State of Tennessee v. Marvin Johnson ( 2016 )

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT JACKSON
Assigned on Briefs March 1, 2016
STATE OF TENNESSEE v. MARVIN JOHNSON
Appeal from the Criminal Court for Shelby County
No. 14-00135 J. Robert Carter, Jr., Judge
No. W2015-00783-CCA-R3-CD - Filed May 4, 2016
The Defendant, Marvin Johnson, was convicted by a Shelby County Criminal Court jury of
first degree premeditated murder. See T.C.A. § 39-13-202 (2014). The trial court imposed a
life sentence. On appeal, the Defendant contends that (1) the evidence is insufficient to
support his conviction, (2) the trial court erred by denying his motion to suppress evidence,
(3) the trial court erred by admitting an autopsy photograph of the victim, and (4) the trial
court erred by denying his request for transcripts. We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Criminal Court Affirmed
ROBERT H. MONTGOMERY, JR., J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which THOMAS T.
WOODALL, P.J., and ROBERT L. HOLLOWAY, JR., J., joined.
Stephen C. Bush, District Public Defender, and Phyllis Aluko (on appeal) and Jennifer Case
(at trial), Assistant Public Defenders, for the appellant, Marvin Johnson.
Herbert H. Slatery III, Attorney General and Reporter; Zachary T. Hinkle, Assistant Attorney
General; Amy P. Weirich, District Attorney General; and Paul F. Goodman, Assistant
District Attorney General, for the appellee, State of Tennessee.
OPINION
This case relates to the March 2013 shooting death of Anthon Joliff. The victim was
shot multiple times while sitting in the driver‟s seat of his girlfriend‟s car after returning
home from shopping.
Motion to Suppress Evidence
At the hearing, Shelby County Sheriff‟s Deputy Michelle Hall testified that on March
14, 2013, she responded to a shots-fired call and that when she arrived at the scene, she found
the victim sitting in the driver‟s seat of a car parked in a residential driveway. She said that
the victim‟s left leg was outside the car and that the victim was turned as though he was
attempting to get out of the car. She said that Inez Shelton, the victim‟s girlfriend, was at the
scene and that Ms. Shelton identified a man she knew as “Pig” as the person who shot the
victim. Ms. Shelton advised that Pig lived in the neighborhood and had left the scene on foot
five minutes before Deputy Hall arrived.
Shelby County Sheriff‟s Sergeant Glen Ray Essary, Jr., testified that he was the lead
detective in the present case and that the Defendant had been apprehended when Sergeant
Essary arrived at the scene. He recalled the Defendant was apprehended at the end of the
street where the shooting occurred. Sergeant Essary asked, “[I]s there a gun somewhere? Is
there a gun out that we can keep some child from getting hurt with?” Sergeant Essary said
the Defendant denied knowing anything about a gun. Sergeant Essary said that before
transporting the Defendant, Sergeant Essary again attempted to learn whether a gun was
located in the neighborhood. The Defendant was removed from the police cruiser, advised of
his Miranda rights, and presented the advice of rights form. Sergeant Essary said that the
Defendant initialed the form reflecting the Defendant had been read his Miranda rights and
that the Defendant wrote on the form he did not wish to answer any questions. Sergeant
Essary said he stopped questioning the Defendant.
Sergeant Essary testified that after the Defendant was transported to the sheriff‟s
office, the Defendant was placed inside an interview room and advised of his Miranda rights
again. Sergeant Essary said that the Defendant waived his rights and that the Defendant only
wanted to know whether “Mr. T” was dead. Sergeant Essary noted that the victim‟s
nicknames were Tony and Mr. T. Sergeant Essary said the Defendant did not admit
involvement in the killing.1
Sergeant Essary testified that after the Defendant‟s arrest, Sergeant Essary requested
recordings of the Defendant‟s telephone calls while in the jail. Sergeant Essary reviewed the
jail telephone calls and said that in one conversation between the Defendant and his mother,
the Defendant admitted shooting the victim but claimed the shooting was self-defense.
Sergeant Essary said that he participated in a search of the Defendant‟s mother‟s home after
she provided Detective Whitaker written consent.
1
The Shelby County Sheriff‟s Office recorded the interview. The prosecutor, though, told the trial court and trial counsel
that he did not intend to use the recording during the State‟s case-in-chief and that he only intended to use the recording
for impeachment purposes.
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On cross-examination, Sergeant Essary testified that although he did not go to the
Defendant‟s home located on the same street where the shooting occurred, other deputies
went to the home. He agreed that when he arrived at the scene, the Defendant was being
detained, was wearing handcuffs, and was not free to leave. He said that although he did not
recall when the Defendant was apprehended, he knew it was dark outside and before
midnight. He said the Defendant was placed in custody based upon Ms. Shelton‟s statement
to deputies. Sergeant Essary said that the Defendant had not yet been formally charged with
the homicide when the Defendant arrived at the sheriff‟s office because the charges had to be
approved by the District Attorney‟s Office. He agreed the District Attorney‟s Office was not
contacted until after the Defendant‟s and Ms. Shelton‟s formal police interviews. He said the
charges were approved between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m. on March 15, 2013.
Sergeant Essary testified that the Defendant‟s police interview began on March 15,
2013, at around 1:00 a.m., and that the interview lasted thirty minutes. Relative to Ms.
Shelton‟s interview, Sergeant Essary said she identified the Defendant from a photograph
lineup as the person who shot the victim. Sergeant Essary said the Defendant was placed
under arrest at 4:45 a.m. and was placed in the jail at 6:57 a.m. He said that although the
Defendant‟s arrest ticket reflected the arrest was pursuant to a warrant, the Defendant was
arrested without a warrant. Sergeant Essary later clarified that an arrest warrant was
ultimately obtained.
Shelby County Sheriff‟s Detective Arby Whitaker testified that he responded to the
scene to assist other deputies and that Charlotte Tuggle, a female passerby, told him that a
man ran into a house on a nearby street. Detective Whitaker said that Ms. Tuggle described
the house and that he relayed the information to Patrol Officers Sturgen and Brown at the
scene.
On cross-examination, Detective Whitaker testified that Ms. Tuggle did not report
seeing anyone flee from the scene. He did not recall whether Ms. Tuggle described the
person she saw but said his report would reflect whether she provided a description.
Marquita Johnson, the Defendant‟s sister, testified that in March 2013, she, her two
daughters, her sister, her sister‟s son, her mother, and the Defendant lived in a home down
the street from where the shooting occurred. Ms. Johnson said the Defendant had his own
bedroom. She said that on the night of the shooting, she saw three flashlights outside the
home around 8:00 p.m. She said that three sheriff‟s deputies knocked on the door, that her
mother opened the door, that the deputies were holding their firearms, and that one of the
deputies said, “[L]et us in we know he‟s in there.” When asked if the deputies requested
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permission to enter the home, Ms. Johnson said, “I don‟t recall permission.” She said the
deputies did not request permission to look around the home.
Ms. Johnson testified that she and her family were instructed to sit on the sofa in the
living room. She said that her mother shook and that the three young children cried while the
deputies “looked in each room.” Ms. Johnson said that the deputies returned to the living
room and that one deputy said, “[T]hey were going to get a warrant to search the
[Defendant‟s] bedroom.” She said that the deputies asked her mother for permission to
search the Defendant‟s bedroom and that her mother responded, “[Y]es, sir.” Ms. Johnson
said two deputies left and returned with a search warrant.
On cross-examination, Ms. Johnson testified that the children were ages five, three,
and one. She said that her mother gave the deputies permission to search the Defendant‟s
bedroom after the deputies had entered and “looked in” the Defendant‟s bedroom. Ms.
Johnson agreed her mother consented to a search before the deputies returned with the search
warrant. On redirect examination, Ms. Johnson stated that she never saw a search warrant.
Jacquelyn Perry, records custodian for the general sessions and criminal courts clerk‟s
office, testified that on March 18, 2013, the Defendant was advised of the first degree murder
charge at the video arraignment. On cross-examination, Ms. Perry stated that the Defendant
was arrested on March 15, at 12:24 a.m.
Shelby County Sheriff‟s Detective Robert Brown testified that he responded to the
scene of the shooting, that he learned the victim had died, and that he and two deputies
secured the scene. He said he and the two deputies began searching for the Defendant after
the victim‟s girlfriend described the shooter and provided the direction in which the shooter
fled on foot with the gun. Detective Brown noted that the victim‟s girlfriend identified the
shooter as a man she knew as Pig.
