State of Tennessee v. Innocent S. Nzamubereka ( 2011 )

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT KNOXVILLE
May 25, 2010 Session
STATE OF TENNESSEE v. INNOCENT S. NZAMUBEREKA
Direct Appeal from the Criminal Court for Sullivan County
No. S51,887 Robert H. Montgomery, Jr., Judge
No. E2009-00755-CCA-R3-CD - Filed January 20, 2011
The Defendant-Appellant, Innocent S. Nzamubereka, was convicted by a Sullivan County
Criminal Court jury in count one of domestic aggravated assault, a Class C felony, and in
counts two and three of aggravated assault, a Class C felony. The trial court sentenced him
to six years for each count and ordered counts one and two served concurrently with one
another but consecutively to count three, for an effective sentence of twelve years. The court
ordered Nzamubereka to serve six years in the Tennessee Department of Correction and
allowed him to serve the remaining six years on probation. On appeal, Nzamubereka argues
that (1) the trial court erred in finding that one of the victims was unavailable; (2) the
evidence was insufficient to support his convictions; (3) the trial court erred in ruling on
three evidentiary issues; (4) the trial court erred in allowing the State to make an improper
comment during voir dire; and (5) the trial court erred in imposing an excessive sentence.
Upon review, we affirm the trial court’s judgments.
Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgments of the Criminal Court Affirmed
C AMILLE R. M CM ULLEN, J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which J AMES C URWOOD
W ITT, J R., and N ORMA M CG EE O GLE, JJ., joined.
Ricky A.W. Curtis, Blountville, Tennessee, for the Defendant-Appellant, Innocent S.
Nzamubereka.
Robert E. Cooper, Jr., Attorney General and Reporter; Renee W. Turner, Assistant Attorney
General; H. Greeley Wells, Jr., District Attorney General; Kaylin Hortenstine and William
B. Harper, Assistant District Attorneys General, for the Appellee, State of Tennessee.
OPINION
Trial. Martina Carpenter testified that Nzamubereka was the father of her two
daughters and that they were not living together in March of 2006. She saw Nzamubereka
on March 11, 2006, at around 11:15 p.m. when she and her sister, Takila Carpenter,1 dropped
the children off at his home on Fairway Avenue in Sullivan County, Tennessee. Martina,
Takila, and Martina’s daughters walked up two flights of stairs to Nzamubereka’s house and
knocked on his door. When he did not answer, his daughters began knocking and yelling for
their father. Nzamubereka finally opened the door, pulled the two children into his home,
and closed the door without saying anything to Martina or Takila. Martina and Takila turned
to leave. As they were walking down from the upper flight of steps to the lower flight of
steps from the porch to the yard, Martina held Nzamubereka’s dog so that Takila could walk
down the lower flight of steps to the yard. Suddenly, Martina heard gunshots, and Takila
yelled at her to get down. When Martina looked up at Nzamubereka, he was shooting at
Takila. Martina said that Nzamubereka fired three shots at her before firing two or three
shots at Takila. She also confirmed that neither she nor her sister Takila were armed that
night. On cross-examination, Martina acknowledged that Nzamubereka was the primary
custodian for their daughters. She also admitted that she “was not happy about the [custody]
situation because of previous incidents[,] but . . . [w]e weren’t really having a problem at
[the] time [the shooting occurred].”
Takila Carpenter was declared unavailable pursuant to Tennessee Rule of Evidence
804(b)(1), and a tape of her testimony from the preliminary hearing was played to the jury
at trial. Takila Carpenter testified similarly to her sister Martina regarding the incident.
During the exchange of children, Takila told Nzamubereka, “[Y]ou don’t have to make
things so difficult all the time.” As Takila and Martina were leaving Nzamubereka’s home,
Takila heard someone cock a gun. She turned around, saw Nzamubereka holding a black
handgun on the porch, and then saw him fire the gun at Martina two or three times. Takila
jumped the lower set of steps to the bottom. She then saw Nzamubereka aim the gun at her
and pull the trigger. As she was struggling to get away, she heard two or three more shots.
Takila checked to ensure that Martina was unhurt, and they both ran down the street, called
9-1-1, and stayed with a neighbor named Shasta Bledsoe until the police told Martina and
Takila to go to a nearby gas station. Takila said that she had never met Bledsoe before the
shooting occurred. On cross examination, Takila stated that neither she nor Martina had a
gun that night and that she had never shot a gun.
Shasta Bledsoe testified that sometime during the late hours of March 11, 2006, and
the early morning hours of March 12, 2006, she was at her boyfriend’s house on Fairway
1
Because Martina and Takila Carpenter share the same last name, we will occasionally refer to each
of them by their first names for clarity purposes. We mean no disrespect in using their first names in this
opinion.
