick Brown, was convicted of criminal attempt to commit second degree murder,

a Class B felony, and was sentenced to twelve years as a Range I, standard offender. On appeal, he

argues that: the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction; the trial court erred in allowing

the State to reopen its case in chief; and he was sentenced improperly. After careful review, we

affirm the judgment from the trial court.

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

JOHN EVERETT WILLIAMS, J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which ALAN E. GLENN and J.C.

MCLIN , JJ., joined.

Rebecca G. Coffee, Memphis, Tennessee, for the appellant, Patrick Brown.

Robert E. Cooper, Jr., Attorney General and Reporter; Clarence E. Lutz, Assistant Attorney General;

William L. Gibbons, District Attorney General; and Colin Campbell, Assistant District Attorney

General, for the appellee, State of Tennessee.

OPINION

This case involves a car chase and shooting in which the defendant and an accomplice chased

the victim while the defendant shot a .9mm handgun. The defendant shot out the victim’s

windshield, causing him to crash his car into a semi-trailer. The car burst into flames after the

collision, and, as a result, the victim was badly burned and lost both legs.

Trial

The victim testified that he knew both the defendant and the co-defendant, Phillip Williams,

prior to the night of the shooting. He said that he observed both men driving around in a purple

Nissan Altima several times prior to the shooting. The victim testified that the defendant was in the

passenger seat when he saw the car and that the co-defendant was driving. Just before the shooting,

he noticed that the purple Altima was following him and saw the car stop behind him at a four-way

stop sign at Polk and Walnut. The victim testified that he was unarmed when he saw the defendant

shoot at him. He tried to flee when he heard the first two shots. He said that he heard seven or eight

additional shots fired after the initial volley. The victim recalled that his windshield shattered, he

lost control of his car, and crashed into a semi-trailer. The injured victim exited his car and noticed

that his pants were on fire. Two men helped him move away from the wreck before the car

exploded.

A fourteen-year-old testified that he was watching television when he heard gunshots and a

crash. He went to the window in time to see a purple Altima drive by fast.

Officer David Galloway, a crime scene investigator with the Memphis Police Department,

testified that he responded to the scene. He recovered twelve shell casings at the crime scene, which

encompassed most of the street. He testified that police also discovered the victim’s burned pants

and wallet at the scene, near the victim’s burned vehicle.

Officer Jeff Herbison testified that he was a member of the Memphis Police Department’s

uniformed patrol at the time of the shooting. He said that he contacted the defendant and took him

into custody.

Phillip Williams testified that he was the owner of the purple Nissan Altima involved in the

shooting during the early morning hours of July 30, 2006. He claimed that the defendant was

responsible for firing the shots from the car. He testified that the defendant believed the victim had

“shot up his house” earlier that morning. Williams believed that the victim also fired shots during

the incident. He acknowledged telling officers that the victim and the defendant were fighting over

a girl, though he said he had no direct knowledge of the source of the conflict. He also

acknowledged that his testimony was different from the statements he made to police at the time of

his arrest. He testified that he previously told police that the defendant fired shots while outside the

car.

The defendant’s grandmother testified on his behalf and said that shots were fired at their

house in the early morning hours of July 30, 2006. She acknowledged that she did not tell police

about the shooting. She testified that the defendant was not in his room at the time the shots were

fired at their home and could not have shot at the victim because he was in his room at the time of

the shooting.

Sentencing Hearing

During the sentencing hearing, the trial court found that the defendant had a history of

criminal convictions sufficient to enhance his sentence. The defendant’s prior convictions included

driving while his licence was suspended, revoked, or cancelled, and a prior misdemeanor conviction

for possession of drugs. He also had a juvenile adjudication for aggravated assault, which included

a shooting. The trial court also applied sentencing enhancement factors that: (2) the defendant was

a leader in the commission of an offense involving two or more criminal actors; (9) the defendant

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possessed or employed a firearm, explosive device, or other deadly weapon during the commission

of the offense; (16) the defendant was adjudicated to have committed a delinquent act or acts as a

juvenile that would constitute a felony if committed by an adult. See T.C.A. § 40-35-114 (1), (2),

(9), and (16) (2006). The trial court sentenced the defendant as a Range I, standard offender to the

maximum sentence of twelve years.

Analysis

On appeal, the defendant argues that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction.

Though the defendant labels his argument as a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence, in reality,

he challenges the testimony of both the victim and the co-defendant and alleges that their testimony

was “emotional, contradictory to the physical evidence, and . . . self-serving.” Further, the defendant

argues that the trial court erred in admitting technical evidence allegedly not provided in pretrial

discovery.