Detective Brown testified that he spoke to several neighbors, one of whom identified
Pig‟s first name as Marvin and the home in which Marvin lived. Detective Brown said that
he and two deputies walked to the home and spoke with the homeowner, who was the
Defendant‟s mother. Detective Brown said the Defendant‟s mother said her son‟s name was
Marvin but was known as Pig. Detective Brown said that although the Defendant‟s mother
denied knowing the Defendant‟s whereabouts, Detective Brown requested her permission to
search the home. He said that the Defendant‟s mother was “extremely cooperative,” that she
identified the Defendant‟s bedroom, and that he looked throughout the home but did not find
the Defendant. Detective Brown said that when he looked inside the Defendant‟s bedroom,
he saw pills in prescription bottles and baggies. He noted some pills strewn about the
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bedroom. He said that the narcotics division was contacted regarding the pills, that he left,
and that the two deputies remained at the home until a search warrant was obtained.
Detective Brown testified that he continued searching for the Defendant with Deputy
Gaither and that Detective Whitaker reported a witness saw a person who matched the
description provided by the victim‟s girlfriend enter a nearby house. Detective Brown said
Detective Whitaker provided a description of the home and the address, but the house
described had a different number. Detective Brown said that he and Deputy Gaither decided
to approach the home matching the witness‟s description. Detective Brown said that
Deputies Sturgen and Shepard arrived at the home and knocked on the side door. Detective
Brown said that the homeowner answered the door and spoke to the deputies and that Deputy
Sturgen began shouting commands for someone to show his or her hands and to get down on
the ground. Detective Brown said that the Defendant was standing just inside the home, that
the Defendant was taken into custody, and that the Defendant was led out of the home.
Detective Brown testified that he spoke to the Defendant after the Defendant was
handcuffed. Detective Brown said he told the Defendant, “Marvin, I‟ll be nice to you as you
are to me. . . . [W]e need some questions answered. And for my safety, I need to know what
all you have on you. So I‟m going to just get your belongings out of your pockets, okay?”
Detective Brown said that the Defendant understood and that he removed the Defendant‟s
belongings, which consisted of a wallet, a Bible, and a couple of miscellaneous items.
Detective Brown said a weapon was not found. Detective Brown said the Defendant stated
that he did not have a gun, that the gun belonged to the victim, and that he shot the victim
after the victim pointed the gun at him. Detective Brown asked the Defendant where the gun
was located, and the Defendant said it was near the victim. Detective Brown said he asked
the Defendant not to speak anymore because the detectives wanted to speak to the Defendant.
Detective Brown said he had not read the Defendant his Miranda rights because he had not
questioned the Defendant.
On cross-examination, Detective Brown testified that he was carrying a rifle and that
the two deputies with him were carrying police-issued semi-automatic pistols. He said that
they used their flashlights when approaching the Defendant‟s mother‟s house to ensure
nobody was hiding in the vicinity. He said they went to the home as a result of the victim‟s
girlfriend‟s statement to police officers. He agreed no witnesses reported seeing the shooter
enter the Defendant‟s home. He said that the Defendant‟s mother was cooperative, told the
deputies to come inside, denied the Defendant was home, and told the deputies to look
around to ensure the Defendant was not there. He agreed he did not obtain written consent to
search the home.
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Detective Brown testified that he requested the people inside the home to sit on the
sofa while he and the other deputies confirmed whether the Defendant was there. He denied
ordering them to sit on the sofa. He said they had a choice and could have told him and the
other deputies that they could not enter the home. Detective Brown denied that he entered
the home with his firearm raised when the Defendant‟s mother opened the door. He said no
firearms were pointed at the Defendant‟s family members. Detective Brown said that he
obtained oral consent to enter the home and that his rifle was pointed downward.
Detective Brown testified that Deputy Christian entered the Defendant‟s bedroom and
that Deputy Hill may have entered the room, as well. Detective Brown said that once he saw
the drug-related items, he and the deputies stepped out of the room and contacted the
narcotics division.
Detective Brown testified that the Defendant was under arrest and not free to leave
after the Defendant was placed in handcuffs. Detective Brown agreed that at the time of the
arrest, no arrest warrant existed and the Defendant had not been charged with a crime.
Relative to the Defendant‟s statement regarding the gun, Detective Brown said that he did
not complete a written report but relayed the Defendant‟s statement to Sergeant Essary.
Shelby County Sheriff‟s Detective Jason Valentine testified that he responded to the
scene and that he assisted the narcotics detectives at the Defendant‟s home. He said that by
the time he arrived, the narcotics detectives had obtained the search warrant and searched the
Defendant‟s home. Detective Valentine recalled that the seized evidence included
ammunition and controlled substances. Relative to the ammunition, Detective Valentine said
the detectives found one .380-caliber live round and thirty-six .32-caliber live rounds. On
cross-examination, Detective Valentine testified that he never entered the Defendant‟s home.
Shelby County Sheriff‟s Detective James Stroud testified that he worked in the
narcotics division and that on the night of the killing he received a telephone call from
Lieutenant Kevin Helms requesting Detective Stroud attempt to obtain a search warrant for
the Defendant‟s home based upon information learned during the homicide investigation.
Detective Stroud said he prepared the warrant, which was granted by a judicial
commissioner. He recalled marijuana, cocaine, acetaminophen, and digital scales were found
during the search.
On cross-examination, Detective Stroud testified that he did not investigate the scene
before obtaining the search warrant and that he relied upon the information provided by
Lieutenant Helms. Detective Stroud said Lieutenant Helms told him that detectives spoke
with witnesses who identified the Defendant fleeing from the scene of the shooting to the
Defendant‟s home down the street. Detective Stroud said Lieutenant Helms also stated that
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detectives conducted a knock-and-talk encounter at the Defendant‟s home and spoke to the
Defendant‟s mother, who consented to a search of the home. Detective Stroud said he did
not think it was necessary for him to investigate further before obtaining the warrant.
Detective Stroud testified that the judicial commissioner who signed the search
warrant did not ask questions before granting the request for the warrant. Detective Stroud
said that he provided Ms. Robinson a copy of the warrant when he arrived at the home. He
said he only participated in the search outside the home.
Shelby County Sheriff‟s Detective Brian Jones testified that he participated in the
search of the Defendant‟s home. He said that inside a bedroom he found one .380-caliber
unfired bullet on a bed under a comforter. He said that the mattress was cut and that inside
the mattress, he found a box of .32-caliber unfired bullets. He agreed the return on the search
warrant did not reference the bullets but said he gave the bullets to Detective Valentine.
On cross-examination, Detective Jones testified that he responded to the home after
the narcotics division was contacted regarding the need for a search warrant. He said
approximately four or five detectives responded to the home. He said all the detectives were
armed but said his .40-caliber pistol was holstered. He did not recall any children or
residents being present during the search.
Trial Proceedings
At the trial, Marvay Mosley, the victim‟s sister, testified that she did not know the
Defendant before the March 14, 2013 shooting. She said she had never heard of a
disagreement or bad feelings between the victim and the Defendant. She said the victim was
age forty-nine at the time of the shooting. She identified a photograph of the victim taken at
the time of the autopsy, which was received as an exhibit.
Inez Shelton, the victim‟s girlfriend, testified that she and the victim lived together at
the home where the shooting occurred. She said that on the night of the shooting, she and the
victim returned home after shopping. She said that the victim was driving her car, that the
victim told her to disengage the home‟s security system, and that the victim said he would
carry the shopping bags inside the home. Ms. Shelton said that as she disengaged the alarm,
she heard gunshots and saw the Defendant, who she knew as Pig, in the driveway. She
thought she heard two, possibly three gunshots. She said the victim was still sitting in the
driver‟s seat of her car. She said that on the night of the shooting, the deputies who
responded to the scene showed her a photograph lineup and that she identified the Defendant
as the person who shot the victim. She agreed she did not know the Defendant‟s legal name
at the time of the shooting and only knew him as Pig.
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Ms. Shelton testified that one week before the shooting, the Defendant came to her
home to talk to the victim. Although she did not know what transpired between the men, she
knew there were “bad feelings” between them. She said that she did not work on the day of
the shooting but that she left home for a period of time. She did not know if the Defendant
came to her home while she was gone.
On cross-examination, Ms. Shelton testified that the road on which she lived did not
have streetlights, although she had a light installed on the pole near her backyard when she
bought the home in 1995. She agreed the road where the Defendant was apprehended also
did not have streetlights. She said that she knew some of her neighbors but that she did not
know Alex Chamness or Brandon Tapley.