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Avenue. She went outside her boyfriend’s home around midnight and saw Martina, Takila,
and two young girls walk up the steps to Nzamubereka’s house. She then saw Nzamubereka
walk out onto the porch, curse at them, and force the children inside. As Martina and Takila
were walking down the steps, Bledsoe saw Nzamubereka pull out a gun. She saw Martina
jump down the steps as Nzamubereka shot at her. Then Takila jumped from the middle of
the steps down to the road as Nzamubereka shot three times at her. Bledsoe said that she
could see Nzamubereka clearly and observed him holding a black gun. When Nzamubereka
realized that Bledsoe had seen him shooting at Martina and Takila, he cursed Bledsoe and
shot at her three times as she was standing beside her car. After the shooting, Nzamubereka
told Bledsoe that he was sorry for shooting at her. Bledsoe said that she did not know
Nzamubereka, Martina Carpenter, or Takila Carpenter prior to the shooting. During cross-
examination, Bledsoe said that she saw Nzamubereka leave his porch, walk down the steps,
and begin “picking up stuff off of the ground” after Martina and Takila left to meet the
police.
Sergeant Gary Keene, an officer with the Kingsport Police Department, testified that
he was in the Lynn Garden community when he heard a gunshot fired around midnight on
March 12, 2006. Approximately three to five minutes later, he received a call to respond to
shots fired at Nzamubereka’s home on Fairway Avenue, a short distance away. Upon his
arrival, he spoke with Nzamubereka on the telephone and urged him to come out of his home
so that officers would not have to go into the home and face him armed. Sergeant Keene
stated that he did not leave the scene until 8:00 a.m. and that Nzamubereka never left his
home voluntarily. On cross-examination, Sergeant Keene stated that he and other officers
established a perimeter with officers in the front and back of Nzamubereka’s house and that
he never saw Nzamubereka walk outside his house once the perimeter was set.
Officer John Berry, a patrolman with the Kingsport Police Department and a member
of the Special Weapons and Tactical (SWAT) team, testified that he was sent to
Nzamubereka’s house on Fairway Avenue at around 3:30 a.m. on March 12, 2006. Upon
arriving, he and other members of his team established a perimeter and an emergency plan
and made contact with Nzamubereka by telephone. He observed no activity inside or outside
the house. Approximately three and a half hours after his team’s arrival, the team learned
via radio that Nzamubereka was at the back door of the house. The SWAT Team entered the
house, and Nzamubereka ran into a bedroom and jumped into the bed with his two daughters.
A white female was also found in the house. Nzamubereka was subsequently arrested.
Officer Berry said Nzamubereka’s home was very “clutter[ed]” He also said that
Nzamubereka was “[a] little arrogant [and] loud” at the time of his arrest.
Detective Mark Mason of the Kingsport Police Department testified that on March
12, 2006, at approximately 1:00 a.m., he was called to investigate a shooting at 1040 Fairway
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Avenue. He went to the Justice Center and took statements from the three victims, Martina
Carpenter, Takila Carpenter, and Shasta Bledsoe. He said that he spent three or four hours
with these women and described their demeanor as “[n]ervous, excited, scared, [and] upset.”
After taking the women’s statements, he learned that Nzamubereka had been arrested. When
Nzamubereka was brought to the jail, Officer Mason said that Nzamubereka was on “a
tirade” and was “screaming, banging on the bars [and] climbing on the bars, continuously.”
Officer Mason then went to the scene of the shooting where he examined the outdoor area,
took some photographs, and discovered two bullet holes in Nzamubereka’s vehicle.
Specifically, he observed an entry bullet hole on the top of the car and an exit bullet hole in
the driver’s side window. During direct examination, the following exchange occurred:
[The State]: Detective Mason, if you could I’m going to hand you a
laser pointer[, and] I’d like [you] to take a look at what’s
been introduced as Exhibit No. 10. If you would tell the
ladies and gentlemen of the jury what is shown in that
photograph there?
[Detective Mason]: This is an oblong bullet hole in the top of Mr.
Nzamubereka’s red [Volkswagon] Golf that was parked
in front of his home.
[The State]: And did you examine the hole in the top of the car?
[Detective Mason]: I did, sir.
[The State]: And were you able to tell anything about the nature of
that hole by simply looking at it?
The defense attorney requested a bench conference and stated, “If he’s going to start
asking him expert questions I’m going to object. There’s been no foundation for that.” The
State responded by saying that it had just asked Detective Mason what he observed about the
bullet hole. The court stated, “He can describe what his observations were[,] but I don’t want
him drawing any conclusions.” The defense counsel interjected, “[M]y objection would be
I don’t think he can testify [regarding] which direction the bullet came [from] or anything
else.” The court stated its opinion that the direction from which the bullet came was obvious
based on the photographs. The court then ruled:
[I]f you’re going to get into that issue, talk about why something may be an
entrance hole and something may be an exit hole and whether he’s talking
about the same bullet, and, you know, what direction did the bullet come from
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then you might want to qualify him to talk about his training and experience
in that area.
Following the bench conference, Detective Mason testified that he had been a detective for
the last twenty years and had received training in fire arms and projectiles. He said that he
had attended “a number of different schools on criminal investigations, advance criminal
investigations[,] and death scene investigations.” He added that he had worked on other
cases where he had to determine the path that bullets traveled and had received training in
that area. The State then showed Detective Mason a picture of the bullet hole in
Nzamubereka’s car and asked him, “based on [his] training and experience,” if he could
determine the area from which the bullet was fired. Detective Mason replied, “Judging from
the entry hole and the exit hole and the elongated nature of the hole that was in [the] top of
the vehicle it appeared to come from the area around the porch of 1040 Fairway.”
