The opinion
IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT NASHVILLE
Assigned on Briefs October 8, 2013
STATE OF TENNESSEE v. JASON LEE FISHER
Appeal from the Circuit Court for Marshall County
Nos. 11-CR-103, -104, -105, -106 Robert G. Crigler, Judge
No. M2013-00220-CCA-R3-CD Filed October 29, 2013
Appellant, Jason Lee Fisher, stands convicted of four counts of aggravated burglary, three
counts of theft of property valued at $1,000 or more but less than $10,000, one count of theft
of property valued at more than $500 but less than $1,000, and three counts of vandalism
valued at $500 or less. The trial court sentenced appellant as a career offender to an effective
sentence of forty-five years. On appeal, he challenges the sufficiency of the convicting
evidence and the effective length of his sentence. Following our review, we affirm
appellant’s convictions and sentences but remand to the trial court for entry of a corrected
judgment.
Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgments of the Circuit Court Affirmed;
Remanded for a Corrected Judgment
R OGER A. P AGE, J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which J AMES C URWOOD W ITT, J R.,
and R OBERT W. W EDEMEYER, JJ., joined.
Donna Orr Hargrove, District Public Defender; Michael J. Collins (on appeal and at trial) and
William Joseph Harold (at trial), Assistant District Public Defenders, for the appellant, Jason
L. Fisher.
Robert E. Cooper, Attorney General and Reporter; Leslie E. Price, Assistant Attorney
General; Robert J. Carter, District Attorney General; and Weakley E. Barnard, Assistant
District Attorney General, for the appellee, State of Tennessee.
OPINION
This case concerns the aggravated burglary, theft, and vandalism of four homes
between September 23 and October 2, 2011. A Marshall County grand jury indicted
appellant separately in each of the incidents. In case number 11-CR-103, the grand jury
indicted appellant for one count of aggravated burglary, two counts of theft of property
valued at $1,000 or more, and one count of vandalism valued at $500 or less. In case number
11-CR-104, appellant was indicted for one count of aggravated burglary and two counts of
theft of property valued at $1,000 or more. In case number 11-CR-105, the grand jury
indicted appellant for one count of aggravated burglary, two counts of theft of property
valued at $1,000 or more, and one count of vandalism valued at $500 or less. In case number
11-CR-106, appellant was indicted for one count of aggravated burglary, two counts of theft
of property valued at more than $500, and one count of vandalism valued at $500 or less. The
trial court consolidated the cases for trial, and appellant was convicted as charged. Because
the two theft charges in each of the cases numbered 11-CR-103, 11-CR-104, and 11-CR-105
were based on alternative theories, the court merged the two counts of theft of property
valued at $1,000 or more within each case. Similarly, in case number 11-CR-106, the court
merged the two counts of theft of property valued at more than $500.
I. Facts
At appellant’s trial, Megan Pingle testified that she and her husband, John Pingle,
were renting a house located at 1308 Woodbridge Drive in Marshall County in September
2011. They were in the process of moving, so they had their belongings in boxes. Mrs.
Pingle went to her house on the evening of September 27, 2011, and noticed footprints on
the floor, an open window, and a mangled window screen. She did not see anyone inside the
house. Mrs. Pingle observed that a pistol, some camping supplies, a DVD player, a laptop
computer, and a camcorder were missing from her home. She called her husband and the
police to report the incident. Mrs. Pingle testified that the estimated value of the items was
$2,200.
In October 2011, Mr. and Mrs. Pingle went to the sheriff’s department and identified
a number of items, including a laptop, a camcorder, Mr. Pingle’s work jacket, and a
University of Georgia sweatshirt, as some of their missing property. The pistol and some of
the camping supplies were not recovered. Mrs. Pingle testified that at the time of the
burglary, she did not know appellant and had not given him permission to enter her home or
take any items therefrom.
Lucas Sullivan testified that in September 2011, he, his wife, and his two children
lived at 1336 Woodbridge Drive. On September 28, 2011, Mr. Sullivan arrived home from
work around 7:00 p.m. and found his back door broken, the inside of the house “ransacked,”
and several items missing, including a 35 millimeter Canon camera, a Kodak camera, a
pocket watch, two jewelry boxes, jewelry, a Playstation, a laptop, and a collection of 250-300
comic books. No one was in the home when he arrived. Mr. Sullivan called the police. He
-2-
testified that the stolen items were worth $7,500 and that it cost $400 plus installation fees
to have his door repaired.
