# State of Tennessee v. Christopher Desmond Simpson

> Court of Criminal Appeals of Tennessee · March 18, 2019

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/4378200

## Case

- **Court:** Court of Criminal Appeals of Tennessee
- **Decided:** March 18, 2019
- **Precedential status:** Published
- **Opinion:** Opinion
- **Judges:** Judge Robert H. Montgomery, Jr.
- **Cited by:** 0 later opinions in the Frix Law Library

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## Opinion text

03/18/2019
IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT NASHVILLE
July 18, 2018 Session

STATE OF TENNESSEE v. CHRISTOPHER DESMOND SIMPSON

Appeal from the Circuit Court for Lawrence County
No. 32715 Stella L. Hargrove, Judge

No. M2017-01734-CCA-R3-CD

The Defendant, Christopher Desmond Simpson, was convicted by a Lawrence County
Circuit Court jury of second degree murder, a Class A felony. See T.C.A. § 39-13-210
(2018). The Defendant was sentenced to twenty-five years’ incarceration. On appeal, he
contends that (1) the trial court erred by denying his motion to suppress his pretrial
statement, (2) the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction, (3) the trial court
erred by denying his motion to sequester the jury, (4) the trial court erred by admitting
autopsy photographs, (5) the trial court erred during jury instructions, and (6) the trial
court erred during sentencing. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

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

ROBERT H. MONTGOMERY, JR., J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which JAMES
CURWOOD WITT, JR., J., and JOHN EVERETT WILLIAMS, P.J., joined.

Robert L. Massey (at trial and on appeal), Pulaski, Tennessee, and Shara A. Flacy (at
trial), Ardmore, Tennessee, for the appellant, Christopher Desmond Simpson.

Herbert H. Slatery III, Attorney General and Reporter; Brent C. Cherry, Senior Counsel;
Brent A. Cooper, District Attorney General, Christi Thompson and Gary Howell,
Assistant District Attorneys General, for the appellee, State of Tennessee.

OPINION

This case arises from the June 21, 2014 killing of Michelle Robinson in a remote
area of Lawrence County. The Defendant was arrested and indicted for first degree
premeditated murder. The Defendant filed several pretrial motions, including a motion to
suppress his police statement.
Motion to Suppress Hearing

At the June 10, 2016 motion to suppress hearing, Tennessee Bureau of
Investigation (TBI) Special Agent Nathan Neese testified that at the time of the incident
he was employed by the Lawrence County Sherriff’s Department and that he investigated
this case. Agent Neese stated that on June 21, 2014, he reported to an area known as
“The Bowl” after the victim was found lying by the road. Agent Neese said that The
Bowl was a secluded area and that it was a common location for riding all-terrain
vehicles (ATVs) and motorcycles. Agent Neese said that when he arrived, the victim had
been taken from the scene by an ambulance, that he saw a lengthy blood trail, and that he
saw a large pool of blood where the victim had been found. Agent Neese said that the
Defendant sat in the backseat of a patrol car and that the Defendant was not wearing a
shirt and was covered in blood.

Agent Neese testified that he and Lawrence County Sheriff’s Investigator Amy
Moore interviewed the Defendant at about 2:17 a.m. on June 22. Agent Neese stated that
the Defendant was “probably a little sleepy.” Agent Neese said that he introduced
himself, that he told the Defendant why he wanted to speak with him, and that the
Defendant appeared to understand.

Agent Neese testified that he read the Defendant his Miranda rights and that the
Defendant signed a waiver of rights form, which was received as an exhibit. Agent
Neese stated that the Defendant did not ask questions relative to his Miranda rights, that
the Defendant wrote the date and time on the waiver form, and that the Defendant
initialed the form several times. Agent Neese said that he read the questions on the
waiver form to the Defendant, that one of the questions was whether the Defendant was
“under the influence of an intoxicant and/or drugs,” and that the Defendant said he was
not under the influence. Agent Neese stated that the Defendant was responsive, answered
questions appropriately, appeared to understand the questions, and did not appear
intoxicated.

Agent Neese testified that Investigator Moore took notes while he interviewed the
Defendant and that the interview was not recorded. Agent Neese stated that the
Defendant did not request counsel. Agent Neese said that after the interview concluded,
Investigator Moore typed a “statement” based on her notes. Agent Neese stated that the
Defendant was given several breaks during the interview, that the Defendant agreed to
provide a DNA sample, and that the Defendant allowed Investigator Neese to take
photographs of the Defendant’s hands. Agent Neese stated that the interview lasted about
three hours and ended when the Defendant said he no longer wanted to speak with them.
Agent Neese said that the Defendant was arrested and charged with first degree
premeditated murder after the interview.

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On cross-examination, Agent Neese testified that the Lawrence County Sheriff’s
Department did not have a policy requiring an interview be audio or video recorded and
that he did not recall whether he asked the Defendant about his level of education. Agent
Neese acknowledged that the Defendant looked “sleepy” and said that he assumed a
correctional officer woke the Defendant before the interview.

Lawrence County Sheriff’s Investigator Amy Moore testified that she took notes
while Agent Neese interviewed the Defendant, that the interview was not audio or video
recorded, and that she typed the Defendant’s “statement” based on her notes. She stated
that she could not recall whether Agent Neese reviewed her notes before she typed the
statement. She said that only she, Agent Neese, and the Defendant were present during
the interview and that Agent Neese read the Defendant his Miranda rights. She stated
that Agent Neese reviewed the waiver of rights form with the Defendant and that the
form included questions relative to the Defendant’s level of education and whether he
was under the influence of an intoxicant. Although she did not recall the Defendant’s
being asked the questions from the waiver form, she said that Agent Neese always asked
each question on the form. She stated that she might have asked a few questions during
the interview and that she might have asked the Defendant to clarify some of his answers.

Investigator Moore did not recall the Defendant’s being asked whether he took any
medication or about his mental condition before he received his Miranda rights. She
described the Defendant’s demeanor as tired but not upset. She stated that the interview
started after 2:00 a.m., that the Defendant seemed alert, and that he did not complain that
he was tired. She said that the Defendant was given breaks throughout the interview.

On cross-examination, Investigator Moore testified that neither she nor Agent
Neese threatened or coerced the Defendant during the interview and that the interview
was not confrontational. She stated that the Defendant was emotionless throughout the
interview and that, at times, he closed his eyes and dropped his head. She said the
Defendant did not appear intoxicated. Investigator Moore stated that the interview ended
when the Defendant said he no longer wished to talk and that the Defendant was arrested.
She said that the interview lasted one and one-half hours.

The trial court denied the Defendant’s motion to suppress. The court found that
the Defendant was advised of his Miranda rights and that he effectively and intelligently
waived his rights. The court determined that the interview concluded after the Defendant
stated he no longer wished to speak with the officers.

Jury Trial

Shanda Matney testified that on June 21, 2014, she, Lauren Hooper, and Sara
Henderson went swimming and that afterward she and her two friends drove Ms.
Hooper’s Toyota 4Runner to an area called The Bowl. Ms. Matney stated that as the

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4Runner approached the entrance of The Bowl, she saw the victim lying on her side by
the road. Ms. Matney said that she saw the Defendant standing near the victim, that he
appeared calm, that his shirt was ripped, and that he was covered in blood. Ms. Matney
stated that the Defendant’s truck was parked near the victim and that she saw a pool of
blood near the truck.

Ms. Matney testified that Ms. Hooper parked the 4Runner near the victim. Ms.
Matney stated that she sat in the front passenger seat, that she opened the door, and that
she asked the Defendant if he needed help. Ms. Matney said that the Defendant walked
toward the 4Runner and that the Defendant said the victim tried to kill herself. Ms.
Matney stated that she walked to the victim, who had wounds on the back of her head and
severed left fingers. Ms. Matney said that the victim was moaning and breathing but that
the victim’s eyes were closed. Ms. Matney stated that two ATVs stopped at the scene;
that two men, two women, and two children were on the ATVs; and that one of the
women, Ms. Thompson, told her to get inside the 4Runner.

Ms. Matney testified that she tried to call 9-1-1, that she and the 9-1-1 operator
could not communicate, and that she video recorded the incident with her cell phone.
Ms. Matney stated that Mr. Thompson, one of the men driving an ATV, spoke with a 9-1-
1 operator. Ms. Matney said that Ms. Hooper drove Ms. Matney and Ms. Henderson in
the 4Runner to a nearby intersection to assist an ambulance in locating the victim. Ms.
Matney said she, Ms. Hooper, and Ms. Henderson stood by the 4Runner. Ms. Matney
stated that she saw the Defendant run toward them, that she “freaked out,” and that she
and the other girls got in the 4Runner. Ms. Matney said that the Defendant walked to the
window of the 4Runner and said, “Seriously, I didn’t do this, or something along those
lines,” and that Mr. Thompson walked to the 4Runner.

Ms. Matney testified that the Defendant walked behind the 4Runner and picked up
the victim’s purse and shoes from the road. Ms. Matney stated that she saw a kitchen
knife with a black handle and a broken blade on the road between the victim’s shoes and
purse and the victim.

Ms. Matney testified that the Defendant identified himself as “Doc” from South or
North Carolina. Ms. Matney stated that the Defendant did not tell her the victim’s name
and that the Defendant said the victim was his fiancée. Ms. Matney recalled the
Defendant’s saying that he and the victim were driving in his truck and that the victim
started cutting herself after he said he no longer loved her. Ms. Matney stated that she
was present when police officers arrived and that she did not recall anyone moving the
broken knife and blade before the police arrived. Ms. Matney said that an ambulance
arrived between thirty minutes and one hour after she and her friends encountered the
Defendant and the victim. Ms. Matney stated that she did not see the Defendant speak to,
comfort, and help the victim. Ms. Matney said that the Defendant did not ask anyone to
help the victim.

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The video recording taken from Ms. Matney’s cell phone was received as an
exhibit, and Ms. Matney described the recording as it was played for the jury. Ms.
Matney stated that the Defendant’s truck was parked on the left side of the road leading
to The Bowl, that two ATVs were parked to the right of the truck, and that the victim lay
on the ground to the right of the 4Runner. Ms. Matney said that blood was on the road
and that a “chunk” of the victim’s hair was detached from the victim’s head but lying
nearby. Ms. Matney stated that Mr. Thompson stood on an ATV, trying to call 9-1-1.
Ms. Matney said that the Defendant repeatedly looked toward the 4Runner and that she
tried to hide her phone. Ms. Matney stated that Ms. Thompson instructed her, Ms.
Hooper, and Ms. Henderson to drive to the main road to wait for the police or an
ambulance and that she stopped recording.

On cross-examination, Ms. Matney testified that she was age eighteen at the time
of the incident. Ms. Matney acknowledged that in one statement, she wrote that the
Defendant asked her, Ms. Hooper, and Ms. Henderson to drive to the main road to “flag
down the ambulance, because his fiancé[e] was dying.” Ms. Matney stated that she did
not recall what part of the Defendant’s shirt was ripped and that she could not describe
the shirt. Ms. Matney did not recall when she called 9-1-1 and said that the ATVs arrived
at the scene less than five minutes after she arrived.

Sara Henderson testified that she, Ms. Hooper, and Ms. Matney were in Ms.
Hooper’s 4Runner driving toward The Bowl when Ms. Henderson saw a truck and that
Ms. Hooper parked the 4Runner behind the truck. Ms. Henderson said that she saw the
victim lying on the ground to the right of the truck and that the Defendant was “walking
around.” She stated that the victim appeared injured, that the victim was bleeding, and
that part of the victim’s hair was missing from her head. Ms. Henderson said that she
asked the Defendant if he needed help, that the Defendant said, “No, she did this to
herself,” and that the Defendant said the victim tried to kill herself.

Ms. Henderson testified that Ms. Matney tried to call 9-1-1 but did not have cell
phone service to complete the call. Ms. Henderson stated that she had been to The Bowl
previously and that she did not have cell phone service because of the remote location.
Ms. Henderson said that she and Ms. Hooper walked around the 4Runner with Ms.
Matney while Ms. Matney tried to obtain cell phone service, that she and Ms. Hooper got
in the 4Runner after Ms. Matney could not complete a call, and that Ms. Matney walked
to the victim. Ms. Henderson stated that two ATVs arrived within one or two minutes
and that a person driving an ATV called 9-1-1. Ms. Henderson said that she was unable
to hear most of the Defendant’s conversation with the people on the ATVs but that she
heard the Defendant say the victim “did it to herself.”

Ms. Henderson testified that she felt relieved when the others arrived at the scene,
that she sat in the 4Runner for the duration of the incident, and that the Defendant “turned
his truck around the other way” on the road. Ms. Henderson stated that the Defendant

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walked around and that she did not see the Defendant approach, help, or speak to the
victim.