Ms. Shelton testified that the Defendant attended high school with her daughter. She
agreed that on one occasion, the Defendant came to her home looking for someone to drive
him somewhere and that the Defendant sometimes visited her home. She said that although
the Defendant talked to the victim when the Defendant visited her home, she and the
Defendant primarily spoke.
Ms. Shelton testified that the victim had lived at her home for about six months at the
time of the shooting and that the victim was not employed while he lived with her. She said
the victim‟s car was not operational, which is why she and the victim used her car. She
agreed she had two guns inside her home, which included a .22-caliber Beretta semi-
automatic pistol. A photograph of Ms. Shelton‟s .22-caliber pistol was received as an
exhibit. She did not recall testifying at the preliminary hearing that she did not own a firearm
and noted she told the deputies on the night of the shooting that she owned a firearm and
where to find it inside her home. She said that at the time of her preliminary hearing
testimony, law enforcement had possession of the firearm.
Ms. Shelton testified that the victim also owned a firearm and that she told the officers
on the night of the shooting that the victim‟s firearm was “long and ugly.” She did not recall
testifying at the preliminary hearing that the victim did not own a firearm. After listening to
the audio recording of the preliminary hearing, she agreed she was asked, “Does [the victim]
have a weapon?” She agreed the victim owned a firearm and said that at the time of the
hearing, her mind was “boggled with what had happened” and that she assumed the question
was related to whether the victim possessed his firearm at the time of the shooting.
Ms. Shelton testified that on the day of the shooting, she went shopping with her
sister, that the victim stayed home without a car, and that Ms. Shelton returned home around
5:00 or 6:00 p.m. She said that she did not recall seeing the Defendant standing in her
driveway when she got out of her car. She said that when she returned home and got out of
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her car, someone was standing at the end of her driveway but that she did not notice the
person‟s identity because she was in a hurry to use the restroom. She conceded the person
might have been the Defendant. After reviewing the recording of her statement to the
deputies on the night of the shooting, she agreed the Defendant had been the person standing
at the end of her driveway. She said the victim was sitting on the sofa when she entered her
home. She identified a photograph of her bedroom and a red shirt lying on the bed. She did
not know whether the shirt belonged to the victim.
Ms. Shelton testified that after she returned home from shopping with her sister, she
entered the home and walked to the restroom. She agreed that she was in the restroom for a
little while and that she did not see the victim when she left the restroom. She said that she
walked onto the patio and that about fifteen to thirty minutes later, she and the victim left the
home to purchase cups. She said that they returned after stopping at a couple of stores. She
said that it was daylight when they left but dark when they returned home. She agreed that
she and the victim were gone about forty-five to fifty minutes and that the motion-sensor
flood light came on when they returned home.
Ms. Shelton testified that she did not hear a voice as she unlocked the door and that
she was inside her home when she heard gunshots. She did not recall telling deputies that
she heard a gunshot while she was unlocking the door. She said that she heard the first
gunshot immediately after she disengaged the security alarm, that she looked outside, and
that she saw the driver‟s side door open and the Defendant standing beside the driver‟s side
door.
Ms. Shelton testified that the 9-1-1 operator told her to attempt to move the victim out
of the car but that she was unable to move him. She said that she consented to a search of her
home but that she went to the sheriff‟s office while the officers searched it. Although she
agreed she told the officers to look in her bedroom for her firearm, she said she did not know
where the victim kept his firearm. She said she last saw the victim‟s firearm on her bedroom
dresser about one week before the shooting.
Shelby County Sheriff‟s Detective C.R. Brown testified consistently with his
suppression hearing testimony relative to his involvement in the present case. On cross-
examination, he agreed the Defendant did not possess a firearm when apprehended.
Shelby County Sheriff‟s Sergeant Jason Valentine testified that when he arrived at the
scene of the shooting, he assisted Sergeant Butterick in taking photographs and collecting
evidence. He identified photographs of two fired cartridge casings found on the rear right
passenger seat, a single fired cartridge casing found on the front driver‟s seat, a single fired
cartridge casing found on the rear passenger-side floorboard, and a spent projectile on the
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rear driver‟s side floorboard. He identified photographs showing bloodstains on the driver‟s
seat. He said he found the victim‟s personal property inside the car.
Sergeant Valentine testified that after the car was taken to the sheriff‟s office, he
continued processing it the day after the shooting and that he found seven live rounds of
Winchester .38-caliber ammunition in a plastic bag. He thought the bullets were found in the
center console.
On cross-examination, Sergeant Valentine testified that the neighborhood was dark
because the area did not have streetlights and that the only light was from the ambient
lighting from the homes and vehicles in the area. He identified a photograph of two plastic
bags sitting on the front passenger-seat floorboard. He said that one bag contained two
bottles of beer.
Shelby County Sheriff‟s Sergeant Essary testified that he interviewed Ms. Shelton at
the sheriff‟s office and that Ms. Shelton stated she heard a gunshot while attempting to
unlock the door. He said the Defendant was age twenty-three at the time of the killing and
that the Defendant was arrested on March 15, 2013, at 4:45 a.m., although the Defendant was
in custody before midnight.
Shelby County Sheriff‟s Detective James Stroud testified similarly with his
suppression hearing testimony regarding his obtaining a search warrant for the Defendant‟s
home.
Shelby County Sheriff‟s Detective Brian Jones testified that he participated in the
search of the Defendant‟s bedroom. Detective Jones provided testimony similar to his
suppression hearing testimony regarding his finding an unfired .380-caliber bullet.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Special Agent Eric Warren, an expert in
firearms identification, testified that he analyzed a Lorcin Model L .380-caliber pistol, two
magazine clips, several live cartridges, four fired bullets, and four cartridge casings. He
concluded the firearm submitted for analysis did not fire the bullets and cartridge casings
recovered from the scene. Relative to the cartridge casings, Mr. Warren concluded that the
casings were fired from the same firearm and that the casings showed characteristics
consistent with firearm manufacturer Magtech, or CBC. He said the casings displayed CBC,
the manufacturer‟s initials, and +P, reflecting additional gunpowder inside the casing.
Relative to the fired bullets, Mr. Warren concluded that the bullets were also consistent with
Magtech ammunition. He said that generally, a cartridge casing ejected outward and to the
right of a firearm.
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On cross-examination, Mr. Warren testified that cartridge casing ejection depended on
how the firearm was held, the angle at which a firearm was fired, and additional factors. He
said that too many factors existed to conclude where a cartridge casing would travel upon
ejection.
Shelby County Sheriff‟s Homeland Security Officer Juaquatta Harris testified that she
received a request from investigating officers for a compilation of telephone calls the
Defendant made while in confinement. A partial recording of a telephone call placed on
March 15, 2013, was played for the jury. In the recording, a woman asked the Defendant if
he shot someone. The Defendant replied,” [Y]eah, but in . . . self-defense though. He chased
me twice with his (indiscernible) and shot with his gun.”
On cross-examination, Officer Harris testified that the portion of the telephone call
played for the jury was placed by the Defendant. Officer Harris said that the Defendant
identified himself as Pig in the recording and noted that inmates were advised before placing
a telephone call that the conversations were subject to monitoring and recording.
Dr. Erica Curry, an expert is forensic pathology, testified that she performed the
victim‟s autopsy and that the victim suffered four gunshot wounds. The first gunshot wound
reflected that a bullet entered the body at the left-rib area, traveled through the left lung,
struck a major vein of the heart, traveled through the right lung, struck a right rib, and lodged
in the right shoulder. She noted no stippling or soot was found. A second gunshot wound
was found just below the first entry wound on the victim‟s left-rib area. The wound reflected
that the bullet traveled through a rear left rib and exited through the victim‟s back. A third
gunshot wound was found on the victim‟s right shoulder. The wound reflected that the bullet
traveled downward into the right upper arm where the bullet was recovered during the
autopsy. Dr. Curry found soot or stippling on the victim‟s rear right forearm. A fourth
gunshot wound was found on the victim‟s left elbow. The wound reflected that the bullet
traveled through the left humerus, struck the radius, and fractured two bones. Dr. Curry
concluded that the cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds.
On cross-examination, Dr. Curry testified that the victim measured five feet, eight
inches tall and weighed 168 pounds. Dr. Curry agreed her examination showed that the
bullets entering the victim‟s torso traveled upward, that the bullet entering the arm traveled
left to right, and that the bullet entering the elbow traveled back to front.