Mr. Sullivan testified that at the time of the burglary, he did not know appellant and
had not given him permission to enter his home. Mr. Sullivan’s wife was later called to the
police station and identified the Playstation, the comic book collection, one of the jewelry
boxes, the laptop, the 35 millimeter Canon camera, the Kodak digital camera, and a small
Sentry firebox safe containing memory cards or flash drives as items removed from their
home. Mr. Sullivan testified that his pocket watch was not recovered.
Oliver Hairston testified that in September 2011 he lived at 1301 Woodbridge Drive.
He stated that on September 30, 2011, a Marshall County detective called him and asked him
to return home because his home had been burglarized. Prior to the call, Mr. Hairston was
last at home Monday, September 26, 2011, because he stayed with his girlfriend during the
week. When Mr. Hairston arrived at his home, he noticed that the window in the back door
was broken and that a rock was lying by the door. He also observed that the drawers to his
furniture were open and that items were missing, including a television, a satellite receiver,
musical equipment, clothing, boots, camping equipment, a snowboard, and snow boots. Mr.
Hairston testified that the items’ total value was about $2,500 and that it cost $250 to replace
his door. Mr. Hairston testified that he did not know appellant at the time of the burglary and
had not given appellant permission to enter his home or remove items.
In October 2011, the police called Mr. Hairston to come to the police station to view
items that had been recovered after a search. Mr. Hairston identified a snowboard, snow
boots, two pairs of cowboy boots, a jacket, and a Playstation 2. Mr. Hairston testified that
his music equipment was not recovered.
On cross-examination, Mr. Hairston stated that he did not see who removed the
property from his home. He also explained that his television weighed between sixty and
seventy pounds and that some of his music equipment weighed around fifty pounds.
Linda Anderson testified next and stated that in October 2011, she lived at 1316
Woodbridge Drive with her three children. After returning home on October 2, 2011, at
around 7:00 p.m., Ms. Anderson’s son found that the back door had been damaged and the
house had been “ransacked.” Ms. Anderson returned home and also noticed that a number
of items were missing, including a small gun safe, jewelry, a coin collection, money, and a
watch. Ms. Anderson testified that it cost $200 to repair her door. She had estimated at the
time of the theft that the stolen property’s value was between $500 and $1,000; however, she
indicated at trial that she believed that the property was worth more than $1,000. Ms.
Anderson testified that she did not know appellant at the time of the burglary and did not give
-3-
him permission to enter her home or remove any items. In October 2011, Ms. Anderson went
to the police station and identified the gun safe, some jewelry, a number of coins, and a
watch as belonging to her. Some of the coins were not recovered.
Jimmy Oliver, a detective with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, testified
that he investigated these four burglaries and that the burglaries all took place in the same
neighborhood between September 26 and October 2, 2011. In all four cases, the burglar
entered through the back of the home. Officers determined that the burglar most likely lived
in the neighborhood.
On October 3, 2011, Detective Oliver and Captain Bob Johnson visited Ms.
Anderson’s home. As they were leaving, Detective Oliver noticed a vehicle without tags
parked on the street. As the officers spoke with Ms. Anderson, someone drove the vehicle
out of the Woodbridge neighborhood and then returned minutes later. Detective Oliver
testified that he initiated a stop based on the car’s missing tags. Detective Oliver and Captain
Johnson approached the car and spoke with appellant. Appellant did not have a valid driver’s
license, so the officers arrested appellant and performed an inventory search of appellant’s
car. During the search, the officers found a Canon camera, which appellant stated he
purchased on eBay. Ms. Sullivan later identified the camera as the Canon camera stolen
from her home.
Detective Oliver and Captain Johnson later interviewed appellant and asked him about
the camera. Appellant admitted that he had acted as a lookout during the burglaries but
stated that he had not entered the homes. Appellant claimed that Terry Besherse committed
the burglaries and gave appellant the camera. After the officers asked appellant if there were
other stolen items at his home, appellant responded that the officers might find some things.