Detective Mason said that he stood on Nzamubereka’s porch and had a direct view
of the top of Nzamubereka’s vehicle. When the State showed him another photograph
depicting the bullet’s exit hole on the window of Nzamubereka’s car, he said the hole in the
window was “fresh because there [were] particles of glass going down the door and on the
road underneath the door.” Detective Mason opined that the two bullet holes were the result
of the passage of a single bullet. When shown another photograph of the bullet hole on the
roof of Nzamubereka’s car, he stated, “[Y]ou can also tell the freshness of this damage in the
fact that there is absolutely no oxidation whatsoever around or near the hole and these other
pieces you see are flecks of fresh paint that c[a]me off the vehicle and they’re surrounding
the hole.”
Detective Mason also stated that he searched for a gun while he was at the scene;
however, he was unable to locate the weapon. He initially looked for the weapon outside but
was unable to search very extensively because the area across the street from the house was
covered in kudzu and the area behind the house was covered in vegetation that made the
search very difficult. Once he obtained a search warrant, he searched the inside of
Nzamubereka’s home but was unable to do a thorough search because the house was so
cluttered. Detective Mason said that he was unable to find any bullet casings at the scene.
When he walked over to Bledsoe’s car, he had a clear view to Nzamubereka’s porch and
front yard.
On cross-examination, Detective Mason stated that he did not conduct any type of gun
shot residue test on Nzamubereka or Martina Carpenter. He also said there was no evidence
that Nzamubereka left his home after the officers set up a perimeter around his house.
Finally, he acknowledged that no gun or ammunition was found in or around Nzamubereka’s
home.
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On re-direct examination, Detective Mason explained that he did not conduct any
gunshot residue tests because he believed the tests were “wholly ineffective unless they’re
done almost immediately.” He also said, “[I]t’s my understanding that the TBI Crime Lab
won’t even perform the test anymore due to the fact that they’re just, like I said, wholly
unreliable.” However, on re-cross examination, Detective Mason acknowledged that the
bullet could have also been fired from Nzamubereka’s yard.
Stacy McGill testified that she was Nzamubereka’s ex-girlfriend, they had a son
together, and she was present at Nzamubereka’s home during the incident in this case.
McGill stated that although Nzamubereka’s children were supposed to be at his house at 8:00
p.m. on March 11, 2006, they did not arrive until 12:30 a.m. on March 12, 2006. Once the
children arrived, Nzamubereka and the children went inside the house. When asked if there
had been any problems with the custody situation, McGill replied, “Oh, definitely, there had
been several problems.” She stated that she did not have any knowledge of the presence of
any guns at Nzamubereka’s house. When defense counsel asked her if she heard any gunfire
that night, she said, “At one point I heard a popping[,] but I really didn’t think much about
it because, you know, I guess it was just pop, pop, pop, pop, but it was muffled.” She said
that Nzamubereka was in his daughters’ room when she heard the popping sound.
Sentencing Hearing. At the May 1, 2008 sentencing hearing, the State’s only proof
was the presentence investigation report and victim impact statements from Martina
Carpenter, Takila Carpenter, and Shasta Bledsoe, which were entered into evidence. The
presentence report showed that Nzamubereka, between the ages of twenty-one and twenty-
three, received misdemeanor convictions for criminal trespass, contributing to the
delinquency of a child, reckless driving, theft, perjury, vandalism, and resisting arrest as well
as five convictions for reckless endangerment and three convictions for simple assault.
Following his convictions in the instant case but prior to sentencing, Nzamubereka was also
convicted of a traffic offense, a violation of the open container law, and driving under the
influence of an intoxicant.
Nancy Lukach, Charlotte Ellis, Antwan Kay, Stacy McGill, Jennifer Pendleton, and
Nzamubereka testified for the defense. Nancy Lukach, the court appointed special advocate
for children who was assigned to the juvenile case involving Nzamubereka’s daughters,
testified that she investigated Nzamubereka’s home and found it to be in an acceptable
condition and found Nzamubereka’s interaction with his daughters to be proper. She also
stated that while primary custody went “back and forth” between Martina Carpenter and
Nzamubereka, Nzamubereka obtained primary custody of his daughters for a period of time
based on her recommendation that this change in custody was in the children’s best interest.
Lukach said that she did not have any concerns about Nzamubereka serving the remainder
of his sentence in the community because he communicated with her in her role as a special
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advocate, was cooperative with her during her investigation, and complied with all conditions
of juvenile court. On cross examination, Lukach acknowledged that she and the juvenile
court judge were aware of Nzamubereka’s past criminal history including convictions for
simple assault and resisting arrest. She also acknowledged that Nzamubereka acquired a new
charge for disorderly conduct while she was working on his case. Despite this criminal
history, Lukach said that the juvenile court judge still found that it was in the children’s best
interest for Nzamubereka to have primary custody based on his ability to care for them and
ensure that they went to school. She also said that despite considering the three aggravated
assault convictions that he received in the instant case, she would still recommend that
Nzamubereka have primary custody. Although Nzamubereka did express a fear of law
enforcement to her, he never showed any disrespect when dealing with law enforcement and
judges in her presence.