Shelby County Sheriff‟s Detective Valentine testified similarly with his suppression
hearing testimony regarding the ammunition found during the search of the Defendant‟s
home. He agreed he did not search Ms. Shelton or her belongings and said he did not know
if any deputy searched Ms. Shelton.
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Alexander Chamness testified for the defense that although he grew up one street from
where the shooting occurred, at the time of the shooting, he lived down the street from where
the victim died. Mr. Chamness said he had known Brandon Tapley since he and Mr. Tapley
were children. Mr. Chamness knew the Defendant and said they had been neighbors for
about ten years.
Mr. Chamness testified that on the day of the shooting, he and Mr. Tapley began
working on Mr. Chamness‟s truck outside his home around 6:00 p.m. He said that he saw
the Defendant running down the street toward the Defendant‟s home and being chased by an
older man. Mr. Chamness said the man had his hand on a firearm that was tucked into the
man‟s belt. Mr. Chamness said that although he did not understand the Defendant, the
Defendant was yelling and appeared distressed. Mr. Chamness described the older man as
having “long hair sort of like a Fro” and recalled the man wore a red tank top and pants.
Mr. Chamness testified that as the Defendant and the man ran down the street, Mr.
Chamness and Mr. Tapley told the Defendant to enter Mr. Chamness‟s garage. Mr.
Chamness said that the Defendant entered the garage and that the man stood and kneeled
behind a car parked along the street for about thirty minutes. Mr. Chamness said that Mr.
Tapley spoke to the man. Mr. Chamness said the Defendant looked afraid and upset. Mr.
Chamness said the man returned to his home down the street and recalled the Defendant
walked toward the Defendant‟s home. Mr. Chamness testified that he spoke to deputies
about what occurred. He said that from his driveway, he could see the Defendant‟s home and
the home at which the man was staying.
On cross-examination, Mr. Chamness testified that he did not witness the shooting.
He did not recall telling deputies that he saw the man standing behind the car for about one
minute before returning to the home from which he came. Mr. Chamness agreed that he and
Mr. Tapley had discussed the incident and that Mr. Tapley reported to the deputies that the
man stood behind the car for about thirty minutes.
On redirect examination, Mr. Chamness testified that generally, when he said someone
did something for a minute, he did not mean sixty seconds. He recalled the man kneeling
behind the car for twenty to thirty minutes.
Brandon Tapley testified that although he lived on a nearby street, he spent much of
his childhood on the street where the shooting occurred. He spent time at Donnie Brown‟s
home, which was located at the end of the street where the shooting occurred, and at Mr.
Chamness‟s home. Mr. Tapley had known the Defendant for years from the neighborhood.
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Mr. Tapley testified that at 5:30 or 6:00 p.m. on day of the shooting, he and Mr.
Chamness were outside Mr. Chamness‟s home working on Mr. Chamness‟s truck. Mr.
Tapley said that he saw the Defendant‟s running down the street and being chased by a man,
who was holding a gun in his belt, was yelling, and was threatening to shoot the Defendant.
Mr. Tapley said the firearm looked like a semi-automatic. He said the Defendant called Mr.
Tapley‟s name while running down the street. Mr. Tapley said he and Mr. Chamness told the
Defendant to get inside Mr. Chamness‟s garage and told the man to leave the area. Mr.
Tapley said he told the man that “we didn‟t want none of that around here,” that children
were inside the home, and that the man was going to have to do “this another day.” Mr.
Tapley recalled that his and Mr. Chamness‟s children were inside the home. Mr. Tapley
thought the man wore a tank top and blue pants but could not recall the color of the tank top.
He said the Defendant did not have a gun.
Mr. Tapley testified that the man sat down at the rear of a car parked across the street
for about forty-five minutes and left. Mr. Tapley said that the man walked to a home down
the street and that the man and the woman who lived at the home got in a car and drove
away. Mr. Tapley recalled it was daylight but beginning to get dark when the car drove
away. Mr. Tapley said the Defendant was terrified.
Mr. Tapley testified that he did not call the police because he did not think it was
necessary. He said that “things” had happened in the neighborhood previously and that he
thought the Defendant and the man would “settle everything” the next day. Mr. Tapley did
not think anything would happen after the man left and said the man never displayed a gun to
suggest he would return.
On cross-examination, Mr. Tapley testified that he initially told deputies that the
Defendant stayed inside the garage between ten and fifteen minutes, not forty-five minutes.
He said, though, the man may have remained behind the car for less than forty-five minutes.
Mr. Tapley agreed the shooting occurred after sunset and said he did not know how much
time passed between the Defendant‟s leaving the garage and the shooting. On redirect
examination, Mr. Tapley testified that although he did not hear gunshots, he heard a woman
scream.
Ms. Shelton‟s statement to deputies was audio recorded. Two segments of the
interview were played for the jury. In the first segment, Ms. Shelton said that she and the
victim returned from shopping, that the victim drove the car into the driveway, that the victim
told her to unlock the door and he would carry the shopping bags inside the home, that she
got out of the car and walked to the door, and that she heard a voice and gunshots. Ms.
Shelton stated that she saw Pig standing at the driver‟s side door and shooting a gun. Ms.
Shelton said that she screamed and attempted to get inside the home and that the Defendant
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ran away. In the second segment, Ms. Shelton stated that she could not hear what the
Defendant said because he was soft spoken.
Upon this evidence, the Defendant was convicted of first degree premeditated murder
and sentenced to life imprisonment. This appeal followed.
I Sufficiency of the Evidence
The Defendant contends that the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction. He
argues the State failed to establish that he was sufficiently free from excitement and passion
to be capable of premeditation and that he did not act in self-defense. The State responds
that the evidence sufficiently established that the Defendant intentionally killed the victim
with premeditation and that the Defendant did not act in self-defense. 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)).
Relevant to this case, first degree murder is the unlawful, intentional, and
premeditated killing of another. T.C.A. §§ 39-13-201 (2014), 39-13-202(a)(1) (2014). In the
context of first degree murder, intent is shown if the defendant has the conscious objective or
desire to cause the victim‟s death. State v. Page, 81 S.W.3d 781, 790-91 (Tenn. Crim. App.
2002); T.C.A. § 39-11-106(a)(18) (2010) (amended 2011, 2014) (defining intentional as the
“conscious objective or desire to engage in the conduct or cause the result”). “It is not
necessary that the purpose to kill preexist in the mind of the accused for any definite period
of time.” T.C.A. § 39-13-202(d) (2014). “The element of premeditation is a question for the
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jury which may be established by proof of the circumstances surrounding the killing.” State
v. Young, 196 S.W.3d 85, 108 (Tenn. 2006). As a result, the jury “may infer premeditation
from the manner and circumstances of the killing.” State v. Jackson, 173 S.W.3d 401, 408
(Tenn. 2005); see State v. Vaughn, 279 S.W.3d 584, 595 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2008). Our
supreme court has provided a list of factors which “tend to support the existence” of
premeditation and deliberation. See Bland, 958 S.W.2d at 660. The list includes the use of a
deadly weapon upon an unarmed victim, the particular cruelty of the killing, declarations by
the defendant of an intent to kill, evidence of procurement of a weapon, preparations before
the killing for concealment of the crime, and calmness immediately after the killing. Id.
(citing State v. Brown, 836 S.W.2d 530, 541-42 (Tenn. 1992); State v. West, 844 S.W.2d 144,
148 (Tenn. 1997)).
The record reflects that around 5:30 or 6:00 p.m. on the day of the shooting, Mr.
Chamness and Mr. Tapley saw the Defendant running down the street and being chased by
the victim, who was carrying a firearm in his belt. Mr. Tapley and Mr. Chamness allowed
the Defendant to enter Mr. Chamness‟s garage to end the pursuit. The victim, however,
remained in the area between thirty and forty-five minutes. After the victim returned to Ms.
Shelton‟s home, the Defendant left Ms. Chamness‟s garage and walked toward the
Defendant‟s home. Ms. Shelton arrived home sometime after the victim returned. Ms.
Shelton stated that when she arrived home between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m., she walked to the
bathroom, stayed inside the bathroom for “a little while,” and walked onto the outside patio.
She said that she and the victim left the home about fifteen to thirty minutes later. She
recalled it was daylight outside when they left and said they stopped at a couple of stores
before returning home. She said that they were gone about forty-five to fifty minutes and
that it was dark outside when they returned. Ms. Shelton recalled that she got out of the car
to disengage the security alarm and that the victim stayed behind to gather the shopping bags.
Before the victim could get out of the car, the Defendant shot the victim four times. Ms.