Ms. Henderson testified that she, Ms. Hooper, and Ms. Matney drove away from
the scene and parked at a nearby intersection where the road to The Bowl intersected with
a public road. Ms. Henderson said that she could not see the victim from the 4Runner but
that she heard conversations. Ms. Henderson stated that she heard a man and a woman
on one of the ATVs speaking to the victim and that the victim moaned but did not
respond. Ms. Henderson said that the Defendant ran toward the 4Runner and that she,
Ms. Matney, and Ms. Hooper got back in the 4Runner. Ms. Henderson stated that when
the Defendant reached the 4Runner, he said, “Really” in a tone she interpreted as
meaning the Defendant thought she and her friends should not be afraid.

Ms. Henderson testified that the Defendant appeared calm during the incident.
Ms. Henderson stated that when she and her friends arrived, the Defendant wore a shirt
and that, at some unknown time, the Defendant removed it. Ms. Henderson said that the
Defendant had blood on his shirt, body, and jeans and that his shirt was ripped.

Ms. Henderson testified that after the Defendant walked away from the 4Runner,
he picked up the victim’s purse and shoes from the road, and placed them beside the
victim. Ms. Henderson said that the strap on the victim’s purse had been cut, that the
victim’s shoes lay on opposite sides of the road and that she saw a broken knife and knife
blade on the road.

Ms. Henderson testified that after the Defendant said, “Really,” he asked if she,
Ms. Matney, and Ms. Hooper were going to get help and that they told him they were
waiting on the ambulance to arrive. Ms. Henderson stated that two men, two women, and
two children were on the two ATVs, that she did not know them, and that she did not
know the Defendant and the victim. On cross-examination, Ms. Henderson testified that
she heard the Defendant make statements to the victim including, “Come on, Michelle,
come on baby,” and, “You can make it.”

Jerrod Wallace testified that he was on an ATV with his wife, his daughter, and
his nephew and that the Thompson family was on a second ATV on the day of the
incident. Mr. Wallace stated that his daughter was age two and his nephew was age four
at the time of the incident and that the two children were seated in the back of the ATV.
Mr. Wallace stated that after his and the Thompson families left The Bowl, he saw a
truck and a 4Runner parked in the road, that the truck and the 4Runner were facing in the
direction of The Bowl, and that the 4Runner was parked behind the truck.

Mr. Wallace testified that he saw three girls speaking with the Defendant in the
road and that the victim lay by the road. Mr. Wallace stated that the victim’s breathing
was loud and that she was making a “gurgling” sound. Mr. Wallace said that he got out

-6-
of his ATV and that he walked to the front of Mr. Thompson’s ATV. Mr. Wallace stated
that he saw blood on the victim and that he walked back to his ATV to sit with the
children because he knew this was a bad situation.

Mr. Wallace testified that he heard the Defendant say to the victim, “Baby why did
you do this to me,” that the Defendant said the victim had used the Defendant’s shaving
knife to commit suicide, and that the victim had accused the Defendant of infidelity. Mr.
Wallace stated that the Defendant never said the victim tried to hurt him. Mr. Wallace
testified that Mr. Thompson called 9-1-1 and that Ms. Thompson asked Mr. Wallace to
drive his ATV to another location to wait for the ambulance to arrive.

Mr. Wallace testified that he drove the ATV to the highway and parked at an
abandoned gas station. He stated that he stopped a wildlife officer in a green truck, that
he told the officer a woman “had been cut up” near The Bowl, and that the officer
followed him to the intersection near the scene. Mr. Wallace said that the three girls sat
inside the 4Runner at the intersection, that he parked his ATV to wait for the police, and
that the officer went to the scene. Mr. Wallace stated that that an ambulance and deputies
from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department arrived shortly after he parked.

Mr. Wallace testified that one of the girls in the 4Runner approached him and that
the girl said she needed to show him something on the road. Mr. Wallace stated that he
followed the girl and that he saw a puddle of blood and a broken knife handle on the
road. Mr. Wallace did not recall seeing the knife’s blade.

Amy Wallace testified that she and her family and the Thompson family were
riding ATVs on the day of the incident. Ms. Wallace stated that after leaving The Bowl,
she saw a truck and a 4Runner parked on the road. Ms. Wallace stated that she saw the
victim lying by the road, that she saw the Defendant speaking with three girls, and that
Mr. Wallace parked their ATV. Ms. Wallace said that she remained in the ATV with the
children, that she heard the victim breathing, and that it sounded as though the victim was
“suffering to breath.” Ms. Wallace stated that she asked Mr. Wallace to return to the
ATV and that the Defendant followed Mr. Wallace. Ms. Wallace said that the Defendant
walked to the passenger side of the ATV and that the Defendant said the victim accused
him of infidelity and looked for an instrument inside his truck she could use to commit
suicide. Ms. Wallace stated she did not respond to the Defendant.

Ms. Wallace testified that the Defendant walked to the front of Mr. Thompson’s
ATV and that Mr. Thompson called 9-1-1. Ms. Wallace stated that Mr. and Ms.
Thompson asked Mr. Wallace to drive Mr. Wallace’s ATV to the highway to meet the
ambulance and that she, Mr. Wallace, and the children left the scene. Ms. Wallace said
that she did not see an ambulance or the police when they reached the highway and that
Mr. Wallace stopped a truck driven by a wildlife officer. Ms. Wallace stated that the
officer drove to the scene and that Mr. Wallace parked the ATV at the intersection.

-7-
Ms. Wallace testified that the 4Runner was parked in the intersection, that the
Defendant stood outside the 4Runner for a “short period of time,” and that the Defendant
started running toward the victim after Mr. Wallace parked the ATV. Ms. Wallace said
that the girls in the 4Runner walked to the ATV and that the girls said they saw a knife in
the road. Ms. Wallace stated that she stayed in the ATV and that Mr. Wallace walked to
the knife with the girls. Ms. Wallace said that she did not see the Defendant help the
victim during the incident.

Lauren Hooper testified that she, Ms. Matney, and Ms. Henderson went swimming
on the day of the incident and that Ms. Hooper drove her 4Runner. Ms. Hooper stated
that she drove toward The Bowl and that she saw a truck parked in the road. She said
that the truck faced The Bowl and that she parked behind the truck. She stated that she
saw the victim lying by the road and that the Defendant stood near the victim. Ms.
Hooper said that the Defendant and the victim were covered in blood, that the Defendant
wore a shirt and jeans, and that his shirt had a hole in the middle. Ms. Hooper stated that
she did not get out of the 4Runner, that she heard the victim moaning, and that the victim
had difficulty breathing. Ms. Hooper said that she asked the Defendant if he needed help
and that the Defendant said the victim tried to kill herself.

Ms. Hooper testified that she and her two friends stayed in the 4Runner until two
ATVs arrived about three minutes later. Ms. Hooper stated that the Defendant spoke
with the people on the ATVs, that she and her friends got out of the 4Runner, and that she
checked on the victim. Ms. Hooper said that the victim did not move and was bloody.
Ms. Hooper stated that Ms. Matney and Mr. Thompson called 9-1-1, that Mr. Thompson
stood on his ATV to obtain cell phone service, and that she and her friends got back in
the 4Runner.

Ms. Hooper testified that she drove the 4Runner to an intersection near the scene
to wait for an ambulance because she and her friends were scared. Ms. Hooper stated
that she could not see the Defendant’s truck or the victim from the intersection. Ms.
Hooper said that she saw a pool of blood, a knife, a purse, and shoes at the intersection.
Ms. Hooper stated that she heard someone running toward the 4Runner, that she saw the
Defendant, and that she and her friends got in the 4Runner. Ms. Hooper said that the
Defendant walked to the passenger window and said, “Really? Do you think I did this? I
didn’t do this.” Ms. Hooper stated that the Defendant picked up the purse and shoes and
carried them toward the victim.

Ms. Hooper testified that the Defendant walked to the 4Runner again, that the
Defendant said his name was “Doc,” and that the Defendant said the victim was from
North or South Carolina. Ms. Hooper stated that she did not see the Defendant approach
or render aid to the victim. Ms. Hooper said that the Defendant removed his shirt after
the ATVs arrived. Ms. Hooper stated that the Defendant was not emotional, that he “just
walked around,” and that he never asked her to help the victim.

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Monica Thompson testified that she and her husband, Nicholas Thompson, rode
ATVs with the Wallace family on the day of the incident. Ms. Thompson stated that she
saw a truck, a 4Runner, and four people standing on the road. Ms. Thompson stated that
Mr. Thompson parked the ATV in front of the truck, that she saw blood on the passenger
side of the truck’s bed, and that the truck’s passenger door was open. Ms. Thompson
said that she and Mr. Thompson got out of the ATV and that Mr. Thompson asked the
group if they needed help. Ms. Thompson stated that the Defendant said he and the
victim had argued and that the victim had cut herself. Ms. Thompson said that Mr.
Thompson asked if anyone had called 9-1-1 and that one of the girls said they did not
have adequate cell service to complete a call. Ms. Thompson stated that Mr. Thompson
stood on his ATV to call 9-1-1 and that she checked on the victim.

Ms. Thompson testified that the victim had several body wounds and bled from
her ears. Ms. Thompson stated that the victim lay on her left side, that her left arm was
“spread out,” that her right arm was folded under her body, and that her knees were
slightly bent. Ms. Thompson said that the victim was barefoot and that blood was
everywhere. Ms. Thompson stated that she noticed a laceration on the victim’s left hand
and that the victim’s left ring finger was severed. Ms. Thompson said that the victim was
moaning, that the victim’s eyes were half open, and that the victim did not respond when
Ms. Thompson spoke to her.

Ms. Thompson testified that the three girls asked the Defendant questions relative
to the incident and that the Defendant appeared nervous. Ms. Thompson stated that she
asked the girls to sit in the 4Runner, instructed them to lock the doors, and told them to
video record the incident on a cell phone. Ms. Thompson said that she told Mr. and Ms.
Wallace to stay in the ATV with the children because she did not want the children to see
the blood. Ms. Thompson stated that she told the Wallace family to leave the scene with
the children and that they drove to a gas station to wait for an ambulance. Ms. Thompson
said that Mr. Wallace had a gun in his ATV, that Mr. Wallace tried to “slip” Ms.
Thompson the gun before he left, and that she never obtained possession of the gun
because the Defendant watched.

Ms. Thompson testified that she told the Defendant to move his truck to make
room for an ambulance and that the Defendant moved the truck. Ms. Thompson stated
that the Defendant said he and the victim argued, that the Defendant told the victim,
“Don’t do this to me, baby,” and that the Defendant said, “Why did she do this to me?
You know they’re going to pin this on me.” Ms. Thompson said that the Defendant
walked around and to the back of his truck repeatedly. Ms. Thompson stated that she told
the Defendant to speak to the victim to keep the victim conscious and that the Defendant
spoke to her a few times for a few seconds. Ms. Thompson said that she did not see the
Defendant approach the victim before she asked the Defendant to speak to the victim.

-9-
Ms. Thompson testified that the Defendant “kept asking about the girls” in the
4Runner and that the girls appeared to make the Defendant nervous. Ms. Thompson
stated that she told the girls to drive the 4Runner to the intersection. Ms. Thompson said
that the Defendant walked to the bed of his truck, that the Defendant retrieved a machete,
and that the Defendant said the victim had used the machete to cut herself. Ms.
Thompson stated that the Defendant walked toward her and Mr. Thompson, that Mr.
Thompson told the Defendant to place the machete in the bed of the truck, and that the
Defendant complied. Ms. Thompson stated that the Defendant said he felt as though he
might “pass out” and that the Defendant fell into the bushes beside the victim. Ms.
Thompson said that Mr. Thompson walked to the Defendant, helped the Defendant stand,
and that Mr. Thompson gave the Defendant water.

Ms. Thompson testified that she heard a door shut in the direction of the
intersection and that the Defendant started running toward the 4Runner. Ms. Thompson
stated that Mr. Thompson handed her a cell phone and that Mr. Thompson instructed her
to call 9-1-1 to request the police and to inform the police that the Defendant had a
machete. Ms. Thompson said that Mr. Thompson chased the Defendant toward the
intersection and that she called 9-1-1.

Ms. Thompson testified that before the Defendant ran toward the girls, one of the
girls walked in sight and motioned for Ms. Thompson to walk toward the 4Runner. Ms.
Thompson stated that the girl had seen a knife, blood, shoes, and a purse on the road near
the 4Runner. Ms. Thompson said that the broken knife and blade were about thirty or
forty yards from the victim. Ms. Thompson stated that she told the girls not to touch the
knife, the shoes, and the purse and instructed the girls to stay near the 4Runner.

