State of Tennessee v. Charles Randall Elrod ( 2002 )

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT NASHVILLE
December 12, 2001 Session
STATE OF TENNESSEE v. CHARLES RANDALL ELROD
Direct Appeal from the Criminal Court for Montgomery County
No. 40685 Robert W. Wedemeyer, Judge
No. M2001-01125-CCA-R3-CD - Filed January 31, 2002
The defendant was convicted at a bench trial of three counts of aggravated assault and received an
effective sentence of ten years. In this appeal, the defendant contends (1) the evidence was
insufficient to sustain the convictions; (2) he was denied the right to testify; and (3) the sentence was
excessive. After a thorough review of the record, we affirm.
Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Criminal Court Affirmed
JOE G. RILEY, J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which JAMES CURWOOD WITT, JR. and JOHN
EVERETT WILLIAMS, JJ., joined.
Roger E. Nell, District Public Defender; Charles S. Bloodworth, Assistant District Public Defender
(at trial); and Robert T. Bateman, Clarksville, Tennessee (on appeal), for the appellant, Charles
Randall Elrod.
Paul G. Summers, Attorney General and Reporter; Kathy D. Aslinger, Assistant Attorney General;
John Wesley Carney, Jr., District Attorney General; and Lance A. Baker, Assistant District Attorney
General, for the appellee, State of Tennessee.
OPINION
FACTS
Hillman Eugene Smith testified he was awakened at approximately 1:30 a.m. on January 21,
1999, by a “big kick or boom” at the next-door apartment. Smith opened his door and saw the
defendant, whom he recognized, and inquired what the defendant was doing. The defendant
“mumbled obscenities” and lunged toward Smith. When the defendant’s arm came inside Smith’s
door, Smith hit it with a small aluminum bat, causing the defendant to leave.
After waiting in his apartment for approximately 15 minutes, Smith left, taking his bat, to
inform the landlord of the situation. While en route, Smith saw the defendant coming at him
wielding a large wooden bat. As Smith retreated to a neighbor’s porch, the defendant struck Smith
with the bat numerous times. Smith attempted to block the blows with his small aluminum bat, but
the defendant knocked him down and wrestled the aluminum bat from Smith. Smith testified he
neither threatened nor provoked the defendant, and he was in fear for his life. When Jim Bard and
Steven Blair came out of their apartment, the defendant also struck them with the bat. The defendant
then fled, and when the police arrived, they were unable to locate him.
After the officers left, Smith remained at Blair’s apartment for approximately 20 minutes.
Smith left, and while walking toward his apartment, he saw the defendant, who ran toward him with
a bat yelling, “M----- F-----. Where’s your bat at now?” The defendant then struck Smith
approximately 15 times, knocking him down. Although Smith attempted to defend himself with a
small pocketknife, the defendant ceased his attack only after Blair exited his apartment, armed with
a four-foot measuring level. Smith suffered broken bones and was transported to the hospital.
Steven Blair testified that he heard a loud noise in Smith’s apartment, which was above his.
Blair opined the noise was of two persons fighting, who came down the steps onto his front porch.
Blair opened his door and saw the defendant on top of the victim beating him with a bat. Blair
pulled the defendant off the victim, and the defendant pushed him against the door. Blair further
testified his next-door neighbor, Jim Bard, came outside and the defendant struck Bard in his head
with the bat. The defendant then struck Blair three or four times with the bat, breaking his arm,
before fleeing.
Blair further testified that Smith remained at his apartment for approximately 25 minutes
after the police left. When Smith stepped outside, the defendant jumped on top of Smith, beating
him with a bat and threatening to kill him. The defendant continued striking Smith until Blair
obtained his four-foot level and went outside. The defendant, who had broken his bat while striking
Smith, fled when he saw Blair coming with the level.
Jim Bard testified he heard a commotion, and when he exited his apartment, he saw Blair
trying to get a bat from the defendant’s hands while the defendant was striking Smith. Bard, who
knew the defendant, instructed him to put down the bat and leave. The defendant then looked at him
and inquired, “You want some too?” He then struck Bard in the head with the bat. Bard testified he
was frightened. Bard was then taken to the hospital, and his injury required approximately ten
stitches and that tubes be implanted in his head.
The defendant was convicted at the bench trial of aggravated assaults upon Smith, Blair and
Bard.
I. SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE
The defendant asserts the evidence was insufficient to sustain his convictions. We disagree.
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A. Standard of Review
When an accused challenges the sufficiency of the evidence, this court must review the
record to determine if the evidence adduced during the trial was sufficient "to support the finding
by the trier of fact of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt." Tenn. R. App. P. 13(e). This rule is
applicable to findings of guilt predicated upon direct evidence, circumstantial evidence or a
combination of direct and circumstantial evidence. State v. Brewer, 932 S.W.2d 1,18 (Tenn. Crim.
App. 1996). This court is required to afford the state the strongest legitimate view of the evidence
contained in the record as well as all reasonable and legitimate inferences which may be drawn from
the evidence. State v. Tuttle, 914 S.W.2d 926, 932 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1995).