Shelton told deputies on the night of the shooting that she heard the Defendant‟s voice and
gunshots before she unlocked the door.
We conclude that this evidence is sufficient to support the Defendant‟s conviction for
first degree premeditated murder. The evidence reflects that once the Defendant took refuge
in Mr. Chamness‟s garage, the victim stayed in the area approximately thirty to forty-five
minutes before returning home. Ms. Shelton returned home near the time the victim returned
after chasing the Defendant. Ms. Shelton and the victim were at the home fifteen to thirty
minutes before leaving and were gone forty-five to fifty minutes. Upon arriving home, the
Defendant appeared without warning and before Ms. Shelton could unlock the door and
disengage the security alarm. We note that Mr. Tapley‟s testimony reflects the Defendant did
not possess a firearm when the Defendant took refuge in Mr. Chamness‟s garage but that the
Defendant obtained a firearm before the shooting and disposed of it afterward. The victim
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was unarmed at the time of the shooting. Furthermore, Ms. Shelton stated during her formal
police interview that she could not hear what the Defendant said at the time of the shooting
because he was soft spoken. A jury could have reasonably determined from this evidence
that sufficient time had passed between the initial altercation and the shooting in order for the
Defendant to have acted after reflection and judgment and that the Defendant acted with
premeditation, not with excitement and passion.
Likewise, the evidence does not support a finding that the Defendant killed the victim
in self-defense. See T.C.A. § 39-11-611(b)(2)(A)-(C) (2014). The evidence does not reflect
that a reasonable person could have believed the victim‟s attempting to gather shopping bags
and exit Mr. Shelton‟s car posed an imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury. After
the initial altercation had ended, the victim returned to Ms. Shelton‟s home, and the
Defendant left Mr. Chamness‟s garage walking in the opposite direction as the victim. The
victim was unarmed at the time of the shooting, and no evidence reflects that the victim knew
the Defendant would suddenly appear in the driveway. We note that the Defendant had no
legal right to be on Ms. Shelton‟s property at the time of the shooting and that the Defendant
lived on the opposite end of the road from where the shooting occurred. As a result, the jury
could have reasonably determined that the Defendant was waiting in the dark for the victim
and Ms. Shelton to return because the Defendant appeared quickly without warning and shot
the victim before Ms. Shelton could unlock the door. Likewise, the Defendant ran from the
scene, disposed of the firearm used to kill the victim, and did not return home. The jury
properly rejected the Defendant‟s claim of self-defense. The Defendant is not entitled to
relief on this basis.
II Suppression
The Defendant contends that the trial court erred by denying his motion to suppress
evidence seized at his home and his statement during a jail telephone call. He argues that the
initial warrantless search of his bedroom was conducted without valid consent or
alternatively, that Ms. Robinson exceeded her authority when she consented to a search of the
Defendant‟s bedroom. He also argues that the unlawful initial warrantless search tainted the
constitutionality of the search warrant, that the search warrant was defective because it was
based upon “deliberately or recklessly untruthful allegations,” and that the search warrant
was defective because the return failed to mention the seized bullet. Lastly, the Defendant
argues that the portion of a recorded jail telephone call played for the jury should have been
suppressed because the Defendant was being unconstitutionally detained, because he was not
permitted to be present during the judicial commissioner‟s probable cause determination, and
because Tennessee Rule of Criminal Procedure 5(a) was violated. The State responds that
the trial court properly denied the motion to suppress.
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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 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). A 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
reviewing a trial court‟s ruling on a motion to suppress, this court may consider the trial
evidence as well as the evidence presented at the suppression hearing. See State v. Henning,
975 S.W.2d 290, 297-99 (Tenn. 1998); see also State v. Williamson, 368 S.W.3d 468, 473
(Tenn. 2012).
A. Warrantless Search and Search Pursuant to a Warrant
Relative to the Defendant‟s argument that the initial warrantless search was unlawful
and tainted the constitutionality of the search warrant, the trial court found that witnesses told
the deputies that a man known as Pig was responsible for the shooting and that Pig fled from
the scene on foot. The court found that witnesses identified Pig as Marvin and told the
deputies where Marvin lived. The court found that Detective Brown knocked on the door of
the home, and the homeowner, Ms. Robinson, confirmed that her son Marvin, who was
known as Pig, lived there but was not home. The court found that Ms. Robinson allowed the
deputies to “to have a look in order to confirm” the Defendant was not home and that
Detective Brown described Ms. Robinson as “cooperative and agreeable to the brief search.”
The court found that the deputies asked for and received limited consent to look inside the
home for the Defendant and that it was during the cursory search the deputies observed
unlawful contraband. The court found that Detective Brown stopped the search, left two
deputies to protect the scene, and contacted the narcotics division for assistance with
obtaining a search warrant.
The trial court found that narcotics deputies obtained and executed a search warrant at
the Defendant‟s home. The court found that inside the bedroom identified as the Defendant‟s,
deputies seized suspected cocaine, marijuana, prescription medication, digital scales, one
unfired .380-caliber bullet, and a box of .32-caliber bullets. The court found that the search
warrant was obtained by Detective Stroud, who obtained the warrant based upon information
provided to him by other deputies at the scene. The court noted that Detective Stroud did not
drive to the scene to verify the information presented to him.
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The trial court noted the Defendant‟s argument that the phrase in the warrant affidavit
“fleeing from the scene of the homicide to his residence” was false because the Defendant
was not inside the home when the deputies arrived. The court found, though, that the
Defendant could have gone to the residence and left quickly. The court refused to find that
the statement was “false or recklessly made” and found that the information contained in the
affidavit was sufficient for the magistrate to conclude that evidence of controlled substance
violations were occurring at the time of the issuance of the warrant. The court found that the
search warrant was valid and that the single .380-caliber bullet was lawfully discovered and
seized pursuant to the warrant.
Our federal and Tennessee constitutions prohibit unreasonable searches and seizures
and provide generally that warrantless searches and seizures are presumed unreasonable and
that evidence recovered as a result of warrantless searches and seizures is subject to
suppression. See U.S. Const. amend IV; Tenn. Const. art. I, § 7; see also Yeargan, 958
S.W.2d at 629. As a general principle, the police cannot conduct a search without obtaining
a warrant. R.D.S. v. State, 245 S.W.3d 356, 365 (Tenn. 2008) (citing Payton v. New York,
445 U.S. 573, 586 (1980)). However, our courts have identified narrow exceptions to the
warrant requirement. State v. Bartram, 925 S.W.2d 227, 229-30 (Tenn. 1996) (citing
Coolidge v. New Hampshire, 403 U.S. 443, 454-55 (1971)). The State bears the burden of
showing that the “search was conducted pursuant to one of the exceptions to the warrant
requirement.” State v. Meeks, 262 S.W.3d 710, 722 (Tenn. 2008); see State v. Binette, 33
S.W.3d 215, 218 (Tenn. 2000).
One such exception to the warrant requirement exists for a search conducted pursuant
to valid consent. See Schneckloth v. Bustamonte, 412 U.S. 218, 219 (1973). Consent for a
warrantless search may be given by the defendant or by “a third party who possessed
common authority over or other sufficient relationship to the premises or effects sought to be
inspected.” United States v. Matlock, 415 U.S. 164, 171 (1974); see State v. Talley, 307
S.W.3d 723, 734 (Tenn. 2010). Common authority is shown by
mutual use of the property by persons generally having joint access or control
for most purposes, so that it is reasonable to recognize that any of the co-
inhabitants has the right to permit the inspection in his own right and that the
others have assumed the risk that one of their number might permit the
common area to be searched.
Matlock, 415 U.S. at 172 n.7; see Bartram, 925 S.W.2d at 231.
Although the Defendant argues that Ms. Robinson‟s consent to search the home
occurred after the deputies entered the home and briefly searched for the Defendant, the
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evidence reflects otherwise. Detective Brown‟s credited testimony reflects that witnesses
reported Pig‟s first name was Marvin and identified Marvin‟s home and that Detective
Brown and two deputies approached the home, knocked on the door, and spoke to Ms.
Robinson, who was the homeowner and the Defendant‟s mother. Ms. Robinson confirmed
that the Defendant lived at the home but told Detective Brown that the Defendant was not
home. Detective Brown described Ms. Robinson as cooperative and agreeable. Detective
Brown requested Ms. Robinson‟s permission to perform a cursory search of the home to
confirm whether the Defendant was there, and Ms. Robinson consented to a brief search. We
note that circumstances of the deputies‟ encounter with Ms. Robinson do not reflect that she
was incapable of freely and voluntarily consenting to the search. Although the officers were
armed, Detective Brown testified that no firearms were pointed at any of the home‟s
occupants, that the encounter was not hostile, and that he explained the deputies were only
looking for the Defendant. It was during the cursory search for the Defendant that the
deputies saw contraband in plain view, which led to the deputies‟ contacting the narcotics
division for the purpose of obtaining a search warrant. The record does not preponderate
against the trial court‟s findings that Detective Brown requested and received Ms.