Charlotte Ellis testified that Nzamubereka had done work for her and her husband on
their home. She described him as “the best worker” that she and her husband had ever had
and someone that she trusted at her home. She had absolutely no concerns about
Nzamubereka moving into the community to serve the remainder of his sentence.
Antwan Kay testified that he was a good friend of Nzamubereka’s father and had
known Nzamubereka since Nzamubereka was four years old. He said that if the court
allowed Nzamubereka to serve the remainder of his sentence in the community, he would be
available to mentor him.
Stacy McGill and Jennifer Pendleton, mothers of Nzamubereka’s children, testified
that Nzamubereka was a excellent father who took an active role in raising their children.
McGill and Pendleton both said that it would be in their children’s best interest for
Nzamubereka to be allowed to serve the remainder of his sentence in the community.
Nzamubereka testified in his own behalf and requested that the court grant him an
alternative sentence because it would be in the best interest of his children. He said that he
had commitments and responsibilities to his children that he could not fulfill if he were
required to serve his sentence in incarceration. On cross-examination, Nzamubereka
maintained his innocence.
At the conclusion of the sentencing hearing, the court sentenced Nzamubereka as a
Range I, standard offender to six years for both of his convictions, with counts one and two
to be served concurrently but consecutively to count three, for an effective sentence of twelve
years. The court ordered that Nzamubereka serve six years of his sentence in the Tennessee
Department of Correction and serve the remaining six years of his sentence on probation.
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Nzamubereka subsequently filed a timely motion for new trial and an amended motion for
new trial, which were denied by the trial court. He then filed a timely notice of appeal.
ANALYSIS
I. Unavailability of Victim. Nzamubereka argues that the trial court erred in
declaring Takila Carpenter unavailable pursuant to Tennessee Rule of Evidence 804 and
erred in admitting Takila Carpenter’s testimony from the preliminary hearing in this case.
Specifically, he argues that there was no proof presented by the State that the witness was
properly served with a subpoena and that the State had made good faith efforts prior to trial
to locate and present Takila Carpenter. He also argues that the subpoena present in the court
file, which was not included in the record on appeal, is “facially unusual” because the box
on the return of the subpoena was not checked showing that the Sheriff’s Department
personally served Takila Carpenter. In addition, citing State v. Tommy Brown, Jr., No.
W2006-02529-CCA-R3-CD, 2008 WL 141128, at *4 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Jackson, Jan. 11,
2008), he argues that Takila Carpenter was not unavailable because the State had direct
access to Takila through her probation officer and indirect access to Takila through her sister,
Martina Carpenter. Finally, without citing to authorities, Nzamubereka argues he is entitled
to a new trial because the trial court’s ruling on this issue violated his due process right to
confront his accuser. In response, the State contends that the trial court properly found that
Takila Carpenter was unavailable pursuant to Rule 804(a)(5) and properly admitted her
testimony from the preliminary hearing pursuant to Rule 804(b)(1). The State also asserts,
citing State v. Gomez, 163 S.W.3d 632, 642 (Tenn. 2005), that Nzamubereka’s right to
confrontation was not violated with the admission of Takila Carpenter’s testimony from the
preliminary hearing because the evidence was offered by an unavailable witness and because
Nzamubereka had a prior opportunity for cross-examination. We agree with the State.
According to Rule 801(c), hearsay is “a statement, other than one made by the
declarant while testifying at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of the
matter asserted.” Tenn. R. Evid. 801(c). Rule 802 states that “hearsay is not admissible
except as provided by these rules or otherwise by law.” Tenn. R. Evid. 802. Takila
Carpenter’s testimony from the preliminary hearing was obviously hearsay. See Tenn. R.
Evid. 801(c). However, former testimony may be admissible at trial if the declarant is
unavailable and “the party against whom the testimony is now offered had both an
opportunity and a similar motive to develop the testimony by direct, cross, or redirect
examination.” Tenn. R. Evid. 804(b)(1). One way that a witness may be deemed unavailable
is if the witness “is absent from the hearing and the proponent of a statement has been unable
to procure the declarant’s attendance by process[.]” Tenn. R. Evid. 804(a)(5). This court
established two requirements to ensure that a defendant’s right of confrontation is not
violated when dealing with former testimony:
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[I]n cases . . . in which the prosecution seeks to offer the former testimony of
an unavailable witness, the state must establish two prerequisites in order to
satisfy the defendant’s constitutional right of confrontation. First, the state
must show that the declarant is truly unavailable after good faith efforts to
obtain his presence, and second, that the evidence carries its own indicia of
reliability.
State v. Summers, 159 S.W.3d 586, 597 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2004) (citations and footnotes
omitted), perm. to appeal denied (Tenn. Jan. 18, 2005). The United States Supreme Court
has held that the determination of the State’s “good faith” efforts is “‘a question of
reasonableness.’” Ohio v. Roberts, 448 U.S. 56, 74 (1980) (quoting California v. Green, 399
U.S. 149, 189, n. 22 (1970) (Burger, J., concurring), overruled on other grounds by Crawford
v. Washington, 541 U.S. 36, 124 S. Ct. 1354 (2004)). The State bears the burden of proving
that the witness is unavailable despite its good faith efforts to secure the witness’s presence.