Because a verdict of guilt removes the presumption of innocence and replaces it with a
presumption of guilt, the accused has the burden in this court of illustrating why the evidence is
insufficient to support the verdict returned by the trier of fact. State v. Tuggle, 639 S.W.2d 913, 914
(Tenn. 1982).
B. Analysis
The three-count indictment alleged the defendant intentionally or knowingly caused each of
the three victims to “reasonably fear imminent bodily injury, by use of a deadly weapon.” See Tenn.
Code Ann. §§ 39-13-101(a)(2), -102(a)(1)(B).
The defendant contends the evidence was insufficient because Smith, Blair, and Bard were
the aggressors, and he acted in self-defense. However, there was evidence that the defendant
ambushed Smith, without provocation, striking him numerous times with a bat, and threatened to
kill him. Furthermore, there was evidence that the defendant, without provocation, struck Blair and
Bard with the bat, causing injury to both. Each victim testified he was frightened, thus establishing
the element of reasonably fearing imminent bodily injury. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-101(a)(2).
Furthermore, it is undisputed that a bat was used during each incident, which constituted a deadly
weapon because the manner of its use made it capable of causing serious bodily injury or death.
See Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 39-11-106(a)(5)(B), 39-13-102(a)(1)(B). The issue of self-defense is a
question of fact to be resolved by the trier of fact. State v. Goode, 956 S.W.2d 521, 527 (Tenn.
Crim. App. 1997). The evidence was sufficient to support the findings of guilt.
II. RIGHT TO TESTIFY
The defendant contends he was deprived of his right to testify because the trial court
neglected to comply with the Momon requirements, which are as follows:
At any time before conclusion of the proof, defense counsel shall request a hearing,
out of the presence of the jury, to inquire of the defendant whether the defendant has
made a knowing, voluntary, and intelligent waiver of the right to testify. This
hearing shall be placed on the record and shall be in the presence of the trial judge.
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Defense counsel is not required to engage in any particular litany, but counsel must
show at a minimum that the defendant knows and understands that:
(1) the defendant has the right not to testify, and if the defendant does not testify,
then the jury (or court) may not draw any inferences from the defendant's failure to
testify;
(2) the defendant has the right to testify and that if the defendant wishes to exercise
that right, no one can prevent the defendant from testifying;
(3) the defendant has consulted with his or her counsel in making the decision
whether or not to testify; that the defendant has been advised of the advantages and
disadvantages of testifying; and that the defendant has voluntarily and personally
waived the right to testify.
State v. Momon, 18 S.W.3d 152, 162 (Tenn. 1999). A Momon waiver in writing is also valid. See
id. at 175. Although Momon involved a defendant not testifying at a jury trial, we conclude the
Momon requirements also apply to bench trials.
The defendant did not testify at his bench trial. At the conclusion of the state’s proof, defense
counsel stated, “The defense rests.” Counsel explained, “We looked it over, and everything we need
has come from prosecution witnesses.” The defendant was not personally examined on the record.
However, the Momon opinion was filed after the trial of this case. The Momon issue was raised for
the first time by new counsel in an amended motion for new trial.
The procedural guidelines set forth in Momon are not retroactive and apply only to “cases
tried or retried after the date of this decision.” Id. at 163. Accordingly, the Momon procedural
requirements are inapplicable to the case at bar. Nevertheless, regardless of procedure, the right to
testify is a “fundamental right. . . [which] may only be waived personally by the defendant.” Id. at
161. Such a waiver may not be presumed from a silent record. Id. at 162.
At the hearing on the motion for new trial, the defendant testified that he expected and
wanted to testify, but his counsel did not give him the opportunity to do so. The state presented no
evidence to refute this testimony. Thus, we must conclude the defendant’s right to testify was
violated.
The denial of the right to testify can be harmless error, provided the state establishes
harmlessness beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. at 167. In making this determination, courts should
consider the following factors:
(1) the importance of the defendant’s testimony to the defense case; (2) the
cumulative nature of the testimony; (3) the presence or absence of evidence
corroborating or contradicting the defendant on material points; [and] (4) the overall
strength of the prosecution’s case.
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Id. at 168.
At the motion for new trial, the defendant testified as a proffer of what his trial testimony
would have been. Essentially, he testified Smith was the aggressor; Blair and Bard were aiding
Smith in the assault; and he was acting in self-defense with regard to his actions against them. The
state conceded at the hearing that it had not established defendant’s waiver of the right to testify; it
argued the defendant’s testimony would have made no difference in the guilty finding; and it
contended an examination of the four harmless error factors set forth in Momon supported a finding
of harmless error.
The trial court took the matter under advisement, indicating it would read the trial transcript
and consider the defendant’s testimony adduced at the hearing. The trial court subsequently entered
an order denying the motion for new trial, noting it had considered the motion for new trial, amended
motion for new trial, arguments of counsel, “testimony of witnesses,” and the entire record.