Ms. Thompson testified that after she called 9-1-1, the Defendant continued
walking around after he returned to the scene. Ms. Thompson stated that the Defendant
tried to shake the victim, that he said, “Come on, baby get up,” and that she told him to
stop touching the victim.

Ms. Thompson testified that a wildlife officer and an ambulance arrived, that a
paramedic told the officer to handcuff the Defendant, and that the police arrived. Ms.
Thompson stated that the police escorted the Defendant away from the victim. Ms.
Thompson said that when the Defendant returned from the 4Runner, he placed a purse
and shoes at the victim’s feet.

On cross-examination, Ms. Thompson testified that the 4Runner was not visible
after the girls parked at the intersection and that she heard a door slam. Ms. Thompson
said that the Defendant might have said, “Where’s that f------ ambulance?” Ms.
Thompson said that after the Defendant returned, the Defendant said the girls would not
help him and that Ms. Thompson told him the girls were scared.

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Nicholas Thompson testified that he and Ms. Thompson were riding ATVs with
the Wallace family on the day of the incident. Mr. Thompson stated that after he left The
Bowl, he saw a truck and a 4Runner parked on the road. Mr. Thompson stated that he
saw the victim “laying in the ditch” and that he parked the ATV. Mr. Thompson stated
that he saw the Defendant and three girls standing near the victim and that he initially
thought the victim might have fallen out of the bed of the truck. Mr. Thompson said that
he asked the Defendant if anyone had called 9-1-1 and that he did not recall the
Defendant’s answer. Mr. Thompson stated that he stood on the top of his ATV, that he
called 9-1-1, and that he tried to give the dispatcher directions to the victim.

Mr. Thompson testified that he saw a lot of blood, that a couple of the victim’s left
fingers were missing, that she had a severe laceration on her back, and that he saw
wounds on her body. Mr. Thompson stated that the victim lay on her left side, almost in
a fetal position and that the Defendant said the victim had cut herself.

Mr. Thompson testified that his wife told the three girls to drive to the end of the
road and to wait for an ambulance. Mr. Thompson stated that the Wallaces left to “flag
the ambulance in.” Mr. Thompson stated that he spoke to the victim, that the victim was
unconscious, that he heard the victim breathing, that he heard a “really loud groan[]” each
time the victim tried to exhale, and that he told the Defendant to speak to the victim.

Mr. Thompson testified that the Defendant said he felt like he might pass out and
that the Defendant fell near the victim. Mr. Thompson stated that the Defendant lay face-
down and that Mr. Thompson shook the Defendant with his hand. Mr. Thompson said
that he told the Defendant to stand, that he and the Defendant walked to Mr. Thompson’s
ATV, and that he gave the Defendant water. Mr. Thompson stated that the Defendant
said, “I know they’re going to blame this on me, whenever they get here.”

Mr. Thompson testified that the Defendant walked to the Defendant’s truck and
wiped his face. Mr. Thompson stated that the Defendant removed a machete from the
bed of the truck and said, “This is what she did it with.” Mr. Thompson said that he told
the Defendant to place the machete back in the truck and that the Defendant complied.
Mr. Thompson stated that the Defendant started running toward the intersection, that his
wife instructed him to check on the girls, and that he told his wife to call 9-1-1 to tell
them “something is not right.”

Mr. Thompson testified that he saw the Defendant standing near the 4Runner. Mr.
Thompson stated that the Defendant walked away from the 4Runner, that the Defendant
picked up a purse and shoes from the road, and that he placed the purse and shoes next to
the victim. Mr. Thompson said that the ambulance arrived about five minutes later, that
he and Ms. Thompson remained at the scene, and that a wildlife officer arrived. Mr.
Thompson testified that he did not see any injuries on the Defendant’s body and that the
Defendant did not say he was injured.

-11-
Paramedic Melissa Bivens testified that she worked for the Lawrence County
Ambulance Service at the time of the incident and that she went to the scene. Ms. Bivens
said many people were at the scene and that she saw the victim lying on the side of the
road. Ms. Bivens said that a wildlife officer arrived after the ambulance.

Ms. Bivens testified that she could hear the victim’s “gasping for air” when she
got out of the ambulance and that the victim and her clothes were “saturated” in blood.
Ms. Bivens stated that the victim was unresponsive and that she had numerous cuts and
stab wounds on her body. Ms. Bivens said that the Defendant was standing near the
victim, that the Defendant wore jeans, and that the Defendant was covered in blood. Ms.
Bivens stated that Lawrence County Sheriff’s deputies arrived and that one deputy took
photographs with a cell phone.

Ms. Bivens testified that she used a bag valve mask to help the victim breath until
they moved her into the ambulance. Ms. Bivens stated that the Defendant said the victim
had been cutting herself all day and that Ms. Bivens did not see the Defendant again after
the wildlife officer arrived. Ms. Bivens said the Defendant did not receive medical
treatment. Ms. Bivens stated that the victim was taken to a trauma center by helicopter.
Ms. Bivens said that she used every bandage in the ambulance to treat the victim’s
wounds.

Tennessee Wildlife Officer Phillip Smith testified that he worked on the day of the
incident, that he was driving home around 4:30 or 5:00 p.m., and that a man driving an
ATV stopped him. Officer Smith stated that he followed the ATV to the scene. Officer
Smith said that he saw the victim lying on the right side of the road, that she was on her
left side, and that she was covered in blood. Officer Smith stated that the Defendant wore
jeans and no shirt and was covered in blood.

Officer Smith testified that before arriving at the scene, he saw three girls inside a
4Runner at a nearby intersection, that the ATV parked at the intersection, and that the
girls directed him to the scene. Officer Smith stated that an ambulance was at the scene
when he arrived, that he told the Defendant to stay away from the victim, and that the
Defendant said, “She done [sic] this to herself and I tried to keep her from doing this to
herself.” Officer Smith stated that the victim was unconscious and made a gurgling
sound when trying to breathe. Officer Smith said that the Defendant did not appear to be
injured and did not receive medical treatment.

Paramedic Kyle Wisdom testified that he worked with Ms. Bivens on the day of
the incident and that he drove the ambulance to the scene. Mr. Wisdom stated that he
saw the victim lying on the ground, that the Defendant stood near the victim, and that a
wildlife officer arrived. Mr. Wisdom stated that both the victim and the Defendant were
covered in blood and that the officer escorted the Defendant away from the victim. Mr.

-12-
Wisdom said that the victim struggled to breathe and that she had sustained many
lacerations, cuts, and scrapes.

Mr. Wisdom testified that he tried to control the victim’s bleeding and that the
victim remained on the ground for about ten minutes before she was placed in the
ambulance. He said that he tried to start an IV and to help the victim breathe. Mr.
Wisdom said that a Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputy drove the ambulance to the fire
department where a helicopter took the victim, who was still alive, to the trauma center.

TBI Special Agent Nathan Neese testified that he was a lieutenant with the
Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department at the time of the incident and that he went to the
scene at about 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. Agent Neese stated that he spoke with several Lawrence
County Sheriff’s deputies, that the deputies showed him various blood stains along the
road, and that he saw a large pool of blood near a parked truck. Agent Neese said that the
victim was not at the scene when he arrived and that the Defendant sat in the back of a
patrol car. Agent Neese stated that the Defendant wore boots, jeans, and no shirt. Agent
Neese said the Defendant had blood on his jeans, boots, and wrist watch and that the
Defendant was calm.

Agent Neese testified that he instructed Investigator Moore to take photographs of
the scene, that he interviewed Ms. Matney, and that Ms. Matney told him she had video
recorded the incident on her cell phone. Agent Neese stated that it was a large crime
scene and that 383 feet separated the first blood stain and the victim’s location. Agent
Neese said that he saw a broken knife lying nearby and that the knife was 225 feet from
the victim. He said that he collected evidence from the scene and that the evidence was
preserved for DNA analysis and sent to the TBI crime laboratory.

Agent Neese testified that two buccal swabs from the Defendant’s mouth, and
swabs from his right palm, his right index finger, his left palm, and his left index finger
were collected for DNA analysis. Agent Neese stated that a DNA standard was taken
from the victim during her autopsy.

Agent Neese testified that the Defendant was removed from the patrol car and that
photographs were taken of the Defendant. Agent Neese stated that the Defendant was
taken to the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, that he instructed one of the deputies
to collect the Defendant’s clothes, and that Agent Neese later collected the clothes from
an evidence locker. Agent Neese said that the Defendant’s wallet, a Samsung cell phone,
and an LG cell phone battery were taken from the Defendant when he was detained.
Agent Neese stated that miscellaneous papers, receipts, a handgun carry permit, an
insurance card, and a work identification card were also taken from the Defendant.

Agent Neese testified that he found a machete, a shovel, a t-shirt, and a metal rake
in the bed of the Defendant’s truck. Agent Neese stated that he collected a black purse

-13-
from the scene and that the purse contained a Visa card showing the victim’s name, an
LG cell phone, and an apartment key. Agent Neese said that the LG cell phone did not
contain a battery. He stated that he found black “slip-on shoes” lying next to the victim.

Agent Neese testified that he later spoke with the Defendant, that the Defendant
identified where he and the victim lived, and that Agent Neese obtained and executed a
search warrant at the Defendant and the victim’s apartment. Agent Neese stated that the
search was conducted to help identify the victim and that the search started at 1:09 a.m.
He said that he knocked on the door, but nobody answered, and that he used a key to
unlock the door. Agent Neese said that he searched clothes on the floor, the refrigerator,
and the garbage. He stated that he found a receipt from G.G.’s Market in Collinwood,
Tennessee, in the pocket of camouflage pants, and that the receipt was dated June 21,
2014, and showed the Defendant’s name.

Agent Neese testified that the items he found in the truck were collected as
evidence, that the truck was taken to the impound lot, and that he obtained a search
warrant a few days later. He stated that an officer took photographs of the outside and
the inside of the truck before the search started. He said that a reddish-brown stain was
on the steering wheel cover, that he collected the cover as evidence, and that the cover
was sent to the TBI crime laboratory for analysis. He stated that a fingernail was in the
driver’s side door panel and that a nine-millimeter Luger cartridge casing was on the
driver’s seat. Agent Neese said that a reddish-brown stain was on the passenger seat and
that he removed the foam and cloth covering the seat. Agent Neese stated that the truck
had a bench seat in the rear of the cab and that items were stored under the bench seat.
He said that he found a Smith and Wesson nine-millimeter handgun, a magazine for the
handgun, six live rounds of Luger ammunition, and a black holster inside a box under the
seat. He stated that the six live rounds were consistent with the cartridge casing found on
the driver’s seat.

Agent Neese testified that a hand print and a reddish-brown stain were on the right
rear exterior panel of the truck, that he tried to transfer a fingerprint to an index card, and
that the card was sent for analysis. He identified photographs of a twelve-pack of beer in
the floorboard and the center console with a reddish-brown stain. Agent Neese stated
that miscellaneous items and latex gloves were in the console.

Agent Neese testified that he obtained a drone from Homeland Security, which he
flew above the scene several months after the incident to create a video recording. The
video recording was played for the jury, and Agent Neese narrated for the jury. He stated
that he parked his patrol car where the first evidence placard was placed, that he flew the
drone from Wisdom Road to the “chert pit road to The Bowl,” and that he made a U-turn
with the drone to fly toward his car. Agent Neese used a laser pointer to show the jury
where certain evidence was found, the victim lay, and the Defendant’s truck was parked.

-14-
Agent Neese testified that he interviewed the Defendant after the search of the
apartment and that the interview started at about 2:00 a.m. Agent Neese provided
testimony consistent with his testimony at the suppression hearing regarding the
Defendant’s police interview. The interview summary prepared by Investigator Moore
was received as an exhibit and read to the jury.

During the interview, the Defendant stated that the victim had an outstanding
fugitive arrest warrant and that they were engaged. He said that about two weeks before
the incident, he received a telephone call from his uncle, who said the victim had kicked a
hole in the wall of the Defendant’s and the victim’s apartment. The Defendant stated that
the victim accused him of being intimate with other women and that the allegations were
false. He said that on the day of the incident, he returned from National Guard training
and that he got in his truck at about noon in Waynesboro to drive home. He stated that he
stopped in Wayne County, purchased beer with a credit card, and drove to his apartment.