Id. at 74-75. In State v. Brian Eric McGowen, this court also considered the second
requirement that the evidence carry its own indicia of reliability:
[W]e note that our supreme court has determined that the former testimony
exception to the hearsay rule is based upon such a solid foundation that it
meets the indicia of reliability requirement. See State v. Causby, 706 S.W.2d
628, 631 (Tenn. 1986). In other words, “by definition the former testimony
was given under oath, traditionally a strong indicia of truthfulness.” Neil P.
Cohen et al., T ENNESSEE L AW OF E VIDENCE, § 8.34[2][a] (LEXIS publishing,
4th ed. 2000).
No. M2004-00109-CCA-R3-CD, 2005 WL 2008183, at *10 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Nashville,
Aug. 18, 2005), perm. to appeal denied (Tenn. Dec. 27, 2005).
Here, the State filed a “Motion in Limine” to use Takila Carpenter’s testimony from
the preliminary hearing at trial on the basis that Takila was unavailable pursuant to Rule
804(a)(5) because she was subpoenaed to testify at trial but failed to appear. In a pre-trial
hearing, the trial court noted that Takila Carpenter’s subpoena in the court file showed that
she was served on April 9, 2007 by the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office to appear at trial.
The State explained that Nzamubereka was represented in the preliminary hearing by
counsel, a different attorney than the one who represented him at trial, who conducted a
cross-examination of Takila Carpenter. The State said that it believed Takila’s testimony at
trial would have been the same as her testimony at the preliminary hearing. Defense counsel
argued that the use of Takila’s testimony from the preliminary hearing would violate the
confrontation clause of the United States and Tennessee Constitutions and would be unfairly
prejudicial under Tennessee Rule of Evidence 403 because the jury would be unable to assess
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her demeanor and because counsel would be unable to cross-examine her in front of the jury.
During the pre-trial hearing, Officer Bogle testified that he was asked the day of trial
to locate an individual by the name of “Tomika Carpenter.” He found the apartment at her
listed address and spoke to a neighbor, who stated that someone named “Tina” lived in the
apartment and that he was not aware of anyone by the name of Tomika at that address.
Officer Bogle also stated that he left a message at the telephone number he had been given
for Tomika Carpenter, although he had not yet received a response. On cross-examination,
Officer Bogle acknowledged that he was not told that the individual that he was sent to find
was actually named Takila Carpenter, not Tomika Carpenter, until after he had left the
apartment complex.
Martina Carpenter testified that her sister, Takila Carpenter, was supposed to be living
with her and had given Martina’s address to her probation officer. She said that the last time
she saw Takila was two days before trial. At that time, Martina reminded Takila of the need
for her to appear and testify at trial, and Takila promised that she would be there. Martina
stated that she had not received any phone calls to indicate that her sister had been arrested.
Tracy Arnold, Takila Carpenter’s probation officer, testified that Takila told her that
she was living with her sister, Martina Carpenter. Arnold said that the last time she had
contact with Takila was September 6, approximately two weeks before trial, when she
informed her that there had been a warrant issued for her arrest because of a probation
violation. At the time of their conversation, Arnold was unaware that Takila had been
subpoenaed to testify at this trial. Arnold had contact with Takila’s employer on September
4, about three weeks before trial, and her employer said that Takila was still employed there.
The court found that based on the subpoena in the file, Takila Carpenter had been
served with a subpoena to appear at Nzamubereka’s trial. It also found that Martina
Carpenter informed Takila of her need to be at trial, and the Sheriff’s Department went to
Takila’s last known address but was unable to locate her. Finally, the court determined that
the outstanding violation of probation warrant was likely a reason why Takila did not appear
to testify. The court said that Takila’s preliminary hearing testimony qualified as testimony
given by the witness at another hearing of the same or different proceeding. Additionally,
the court found that Nzamubereka, through counsel, “had the opportunity and similar motive
to develop the testimony” at the preliminary hearing. The court ultimately granted the State’s
motion in limine and allowed Takila’s testimony from the preliminary hearing to be admitted
into evidence.
We conclude that the record supports the trial court’s finding that Takila Carpenter
was unavailable pursuant to Rule 804(b)(1). We also conclude that the trial court did not err
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in allowing Takila’s testimony from the preliminary hearing to be admitted at trial. First, the
record shows that the trial court relied upon the subpoena in the court file, which showed that
she had been served to appear at trial. Second, the court heard credible testimony from
Officer Bogle, Martina Carpenter, and Tracy Arnold regarding the State’s good faith efforts
to have Takila Carpenter appear and testify at trial. We disagree with Nzamubereka’s
argument made pursuant to State v. Tommy Brown, Jr., 2008 WL 141128, at *4, that the
State had direct access to Takila Carpenter through her probation officer and indirect access
to her through her sister, Martina Carpenter. Unlike Tommy Brown, Jr., the record in this
case makes it clear that the State did not know where Takila Carpenter was located and did
not have indirect access to her through a family member. See id. In addition, the record in
this case shows that the State did, in fact, have Takila Carpenter served with a subpoena. See
id. Moreover, Nzamubereka has waived any arguments regarding the “facially unusual”
subpoena in the court file because he failed to include a copy of this subpoena in the record
on appeal. See Tenn. R. App. P. 24(b) (“[T]he appellant shall have prepared a transcript of
such part of the evidence or proceedings as is necessary to convey a fair, accurate and
complete account of what transpired with respect to those issues that are the bases of
appeal.”). Accordingly, Nzamubereka is not entitled to relief on this issue.