Robinson‟s consent to briefly search the home for the Defendant.
Relative to Ms. Robinson‟s authority to consent to a search of the Defendant‟s
bedroom, the record reflects that the Defendant lived inside his mother‟s home. No evidence
showed that the Defendant and Ms. Robinson executed a rental agreement or contract.
Likewise, although Ms. Johnson testified the Defendant had his own bedroom, no evidence
reflects that Ms. Robinson or any other occupant was excluded from the bedroom. To the
contrary, the record shows that the Defendant‟s use of the bedroom was the result of a
familial relationship and that all occupants had access to all areas of the home. See State v.
Woods, 806 S.W.2d 205, 209 (Tenn. 1990). “A valid consent may be given by third persons
who have some type of joint authority over the area to be searched.” Id. We conclude that
Ms. Robinson retained joint access and control of the bedroom in which the Defendant
resided and that the Defendant‟s “occupancy of the bedroom was not so exclusive as to
deprive” Ms. Robinson of authority to consent to a cursory search of the home.
Therefore, we conclude that the deputies conducted a valid warrantless search of the
home pursuant to valid consent by Ms. Robinson. As a result, the search warrant was not
tainted because of the previous warrantless entry. The Defendant is not entitled to relief on
this basis.
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B. Affidavit and Return on the Search Warrant
Relative to the Defendant‟s argument that the seized evidence should have been
suppressed because the affidavit contained false information, the record reflects that the
affidavit stated the following:
On March 14, 2013, detectives responded to a homicide at [the victim‟s
girlfriend‟s address], Memphis, TN 38128. Detectives discovered a victim of
the homicide to be a black male in his mid-forty‟s. Detectives spoke with
witnesses who identified Marvin Johnson fleeing from the scene of the
homicide to his residence[, which is located down the street from the scene of
the shooting]. Detectives conducted a knock and talk at [the Defendant‟s
address] and encountered Yolanda Robinson. Yolanda Robinson gave
detectives consent to search the residence. Detectives observed, in plain view,
what appeared to be marijuana, cocaine, and prescription pills.
The trial court found that the phrase “fleeing from the scene of the homicide to his
residence” contained in the affidavit was not false or recklessly made. The court noted that
the Defendant could have gone to the residence and left quickly. The court found that the
information contained in the affidavit was sufficient for the magistrate to conclude that
narcotics violations were occurring at the time of the issuance of the warrant. The court
concluded that the search warrant was valid and the evidence properly seized.
In Tennessee, a search warrant must be issued on a finding of probable cause and
supported by an affidavit that “sets forth facts tending to establish” probable cause. T.C.A.
§§ 40-6-103, -104; see State v. Williams, 193 S.W.3d 502, 506 (Tenn. 2006). “Probable
cause generally requires reasonable grounds for suspicion, supported by circumstances
indicative of an illegal act.” Williams, 193 S.W.3d at 506 (citing State v. Stevens, 989 S.W.2d
290, 293 (Tenn. 1999)). The issuing magistrate should use common sense when determining
whether the affidavit supports a finding of probable cause. State v. Carter, 160 S.W.3d 526,
533 (Tenn. 2005). We review an issuing magistrate‟s probable cause determination with
great deference. State v. Melson, 638 S.W.2d 342, 357 (Tenn. 1982) (citing United States v.
Melvin, 596 F.2d 492, 498 (1st Cir. 1979)).
The United States Supreme Court has concluded that evidence seized pursuant to a
search warrant is subject to suppression when the supporting affidavit includes deliberate or
recklessly false statements by the affiant that are material to the establishment of probable
cause. Franks v. Delaware, 438 U.S. 154, 155-56 (1978). Our Tennessee Supreme Court
has concluded that two circumstances exist that “authorize the impeachment of an affidavit
sufficient on its face, (1) a false statement made with intent to deceive the [c]ourt . . . and (2)
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a false statement, essential to the establishment of probable cause, recklessly made.” State v.
Little, 560 S.W.2d 403, 407 (Tenn. 1978). “Recklessness may be established by showing that
a statement was false when made and that affiant did not have reasonable grounds for
believing it, at that time.” Id. “[F]raudulent misrepresentation of a material fact will
invalidate a search warrant.” Id. at 406. However, “[a]llegations of negligence or innocent
mistakes are insufficient to invalidate the search warrant.” State v. Yeomans, 10 S.W.3d 293,
297 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1999); see Franks, 438 U.S. at 171. In order to invalidate a search
warrant, the false statement must be “the only basis for probable cause set out in the
affidavit.” State v. Tidmore, 604 S.W.2d 879, 882 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1980). If, however, the
false statement is not the only basis for probable cause and the remaining content in the
affidavit fails to establish probable cause, the false statement would be fatal to the warrant.
Id.; see State v. Norris, 47 S.W.3d 457, 469 n.4 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2000).
The alleged false statement in the affidavit includes, “Detective spoke with witnesses
who identified Marvin Johnson fleeing from the scene of the homicide to his residence.”
Although the trial court found that the statement was not false, the State concedes in its brief
that no witness reported seeing the Defendant flee the scene of the shooting to his residence
down the street. The State argues that “in the area of his residence” or “near his residence”
would have been more accurate. The statement was inaccurate and, at a minimum, reckless
in this regard. In any event, the record reflects that the statement was not a basis for
establishing probable cause. Ms. Shelton identified the shooter as a man she knew as Pig and
stated she saw Pig run from her driveway where the shooting occurred down the street. Ms.
Shelton knew Pig lived in the neighborhood. Witnesses in the area identified Pig as the
Defendant and informed the deputies that the Defendant lived in a house down the street
from Ms. Shelton‟s home. Although the statement in the affidavit that the Defendant fled to
his residence was incorrect, no evidence shows that the statement was intended to deceive the
judicial magistrate or that the statement was a basis for probable cause. The statement,
rather, was to explain the reason deputies approached the Defendant‟s home for a knock-and-
talk encounter. The initial warrantless search of the home was conducted pursuant to Ms.
Robinson‟s valid consent, and it was during the limited cursory search that the contraband
was seen in plain view. The primary focus of the warrant was the contraband, and the
probable cause to support the warrant was based upon the deputies‟ observing contraband in
plain view, not whether the Defendant was seen running to his home after the shooting. The
warrant states that the search warrant was for “cocaine, marijuana, prescription pills,
firearms, ammunition, drug paraphernalia, forensic evidence including DNA, drug records,
and drug proceeds.” We note that the homicide detectives did not obtain or execute the
search warrant and that narcotics detectives were called to the Defendant‟s home to address
the contraband. Therefore, the warrant was valid and the evidence properly seized. The
Defendant is not entitled to relief on this basis.
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The Defendant also argues that the warrant was invalid because the return was
incomplete in that it did not identify the bullets seized during the search. The trial court
found that at the time of the motion to suppress, the return on the warrant had not been
“made” as required by Tennessee Rule of Criminal Procedure 41(f) because it failed to
mention the .380-caliber bullet seized during the search. The court found, though, that the
State had demonstrated the return had been completed by a supplemental pleading filed after
the conclusion of the motion hearing.
This court has previously concluded that an “improper return cannot negate the
validity of an otherwise legal search.” State v. Robinson, 622 S.W.2d 62, 75 (Tenn. Crim.
App. 1980); see Squires v. State, 525 S.W.2d 686, 692 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1975) (stating “the
return of an officer upon a search warrant does not affect the validity of the warrant and the
officer‟s execution thereof, and irregularities in regard to the return do not render evidence
secured thereunder inadmissible”). In State v. Baron, 659 S.W.2d 811, 815 (Tenn. Crim.
App. 1983), this court concluded that the failure to list the seized property on the return of a
search warrant was an irregularity that did not “in any way affect the admissibility of the
evidence seized as a result of an otherwise valid search.” (citing State v. Green, 613 S.W.2d
229 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1980); Bishop v. State, 582 S.W.2d 86 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1979)). In
any event, the trial court properly found that the State corrected any irregularity in the return
after the suppression hearing. Therefore, the Defendant is not entitled to relief on this basis.