The Defendant said that he and the victim drove around in his truck, that he told
the victim it would be better if she returned to North Carolina or Michigan, and that she
said she loved him. The Defendant stated that the victim became emotional, yelled, and
cursed. He said that he stopped the truck to urinate and that the victim “jumped out.” He
stated that the victim used the machete from the back of the truck and a kitchen knife to
cut herself and that the victim always carried a kitchen knife. He said that after the
victim cut herself, he asked the victim whether she was alright and that he turned the
victim over to help her to breathe. He said that he saw a woman, that the woman asked if
he needed help, and that he told the woman the victim had cut herself. He stated that he
walked to his truck to retrieve his cell phone and that another man said an ambulance was
on the way.

The Defendant stated that the victim cut herself, that she “just went crazy,” and
that he closed his eyes because he did not want to watch. He said he tried to help her and
that he moved his truck to make room for an ambulance. He stated that he picked up her
purse and shoes and that he placed the items next to her. He said he did not know why
the shoes and purse were in the road because everything happened quickly. He stated
that he told the victim to stop cutting herself, that she ran down the road, and that he
drove his truck toward her. The Defendant said that the victim used the knife before she
used the machete and that she “was going at it.”

The Defendant stated that he worked for a federal transport company, that he
transported the victim from North Carolina to a holding facility in Kentucky when she
was incarcerated, and that she obtained his telephone number. He stated that the victim
called him after she was released, that she rode a Greyhound bus from Michigan to
Nashville, and that he picked her up at the bus station. The Defendant said that the
victim was in jail for vandalism, burglary, and assault with a deadly weapon. He stated

-15-
he had spoken previously with the victim’s mother, who said that she was happy the
victim had found a good man, and that the victim had been suicidal previously.

The Defendant stated that before the incident, his uncle informed him that the
victim had been “running wild while [he] was gone” and that the uncle heard the victim
had been “messing around.” The Defendant said the victim had used cocaine previously.
He said that the blood on his hands belonged to the victim, that he touched her wounds to
determine where she was bleeding, and that she had injuries to the back of her head and
neck. He stated that the victim “hit rocks and slid,” that his “military tactics kicked in,”
and that he provided first aid until the ambulance arrived.

When Agent Neese asked the Defendant whether Agent Neese could collect the
blood from the Defendant’s hands, the Defendant stated it was the victim’s blood. The
Defendant stated that he did not know how he received the scrape on his knuckle and that
he thought it might have been from a rock and from “applying pressure.” He consented
to providing a DNA sample.

During the interview, the Defendant was informed that the victim had died, and he
responded, “Oh, man.” After Agent Neese said that he did not believe the victim’s
injuries were self-inflicted, the Defendant stated, “God is my witness. I’m not the guilty
one here. I’m trying to make a living, nothing else to say.” The Defendant stated that he
did not kill the victim, that the victim cut herself, and that he tried to help her. He said
that he was in the military and that he had no reason to kill her. When asked whether the
victim threatened him with the knife or machete, he responded, “No, I tried to keep my
distance. I would say ‘Look, stop,’ and she would swing at me and I would step back.”
He stated that the first time he touched the victim was when he provided aid. The
Defendant said that he did not hit her with the machete and that he no longer wished to
speak with the investigators.

Agent Neese testified that the LG cell phone battery found in the Defendant’s
pocket did not match the Defendant’s Samsung cell phone, that the battery matched the
victim’s cell phone, that he found the victim’s cell phone in the victim’s purse, and that
her cell phone did not contain a battery.

On cross-examination, Agent Neese testified that the Defendant was given breaks
during the interview and that the interview lasted a “little longer than an hour.” Agent
Neese that he did not know about the victim’s history of mental illness and drug use
before the Defendant was charged with first degree premeditated murder and that he was
unaware that the victim had attempted suicide previously. In Agent Neese’s opinion, the
victim’s injuries were not self-inflicted. Agent Neese said that he later learned from
interviews and from items he found in the apartment that the victim had been a prostitute.

-16-
Agent Neese testified that the victim had scars on her body, that he had spoken
with an FBI agent about the scars, and that the scars were unrelated to the injuries she
received during this incident. Agent Neese stated that he saw a hole in the wall at the
apartment and that he did not find any other indication of a physical altercation. Agent
Neese said that he did not find any knives in the apartment matching the knife found at
the scene. He stated that he found female clothing in the apartment and that he did not
recall seeing luggage or packed items.

Agent Neese testified that he obtained a second search warrant for the apartment
on June 23, 2014. Agent Neese stated that during the first search, an officer found an LG
cell phone battery and placed it on a table. Agent Neese said that the purpose of the
second search was to retrieve the battery.

Agent Neese testified that the fingernail found in the Defendant’s truck belonged
to the victim. Agent Neese said that he found a Garmin GPS system and a travel
transport log in the truck and that the log showed the Defendant had transported the
victim to Kentucky when she was incarcerated. Agent Neese stated that the Defendant’s
Samsung cell phone was a Tracfone, that he did not know whether the victim’s LG cell
phone was a Tracfone, and that a forensic analysis was conducted on the Defendant’s
phone.

Agent Neese testified that several deputies secured the scene and that each deputy
was required to sign a crime scene log. Agent Neese acknowledged that Deputy Dennis
Cody’s and the “officer in charge[’s]” signatures were not included on the log. Agent
Neese stated that he arrived at the scene at 5:46 p.m. and that the Lawrence County
Sheriff’s Department had a crime scene van equipped with “evidence collecting material”
and that the van had a spotlight to assist in after-dark investigations. He stated that the
investigation was not completed before nightfall but that the van was not used. Agent
Neese said that the scene had been photographed and evidence had been marked before
dark. He stated that he and other officers used flashlights to finish collecting the
evidence. Agent Neese said that he completed a diagram of the scene a few days after the
incident and that the diagram was based on photographs, memory, and witness
statements.

Agent Neese testified that a urine sample was collected from the Defendant, that a
urine sample was typically collected to detect the presence of drugs or alcohol, but that
Agent Neese did not request the Defendant provide a sample. Agent Neese stated that the
Defendant said he had purchased beer, that a twelve-pack of beer was found in the
Defendant’s truck, and that an unspecified portion was missing. Agent Neese said that he
did not ask the Defendant whether he drank beer before the incident because the
Defendant was not intoxicated. Agent Neese stated that he probably was the person who
ordered the disposal of the Defendant’s urine sample. Agent Neese said that the sample
was taken at the jail, that officers did not have a sterile environment needed to collect a

-17-
sample, and that a sample should be collected at a hospital. On redirect examination,
Agent Neese testified that he did not think the TBI crime laboratory would have analyzed
the Defendant’s urine sample and that he would have collected a blood sample if he had
thought the Defendant were intoxicated.

TBI Special Agent Doug Williams testified that he analyzed the Defendant’s
Samsung cell phone for the contact list, call log, text messages, emails, video recordings,
and photographs taken on or about June 21, 2014. Agent Williams said that based on the
cell phone records and data, the Defendant did not call 9-1-1 on June 21, 2014.

On cross-examination, Agent Williams testified that if a telephone call were
attempted from a cell phone that did not have adequate service, the call would not be
recorded in the call log. He stated that he would have needed a subpoena to obtain
subscriber records and that he was never asked to determine who was associated with the
numbers in the call log. Agent Williams said that several incoming, outgoing, and
missed telephone calls were associated with a contact labeled as “Wife” and that several
calls were associated with a contact labeled as “Home.” Agent Williams stated that the
Defendant’s phone placed a telephone call to the contact “Wife” on June 21, 2014 at 2:54
p.m., and that the call lasted about three minutes. On redirect examination, Agent
Williams testified that the last entry was an incoming telephone call from Home at 4:10
p.m.

Dr. Adele Lewis, an expert in forensic pathology, testified that she conducted the
victim’s autopsy. Dr. Lewis stated that the victim received multiple sharp force injuries
to her head, arms, and hands. Dr. Lewis stated that the victim received a five inch
laceration to her throat, which injured the muscles on the right side of the neck and the
thyroid gland. A photograph of the victim’s throat was received as an exhibit.

Dr. Lewis stated that the victim suffered three sharp force injuries to the left side
of her head. Photographs of the three injuries were received as exhibits. Dr. Lewis said
that the victim received a three inch wound to her scalp, which damaged the scalp and the
underlying muscles. Dr. Lewis stated that the victim received a three inch wound on the
left side of her neck, which damaged the skin and muscles. Dr. Lewis said that the victim
received a two inch wound near the top left side of her head. Dr. Lewis stated that the
injury was a “chop wound,” that it was a combination of blunt and sharp force, and that it
was created by a heavy object with a sharp edge, such as an axe. Dr. Lewis said that the
chop wound fractured the victim’s skull and bruised her brain. Dr. Lewis stated that the
wound was “curvilinear.”

Dr. Lewis testified that the victim received two wounds to the back of her neck.
Dr. Lewis stated one of the wounds damaged the skin and soft tissue under the skin. Dr.
Lewis said that the other wound injured the skin and the muscles in the neck.

-18-
Dr. Lewis testified that the victim suffered a sharp wound that cut part of the
victim’s right ear and damaged the skin behind her ear. Dr. Lewis said that the wound
did not involve any major blood vessels, arteries, or bodily organs. She stated that the
victim received a wound on the back of the right side of her head. She said that the injury
was a chop wound and was caused by a combination of blunt and sharp force. Dr. Lewis
stated that the wound had “irregular edges” and that the wound measured two by four
inches. She said that the wound caused bleeding under the scalp, a fractured skull, and
bruising and swelling of the brain.

Dr. Lewis testified that the victim suffered a superficial wound on her upper right
arm. Dr. Lewis said that the victim received a wound on the right palm and that the
wound was near the bottom of the victim’s “first” finger. Dr. Lewis stated the wound had
slightly jagged edges, was a “U-shape,” and injured the skin, the soft tissue under the
skin, and the hand muscles. Dr. Lewis stated that the victim received a superficial wound
on her upper left arm. She stated that the victim received a superficial wound on the
inside of her arm, near her elbow, and that the wound had a “slight dried yellow
appearance,” indicating that the wound was inflicted when the victim had low blood
pressure or was dead. Dr. Lewis said that, based on the appearance of the wound, she
believed the victim received the wound after the other wounds.

Dr. Lewis testified that the victim suffered a chop wound to her left palm that
“went through” the victim’s left third finger, almost amputated the victim’s middle
finger, and injured her left “first” finger. Dr. Lewis said that the wound injured the skin,
soft tissue, skeletal muscles, and the bones in her left hand. Dr. Lewis stated that the
victim received superficial wounds near her left thumb and thumbnail. Dr. Lewis said
that the victim’s left hand bones were injured by a sharp heavy object. Dr. Lewis stated
that the victim received a wound to the back of her left forearm, that the wound had sharp
edges, and that it injured the skin and soft tissue under the skin. Dr. Lewis said that the
victim received a second wound on her upper left arm, that the wound was curvilinear,
and that the wound injured the skin and soft tissues. Dr. Lewis said that the wounds on
the victim’s upper left arm appeared to have been inflicted when the victim’s blood
pressure was low based upon a “somewhat dried yellow appearance.”

Dr. Lewis testified that the victim received a wound on the back of her left arm
and that the wound was three inches, had a “slight curve,” and injured the skin, soft
tissues, and arm muscles. Dr. Lewis said that the victim received a curvilinear wound on
her left shoulder. Dr. Lewis stated that three superficial, small wounds were near the
wound on the victim’s left shoulder. Photographs of each of the victim’s wounds were
received as a collective exhibit.

Dr. Lewis testified that the appearance of some of the victim’s wounds led her to
conclude that they were inflicted when the victim had low blood pressure, which could
have been caused by blood loss. Dr. Lewis stated that a toxicology analysis showed the

-19-
presence of a cocaine metabolite but that cocaine was not present. Dr. Lewis said that the
amount of the cocaine metabolite would not have affected the victim. Dr. Lewis stated
that the cause of death was multiple sharp force injuries.

On cross-examination, Dr. Lewis testified that she could not determine which
wound was fatal and that she did not know the sequence in which the victim received the
wounds. Dr. Lewis said it was possible that some of the wounds could have been self-
inflicted, including the wound on the victim’s neck. Dr. Lewis stated that she could not
determine, based on the blood found at the scene, whether the victim was walking or
running when she received her wounds. Dr. Lewis said that she could not determine
when the victim used cocaine.

Dr. Lewis testified that at the time of the autopsy, she was unaware of the victim’s
previous suicide attempt and that she was informed the victim had a history of previous
drug use and prostitution. Dr. Lewis stated that the victim had a scar on her upper left
arm and forearm, had several scars around her naval, and had one circular scar on the
front of her right leg. Dr. Lewis said that the scars were not associated with past surgical
procedures.