II. Sufficiency of the Evidence. Nzamubereka argues that the evidence is
insufficient to support his convictions. First, he asserts that the discrepancies in the
eyewitness testimony were “so inconsistent that no rational trier of fact could rely upon the
same.” Second, he claims that there was insufficient evidence that he fired the weapon since
there was no gun found at his home, and there was no evidence that he left his residence after
the shooting took place. He further argues that there was no ammunition found in his home
and no shell casings were at the scene. Regarding count three, he argues that although
Bledsoe claimed that he shot at her, neither Martina nor Takila Carpenter ever testified that
they observed him shooting at Bledsoe.
In response, the State contends that because all three eyewitnesses, Martina Carpenter,
Takila Carpenter, and Shasta Bledsoe, testified that Nzamubereka was the perpetrator in this
case, there was more than sufficient evidence to support the convictions in this case. We
agree.
The State, on appeal, is entitled to the strongest legitimate view of the evidence and
all reasonable inferences which may be drawn from the evidence. State v. Bland, 958
S.W.2d 651, 659 (Tenn. 1997). When a defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence,
the standard of review applied by this court is “whether, after reviewing 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, 99 S. Ct. 2781, 2789 (1979). Similarly, Rule 13(e) of the Tennessee Rules of
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Appellate Procedure states, “Findings of guilt in criminal actions whether by the trial court
or jury shall be set aside if the evidence is insufficient to support a finding by the trier of fact
of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”
A verdict of guilt removes the presumption of innocence and replaces it with a
presumption of guilt; therefore, a defendant on appeal has the burden of showing that the
evidence is insufficient to support the jury’s verdict. State v. Thacker, 164 S.W.3d 208, 221
(Tenn. 2005) (citing State v. Evans, 108 S.W.3d 231, 237 (Tenn. 2003); State v. Carruthers,
35 S.W.3d 516, 557-58 (Tenn. 2000); State v. Tuggle, 639 S.W.2d 913, 914 (Tenn. 1982)).
A guilty verdict by the jury, approved by the trial judge, accredits the testimony of the State’s
witnesses and resolves all conflicts in the evidence in the State’s favor. Bland, 958 S.W.2d
at 659 (citing State v. Grace, 493 S.W.2d 474, 476 (Tenn. 1973)). Issues regarding the
credibility of witnesses, the weight and value of the evidence, and all factual issues raised
by the evidence are resolved by the jury as the trier of fact, and this court does not re-weigh
or re-evaluate the evidence. Id. (citing State v. Cabbage, 571 S.W.2d 832, 835 (Tenn. 1978),
superseded by statute on other grounds as stated in State v. Barone, 852 S.W.2d 216, 218
(Tenn. 1993)). Guilt may be found beyond a reasonable doubt in a case where there is direct
evidence, circumstantial evidence, or a combination of the two. State v. Matthews, 805
S.W.2d 776, 779 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1990) (citing State v. Brown, 551 S.W.2d 329, 331
(Tenn. 1977); Farmer v. State, 343 S.W.2d 895, 897 (Tenn. 1961)), perm. to appeal denied
(Tenn. Nov. 13, 1990).
“The identity of the perpetrator is an essential element of any crime.” State v. Robert
Wayne Pryor, No. M2003-02981-CCA-R3-CD, 2005 WL 901140, at *3 (Tenn. Crim. App.,
at Nashville, Apr. 19, 2005) (citing State v. Thompson, 519 S.W.2d 789, 793 (Tenn. 1975)).
The State has the burden of proving “the identity of the defendant as the perpetrator beyond
a reasonable doubt.” Id. (citing State v. Sneed, 908 S.W.2d 408, 410 (Tenn. Crim. App.
1995)). The identity of the defendant as the perpetrator may be established by direct
evidence, circumstantial evidence, or a combination of the two. Thompson, 519 S.W.2d at
793. As relevant here, “[t]he credible testimony of one identification witness is sufficient
to support a conviction if the witness viewed the accused under such circumstances as would
permit a positive identification to be made.” State v. Radley, 29 S.W.3d 532, 537 (Tenn.
Crim. App. 1999) (citing State v. Strickland, 885 S.W.2d 85, 87-88 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1993),
perm. to appeal denied (Tenn. Feb. 22, 1994)), perm. to appeal denied (Tenn. Dec. 27, 1999).