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

evidence. State v. Cabbage, 571 S.W.2d 832, 835 (Tenn. 1978). A jury verdict approved by the trial

judge accredits the State’s witnesses and resolves all conflicts in favor of the State. State v. Bigbee,

885 S.W.2d 797, 803 (Tenn. 1994). On appeal, the State is entitled to the strongest legitimate view

of the evidence and all legitimate or reasonable inferences which may be drawn therefrom. Id. This

court will not disturb a verdict of guilt due to the sufficiency of the evidence unless the defendant

demonstrates that the facts contained in the record and the inferences which may be drawn therefrom

are insufficient, as a matter of law, for a rational trier of fact to find the accused guilty beyond a

reasonable doubt. State v. Brewer, 932 S.W.2d 1, 19 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1996). Accordingly, it is

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

sufficient for any rational trier of fact to have found the essential elements of the offense beyond a

reasonable doubt. Tenn. R. App. P. 13(e); Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S. Ct. 2781,

2789, 61 L. Ed. 2d 560 (1979); State v. Cazes, 875 S.W.2d 253, 259 (Tenn. 1994).

The defendant was convicted of the offense of criminal attempt to commit second degree

murder, a Class B felony. Second degree murder is a knowing killing of another. T.C.A. § 39-13-

210(a)(1) (2006). As relevant here, a person commits criminal attempt who, acting with the kind

of culpability otherwise required for the offense:

(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.

T.C.A. § 39-12-101(a)(2)-(3) (2006).

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The defendant concludes that it was the emotional nature of the victim’s testimony and not

the evidence presented at trial that persuaded the jury to convict him. At trial, the victim identified

the defendant as the person who shot at him multiple times. One of the shots shattered the victim’s

windshield and caused him to lose control of the vehicle and then crash into a parked semi-trailer.

The victim lost both of his legs as a result. Officers recovered .9mm shell casings from the origin

of the attack to the intersection where the victim’s burned vehicle was discovered. Further, the co-

defendant testified that the defendant shot a .9mm pistol at the victim while they were chasing him.

The evidence contained in the record was sufficient to support the defendant’s convictions. The

evidence demonstrated that the defendant knowingly fired a pistol at the victim while engaged in a

car chase on a Memphis city street at a fast rate of speed. The defendant’s firing at the victim is

sufficient to demonstrate that the defendant acted with the intent to cause harm to the victim.

With regard to the defendant’s argument that the trial court coerced the co-defendant into

testifying and that the trial court erred in admitting the technical proof, these issues are waived due

to the defendant’s failure to raise a contemporaneous objection. The defendant did not raise an

objection at trial or in his motion for new trial. By failing to make a contemporaneous objection to

testimony, a defendant waives appellate consideration of the issue. State v. Adler, 71 S.W.3d 299,

302 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2001); State v. Thompson, 36 S.W.3d 102, 108 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2000).

Next, the defendant argues that the trial court erred in allowing the State to reopen its proof

to allow the co-defendant to testify. At the close of proof on September 11, 2007, the State

announced that it would conclude its proof. Before further proceedings on September 12, 2007, the

State moved to reopen its case. The State noted that the defense had neither made a motion for

acquittal nor called any witnesses or put on proof. The trial court found that reopening the case

would present no unfair surprise to the defendant because the defendant had presented no proof.

The decision to allow a party to reopen its proof after closing rests within the sound

discretion of the trial judge. State v. Anthony Paul Alderson, No. 01C01-9611-CC-00461, 1997

Tenn. Crim. App. LEXIS 1174, at *4 (Tenn. Crim. App. at Nashville, Nov. 21, 1997) (citing State

v. Tuttle, 914 S.W.2d 926, 931 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1995)). When the defendant has yet to make a

motion for judgment of acquittal or otherwise present his case, the trial court does not abuse its

discretion by granting the State’s motion to reopen its proof. Prejudice cannot result from the

reopening of the State’s case nor from the introduction of the testimony. State v. Harrington, 627

S.W.2d 345, 348 (Tenn. 1981). Therefore, we conclude the trial court did not err in allowing the

State to reopen its proof.

Next, the defendant argues that he was improperly sentenced. Specifically, he contends that

the trial court held the defendant’s decision not to testify at the sentencing hearing against him. He

also contends that the trial court improperly applied the sentencing enhancement factor for prior

criminal behavior. Finally, he argues that the length of the sentence imposed is not reasonably

related to the severity of the offense.

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The defendant was sentenced in 2007 for a crime he committed on July 30, 2006. He was

sentenced as a Range I, standard offender to the maximum of twelve years. A defendant who

challenges his sentence has the burden of proving the sentence imposed by the trial court is improper.

T.C.A. § 40-35-401 (2006), Sentencing Commission Comments; State v. Ashby, 823 S.W.2d 166,

169 (Tenn. 1991). It is this court’s duty to conduct a de novo review of the record with a

presumption the trial court’s determinations are correct when a defendant appeals the length, range,

or manner of service of his sentence. T.C.A. § 40-35-401(d). The presumption of correctness 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). If the trial court has imposed a lawful sentence by following the statutory sentencing

procedure, given due consideration and proper weight to the factors and sentencing principles, and

made findings of fact adequately supported by the record, this court may not modify the sentence

even if it had preferred a different result. State v. Fletcher, 805 S.W.2d 785, 789 (Tenn. Crim. App.

1991). However, if the trial court does not comply with statutory sentencing provisions, our review

of the sentence is de novo with no presumption the trial court’s determinations were correct. State

v. Winfield, 23 S.W.3d 279, 283 (Tenn. 2000).