On redirect examination, Dr. Lewis testified that none of the victim’s scars
affected the autopsy findings, including the victim’s cause of death. Dr. Lewis said that it
would have been difficult for the victim to self-inflict the wounds on her back, head, and
hands.

TBI Special Agent Forensic Scientist Cathy Gibson, a latent fingerprint expert,
testified that she analyzed a piece of plastic, a broken piece of a knife blade, a broken
piece of a knife’s blade attached to a handle, a shovel, and a machete for latent
fingerprints and that she examined “latent lifts” from the Defendant’s truck. Agent
Gibson said that the only item that had a value was the latent lift from the Defendant’s
truck and that a latent lift was used to preserve a latent fingerprint. Agent Gibson stated
that latent fingerprint from the truck matched the victim’s right index fingerprint.

TBI Special Agent Mark Dunlap, an expert in serology and forensic biology,
testified that he analyzed evidence for the presence of DNA and human blood. Agent
Dunlap stated that he analyzed a broken piece of knife blade and that the blade showed
the presence of human blood and the victim’s DNA. Agent Dunlap said that he analyzed
a broken piece of a knife blade attached to a handle and that both the blade and handle
showed the presence of human blood and the victim’s DNA. Agent Dunlap stated that he
analyzed a shovel found in the Defendant’s truck and that human blood and the victim’s
DNA were on the metal end of the shovel. Agent Dunlap said that he analyzed a machete
from the Defendant’s truck and that human blood and the victim’s DNA were present on
the curve of the machete blade.

-20-
Agent Dunlap testified that he analyzed the Defendant’s boots, that human blood
and the victim’s DNA were present on the inner-side of the left boot, and that human
blood and the victim’s partial DNA profile were present on the back of the right boot.
Agent Dunlap stated that he analyzed two stains on the Defendant’s jeans, that one stain
was located in the knee area, and that the other stain was closer to the front right pocket.
Agent Dunlap said that analyses of both stains showed the presence of human blood and
the victim’s DNA. Agent Dunlap stated that he analyzed swabs taken from the
Defendant’s hands and that human blood was present. Agent Dunlap said that the major
contributor of DNA on the Defendant’s left palm was the victim and that the minor
contributor of DNA was the Defendant. Agent Dunlap stated that human blood was
present on the Defendant’s right palm, right index finger, and left pinky finger and that
DNA analysis was not conducted because it was unnecessary based upon the results from
the Defendant’s left palm. Agent Dunlap said that he analyzed the fingernail clippings
from the victim and that human blood and the victim’s DNA were present.

Agent Dunlap testified that he later received foliage, a rock, a broken necklace,
and swabs collected from a reddish-brown stain on the road at the scene. Agent Dunlap
stated that analysis of all of the items showed the presence of human blood and the
victim’s DNA.

On cross-examination, Agent Dunlap testified that it was possible the shovel
showed the presence of human blood and the victim’s DNA because the Defendant’s
shirt touched the shovel in the bed of the truck. Agent Dunlap stated that he did not
analyze the shovel handle for touch DNA because the handle was analyzed for latent
fingerprints. Agent Dunlap said that the Defendant’s DNA was not found on the handle
of the broken knife or the machete blade. Agent Dunlap stated that he did not analyze the
machete handle for touch DNA and that it was analyzed for latent fingerprints.

Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department Investigator Amy Moore testified that she
went to the scene and that the victim was not present when she arrived. Investigator
Moore stated that she and Agent Neese walked through the area, that she spoke to the
officers at the scene, and that she photographed the scene.

Investigator Moore testified that she video recorded a “walkthrough” of the scene,
which showed roads, vehicles, and a blood trail. The recording was played for the jury.
Investigator Moore stated that the recording showed a blood trail starting on Wisdom
Road and that the blood was on some of the leaves on the side of the road. She said that
the broken knife blade and a broken knife blade attached to a handle were found near the
intersection of Wisdom Road and the road leading to The Bowl. She stated that she
walked on the left side of the road toward The Bowl and that the Thompsons’ ATV was
parked at the scene. Investigator Moore said that she turned around, that the Defendant’s
truck was parked at the scene and that she recorded the items found in the back of the
truck and the truck’s front passenger door. Investigator Moore stated that she recorded

-21-
the large pool of blood where the victim was found, the victim’s shoes, and strands of the
victim’s hair.

Investigator Moore testified that she processed the scene for evidence, that she
placed placards along the road to identify evidence, and that she took photographs.
Investigator Moore stated that she collected samples from the blood stains on the road
with buccal swabs and the victim’s turtleneck, shirt, and bra that paramedics had cut from
the victim’s body. She said that no analyses were performed on the clothing. She stated
that a hole in the collar of the victim’s turtleneck appeared to correspond with the cut on
the victim’s throat. Investigator Moore said that the victim’s pants and underwear were
cut from the victim’s body at the medical examiner’s office and that she collected the
clothing. Investigator Moore stated that the victim’s fingernails were cut during the
autopsy and that she collected the fingernail clippings.

On cross-examination, Investigator Moore testified that she was present during the
Defendant’s interview and that she took notes. Investigator Moore stated that she typed
her notes into a transcript of the interview and that the Defendant never saw or signed the
typed “statement.” Investigator Moore said that the interview was not audio or video
recorded and agreed that an interview is generally more accurate if it were recorded. She
said that she participated in both searches of the Defendant and the victim’s apartment
and that she looked for items identifying the victim during the first search. Investigator
Moore stated that the purpose of the second search was to retrieve a cell phone battery
found during the first search.

Investigator Moore testified that the victim’s cell phone was not analyzed by the
TBI and that she did not examine the victim’s cell phone. Trial counsel placed a battery
in the victim’s cell phone and asked Investigator Moore questions relative to the cell
phone. Investigator Moore stated that the “screen saver” on the cell phone was a
photograph of the Defendant and the victim. Investigator Moore said that the incident
occurred on June 21, 2014, and that the Defendant was at National Guard camp for two
weeks before the incident. Investigator Moore said that the victim sent the Defendant
two sexually explicit text messages on June 9, 2014. Investigator Moore stated that the
victim sent the Defendant one sexually explicit text message and another message that
read, “Hey babe, I love you, Wifey” on June 11, 2014. Investigator Moore said that the
victim sent a text message to the Defendant on June 14, 2014, that read, “To Babe, sorry
if I caused you any distress, baby. I’m loving you so much. Please forgive me, your
future wife.” Investigator Moore stated that the victim sent a June 17, 2014 text message
that read:

“I called Mom, told her you said give me some money for phone and some
pocket money, and you will give back when you come home. She said let
her call and talk to you. I don’t think she believed me. So call her as soon
as you get this text. Then call me or text me back. Love you Babe.”

-22-
Investigator Moore stated that on June 19, 2014, the victim sent a text message to the
Defendant that read, “Hey, Babe, I’m loving you with all my heart, Your Wifey.”
Investigator Moore said that the victim sent another text message on June 20, 2014, that
read, “To Babe, all I needed to know is when I leave that you won’t [call] the police.”
Investigator Moore stated that according to the call log on the victim’s cell phone, the
victim called the Defendant at 2:54 p.m. on the day of the incident.

Investigator Moore testified that the victim’s hairs collected from the scene were
hair extensions. Investigator Moore stated that the Lawrence County Sheriff’s
Department’s crime van was not used because law enforcement finished processing the
scene before dark.

Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department Captain Adam Brewer testified that he
went to the scene, that he interviewed the witnesses, that law enforcement processed the
scene for several hours. Captain Brewer said that a receipt from G.G.’s Market was
found in the Defendant’s pants pocket and that G.G.’s Market was in Collinwood,
Tennessee, a few miles from the Defendant’s parents’ home. Captain Brewer said he
participated in a second search of the Defendant’s apartment to retrieve an LG cell phone
battery, which was retrieved from the kitchen table. Captain Brewer stated that he later
placed the battery in the victim’s cell phone and that the battery powered the phone. He
said that he grew up near the Defendant’s parents’ home and that he knew the
Defendant’s family. Captain Brewer stated that before the incident, he spoke with the
Defendant’s father about possibly employing the Defendant with the Lawrence County
Sheriff’s Department.

On cross-examination, Captain Brewer testified that he did not see signs of a
physical altercation and domestic violence in the apartment. Captain Brewer stated that
he did not find any knives during the searches that matched the broken knife at the scene.

A stipulation was received as an exhibit and read to the jury. The stipulation was
as follows:

On January 22, 2013, [the victim] made the following statement under oath
before the Circuit Court Judge of the 17th Judicial District, State of
Michigan: “I’ve been off my medication that I’m supposed to take that
keeps me stable since [20]04 and back in September after another suicide
attempt they finally put me on that medication, and I’ve been promised that
I won’t go a day without it. Like last time I went like a month without it
and it caused me to self-medicate.”

Johnny Lawrence, an expert in crime scene interpretation analysis and blood stain
pattern analysis, testified for the defense that he was a private investigator and a former
police homicide detective and crime scene specialist and that he reviewed the evidence in

-23-
this case. Mr. Lawrence stated that generally a diagram of a crime scene should be
completed before evidence is collected because the diagram must include “triangulation”
or “baseline” measurements of where evidence is located. Mr. Lawrence said that he
went to the scene twice, that the first time he “sat there and pictured what could have
happened” based on the photographs he reviewed, and that the second time he took
photographs of the scene. Mr. Lawrence stated that he located spots on the road that
might have been blood stains, that he tried to take measurements based on the evidence
he had reviewed, and that he used a “walking measuring stick.” He said that the
photographs of the scene and the Defendant’s truck were of poor quality because of the
time of day in which they were taken and that portable lighting should have been used
when photographing the scene if it were needed.

Mr. Lawrence testified that ninety degree photographs were critical in this case
because the scene was large, that he would have been able to determine the direction in
which the victim walked if he had the photographs, and that he could have determined
whether the stains were impact or passive. Mr. Lawrence stated that he would have
diagramed the scene differently and with more detail. Mr. Lawrence said that he noticed
in some photographs that certain vehicles were present at the scene, that those vehicles
were not present in other photographs, and that those vehicles should not have been
permitted to leave until the scene was processed. Mr. Lawrence said that law
enforcement properly marked the evidence and that without the ninety degree
photographs he could not determine where the scene began and ended. Mr. Lawrence
stated that although investigators took photographs of the Defendant’s truck, the
photographs were not taken in close enough proximity to the truck. Mr. Lawrence said
that some of the photographs were “blacked out” because the sun was shining in the
camera lens.

Mr. Lawrence testified that the scene had been contaminated because, based on the
photographs, some of the vehicles were permitted to leave before the scene was
processed fully. He said that the blood stains had been driven or walked through and that
dirt and rocks had been kicked into certain stains. He stated that although some of the
scene contamination was unavoidable, some was preventable.

Mr. Lawrence testified that he saw several transfer blood stains and a slight impact
stain on the passenger door of the Defendant’s truck. Mr. Lawrence stated that it
appeared a bloody hand tried to open the passenger door, that the hand had transferred
dirt and gravel to the handle, and that the hand left an impact stain. He stated that blood
was found on the inside passenger door and on the passenger seat. Mr. Lawrence said
that a blood stain was on the right taillight area and that the stain appeared to be a hand
impression. Mr. Lawrence stated that no measurements were taken of the stain and that
he might have been able to enhance a ninety degree photograph to determine whether it
was the victim’s or the Defendant’s handprint. Mr. Lawrence said that a transfer stain
was on the driver’s door and that “satellite stains” were on the right front of the truck.

-24-
Mr. Lawrence stated that satellite stains appeared as a “mist” of blood and that the stains
had fallen on the vehicle from a seventy to ninety degree angle.

Mr. Lawrence testified that he reviewed photographs of the inside of the truck,
that the steering wheel had transfer stains, and that the stains might have occurred when
the Defendant moved his truck to allow the ambulance to park close to the victim. Mr.
Lawrence stated that a stain was present on the center console, that the stain was not
enhanced with any chemicals, and that it might have been caused by the Defendant’s arm.
Mr. Lawrence said that transfer stains were on the interior of the driver’s door and that
the stains might have been caused by the Defendant’s entering and leaving the truck. Mr.
Lawrence stated that photographs were taken of the inside passenger door and that he
could not determine if blood were on the “door jam” or if it were “some kind of
marking.” Mr. Lawrence said that he saw transfer stains “where the pocket goes below
the armrest” and that he saw “almost a faint impression of some fingers that had been
inside the pocket.” He stated a bloody hand “had been hanging on to the grip on the
door.” He said that the passenger seat had saturation stains, that something very bloody
had been on the seat at some point, and that the cloth of the seat had absorbed the blood.