The identification of the defendant as the perpetrator is a question of fact for the jury after
considering all the relevant proof. Strickland, 885 S.W.2d at 87 (citing State v. Crawford,
635 S.W.2d 704, 705 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1982), perm. to appeal denied (Tenn. June 21,
1982)). Furthermore, the jury may reject an alibi defense. Crawford, 635 S.W.2d at 705.
“The defense of alibi presents an issue of fact determinable by the jury, as the exclusive
judges of the credibility of the witnesses in support of the defense, and of the weight to be
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given their testimony.” Id. (citing Green v. State, 512 S.W.2d 641, 643 (Tenn. Crim. App.
1974), perm. to appeal denied (Tenn. May 20, 1974)).
All three eyewitnesses identified Nzamubereka as the perpetrator in this case.
Although Nzamubereka argued at trial that either Martina or Takila Carpenter shot the gun
the night of the incident because of animosity regarding the custody arrangement, this
defense was rejected by the jury. The jury also rejected Nzamubereka’s alibi that he was
inside his home at the time that the shots were fired outside. Moreover, Shasta Bledsoe, a
party unrelated and unknown to the Carpenter sisters prior to shooting, corroborated Martina
and Takila’s testimony regarding the incident. See Radley, 29 S.W.3d at 537 (“The credible
testimony of one identification witness is sufficient to support a conviction if the witness
viewed the accused under such circumstances as would permit a positive identification to be
made.”). Any minor inconsistencies in the eyewitnesses’ testimony were resolved by the jury
against Nzamubereka. Finally, the absence of a weapon, ammunition, or shell casings was
explained by Detective Mason’s and Bledsoe’s testimony. As we previously stated, we will
not “re-weigh or re-evaluate the evidence.” See Bland, 958 S.W.2d at 659. Accordingly,
Nzamubereka is not entitled to relief on this issue.
III. Evidentiary Rulings. Nzamubereka asserts that the trial court erred regarding
three different evidentiary rulings. In response, the State contends Nzamubereka is not
entitled to relief since the trial court did not abuse its discretion in making these rulings.
The Tennessee Supreme Court has generally held that “questions concerning the
admissibility of evidence rest within the sound discretion of the trial court, and this Court
will not interfere in the absence of abuse appearing on the face of the record.” State v.
Pylant, 263 S.W.3d 854, 870 (Tenn. 2008) (citing State v. Dotson, 254 S.W.3d 378, 392
(Tenn. 2008); State v. DuBose, 953 S.W.2d 649, 652 (Tenn. 1997); State v. Van Tran, 864
S.W.2d 465, 477 (Tenn. 1993); and State v. Harris, 839 S.W.2d 54, 73 (Tenn. 1992)). A trial
court is found to have abused its discretion when it applies “an incorrect legal standard or
[reaches] a decision which is illogical or unreasonable and causes an injustice to the party
complaining.” State v. Ruiz, 204 S.W.3d 772, 778 (Tenn. 2006) (citing Howell v. State, 185
S.W.3d 319, 337 (Tenn. 2006)).
This court must apply the abuse of discretion standard when reviewing a trial court’s
decision regarding the relevancy of evidence under Rules 401 and 402. DuBose, 953 S.W.2d
at 652. Evidence is considered relevant if 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. Evidence which is not
determined to be relevant is inadmissible. Tenn. R. Evid. 402. In addition, “[a]lthough
relevant, evidence may be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the
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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. Whether evidence is relevant is a decision left to the
discretion of the trial court, and this court will not overturn a trial court’s determination
regarding relevancy without a showing that the trial court abused its discretion. State v.
Forbes, 918 S.W.2d 431, 449 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1995).
The Tennessee Supreme Court has held that the exclusion of evidence can violate a
defendant’s due process rights when it prevents a defendant from presenting a defense:
Exclusions of evidence may violate the Due Process Clause of the
Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution even if the
exclusions comply with rules of evidence. Principles of due process require
that a defendant in a criminal trial have the right to present a defense and to
offer testimony. See Chambers v. Mississippi, 410 U.S. 284, 294, 93 S. Ct.
1038, 35 L. Ed. 2d 297 (1973); State v. Brown, 29 S.W.3d 427, 431 (Tenn.
2000). In Washington v. Texas, 388 U.S. 14, 87 S. Ct. 1920, 18 L. Ed 2d 1019
(1967) the United State Supreme Court stated:
The right to offer the testimony of witnesses, and to compel
their attendance, if necessary, is in plain terms the right to
present a defense, the right to present the defendant’s version of
the facts as well as the prosecution’s to the jury so it may decide
where the truth lies. Just as an accused has the right to confront
the prosecution’s witnesses for the purpose of challenging their
testimony, he has the right to present his own witnesses to
establish a defense. This right is a fundamental element of due
process of law.
388 U.S. at 19, 87 S. Ct. 1920.
State v. Flood, 219 S.W.3d 307, 315-16 (Tenn. 2007). The court further stated that the
following factors should be considered when determining whether the exclusion of evidence
results in a due process violation: “(1) [w]hether the excluded evidence is critical to the
defense; (2) [w]hether the evidence bears sufficient indicia of reliability; and (3) [w]hether
the interest supporting exclusion of the evidence is substantially important.” Flood, 219
S.W.3d at 316 (citing Brown, 29 S.W.3d at 434-35; State v. Rice, 184 S.W.3d 646, 673
(Tenn. 2006); State v. Rogers, 188 S.W.3d 593, 614 (Tenn. 2006)).