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 characteristics of the

criminal conduct involved; (e) the 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 his own behalf about sentencing. T.C.A. § 40-35-210(b); see also State v. Carter, 254 S.W.3d

335, 343 (Tenn. 2008); State v. Imfeld, 70 S.W.3d 698, 704 (Tenn. 2002).

The defendant’s conduct occurred after 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].” [T.C.A.] § 40-35-210(d). Those purposes and principles include

“the imposition of a sentence justly deserved in relation to the seriousness of the

offense,” [T.C.A.] § 40-35-102(1), a punishment sufficient “to prevent crime and

promote respect for the law,” [T.C.A.] § 40-35-102(3), and consideration of a

defendant’s “potential or lack of potential for . . . rehabilitation,” [T.C.A.] § 40-35-

103(5).

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Id. (footnote omitted); see also State v. Eddrick Devon Pewitte, No. W2008-00747-CCA-R3-CD,

2009 Tenn. Crim. App. LEXIS 5, at *23 (Tenn. Crim. App. at Jackson, Jan. 5, 2009).

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. Carter, 254 S.W.3d at 343. 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.

The State argued for the application of the following enhancement factors under Tennessee

Code Annotated section 40-35-114:

(1) The defendant had a previous criminal history or behavior in addition to those

necessary to establish the appropriate range,

(2) The defendant was a leader in the offense involving two or more criminal actors,

(9) The defendant possessed or employed a firearm,

(10) The defendant had no hesitation about committing a crime when the risk to human

life was high.

(16) The defendant was adjudicated to have committed a delinquent act or acts as a

juvenile that would constitute a felony if committed as an adult.

The trial court did not apply enhancement factor (10) in setting the defendant’s sentence. The record

reflects that the defendant had prior adjudications as a juvenile that would have been felonies had

he been an adult, including an aggravated assault that involved the defendant shooting at another

person. The presentence report reflects that the defendant had two convictions as an adult: driving

with a license that was suspended, canceled, or revoked and possession of drugs, but neither

conviction was a felony.

The defendant argues that the trial court erred in using a prior arrest against him as proof of

criminal behavior. The arrest to which the defendant refers involved the defendant shooting a gun

at another person in 2006. The defendant was arrested but was not formally charged. The

sentencing court mentioned this prior incident but specifically stated that the court was “not going

to consider it against him other than the fact that he’s got a very violent history.” The presentence

report reflects that the defendant had a separate adjudication as a juvenile for shooting at someone,

and the trial court considered that adjudication but did not use the 2006 arrest to enhance the

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defendant’s conviction. Further, during the hearing on the motion for new trial, the trial court stated

that it “[did not] use (the arrest) to enhance Mr. Brown’s sentence.” This issue is without merit.

Next, the defendant argues that the trial court erred in applying sentencing enhancement

factors (2) and (9): the defendant was a leader in the offense involving two or more criminal actors,

and the defendant possessed or employed a firearm. During the motion for new trial, the court stated

that these enhancement factors were not determined by the jury and were not admitted by the

defendant and that there could be an issue with applying those factors. The trial court further stated

that it would no longer give any weight to those enhancement factors but declined to reduce the

defendant’s sentence because of his criminal history. Because the trial court’s weighing of the

various enhancing factors is left to the trial court’s sound discretion, we conclude that the defendant

was properly sentenced and that the trial court was free to give whatever weight it considered

appropriate to the existing enhancement factors. See Carter, 254 S.W.3d at 344.

Next, the defendant contends that the trial court held the defendant’s decision not to testify

at the sentencing hearing against him when it set his sentence. The trial court addressed this issue

during the hearing on the motion for new trial and stated that it was the defendant’s right to not take

the stand. The trial court clarified that the defendant’s remorse or lack thereof was not an

aggravating or mitigating factor considered by the court and stated that the court was only

commenting that the defendant had an opportunity to express remorse and declined to do so. The

transcript from the sentencing hearing reflects that the trial court advised the defendant that he

should have apologized for his actions.

In Mitchell v. United States, 526 U.S. 314, 330 119 S. Ct. 1307 (U.S. 1999), the United States

Supreme Court concluded that holding a defendant’s silence against him in determining the facts of

the offense at the sentencing hearing imposed an impermissible burden on the exercise of the

constitutional right against compelled self-incrimination. Here, when the court set the defendant’s

sentence, it mentioned the defendant’s “attitude throughout” the case. However, the trial court’s

statements during the hearing for the motion for new trial make it clear that it did not consider the

defendant’s silence in setting his sentence. The trial court set the defendant’s sentence at the

maximum in the range based on his prior criminal history and the circumstances of the case. We

conclude that the trial court’s statements regarding the defendant’s decision not to testify during the

sentencing hearing were harmless because they were not factored into the setting of the defendant’s

sentence.

Conclusion

Based on the foregoing and the record as a whole, we affirm the judgment from the trial

court.

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JOHN EVERETT WILLIAMS, JUDGE

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