Mr. Lawrence testified that he reviewed photographs of the scene, that the road to
The Bowl was composed of a mixture of dirt and gravel, and that the road absorbed the
blood and distorted the pattern. He stated that he saw several pools of blood and passive
stains, which were caused by “free-flowing blood.” Mr. Lawrence said that six placards
were placed in the dirt next to a grassy area on Wisdom Road, that blood was on the
grass, and that passive blood stains were present at each placard. Mr. Lawrence said the
passive stains indicated that blood was dripping when someone was standing.

Mr. Lawrence testified that it seemed as though an altercation occurred at the
intersection near the scene because of a disturbance of the gravel. He stated that a broken
kitchen knife was in the intersection in separate pieces and that he saw several drops of
blood. He said that transfer stains were on the ground and that the stains indicated
“something bloody was on the ground.” Mr. Lawrence stated that several placards were
placed on the road toward The Bowl and that he saw two red posts, which he said were
used to close the road. He said that he saw more stains on the ground and that the stains
were consistent with fabric or skin touching the ground. He stated that he saw a pool of
blood past the red posts and that it indicated “somebody was there for a period of time.”
Mr. Lawrence said a very large pool of blood existed where the victim was found. Mr.
Lawrence stated that he saw a “slight pooling area” next to the Defendant’s truck, which
had been moved, that transfer stains were present, and that it indicated clothing or
“something” had been on the ground.

Mr. Lawrence testified that he saw photographs of the evidence found in the bed
of the Defendant’s truck and that he would have “enhanced” the shovel to determine
whether latent fingerprints were on the handle. Mr. Lawrence stated that the shovel had a

-25-
wipe stain, that it was possible the stain was caused by coming into contact with the
Defendant’s bloody shirt, and that the bloody shirt was found on top of the shovel.

The Defendant testified that he joined the military in 2009 and that he was
honorably discharged. He stated that he was a member of the National Guard and
worked as a prisoner transport agent at the time of the incident. He said that he met the
victim when he transported her during her incarceration and that he gave the victim his
telephone number. The Defendant stated that the victim called. He said that the victim
came to Nashville by bus and that he picked up the victim at the bus station. He stated
that the victim lived with him in Colombia, Tennessee, for about one month and that he
and the victim moved to an apartment in Lawrenceburg. The Defendant said that he and
the victim became engaged and that he learned the victim had previously used drugs,
been a prostitute, and participated in “knife fights.” He said the victim had scars from the
knife fights.

The Defendant testified that he attended a two-week National Guard camp in June
2014, that he parked his truck at the National Guard Armory in Waynesboro, and that he
rode a bus with other Guard members to Camp Shelby in Mississippi. The Defendant
stated that he left camp on the day of the incident, that he drank with other National
Guard members on the bus ride from camp, and that he was “a little messed up there.”
The Defendant said that he drove his truck to Collinwood and that he purchased a twelve-
pack of beer from G.G.’s market.

The Defendant testified that he spoke with the victim when he was at camp by
telephone and by text message and that the victim’s telephone number was labeled
“Wifey” in his cell phone. He stated that he and the victim had disagreements when he
was at camp, that his uncle said the victim was engaged in prostitution when the
Defendant was not home, and that the victim denied the allegations. The Defendant said
he learned from the victim that she and the Defendant’s uncle had an argument because
of his uncle’s allegations. He stated that he and the victim spoke by telephone and that
they “worked things out.” The Defendant said that he spoke with the victim’s mother
about “the situation,” that he spoke with the victim by telephone during the bus ride
home, and that his relationship with the victim at the time was “good.” He stated that he
and the victim exchanged sexually explicit text messages, that some messages sent by the
victim were about his uncle’s allegations, and that the Defendant and the victim spoke by
telephone several times. The Defendant said that he called the victim at about 2:40 p.m.
on the day of the incident, that he was almost home at this time, and that he and the
victim were excited to see each other.

The Defendant testified that he ate when he returned home and that he and the
victim changed clothes. The Defendant said that he and the victim did not have an
altercation before leaving the apartment, that he saw a hole in the kitchen wall, and that
the hole was “connected” with the victim’s “being mad at [his] uncle.” The Defendant

-26-
stated that he and the victim intended to drive to a secluded area past The Bowl to have
sexual intercourse.

The Defendant testified that it usually took about twenty or thirty minutes to drive
to The Bowl from his apartment and that he and the victim started arguing about his
uncle’s allegations when driving on Wisdom Road. The Defendant stated that the victim
accused the Defendant of believing his uncle, that the victim became “agitated,” and that
he and the victim started “cussing each other.” The Defendant said that the victim
threatened to kill his uncle, that he told the victim to stop making threats, and that the
argument escalated. The Defendant stated that he asked the victim whether she was
using drugs and that the victim admitted she had used drugs when he was at camp. He
said that the victim accused him of having an affair and that he told her she had to go
home to Michigan or North Carolina.

The Defendant testified that before he turned his truck around, the victim retrieved
a knife from her purse. He stated that he asked the victim what she was doing, that the
victim said, “I’m not going nowhere (sic),” and that the victim cut her throat with the
knife. He said that he stopped the truck and that the victim got out of the truck. He
stated that the victim started crying and walking down the road toward The Bowl. He
said that he spoke with the victim through the open truck windows, that the victim
continued walking, and that he drove the truck beside the victim. He stated that he
parked the truck at the intersection and got out of the truck.

The Defendant testified that he started walking toward the victim to help her and
that the victim said, “Somebody’s going to f------ die tonight.” He stated that the victim
had the knife in her hand and that the victim started running toward him. He said that he
grabbed a machete from the bed of his truck and that he kept tools, such as a rake and
shovel, in the bed of his truck for electrical jobs. He said that he stood near the bed of the
truck and that he told the victim to stop but that she did not. He stated that he tried to get
in the truck but that he and the victim “started engaging in blows.” The Defendant said
that the victim intended to kill him and that he did not recall how many times he struck
the victim with the machete.

The Defendant testified that he and the victim stopped fighting and that he got in
his truck. He stated that the passenger door remained open, that the victim tried to get in
the truck, and that he started driving toward The Bowl. He said that the victim “got on
the door of the truck,” that she fell off, and that she was “dragged a little bit.” He stated
that he stopped the truck and tried to call 9-1-1 but that he did not have cell phone
service. The Defendant said that he got out of the truck, that the victim lay on the ground
near the passenger-side door, and that she appeared hurt. He stated that the victim was
moaning and that he tried to help her stand but that she could not. The Defendant said
that he dragged the victim to a shaded area near the bushes because it was hot, that he
saw the victim’s wounds, and that a 4Runner parked behind his truck.

-27-
The Defendant testified that he asked the girls in the 4Runner for help and that two
ATVs stopped almost immediately after the 4Runner. The Defendant stated that he felt
stressed, sick, and upset. He said that the girls parked the 4Runner in the intersection of
the road, that he walked to the 4Runner, and that he was “trying to get them to go and get
some help.” He stated that he saw the victim’s purse and shoes on the road and that he
took the items to the victim. He said that someone told him to move his truck to make
room for an ambulance to park near the victim, that he turned his truck around, and that
he parked it on the other side of the road. He stated that he had a loaded nine-millimeter
handgun in his truck for protection and that he had a handgun carry permit.

The Defendant acknowledged that he did not tell the truth at the scene or during
the police interview and testified that he said the victim killed herself with the machete.
The Defendant stated that he was scared and that he was sorry for not telling the truth
initially. He said the victim did not try to kill herself with the machete but that the victim
tried to kill herself with the kitchen knife.

On cross-examination, the Defendant testified that he spoke with the victim’s
mother by telephone when he was at camp and that he told the victim’s mother he wanted
the victim to leave. He stated that after he spoke with the victim’s mother, he and the
victim “worked everything out.” He said that the machete, shovel, and rake were locked
in the cab of the truck when he was at camp and that he placed the items in the bed of the
truck before driving home. The Defendant stated that his handgun was locked in the
console when he was at camp.

The Defendant testified that he reviewed his typed interview summary, that the
summary was an accurate account of his conversation with Agent Neese, and that he did
not tell the truth during the interview. The Defendant stated that all of the State’s
witnesses testified accurately and that he did not know of any evidence at the scene that
could have helped his case. The Defendant said that he received a telephone call from his
parents at about 4:10 p.m. on the day of the incident, that he answered it, and that he
could not recall whether he spoke with his mother or father. The Defendant stated that he
was not close to The Bowl when he received the call and that he did not know what time
he and the victim arrived at the scene. He said that he was not injured during the
altercation and that he did not know how many times he hit the victim with his machete.
The Defendant stated that the altercation occurred in the intersection and that he could
not recall whether he hit the victim with the machete at a location other than the
intersection.

The Defendant testified that the victim retrieved a kitchen knife from her purse to
cut her throat and that he did not know how the knife was broken. He stated that he did
not hit the victim with the machete after she fell from of the passenger door, that he
recalled testimony about the victim’s suffering brain damage from the machete, and that
he thought the measurement of more than 200 feet from the intersection to where he

-28-
dragged the victim was inaccurate. He said that he placed the machete in the bed of the
truck after the altercation, that he tried to call 9-1-1 before he moved the victim to the
side of the road, and that he assumed he had blood on his hands when he called 9-1-1.
When asked whether he could explain the absence of blood on his cell phone, the
Defendant responded, “The phone, I – I grabbed the phone and tried to – there’s a button
on there that I tried to press right there.”

The Defendant testified that the victim was right-handed, that she had scars on her
right arm, and that the victim said she received the scars during “knife fights.” The
Defendant stated that he did not know how the victim’s left fingers were severed, that he
assumed his shirt was torn during the “fight,” and that he “felt some claws” on his shirt.
He said that during the altercation, he and the victim were “both sliding and slipping out
there” and that he never hit the victim with the machete when she was on the ground. He
stated that he knew the victim was alive when she lay by the road because he heard her
breathing.

The Defendant testified that he did not stab the victim with the kitchen knife, that
he did not use the machete after the knife broke, and that he did not plan to bury her with
the shovel. He stated that the victim had numerous cell phone batteries and that the
victim charged different batteries to “switch them.” He said that the victim asked him to
place one of the charged batteries in his pocket before they left the apartment and that he
assumed the victim had another battery in her phone.

The Defendant testified that he acted in self-defense, that he did not tell law
enforcement he acted in self-defense before the trial, and that no one persuaded him to
claim he acted in self-defense. He acknowledged that his parents were present at the
preliminary hearing. The Defendant did not recall a conversation after the hearing with
his mother and said he did not recall his mother’s telling him to say he acted in self-
defense. A portion of a recorded jail telephone call between the Defendant and the
Defendant’s mother was played for the jury.

In the recording, the Defendant and his mother both said they were upset. The
Defendant’s mother discussed obtaining money for the Defendant’s bond, which she
believed needed to be reduced. The Defendant’s mother stated that she was not worried
the Defendant would flee and that the Defendant could live with her and the Defendant’s
father. The Defendant’s mother said, “Another thing, instead of saying that she did it
herself, suicide, you need to say, h---, we got into a domestic situation, that’s what you
need to be saying.” The Defendant responded, “That’s what it was, yes.” The
Defendant’s mother stated, “You know, she attacked me and I defended myself.” The
Defendant’s response was intelligible. The Defendant’s mother stated, “Tell the truth.
(Unintelligible) attacked me with a butcher knife and I defended myself. That’s what you
need to be saying.” The Defendant responded, “I know it. I know it.” The Defendant’s
remaining response was unintelligible. The Defendant’s mother stated that trial counsel

-29-
would visit and speak with the Defendant “straight up.” The Defendant’s mother told the
Defendant to tell counsel that he and the victim argued and that the argument “got out of
hand.” The Defendant stated that he would speak with counsel, that the situation would
be straightened out, and “that it would be straight to the truth.” The Defendant’s mother
told the Defendant not to speak about his case with anyone but her, the Defendant’s
father, and counsel.

When the Defendant was asked, relative to the recording, whether it was his
mother who said the Defendant needed to claim he and the victim argued during a
domestic dispute, that the victim attacked him with a butcher knife, and that he acted in
self-defense, the Defendant responded, “I’m guessing it is, you know.” On redirect
examination, the Defendant testified that his parents visited him at the jail before the
telephone call and that they never discussed what happened during the incident.