Appellant stated that he lived with his mother on Woodbridge Drive.
After obtaining consent from appellant’s mother to search her home, Detective Oliver
searched appellant’s bedroom on October 3, 2011, and found items from all four of the
burglaries. The search was conducted eight days after the first burglary and within forty-
eight hours of the last burglary.
Detective Oliver searched for Terry Besherse but was unable to locate him. Detective
Oliver spoke with appellant again, and appellant admitted that he had made up the name. He
then stated that a man named Nickey Huses on Pyles Road committed the burglaries.
Detective Oliver was also unable to locate Nickey Huses, but appellant’s mother told
Detective Oliver that appellant had a cousin named Nick Patterson, whose father-in-law lived
on Pyles Road. Detective Oliver testified that he determined that Mr. Patterson was not
involved in the burglaries.
-4-
Detective Oliver testified that he spoke with appellant a third time, and appellant
claimed that Josh Johnston from Murfreesboro committed the burglaries. He stated that he
could prove Mr. Johnston was involved because Mr. Johnston had thrown some of the stolen
items over a fence at a car wash in La Vergne. Appellant also told Detective Oliver that Mr.
Johnston was planning to rob a bank in Eagleville. Detective Oliver testified that police
officers recovered several of the stolen items at the car wash.
Detective Oliver determined that Mr. Johnston was on parole and managed a tattoo
shop. Officers searched Mr. Johnston’s person, car, and home, as well as Brian Parrish’s
home, who was a friend of Mr. Johnston. The police officers did not find any of the stolen
property.
On October 10, 2011, Detective Oliver spoke with appellant again. In this interview,
appellant stated that Mr. Johnston had thrown a trash can from one of the burglaries out by
a BP station on Caney Springs Road. Detective Oliver located the trash can and determined
it belonged to Mr. Sullivan.
On cross-examination, Detective Oliver testified that eighty to ninety percent of
burglaries are committed by either kicking in the back door, front door, or “busting open” a
window. He stated that Mr. Johnston was on parole from either drug charges or theft
charges. Detective Oliver explained that it is common for an arrestee to give a false
statement during their first interview. Detective Oliver also conceded that items such as the
stolen 46-inch television were difficult for one person to move. Detective Oliver did not find
any fingerprints at the scenes of the burglaries. Detective Oliver also stated that neither the
BP station nor the car wash was near Mr. Johnston’s home. He stated that the car wash was
twenty to twenty-five minutes from Mr. Johnston’s home and about forty-five minutes from
appellant’s home.
On redirect examination, Detective Oliver testified that while it was normal for an
arrestee to lie to him one time, it was unusual for an arrestee to lie multiple times. He also
stated that fingerprints were hard to find at a crime scene and that a person could wear gloves
to prevent leaving fingerprints. Detective Oliver found latex gloves in appellant’s car.
Tony Nichols testified next that he was a detective with the Marshall County Sheriff’s
Office in September and October of 2011. He stated that on September 27, 2011, he went
to John and Megan Pingle’s home to complete an initial report on a burglary. The Pingles
told Detective Nichols that the burglary occurred between the morning hours of September
26, 2011, and the evening hours of September 27, 2011. Mr. and Mrs. Pingle gave Detective
Nichols a list of the missing items and estimated the items value to be over $1,000.
-5-
Detective Nichols testified that he participated in searching appellant’s bedroom and
that there were items from all four of the burglaries in appellant’s bedroom. Detective
Nichols testified that on October 4, 2011, he went to the La Vergne car wash, indicated by
appellant, and found a fireproof safe with items inside, including flash drives, memory cards,
and CDs. The fireproof safe belonged to Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan. Detective Nichols also
conducted the search on Josh Johnston’s car and residence, in which no stolen property was
recovered.
On October 5, 2011, Detective Nichols returned to the home of appellant’s mother
because she had found more property in her home that did not belong to her or her son. He
testified that he collected a car stereo, pellet rifle, and a camera. These items did not belong
to any of the victims in this case.
On October 10, 2011, appellant told officers there was more stolen property near the
BP station in Chapel Hill. Detective Nichols located a trash can, cell phones, a camcorder,
a camera, and a jewelry box at the car wash and identified it as some of the stolen property
belonging to the victims.