We conclude the trial court’s order was an implicit finding that the violation of the right to
testify was harmless. Since the trial judge acted as fact-finder in the bench trial, his overruling of
the motion for new trial was an implicit finding that the defendant’s testimony would not have
affected the outcome of the trial. The trial judge was in a much better position than this court to
make this determination since he was able to judge the credibility of the witnesses. Thus, the
evidence supports the determination that the violation was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.
This issue lacks merit.
III. SENTENCING
The trial court sentenced the defendant to five years for each of the three aggravated assault
convictions. The trial court further ordered two of the sentences to run consecutively, for an
effective sentence of ten years. The defendant challenges both the length and consecutive nature of
the sentences imposed. We conclude the defendant was properly sentenced.
A. Standard of Review
This court’s review of the sentence imposed by the trial court is de novo with a presumption
of correctness. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-401(d). This presumption is conditioned upon an
affirmative showing in the record that the trial judge considered the sentencing principles and all
relevant facts and circumstances. State v. Pettus, 986 S.W.2d 540, 543 (Tenn. 1999). If the trial
court fails to comply with the statutory directives, there is no presumption of correctness and our
review is de novo. State v. Poole, 945 S.W.2d 93, 96 (Tenn. 1997).
If no mitigating or enhancement factors for sentencing are present, Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-
210(c) provides that the presumptive sentence for these offenses shall be the minimum sentence
within the applicable range. State v. Lavender, 967 S.W.2d 803, 806 (Tenn. 1998); State v. Fletcher,
805 S.W.2d 785, 788 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1991). However, if such factors do exist, a trial court
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should enhance the minimum sentence within the range for enhancement factors and then reduce the
sentence within the range for the mitigating factors. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-210(e); State v.
Arnett, 49 S.W.3d 250, 257 (Tenn. 2001). No particular weight for each factor is prescribed by the
statute, as the weight given to each factor is left to the discretion of the trial court as long as the trial
court complies with the purposes and principles of the sentencing act and its findings are supported
by the record. State v. Moss, 727 S.W.2d 229, 238 (Tenn. 1986); State v. Kelley, 34 S.W.3d 471,
479 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2000); see Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-210 Sentencing Commission
Comments.
A court may order sentences to run consecutively if the court finds by a preponderance of the
evidence that:
....
(2) [t]he defendant is an offender whose record of criminal activity is extensive; [or]
....
(4) [t]he defendant is a dangerous offender whose behavior indicates little or no
regard for human life, and no hesitation about committing a crime in which the risk
to human life is high.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-115(b); see also State v. Black, 924 S.W.2d 912, 917 (Tenn. Crim. App.
1995). Furthermore, in the event the trial court finds defendant is a “dangerous offender,” it must
also determine whether the consecutive sentences are reasonably related to the severity of the
offenses committed and serve to protect the public from further criminal conduct by the offender.
State v. Wilkerson, 905 S.W.2d 933, 939 (Tenn. 1995).
B. Analysis
Length of Each Sentence
As a Range I standard offender, the defendant faced a range of punishment of three to six
years for each aggravated assault. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-112(a)(3). The presentence report
indicated the defendant had at least 13 prior misdemeanor convictions with at least two of these
being committed while the defendant was on probation for another offense.
The trial court applied sentencing enhancement factors one (the defendant has a previous
history of criminal convictions or criminal behavior in addition to those necessary to establish the
appropriate range), eight (the defendant has a previous history of unwillingness to comply with the
conditions of a sentence involving release in the community), and ten (the defendant had no
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hesitation about committing a crime when the risk to human life was high). Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-
35-114(1), (8), (10). Enhancement factors one and eight were properly applied; factor ten was not.
See State v. Hill, 885 S.W.2d 357, 363 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1994) (holding factor ten may not be
applied to aggravated assault by use of a deadly weapon since high risk to human life is inherent in
the offense). In mitigation, the trial court found that the defendant had a good family who was
willing to help him.
Although the trial court erred in applying one enhancement factor, we conclude, based upon
our de novo review, that the sentence of five years for each conviction is appropriate. See Lavender,
967 S.W.2d at 809 (holding misapplication of an enhancement factor does not necessarily require
a reduction in the sentence).
Consecutive Sentencing
The trial court specifically found that the defendant had an extensive record of criminal
activity and was a “dangerous offender,” thereby allowing consecutive sentencing under Tenn. Code
Ann. § 40-35-115(b)(2) and (4). The trial court further found that consecutive sentences were
necessary to protect the public from further criminal misconduct by the defendant, and the effective
ten-year sentence reasonably related to the severity of the offenses. See Wilkerson, 905 S.W.2d at
938.
The defendant’s presentence report sufficiently establishes his extensive record of criminal
activity, albeit for misdemeanors. This factor alone is sufficient to justify partial consecutive
sentencing, regardless of whether the dangerous offender factor applies. State v. Adams, 973 S.W.2d
224, 231 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1997). Accordingly, we conclude the trial court did not err by ordering
partial consecutive sentencing for an effective sentence of ten years.
The judgments of the trial court are AFFIRMED.
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JOE G. RILEY, JUDGE
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