Janie Simpson, the Defendant’s mother, testified that on August 12, 2014, a
preliminary hearing was held and that the jail telephone call previously played for the
jury occurred later that day. Mrs. Simpson stated that she and the Defendant initially
talked about reducing his bond during the call and that she understood that if she paid his
bond, the Defendant would be released from jail until the trial. Mrs. Simpson said that
the Defendant had been in jail about three weeks before the call and that she did not
recall whether she visited the Defendant before the call. Mrs. Simpson stated that she
wanted the Defendant to tell the truth and that she was “guessing” the incident was a
domestic dispute.

Upon this evidence, the jury convicted the Defendant of second degree murder.
This appeal followed.

I. Motion to Suppress

The Defendant contends that the trial court erred in denying his motion to suppress
his police statement because he did not “effectively and intelligently” waive his Miranda
rights. The Defendant relies on State v. Climer, 400 S.W.3d 573 (Tenn. 2013), and
argues that his statement should have been suppressed because he was intoxicated, sleep
deprived, had a special education high school diploma, and had no previous experience
with law enforcement. The State responds that the court did not err in denying the
Defendant’s motion to suppress. We agree with the State.

A trial court’s findings of fact on a motion to suppress are conclusive on appeal
unless the evidence preponderates against them. State v. Odom, 928 S.W.2d 18, 23
(Tenn. 1996); State v. Jones, 802 S.W.2d 221, 223 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1990). Questions
about the “credibility of the witnesses, the weight and value of the evidence, and
resolution of conflicts in the evidence are matters entrusted to the trial judge as the trier
of fact.” Odom, 928 S.W.2d at 23. The prevailing party is entitled to the “strongest

-30-
legitimate view of the evidence and all reasonable and legitimate inferences that may be
drawn from that evidence.” State v. Keith, 978 S.W.2d 861, 864 (Tenn. 1998); see State
v. Hicks, 55 S.W.3d 515, 521 (Tenn. 2001). The trial court’s application of the law to its
factual findings is a question of law and is reviewed de novo on appeal. State v. Yeargan,
958 S.W.2d 626, 629 (Tenn. 1997).

“In determining whether a waiver of Miranda rights was voluntary, knowing, and
intelligent, the totality of the circumstances must be examined.” State v. Echols, 282
S.W.3d 266 at 280 (Tenn. 2012). Factors such as

the age and background of a defendant; his education and intelligence level;
his reading and writing skills; his demeanor and responsiveness to
questions; his prior experience with the police; any mental disease or
disorder; any intoxication at the time of the waiver; and the manner, detail
and language in which the Miranda rights were explained

are used to determine whether a defendant waived his Miranda rights. Id. at 280-81; see
also State v. Blackstock, 19 S.W.3d 200, 208 (Tenn. 2000).

The record reflects that Agent Neese read the Defendant his Miranda rights and
that the Defendant signed a waiver of rights form. Investigator Neese stated that he read
each question included on the waiver of rights form to the Defendant, that the Defendant
was asked whether the Defendant was “under the influence of an intoxicant and/or
drugs,” and that the Defendant denied being under the influence. No evidence reflects
that the Defendant was intoxicated during the interview.

The Defendant’s interview started at about 2:17 a.m., and the testimony conflicts
relative to the length of the interview. Agent Neese stated that the interview lasted about
three hours, but Investigator Moore said the interview lasted one and one-half hours.
Both Agent Neese and Investigator Moore said that the Defendant appeared tired.
However, Agent Neese stated that the Defendant was responsive, answered questions
appropriately, and appeared to understand the questions. Investigator Moore stated that
the Defendant was alert and did not complain that he was tired during the interview.

Although the Defendant argues that his impaired mental ability, as indicated by his
receiving a special education diploma from high school, hindered his ability to
understand his Miranda rights, no evidence showed the Defendant did not understand his
rights. Agent Neese stated that he introduced himself to the Defendant, that he told the
Defendant why he wanted to speak with the Defendant, and that the Defendant
understood. The Defendant did not ask questions relative to his Miranda rights, he wrote
the date and time on the waiver form, and he initialed the form several times. The
interview concluded when the Defendant invoked his right to remain silent.

-31-
Furthermore, the Defendant testified at the trial that he reviewed the statement and
that it was accurate relative to his conversation with Agent Neese. Because the record
supports the trial court’s determination that the Defendant effectively and intelligently
waived his Miranda rights, the Defendant has not shown that the trial court erred in
denying his motion to suppress. He is not entitled to relief on this basis.

II. Sufficiency

The Defendant contends that the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction
of second degree murder. He argues that he should have been convicted of voluntary
manslaughter because (1) the victim had previously attempted suicide; (2) the victim was
under the influence of cocaine at the time of the incident; and (3) he was intoxicated and
struck the victim with a machete in self-defense. The State responds that the evidence is
sufficient. We agree with the State.

In determining the sufficiency of the evidence, the standard of review 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); see State v. Vasques, 221 S.W.3d 514,
521 (Tenn. 2007). The State is “afforded the strongest legitimate view of the evidence
and all reasonable inferences” from that evidence. Vasques, 221 S.W.3d at 521. The
appellate courts do not “reweigh or reevaluate the evidence,” and questions regarding
“the credibility of witnesses [and] the weight and value to be given the evidence . . . are
resolved by the trier of fact.” State v. Bland, 958 S.W.2d 651, 659 (Tenn. 1997); see
State v. Sheffield, 676 S.W.2d 542, 547 (Tenn. 1984).

“A crime may be established by direct evidence, circumstantial evidence, or a
combination of the two.” State v. Hall, 976 S.W.2d 121, 140 (Tenn. 1998); see State v.
Sutton, 166 S.W.3d 686, 691 (Tenn. 2005). “The standard of review ‘is the same whether
the conviction is based upon direct or circumstantial evidence.’” State v. Dorantes, 331
S.W.3d 370, 379 (Tenn. 2011) (quoting State v. Hanson, 279 S.W.3d 265, 275 (Tenn.
2009)). A conviction may be based upon circumstantial evidence alone. See Dorantes,
331 S.W.3d at 380-381.

Second degree murder is defined as a knowing killing of another. T.C.A. § 39-13-
210(a)(1); see id. § 39-11-106(a)(20) (2014). With regard to second degree murder, a
person acts knowingly “when the person is aware that the conduct is reasonably certain to
cause the result.” Id. § 39-11-302(b) (2014); see State v. Page, 81 S.W.3d 781 at 787.
“[T]he ‘nature of the conduct’ that causes death is inconsequential.” Page 81 S.W.3d at
787. A knowing intent is shown if the defendant acts with an awareness that his conduct
is reasonably certain to cause the victim’s death. See id. at 790-93.

-32-
In the light most favorable to the State, the record reflects that the Defendant and
the victim argued and that the incident escalated into a physical altercation. The
Defendant testified that the victim used a kitchen knife from her purse to cut her throat.
The Defendant testified that he hit the victim with a machete he retrieved from the back
of his truck after the victim threatened him with the knife. The Defendant did not know
how many times he struck the victim with the machete and did not know whether he
struck her at any location other than in the intersection. The distance between the first
blood stain on the road and where the victim was found was 383 feet, and the broken
kitchen knife was found 225 feet from the victim.

DNA analysis showed that the victim’s DNA was present on the broken kitchen
knife blade, the curve of the machete blade, the Defendant’s boots, jeans, and hands,
foliage at the scene, a rock, and a broken necklace. The victim’s cause of death was
multiple sharp force injuries, which included injuries to her head, arms, and hands, and a
five-inch laceration on her throat. The victim suffered three sharp force injuries to the
left side of her head, one of which was a curvilinear chop wound fracturing the victim’s
skull and causing bruising to her brain. The victim received two wounds to the back of
her neck, one of which was curvilinear. The victim received a sharp wound to her right
ear and a chop wound to the right side of her head, which fractured her skull and caused
bruising and swelling of the brain. The victim received a chop wound to her left palm,
amputating the victim’s left third finger, almost amputating her middle finger, and
injuring her index finger. Dr. Lewis testified that although some of the wounds could
have been self-inflicted, it would have been difficult for the victim to have inflicted the
wounds on her back, head, and hands. A jury could have concluded beyond a reasonable
doubt that the Defendant’s hitting the victim with the machete multiple times was
reasonably certain to cause the victim’s death. The final jury instructions reflect that the
trial court provided an instruction for self-defense and the jury’s verdict reflects that it
discredited the Defendant’s testimony. The evidence is sufficient to support his second
degree murder conviction. The Defendant is not entitled to relief on this basis.

III. Autopsy Photographs

The Defendant contends that the trial court erred by admitting autopsy
photographs because they were graphic and overly gruesome, that they were cumulative
to Dr. Lewis’s testimony, and that their probative value was substantially outweighed by
their unfair prejudicial effect. The State responds that the Defendant has waived this
issue on appeal because the Defendant included black and white copies of the
photographs without the exhibit number and letter on each photograph. In the alternative,
the State argues that the court did not abuse its discretion by admitting the photographs.

As a preliminary matter, we conclude that the Defendant has not waived appellate
consideration of this issue. Supplemental Exhibit 55 contains the relevant photographs.

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Exhibit 55 contains ten autopsy photographs introduced during Dr. Lewis’s testimony.
Each color photograph was labeled 55-A through 55-J.

Evidence is relevant and generally admissible when it has “any tendency to make
the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action more
probable or less probable than it would be without the evidence.” Tenn. R. Evid. 401,
402. Relevant evidence, however, “may be excluded if its probative value is substantially
outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the
jury, or by considerations of undue delay, waste of time, or needless presentation of
cumulative evidence.” Tenn. R. Evid. 403. Questions regarding the admissibility and
relevancy of evidence lie within the discretion of the trial court, and the appellate courts
will not “interfere with the exercise of that discretion unless a clear abuse appears on the
face of the record.” State v. Franklin, 308 S.W.3d 799, 809 (Tenn. 2010) (citing State v.
Lewis, 235 S.W.3d 136, 141 (Tenn. 2007)). A trial court abuses its discretion when it
applies an incorrect legal standard or reaches a conclusion that is “illogical or
unreasonable and causes an injustice to the party complaining.” State v. Ruiz, 204
S.W.3d 772, 778 (Tenn. 2006).

Photographs of victims “are admissible in murder prosecutions if they are relevant
to the issues on trial, notwithstanding their gruesome and horrifying character.” State v.
Banks, 564 S.W.2d 947, 950-51 (Tenn. 1978). When determining the admissibility of
such evidence, the trial court should consider

their accuracy and clarity, and whether they were taken before the corpse
was moved, if the position and location of the body when found is material;
the inadequacy of testimonial evidence in relating the facts to the jury; and
the need for evidence to establish a prima facie case of guilt or to rebut the
defendant’s contentions.

Id. at 951. Unfair prejudice results when there is “an undue tendency to suggest [a]
decision on an improper basis, commonly, though not necessarily, an emotional one.”
State v. Dotson, 450 S.W.3d 1, 91 (Tenn. 2014) (quoting Banks, 564 S.W.2d at 950-51).

The Defendant submitted several pretrial motions addressing the admissibility of
the 497 photographs included in the discovery. Relative to autopsy photographs, the trial
court determined that twelve photographs were admissible at the July 23, 2016 hearing
and in its written order. The court concluded that the photographs were not overly
gruesome and that their probative value outweighed their prejudicial effect.

The Defendant only challenges five photographs contained in the collective
exhibit. The five photographs show wounds to the victim’s right ear, the right side of her
head, and her left arm. The photographs assisted Dr. Lewis in explaining the victim’s
injuries and supported her conclusion that the cause of death was multiple sharp force

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injuries. Likewise, the photographs were not overly gruesome because the wounds had
been cleaned. The record supports the trial court’s determining that the probative value
of the photographs was not substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice.
The Defendant is not entitled to relief on this basis.

IV. Jury Sequestration

The Defendant contends that the trial court erred by denying his motion to
sequester the jury. The Defendant argues that he was denied a fair and impartial jury
trial. The State responds that the court did not err by denying the Defendant’s motion.
We agree with the State.

At the August 23, 2016 motion hearing, trial counsel requested that the jury be
sequestered during the trial. Counsel argued that jury sequestration was necessary to
preserve the Defendant’s rights to a fair trial and to an impartial jury. Counsel stated that
the inconvenience to the jury would have been minimal because the trial would last one
week.

The trial court stated that jurors typically followed the rules of the court and that
the court would inform the jury of the rules. The court determined that it could protect
the Defendant’s right to a fair trial and that it would inform the jurors that they were to
decide the case on the evidence introduced during the trial. The court denied the motion.