C. Jail Telephone Call
The Defendant argues that because he was unconstitutionally detained without being
afforded an appearance before a neutral magistrate, the portion of the recorded jail telephone
call played during the trial should have been suppressed. The Defendant notes his detention
from the time he was taken into custody on March 14, at 9:00 p.m., until the formal charges
were presented to the judicial commissioner on March 15, at 7:00 a.m., and the failure to
allow the Defendant to appear before the judicial commissioner. The Defendant notes he did
not appear before a magistrate until March 18. The Defendant concedes in his brief that a
judicial commissioner made a probable cause determination within forty-eight hours of his
arrest, but he argues his constitutional rights pursuant to Gerstein v. Pugh, 420 U.S. 103
(1975), were violated because the probable cause determination was delayed in an effort to
gather additional evidence and because he did not appear before the commissioner.
Alternatively, the Defendant argues that his detention violated Tennessee Rule of Criminal
Procedure 5(a) requiring the State to take a defendant without unnecessary delay before a
judicial magistrate.
Relative to the Defendant‟s detention, the trial court found that the Defendant was
taken into custody on March 14, 2013, at 9:00 p.m. The trial court found that after the
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Defendant was transported to the sheriff‟s office, the Defendant signed a waiver of rights
form and denied any involvement in the shooting. The court found that the investigating
deputies reviewed the various witness statements, interviewed Ms. Shelton, and requested
she attempt to identify the shooter from a photograph lineup. The court noted Ms. Shelton
identified the Defendant from the lineup and found that the deputies consulted the District
Attorney‟s Office about the proper charges after reviewing all the evidence. The court found
that the investigation was concluded within approximately eight hours. The court found that
the decision to charge the Defendant was made on March 15, 2013, at 4:45 a.m. and that he
was taken for booking and processing at 6:57 a.m. The court noted March 15 was a Friday.
The court found that the arrest warrant was reviewed by a neutral and detached magistrate, a
judicial commissioner, who signed the arrest warrant. The trial court found that during the
weekend, the Defendant placed telephone calls from the jail, which were recorded pursuant
to jail policy, and that during at least one conversation, the Defendant “mentioned that he
shot the dude, but it was in self-defense.” The court found that the Defendant‟s arraignment
was held on Monday morning.
The trial court found that no unnecessary delay existed between the Defendant‟s arrest
and his appearing at the arraignment. The court found that any delay was incidental and
could not be construed as an attempt to overcome the Defendant‟s “will to resist” or to
continue to gather evidence. The court noted all the evidence was obtained before the formal
arrest, other than the telephone call. The court found that the relevant telephone conversation
was not the product of any questioning or interrogation by a law enforcement officer and that
warnings were provided stating all telephone calls were monitored and recorded. The court
found that the initial detention was proper and that no unnecessary delay occurred in bringing
the Defendant before a magistrate.
When a defendant is subjected to a warrantless arrest, law enforcement is required to
take the defendant before a magistrate to seek a “timely judicial determination of probable
cause.” Gerstein, 420 U.S. at 125; see State v. Huddleston, 924 S.W.2d 666, 671-72 (Tenn.
1996). “While a delay of less than forty-eight hours is presumptively reasonable, a delay
beyond forty-eight hours requires the State to prove that „a bona fide emergency or other
extraordinary circumstance‟ caused the delay.” State v. Bishop, 431 S.W.3d 22, 42 (Tenn.
2014) (quoting County of Riverside v. McLaughlin, 500 U.S. 44, 56-57 (1991)). However, “a
delay shorter than forty-eight hours may still be considered unreasonable . . . if the delay is
„for the purpose of gathering additional evidence to justify the arrest‟ or . . . „motivated by ill
will against the arrested individual, or delay for delay‟s sake.‟” Bishop, 431 S.W.3d at 42
(quoting McLaughlin, 500 U.S. at 56). When a delay is determined unreasonable and
unconstitutional, the exclusionary rule applies to “evidence obtained by virtue of a suspect‟s
unlawful detention . . . unless the arrested person‟s statement was „sufficiently an act of free
will to purge the primary taint‟ of the illegal detention.” Bishop, 431 S.W.3d at 42 (quoting
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Huddleston, 924 S.W.2d at 674-75). Furthermore, when a defendant‟s arrest is based upon
probable cause, the “detention is typically not illegal until it „ripens‟ into a Gerstein
violation.” Bishop, 431 S.W.3d at 42 (quoting Huddleston, 924 S.W.2d at 675). As a result,
if the statement “was given prior to the time the detention ripened into a constitutional
violation, it is not the product of the illegality and should not be suppressed.” Huddleston,
924 S.W.2d at 675.
Relative to the delay between the Defendant‟s detention at 9:00 p.m. and the judicial
commissioner‟s signing the arrest warrant the next day at 6:57 a.m., the record reflects that
sufficient probable cause existed to believe the Defendant was involved in the shooting at the
time the Defendant was taken into custody. Although the record reflects that law
enforcement continued investigating the shooting after the Defendant was brought to the
sheriff‟s office, no evidence suggests the investigation continued in an effort to establish
probable cause to justify the Defendant‟s warrantless arrest. At the scene, Ms. Shelton
identified a man she knew as Pig as the shooter, and other witnesses identified Pig as the
Defendant and the home in which the Defendant lived. As a result, at the time of the
Defendant‟s arrest, sufficient information existed to “„warrant a [prudent] person in believing
that the [defendant] had committed or was committing an offense.‟” State v. Bridges, 963
S.W.2d 487, 491 (Tenn. 1997) (quoting Beck v. Ohio, 379 U.S. 89, 91 (1964)). Because the
Defendant was arrested based upon probable cause, the delay between his arrest and the
judicial commissioner‟s probable cause determination was not unlawful. The evidence
shows that the delay was to conduct formal interviews of the Defendant and Ms. Shelton,
provide Ms. Shelton the opportunity to identify the person she knew as Pig in a photograph
lineup, and to consult the District Attorney‟s Office about the proper criminal charges.
Likewise, the Defendant concedes the judicial determination occurred within the
presumptively reasonable forty-eight-hour period. The trial court properly denied the motion
to suppress on this basis, and we conclude that the Defendant is not entitled to relief.
Relative to the Defendant‟s argument that Gerstein was violated because he did not
appear before the judicial commissioner when the probable cause determination was made,
the Supreme Court has stated that “the full panoply of adversary safeguards,” including
counsel, compulsory process, confrontation, and cross-examination “are not essential for the
probable cause determination required by the Fourth Amendment.” Gerstein, 420 U.S. at
120. The Court noted that the only issue to determine is whether “there is probable cause for
detaining the arrested person pending further proceedings,” which “can be determined
reliably without an adversary hearing.” Id. The Court noted that procedures might vary
between States and concluded that the only requirement to satisfy Fourth Amendment
concerns was “a fair and reliable determination of probable cause as a condition for any
significant pretrial restraint of liberty.” Id. at 124-25. The Court also concluded that a
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probable cause determination in this context is not a critical stage in a prosecution “[b]ecause
of its limited function and nonadversary character.” Id. at 122.
Although the Defendant argues that his lack of appearance at the probable cause
determination did not satisfy Gerstein, he cites to no legal authority supporting his argument.
Our appellate courts have not addressed this issue, but other jurisdictions have concluded that
the probable cause determination pursuant to Gerstein can be satisfied without an adversary
hearing and without the defendant‟s presence. See State v. Koch, 499 N.W.2d 152, 159-60
(Wis. 1993) (concluding that “[t]he arrested person has no right to a physical appearance
before a judicial officer for the probable cause determination”). In King v. Jones, 824 F.2d
324, 327 (4th Cir. 1987), the court concluded that the defendant “had no right to a face-to-
face appearance before the magistrate during the probable cause determination.” The King
court explained,
The post-arrest Gerstein v. Pugh hearing is required to fulfill the same function
for suspects arrested without warrants as the pre-arrest probable cause hearing
fulfills for suspects arrested with warrants. One who has had an arrest warrant
issued before this arrest has had no opportunity to appear physically before the
issuing magistrate during the probable cause determination. There is likewise
no reason to require such an appearance at the post-arrest probable cause
determination.