Bob Johnson testified that he was a captain over the detective division of the Marshall
County Sheriff’s Department. He stated that he was one of the first responding officers to
the Anderson burglary. Captain Johnson described the damage to Ms. Anderson’s residence.
The back door was kicked in, and the home was “ransacked.” He stated that the burglar must
have been inside the home for quite some time and that it was not a quick burglary. Captain
Johnson testified that he also found a camera in appellant’s car, which was later identified
as belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan.
Pamela Fisher, appellant’s mother, testified that between September 26 and October
2, 2011, appellant lived with her on Woodbridge Drive. She stated that around 5:30 p.m. on
Wednesday, September 28, 2011, she picked up appellant at Stones River Mall in
Murfreesboro. She and appellant returned home around 7:00 p.m., and appellant stayed at
her home that night. She did not see appellant before leaving for work on September 29,
2011, but she saw appellant that evening around 5:45 p.m. Ms. Fisher stated that appellant
left her home on Thursday and was not present on September 30 or October 1, 2011. She
also testified that during this time, appellant bought an older model car, which she first saw
on Sunday, October 2, 2011.
On cross-examination, Ms. Fisher was shown a receipt from the Knights Inn in
Murfreesboro, showing that appellant had rented a room on September 29, 2011, after 3:00
p.m. She stated that appellant left her home around 7:00 p.m. on September 29, 2011, and
must have rented the room after he departed. Ms. Fisher conceded that she could not account
-6-
for appellant’s whereabouts on September 26, 27, and 30 or October 1. She stated that
appellant returned home during the night of October 1, 2011, and was there when she awoke
on Sunday, October 2, 2011. Appellant had a car when he returned. Ms. Fisher also
acknowledged that appellant was unemployed and that he had purchased clothes and shoes
at the mall before she picked him up on September 28, 2011.
Appellant testified on his own behalf at trial. He stated that on September 26, 2011,
he attended a funeral with a friend. He explained that he returned to his mother’s home on
September 28, 2011, after his mother picked him up at the mall. He testified that Josh
Johnston committed the burglaries and that he had acted as lookout during two of the
burglaries. Appellant stated that he gave Mr. Johnston the key to his mother’s home so Mr.
Johnston could put the stolen goods in appellant’s room. Appellant claimed he did not know
the location of the stolen property that had not been recovered by the police. Appellant
testified that Mr. Johnston disposed of the stolen property at the car wash and that appellant
threw out the property recovered from the BP station.
On cross-examination, appellant admitted lying to the police about how he obtained
the camera found in the trunk of his car and about who committed the burglaries. He also
stated that he was walking up and down the street during the burglaries because he did not
want to be involved in the burglaries. He testified that Mr. Johnston and “another guy”
committed the burglaries. On re-direct, appellant testified that he was at the mall shopping
when the September 28 burglary took place. He stated that on September 29, 2011, he
checked into the Knights Inn around 11:30 p.m.
The jury found appellant guilty as charged. At the sentencing hearing, the trial court
found that appellant was a career offender under Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-35-
108, based on his past convictions. The trial court considered Tennessee Code Annotated
section 40-35-115 when determining whether appellant’s sentences should run concurrently
or consecutively and concluded that appellant’s criminal history was extensive, especially
in light of the current case. The court merged appellant’s two theft convictions within each
of the four cases because the two counts of theft were based on alternative theories. The trial
court sentenced appellant to fifteen years for each of the four counts of aggravated burglary,
twelve years for each of the three counts of theft of property valued at $1,000 or more but
less than $10,000, six years for the count of theft of property valued at more than $500 but
less than $1,000, and eleven months and twenty-nine days for each of the three counts of
vandalism valued at $500 or less. The court then determined that three of appellant’s four
aggravated burglary charges would run consecutively and that all the other charges would
run concurrently for a total effective sentence of forty-five years at sixty percent.
II. Analysis
-7-
Appellant argues that the evidence presented at trial is insufficient as a matter of law
to support his convictions for aggravated burglary, theft, and vandalism. He also argues that
the sentence imposed by the trial court was excessive and contrary to the law. The State
responds that appellant’s convictions and sentences are valid under the law. We agree with
the State.