We review a court’s denial of the Defendant’s motion to sequester for an abuse of
discretion. See State v. Larkin, 443 S.W.3d 751, 804 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2013); see also
State v. Larry Walcott, No. E2004-02705-CCA-R3-CD, 2005 WL 2007203 at *6 (Tenn.
Crim. App. Aug. 22, 2005). Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-18-116 states, “In all
criminal prosecutions, except those in which a death sentence may be rendered, jurors
shall only be sequestered at the sound discretion of the trial judge, which shall prohibit
jurors from separating at times when they are not engaged upon actual trial or
deliberation of the case.” This court has determined that the “failure to sequester a jury
standing alone could rarely, if ever, constitute reversible error. A defendant would have
to demonstrate actual prejudice or at least substantial likelihood thereof flowing from the
failure to sequester in order to warrant a new trial.” Larkin, 443 S.W.3d at 804 (internal
citations omitted).

The record reflects that the trial court instructed the empaneled jurors initially and
before each recess to refrain from conducting their own investigations, from watching,
listening, and reading news media relative to the case, and from speaking with anyone
about the case. The court also instructed the jurors to decide the case only on the
evidence presented at the trial. The Defendant has not presented any evidence that the
jury did not follow the court’s instructions, that he was prejudiced by the failure to
sequester the jury, and that he was denied a fair trial because the jury was not

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sequestered. We conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by denying the
Defendant’s motion to sequester the jury. The Defendant is not entitled to relief on this
basis.

V. Jury Instructions

The Defendant contends that the trial court erred by denying his request for four
special jury instructions and by failing to provide an instruction for intoxication, although
the court agreed to provide it. The State responds that the court did not err by denying
the Defendant’s request for the four special jury instructions because the pattern jury
instructions were a complete charge of the law. The State argues that the Defendant
waived his argument relative to the intoxication instruction because he failed to rectify
the court’s failure provide it at the trial. In the alternative, the State asserts that the error
was harmless.

A criminal defendant has “a right to a correct and complete charge of the law.”
Hanson, 279 S.W.3d at 280 (citing State v. Garrison, 40 S.W.3d 426, 432 (Tenn. 2000)).
As a result, a trial court has a duty “to give proper jury instructions as to the law
governing the issues raised by the nature of the proceeding and the evidence introduced at
trial.” State v. Hawkins, 406 S.W.3d 121, 129 (Tenn. 2013) (citing State v. Dorantes, 331
S.W.3d 370, 390 (Tenn. 2011)); see State v. Thompson, 519 S.W.2d 789, 792 (Tenn.
1975). A jury instruction related to general defenses is not required to be submitted to
the jury “unless it is fairly raised by the proof.” T.C.A. § 39-11-203(c) (2014). An
erroneous jury instruction, though, may deprive the defendant of the constitutional right
to a jury trial. See Garrison, 40 S.W.3d at 433-34.

The record reflects that the defense requested the trial court provide seven special
jury instructions, four of which the court denied. The Defendant requested that the court
instruct that: “[a]ll homicides involving the use of a deadly weapon do not constitute
first-degree murder” to further explain the law related to first degree premeditated
murder. The court determined that the pattern instruction for first degree premeditated
murder was a complete charge of the law and denied the Defendant’s request.

The remaining requested instructions related to voluntary manslaughter. The
Defendant requested that the trial court give instructions as follows: (1) “[o]ne who kills
another in a passionate rage may dispose of the weapon when reason returns just as
readily as the cool, dispassionate killer;” (2) “[t]he offense of voluntary manslaughter
requires adequate provocation – there is no requirement that there is a ‘rational’
provocation;” and (3) [r]epeated blows to a victim can be delivered in the heat of passion,
with no design or reflection.” The court denied the requested instructions and determined
that the pattern instruction for voluntary manslaughter was a complete charge of the law.

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The record reflects that the trial court gave the following instruction relative to
first degree premeditated murder:

Any person who commits the offense of first degree murder is guilty
of a crime. For you to find the defendant guilty of this offense, the state
must have proven beyond a reasonable doubt the existence of the following
essential elements:

(1) That the defendant unlawfully killed the alleged victim; and

(2) That the defendant acted intentionally. A person acts intentionally
when it is the person’s conscious objective or desire to cause the death of
the alleged victim; and defendant’s conscious objective need not to be to
kill a specific victim; and

(3) That the killing was premeditated.

A premeditated act is one done after the exercise of reflection and
judgment. Premeditation means that the intent to kill must have been
formed prior to the act itself. It is not necessary that the purpose to kill
preexist in the mind of the accused for any definite period of time. The
mental state of the accused at the time he allegedly decided to kill must be
carefully considered in order to determine whether the accused was
sufficiently free from excitement and passion as to the capable of
premeditation. If the design to kill was formed with premeditation, it is
immaterial that the accused may have been in a state of passion or
excitement when the design was carried into effect. Furthermore,
premeditation can be found if the decision to kill is first formed during the
heat of passion, but the accused commits the act after the passion has
subsided.

If you find from the proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the
defendant is guilty of first degree murder, you will so report and your
verdict in that event shall be “We, the Jury, find the defendant guilty of first
degree murder.”

The jury should not concern itself with punishment. Your sole
responsibility is to determine whether or not the defendant is guilty of the
charge. If the jury finds beyond a reasonable doubt the guilt of the
defendant as to this offense, the court will fix the punishment in a separate
hearing.

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If you have a reasonable doubt as to the defendant’s guilt of first
degree murder, then your verdict must be not guilty as to this offense, and
then you shall proceed to determine the defendant’s guilt or innocence of
the lesser included offense of second degree murder.

See T.P.I – Crim. 7.01.

Relative to voluntary manslaughter, the record reflects that the trial court
instructed the jury as follows:

Any person who commits voluntary manslaughter is guilty of a
crime.

For you to find the defendant guilty of this offense, the state must
have proven beyond a reasonable doubt the existence of the following
essential elements:

(1) That the defendant unlawfully killed the alleged victim; and

(2) That the defendant acted intentionally or knowingly, and

(3) That the killing resulted from a state of passion produced by
adequate provocation sufficient to lead a reasonable person to act in an
irrational manner.

The distinction between voluntary manslaughter and second degree
murder is that voluntary manslaughter requires that the killing result from a
state of passion produced by adequate provocation sufficient to lead a
reasonable person to act in an irrational manner.

The terms “knowingly” and “intentionally” have been previously
defined and have the same meaning here.

If you find from the proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the
defendant is guilty of voluntary manslaughter, you will so report and your
verdict in that event shall be “We, the Jury, find the defendant guilty of
voluntary manslaughter.”

If you have a reasonable doubt as to the defendant’s guilt of
voluntary manslaughter, then your verdict must be not guilty as to this
offense, and then you shall proceed to determine the defendant’s guilt or
innocence of the lesser included offense of reckless homicide.

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See id. at 7.06.

The definitions of “knowingly” and “intentionally” were given in the second degree
murder jury instruction. The jury was instructed that “knowingly” was defined as:

“Knowingly” means that a person acts with an awareness that his conduct is
reasonably certain to cause the death of the alleged victim. If you find
beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant knowingly engaged in
multiple incidents of the infliction of bodily injury against the alleged
victim, you may infer that the defendant was aware that the cumulative
effect of the conduct was reasonably certain to result in the death of the
victim, regardless of whether any single incident would have resulted in the
victim’s death. However, you are never required to make this inference. It
is the exclusive province of the jury to determine whether the facts and
circumstances shown by the evidence in this case warrant any inference
which the law permits you the jury to draw. Also, the inference may be
rebutted by other evidence and circumstances. It is for the jury to
determine, after a consideration of all the evidence, whether to make the
inference which the law permits, the correctness of such inference, and
what weight is to be given to such evidence.

The requirement of “knowingly” is also established if it is shown that the
defendant acted intentionally.

See id. at 7.05(a).

Relative to the definition of “intentionally,” the trial court instructed the jury as follows:
“‘intentionally’ means that a person acts intentionally when it is the person’s conscious
objective or desire to cause the death of the alleged victim.” See id.

The record supports the trial court’s determinations that the pattern instructions
were a complete charge of the law. “Although the Pattern Jury Instructions do not have
the force of law, our trial courts ‘frequently use them as a source for jury instructions.’”
State v. Davis, 266 S.W.3d 896, 901 n.2 (Tenn. 2008) (quoting State v. Rutherford, 897
S.W.2d 118, 120 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1993)). When reviewing jury instructions on appeal,
the instruction must be considered and read as a whole rather than in isolation. Hanson,
279 S.W.3d at 280. We conclude that the trial court instructed the jury on the elements of
both first degree premeditated murder and voluntary manslaughter and adequately
defined key terms such as premeditation, knowingly, and intentionally.

“The purpose of a special instruction is ‘to supply an omission or correct a mistake
made in the general charge to present a material question not treated in the general
charge, or to limit, extend, eliminate, or more accurately define a proposition already

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submitted to the jury.’” Id. (quoting State v. Cozart, 54 S.W.3d 242, 245 (Tenn. 2001)).
“The refusal to grant a special request for instruction is error only when the general
charge does not fully and fairly state the applicable law.” Hanson, 279 S.W.3d at 280.
The special instructions requested by the Defendant did not correct a mistake in the
general charge and did not limit, extend, eliminate, or more accurately define a
proposition. See id. We conclude that the pattern instructions, when read as a whole,
properly instructed the jury on the applicable law. The Defendant is not entitled to relief
on this basis.

The Defendant also requested that the trial court give an intoxication instruction.
The court found that an intoxication instruction was appropriate but failed to give the
instruction. As a preliminary matter, the Defendant has not waived this issue on appeal.
Tennessee Rule of Criminal Procedure 30(b) states that after a trial court instructs the
jury, “the parties shall be given an opportunity to object . . . to the content of an
instruction that was given or the failure to give a requested instruction.” If a trial court
failed to give a requested instruction, a defendant may either object at the trial or allege
the failure in his motion for a new trial. See State v. Haynes, 720 S.W.2d 76 (Tenn.
1986). “Counsel’s failure to object does not prejudice the right of a party to assign the
basis of the objection as error[.]” Tenn. R. Crim. P. 30(b); see State v. Roy Daniel Mayo,
II, No. M2015-02267-CCA-R3-CD, 2016 WL 5385851 at *3 (Tenn. Crim. App. Sept. 26,
2016). Therefore, the Defendant has not waived appellate consideration of this issue.

“[I]ntoxication itself is not a defense to prosecution for an offense. However,
intoxication, whether voluntary or involuntary, is admissible in evidence, if it is relevant
to negate a culpable mental state.” T.C.A. § 39-11-503(a) (2014). Voluntary intoxication
is defined as “intoxication caused by a substance that the person knowingly introduced
into the person’s body, the tendency of which to cause intoxication was known or ought
to have been known.” Id. § 39-11-503(d)(3). This court has stated that

proof of intoxication alone is not a defense to a charge of committing a
specific intent crime nor does it entitle an accused to jury instructions . . . ;
there must be evidence that the intoxication deprived the accused of the
mental capacity to form specific intent. An intoxicated person might have .
. . intent while a sober person might not.

Harrell v. State, 593 S.W.2d 664, 672 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1979). The key inquiry “is not
whether the accused was intoxicated, but what was [the person’s] mental capacity.” Id.

The record reflects that the Defendant testified that he consumed beer on the way
home from National Guard camp and purchased beer at G.G.’s Market. Officers found a
twelve pack of beer in the Defendant’s truck, and an unspecified portion of the beer was
missing. The Defendant did not testify that he was intoxicated to the extent that he was
unaware of his conduct. Rather, he testified that he struck the victim with the machete

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after she attempted to cut him with a kitchen knife. No evidence showed that intoxication
affected his capacity to form the culpable mental state required to commit second degree
murder. See State v. Jeffery Allen Boston, No. M2010-00919-CCA-R3-CD, 2011 WL
4949932 at *8 (Tenn. Crim. App. Oct. 18, 2011) (concluding that although the evidence
showed the defendant drank approximately twelve bottles of beer and shared a marijuana
cigarette, the evidence did not show that his intoxication affected his ability to form the
culpable mental state required to commit the offenses, including second degree murder).

Furthermore, both Agent Neese and Investigator Moore testified that the
Defendant did not appear intoxicated. Agent Neese asked the Defendant whether he was
under the influence of an intoxicant or drugs, and the Defendant said he was not. No
evidence at the trial showed that the Defendant was intoxicated. The trial court erred in
its determination that the instruction was proper because the evidence did not support the
intoxication instruction. Thus, the trial court’s inadvertence in failing to give the
instruction was not erroneous. The Defendant is not entitled to relief on this basis.

VI. Sentencing

The Defendant contends that he received an excessive sentence because the trial
court erred in applying three of the enhancement factors. He also contends that the court
erred by considering the porti

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/4378200. Public record. Not legal advice.