Id.; see Garcia v. City of Chicago, 24 F.3d 966, 969-70 (7th Cir. 1994) (concluding that a
probable cause determination does not require the presence of the defendant); In re Walters,
543 P.2d 607, 617-18 (Cal. 1975) (concluding that a defendant “is not entitled to challenge
statements by confronting and cross-examining the declarer [and . . .] has no right to confront
and cross-examine the witnesses who testify on the issue of probable cause to detain”
pursuant to Gerstein). We agree with the reasoning in these cases and conclude that the
Defendant‟s presence at the probable cause determination was not required to satisfy
Gerstein. As a result, we conclude that Gerstein was satisfied and that the Defendant is not
entitled to relief on this basis.
Relative to the Defendant‟s argument that the partial recording of his jail telephone
call should have been suppressed because Tennessee Rule of Criminal Procedure 5(a)(1)(B)
was violated, the Rule states, “Any person arrested – except upon a capias pursuant to an
indictment or presentment – shall be taken without unnecessary delay before the nearest
appropriate magistrate[.]” The Rule does not address probable cause determinations pursuant
to Gerstein but, rather, relates to the initial appearance during which a defendant is informed
of the criminal charges and his constitutional rights. In any event, the State concedes in its
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brief that a “technical violation” of the Rule occurred because although the Defendant was
arrested on March 14, his initial appearance did not occur until March 18.
Our supreme court has concluded relative to Rule 5(a) that “if an individual is not
brought before a magistrate within 72 hours, there has been „unnecessary delay.‟” State v.
Carter, 16 S.W.3d 762, 768 (Tenn. 2001) (quoting Huddleston, 924 S.W.2d at 670).
However, our courts have concluded that “a delay of seventy-two hours, without more, [does]
not render a confession taken during that time inadmissible.” State v. Readus, 764 S.W.2d
770, 773 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1988). Our supreme court has refused to adopt a per se rule of
exclusion relative to a statement made by a defendant during a period of unnecessary delay.
Huddleston, 924 S.W.2d at 670. To the contrary, our supreme court has concluded that
suppression of a confession given during a period of unnecessary delay is required “only if an
examination of the totality of the circumstances reveals that the statement was not voluntarily
given. Id.; see Readus, 764 S.W.2d at 774.
The record reflects that the Defendant was taken into custody on March 14, at 9:00
p.m. and that the seventy-two hours would have elapsed on March 17, at 9:00 p.m. The
Defendant‟s initial appearance occurred on March 18. Officer Juaquatta Harris‟s trial
testimony showed that the relevant jail telephone call was placed on March 15, which was
well within the seventy-two-hour period. The record reflects that the conversation in which
the Defendant admitted involvement in the shooting was with his mother and was not the
result of the deputies‟ questioning the Defendant. Likewise, the evidence shows that inmates
at the jail were advised before placing a telephone call that the conversations were monitored
and recorded. We conclude that the totality of the circumstances does not reflect that the
Defendant‟s statement to his mother during the telephone call was involuntary or the result of
an unreasonable delay. As a result, the trial court properly denied the motion to suppress, and
the Defendant is not entitled to relief on this basis.
III Autopsy Photograph
The Defendant contends that the trial court erred by permitting an autopsy photograph
depicting the victim‟s face after being cleaned by the medical examiner. He argues that the
photograph was irrelevant and used to prejudice the jury because he offered to stipulate that
the victim was alive but was now deceased. The State responds that the trial court properly
admitted the photograph because it was relevant to identifying the victim. We agree with the
State.
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
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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).
At a jury-out hearing, the prosecutor told the trial court that he intended to use a
photograph, which had been taken after the victim‟s body had been cleaned by the medical
examiner, for the purpose of identifying the victim. The Defendant objected, arguing the
photograph was unnecessary. The trial court determined that the State had the burden of
establishing the victim‟s identity and of showing the victim was killed. The court overruled
the objection after noting that the photograph did not show any wounds or anything
“untoward.” The court found the photograph was relevant and was not prejudicial. Although
trial counsel was willing to make the necessary stipulations to prevent the prosecutor‟s
introducing the photograph, the court noted that the State had the burden of proving guilt
beyond reasonable doubt and that the prosecutor was not obligated to accept the stipulation.
We conclude that the trial court did not err by admitting the photograph. The
photograph was used during the testimony of Ms. Mosely and the medical examiner to
identify the victim and to show the victim was deceased. Although the Defendant offered to
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stipulate that the victim was deceased, the State had the burden of establishing the elements
of first degree premeditated murder beyond a reasonable doubt, which included proof that the
victim was deceased. The photograph is not gruesome, shows only the victim‟s head and
upper chest area, and does not show any blood or injuries. Therefore, the probative value of
the photograph was not substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. The
Defendant is not entitled to relief on this basis.
IV Request for Transcripts
The Defendant contends that the trial court erred by denying his request for transcripts
of opening statements, closing arguments, and the final jury instructions provided at the trial.
He argues that the court‟s denying his request because he was indigent and unable to afford
the cost of the transcripts violated due process and equal protection principles and prevented
his preparing a “complete appellate record.” The State responds that the trial court properly
denied the Defendant‟s request because he failed to establish the necessity of the transcripts.
“[A]n indigent defendant in a criminal prosecution must be provided . . . the tools of
an adequate defense or appeal when those tools are available for a price to other defendants.”
State v. Elliott, 524 S.W.2d 473, 475 (Tenn. 1975). Generally, a transcript of previous
proceedings in an indigent defendant‟s case must be provided when the transcript is “needed
to vindicate a legal right.” Id. at 476. Likewise, “„the State must provide an indigent
defendant with a transcript of prior proceedings when that transcript is needed for an
effective defense or appeal.‟” Id. (quoting Britt v. North Carolina, 404 U.S. 226, 227
(1971)); see State v. West, 767 S.W.2d 387, 402 (Tenn. 1989).
A defendant has the burden on appeal to show “that the transcript was needed to
vindicate a legal right.” West, 767 S.W.2d at 402. A trial court‟s decision regarding a
request for transcripts is reviewed for an abuse of discretion. State v. Colvett, 481 S.W.3d
172, 203 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2014). The Supreme Court has stated that appellate courts
should consider “the value of the transcript to the defendant in connection with the appeal or
trial for which it is sought” and “the availability of alternative devices that would fulfill the
same functions as a transcript.” Britt, 404 U.S. at 227; see Elliott, 524 S.W.2d at 476.
The record reflects that at the conclusion of the motion for a new trial hearing, trial
counsel submitted to the trial court an order for the preparation of transcripts. The trial judge
stated that although he would sign the order, he would not authorize transcripts for opening
statements, closing arguments, and the final jury instructions, “barring something being
raised.” The judge stated that if an issue was raised relative to those portions of the trial
proceedings and a transcript was needed, he would “consider it.” The judge stated that
“they‟re in there, so if somebody needs to refer to them they are there.” The court noted the
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defense made no objections during the relevant portions of the trial. Counsel informed the
court that appellate counsel was present and had requested the relevant transcripts. The
judge responded,
I understand that and no, barring there be some – I am not having a court
reporter transcribe opening, closing, and voir-dire, so that [appellate counsel]
can read them at her leisure. She is certainly welcome to go and listen to them
and if they find some error that they wish to raise that you, as trial attorney, did
not notice, or see, or raise in any way, then by all means, we will get those
done. But, I am not doing them in just preparation for that.
And the instructions are there and as I recall it the lesser includeds that you
requested were, in fact, all charged, so that at this time there is no issue around
it.
Appellate counsel asked the trial judge, “Your Honor, may I just inquire, if the Court
will allow me, is it a matter of costs?” The judge replied, “Yeah, cost and time.” Counsel
also asked the judge, “So if a private attorney were to ask and be willing to pay the costs,
would you grant the motion?” The judge stated, “If they were willing to pay the cost.” The
judge said, “I‟m willing to pay that for you, too, if you are – but, you may listen to it and I
would give that same agreement to the private attorney.”
We conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the Defendant‟s
request for transcripts of the opening statements, closing arguments, and final jury
instructions. Although the court denied the Defendant‟s request for the relevant transcripts,
the court explained that the audio recordings from the proceedings were preserved, that
appellate counsel was permitted to listen to the recordings, and that should appellate counsel
discover an issue for the appeal, the court would reconsider the request for transcripts. We
note that the Defendant has not raised an issue on appeal related to opening statements,
closing arguments, or the final jury instructions, although appellate counsel was permitted to
review the audio recordings. We, therefore, conclude that the Defendant has failed to
establish that the relevant transcripts are needed to vindicate a legal right. The Defendant is
not entitled to relief on this basis.
In consideration of the foregoing and the record as a whole, we affirm the judgment of
the trial court.
____________________________________
ROBERT H. MONTGOMERY, JR., JUDGE
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