A. Sufficiency of the Evidence
Appellant argues that the evidence at trial was insufficient to support his convictions
for aggravated burglary, theft, and vandalism. Specifically, he contends that there was no
direct evidence that he participated in all of the offenses and that Mr. Johnston was the
person who committed the burglaries. The State responds that the evidence was sufficient
to sustain appellant’s convictions. We agree with the State.
The standard for appellate review of a claim challenging the sufficiency of the State’s
evidence is “whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the
prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime
beyond a reasonable doubt.” Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319 (1979) (citing Johnson
v. Louisiana, 406 U.S. 356, 362 (1972)); see Tenn. R. App. P. 13(e); State v. Davis, 354
S.W.3d 718, 729 (Tenn. 2011). To obtain relief on a claim of insufficient evidence, appellant
must demonstrate that no reasonable trier of fact could have found the essential elements of
the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. See Jackson, 443 U.S. at 319. This standard of
review is identical whether the conviction is predicated on direct or circumstantial evidence,
or a combination of both. State v. Dorantes, 331 S.W.3d 370, 379 (Tenn. 2011); State v.
Brown, 551 S.W.2d 329, 331 (Tenn. 1977).
On appellate review, “‘we afford the prosecution the strongest legitimate view of the
evidence as well as all reasonable and legitimate inferences which may be drawn
therefrom.’” Davis, 354 S.W.3d at 729 (quoting State v. Majors, 318 S.W.3d 850, 857 (Tenn.
2010)); State v. Williams, 657 S.W.2d 405, 410 (Tenn. 1983); State v. Cabbage, 571 S.W.2d
832, 835 (Tenn. 1978). In a jury trial, questions involving the credibility of witnesses and
the weight and value to be given the evidence, as well as all factual disputes raised by the
evidence, are resolved by the jury as trier of fact. State v. Bland, 958 S.W.2d 651, 659 (Tenn.
1997); State v. Pruett, 788 S.W.2d 559, 561 (Tenn. 1990). This court presumes that the jury
has afforded the State all reasonable inferences from the evidence and resolved all conflicts
in the testimony in favor of the State; as such, we will not substitute our own inferences
drawn from the evidence for those drawn by the jury, nor will we re-weigh or re-evaluate the
evidence. Dorantes, 331 S.W.3d at 379; Cabbage, 571 S.W.2d at 835; see State v. Sheffield,
676 S.W.2d 542, 547 (Tenn. 1984). Because a jury conviction removes the presumption of
-8-
innocence that appellant enjoyed at trial and replaces it with one of guilt at the appellate
level, the burden of proof shifts from the State to the convicted appellant, who must
demonstrate to this court that the evidence is insufficient to support the jury’s findings.
Davis, 354 S.W.3d at 729 (citing State v. Sisk, 343 S.W.3d 60, 65 (Tenn. 2011)).
To sustain a conviction for aggravated burglary, the State must prove beyond a
reasonable doubt that appellant committed the burglary of a habitation. Tenn. Code Ann. §
39-14-403(a). “A person commits burglary who, without the effective consent of the
property owner . . . [e]nters a building other than a habitation (or any portion thereof) not
open to the public, with intent to commit a felony, theft or assault.” Id. § 39-14-402(a)(1).
Burglary can be proven through direct or circumstantial evidence. See State v. Holland, 860
S.W.2d 53, 59 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1993).
To support a conviction for theft of property, the State must prove that appellant,
“with intent to deprive the owner of property, . . . knowingly obtain[ed] or exercise[ed]
control over the property without the owner’s effective consent.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-
103(a). Theft of property valued at $1,000 or more but less than $10,000 is a Class D felony.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-105(a)(3). Theft of property valued at more than $500 but less
than $1,000 is a Class E felony. Id. § 39-14-105(a)(2).
A person commits vandalism when they “knowingly cause[] damage to or the
destruction of any real or personal property of another . . . knowing that the person does not
have the owner’s effective consent . . . .” Id. § 39-14-408(a). “Damage” encompasses both
destroyed property and property that has been tampered with, causing “pecuniary loss or
substantial inconvenience to the owner or a third person.” Id. § 39-14-408(b)(1)(A) & (B).
A jury convicted appellant of four counts of aggravated burglary, six counts of theft
of property valued at $1,000 or more, two counts of theft or property valued at more than
$500, and three counts of vandalism valued at $500 or less. Viewed in the light most
favorable to the State, the evidence supports these convictions.
The evidence at trial showed that between September 27, 2011, and October 2, 2011,
a burglar entered four unoccupied homes in appellant’s neighborhood through either a back
door or window and stole a number of items from each home. Four of the victims testified
as to the value of the goods stolen from their homes as follows: Megan Pingle estimated
$2,200; Lucas Sullivan approximated $7,500; Oliver Hairston calculated $2,500; and Linda
Anderson estimated between $500 and $1,000. In addition, three of the homes sustained
damage during the burglaries that required repair: $400 to replace Mr. Sullivan’s door; $250
to replace Mr. Hairston’s door; and $200 to repair Ms. Anderson’s door. All four victims
testified that they did not give appellant consent to enter their homes or remove any property.
-9-
Appellant was apprehended with a Canon camera, identified by Mrs. Sullivan as an
item stolen from her home, in his car. A search of appellant’s home revealed a large number
of the stolen items stored in appellant’s bedroom. Appellant directed police officers to a car
wash and a BP gas station where more stolen items were found. In addition, appellant
testified that he was unemployed, yet he purchased a car, rented a hotel room, and bought
clothing during the five-day time period of these burglaries. During the police investigation,
appellant conceded that he was involved in the burglaries by acting as a lookout and by
storing the stolen goods in his bedroom. This evidence, in conjunction with appellant’s
repeated lies and misdirection to police officers about other possible suspects and the origins
of the recovered items, support appellant’s convictions. From this proof, any rational jury
could have found appellant guilty of aggravated burglary, theft, and vandalism beyond a
reasonable doubt.
Appellant argues that there is no direct evidence of his participation of the burglaries
and that the burglaries were, in fact, committed by Mr. Johnston. However, a conviction for
burglary can be established through either direct or circumstantial evidence; therefore, an
eyewitness placing appellant at the scene of the burglaries is not required under the law. See
Holland, 860 S.W.2d at 59. In addition, the State presented evidence that officers searched
Mr. Johnston’s person and home as well as Mr. Parrish’s home, who was a friend of Mr.
Johnston. They did not find any evidence that Mr. Johnston was involved in the burglaries.
In a jury trial, all factual disputes raised by the evidence are resolved by the jury as trier of
fact, and we will not substitute our own inferences drawn from the evidence for those drawn
by the jury . Bland, 958 S.W.2d at 659; Pruett, 788 S.W.2d at 561. Appellant is without
relief as to this issue.
B. Sentencing
Appellant argues that his sentence is “excessive and contrary to the law.” The State
responds that based on appellant’s convictions and prior history, appellant’s sentence is
proper. We agree with the State.
In determining an appropriate sentence, a trial court must consider the following
factors: (1) the evidence, if any, received at the trial and the sentencing hearing; (2) the
presentence report; (3) the principles of sentencing and arguments as to sentencing
alternatives; (4) the nature and characteristics of the criminal conduct involved; (5) evidence
and information offered by the parties on mitigating and enhancement factors; (6) any
statistical information provided by the administrative office of the courts as to sentencing
practices for similar offenses in Tennessee; (7) any statement the defendant makes on his
own behalf as to sentencing; and (8) the potential for rehabilitation. Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 40-
35-103(5), -113, -210(b); Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-114. In addition, “[t]he sentence
-10-
imposed should be the least severe measure necessary to achieve the purposes for which the
sentence is imposed.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-103(4).
When an accused challenges the length and manner of service of a sentence, this court
reviews the trial court’s sentencing determination under an abuse of discretion standard
accompanied by a presumption of reasonableness. State v. Bise, 380 S.W.3d 682, 707 (Tenn.
2012). This court will uphold the trial court’s sentencing decision “so long as it is within the
appropriate range and the record demonstrates that the sentence is otherwise in compliance
with the purposes and principles listed by statute.” Id. at 709-10. Moreover, under such
circumstances, appellate courts may not disturb the sentence even if we had preferred a
different result. See Carter, 254 S.W.3d at 346. The party challenging the sentence imposed
by the trial court has the burden of establishing that the sentence is erroneous. Tenn. Code
Ann. § 40-35-401, Sentencing Comm’n Cmts.; State v. Ashby, 823 S.W.2d 166, 169 (Tenn.
1991).
Pursuant to the Sentencing Act, “[a] defendant who is found by the court beyond a
reasonable doubt to be a career offender shall receive the maximum sentence within the
applicable Range III.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-108(c). A career offender is:
[A] defendant who has received [a]ny combination of six (6) or more Class
A, B or C prior felony convictions, and the defendant’s conviction offense is
a Class A, B or C felony; [a]t least three (3) Class A or any combination of
four (4) Class A or Class B felony convictions if the defendant’s conviction
offense is a Class A or B felony convictions if the defendant’s conviction
offense is a Class A or B felony; or [a]t least six (6) prior felony convictions
of any classification if the defendant’s conviction offense is a Class D or E
felony.”
Id. § 40-35-108(a). The trial court found that appellant was a career offender under this
statute for each felony conviction, and after a review of the record, we agree. Therefore,
Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-35-108(c) mandates that appellant receive the
maximum sentence for each of his convictions. The only issue is whether the sentences
should run concurrently or consecutively.
The trial court found that appellant’s criminal history was extensive, especially in light
of the current case. Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-35-115, the trial court
“may order sentences to run consecutively if the court finds by a preponderance of the
evidence that . . . [appellant] is an offender whose record of criminal activity is extensive.”
Id. § 40-35-115(b)(2). Appellant’s prior convictions and career offender status support the
trial court’s finding; therefore, the trial court did not abuse its discretion by determining that
-11-
three of appellant’s four burglary convictions should run consecutively. Appellant has failed
to show that his effective sentence was erroneous.
C. Judgments
Although not asserted by either party in this case, we note that there is a clerical error
on the judgment in case number 11-CR-104 on Count Two, theft of property valued at $1,000
or more. Theft of property valued at $1,000 or more is a Class D felony. Tenn. Code Ann.
§ 39-14-105(a)(3). Therefore, his applicable sentencing range was “not less than eight (8)
nor more than twelve (12) years.” Id. § 40-35-112(c)(4). The court must “impose a sentence
within the range of punishment, determined by whether the defendant is a mitigated,
standard, persistent, career or repeat offender.” Id. § 40-35-210(c) As stated above,
appellant was sentenced as a career offender and, therefore, must receive the maximum
sentence within Range III for each conviction. Id. § 40-35-108(c). However, the sentence
length on the judgment form is marked as six years.
This court has stated that for a judgment to be remanded to the trial court for
correction based on a clerical error:
[T]he record in the case must show that the judgment entered omitted a portion
of the judgment of the court or that the judgment was erroneously entered.
The most reliable indicator that clerical error was made is the transcript of the
hearing or other papers filed in connection with the proceedings which show
the judgment was not correctly entered.
Sate v. Jack Lee Thomas, Jr., No. 03C01-9504-CR00109, 1995 WL 676396, at *1 (Tenn.
Crim. App. Nov. 15, 1995). After reviewing the record, it is clear that the court’s marking
six years rather than twelve years is merely a clerical error, not a void judgment, because the
trial court at the sentencing hearing stated that the sentence imposed on Count Two is twelve
years. “When there is a conflict between the transcript and the judgment form, the transcript
controls.” State v. Brent Rowden, No. M2012-01683-CCA-R3-CD, 2013 WL 4774131, at
*12 (Tenn. Crim. App. Sept. 5, 2013). Pursuant to Rule 36 of the Tennessee Rules of
Criminal Procedure, “the court may at any time correct clerical mistakes in judgments.”
Tenn. R. Crim. P. 36. Therefore, we remand this case to the trial court for entry of a
corrected judgment reflecting appellant’s twelve-year sentence in Count Two of case number
11-CR-104.
-12-
CONCLUSION
Based on the parties’ arguments, the record, and the applicable law, we affirm
appellant’s convictions and sentence but remand for entry of a corrected judgment consistent
with this opinion.
_________________________________
ROGER A. PAGE, JUDGE
-13-