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A. Ruling Excluding Prior Juvenile Court Proceedings and Kidnapping
Charges. Nzamubereka argues that the trial court prevented him from presenting a defense
when it refused to allow him to present evidence showing the contested nature of the custody
proceedings in juvenile court to establish Martina and Takila Carpenter’s bias and motive.
He also argues that the trial court erred in preventing him from introducing evidence that
Martina Carpenter had accused him of kidnapping his children and that the criminal charges
regarding the kidnapping were later dismissed. He claims that both of these pieces of
evidence support his theory that Martina and Takila Carpenter “concocted” the events the day
of the incident so Martina could regain custody of her children. Finally, Nzamubereka argues
that the trial court failed to properly apply Rules 403 and 404(b) of the Tennessee Rules of
Evidence.
In response, the State argues that the exclusion of any testimony regarding the
kidnapping charges against Nzamubereka was proper on the basis that the evidence was
irrelevant. In addition, the State contends that the defense failed to demonstrate how the
evidence regarding the prior juvenile proceedings was relevant or would establish bias. We
conclude that Nzamubereka has waived this issue.
Here, prior to trial, the State made a motion in limine2 regarding the juvenile court
custody proceedings between Nzamubereka and Martina Carpenter. Defense counsel argued
that the defense “should be able to present evidence that there’s been issues about the custody
of these children going back and forth between the two parties, [and] that is the reason for
bad [blood] between these parties.” He added, “It’s our position that Ms. Carpenter
concocted this incident in an effort to get those children back . . . .” Defense counsel clarified
that he did not seek to introduce any specific court orders regarding custody from juvenile
court; instead, he wanted to ask Martina Carpenter about the ongoing custody problems and
wanted to have Nzamubereka testify about the difficulties regarding custody, should he
choose to testify. Defense counsel explained that the defense’s position was that Martina or
Takila Carpenter actually fired the shot and called the police the night of the incident. The
defense claimed that this was buttressed by the fact that the police did not find a gun at
Nzamubereka’s home.
The court asked if there had been other criminal charges filed against either party
regarding the custody problems. Defense counsel stated that Martina Carpenter alleged that
Nzamubereka kidnapped his children, but these charges were later dismissed. Also, the State
said that Nzamubereka had been convicted of domestic assault and theft of under $500
against Martina Carpenter. The State argued that court orders, court proceedings, or “bad
2
Although the record makes it clear that the State filed a motion in limine, no such motion is in the
record on appeal. However, the transcript from the hearing on the motion in limine is part of the record.
-15-
blood” between the parties was irrelevant under Rule 402 and would be highly prejudicial
and confusing to the jury under Rule 403. However, the State said that it would acknowledge
that they had shared parenting and that Martina Carpenter was returning the children to
Nzamubereka the night of the incident. In response, defense counsel argued that the
dismissed kidnapping charges showed “a pattern here of [Martina Carpenter’s] trying to use
law enforcement to regain custody of these kids” and that this evidence would provide a
motive for Martina or Takila to fire the gun and tell the police that Nzamubereka shot at
them. The Court found that evidence regarding previous accusations and allegations relating
to custody was not relevant and could be confusing for the jury. The court continued:
I don’t see anything . . . wrong with [defense counsel] asking Ms. Carpenter
if she’s been unhappy or if she wants to gain custody, sole custody of the
children, but as far as specific incidents . . . I just don’t think that’s
appropriate. Now at some point in time it may later become appropriate,
depending on the testimony, but on the front end I just don’t see that in this
case[.]
The court also stated that “the fact that a charge was brought and later dismissed in and of
itself may . . . not be relevant to the issue of the witness’s character for truthfulness or
untruthfulness.” Defense counsel asserted that he wanted to ask Martina Carpenter if she
was happy with the custody situation, if she was angry that Nzamubereka had custody of the
children, and if she wanted to get custody of the children back because these questions were
relevant to her motive. The court asked the State if they were comfortable with the questions
posed by defense counsel, and the State agreed to those specific questions. The court ruled,
“I think you can ask those questions. Now, if we get much further along then we may have
to have an out of jury hearing to let me make a determination.”
During trial, defense counsel asked Martina Carpenter the following: “You were not
happy with the custody situation with Mr. Nzamubereka[,] were you?” Martina replied, “At
that time it really – there [weren’t] a lot . . . of problems at that time. We weren’t – no, I was
not happy about the situation because of previous [incidents] but there wasn’t really a
problem. We weren’t really having a problem at that time.” As we previously mentioned,
Takila Carpenter’s testimony from the preliminary hearing was admitted at trial after she was
found to be unavailable pursuant to Rule 804. At the preliminary hearing, Nzamubereka’s
attorney asked Takila if she or Martina had a gun on their person the night of the incident,
and Takila responded that they did not. In addition, defense counsel asked her if she had ever
shot a gun, and Takila replied, “No.”
After reviewing the record, we conclude that although Nzamubereka was not allowed
to introduce evidence regarding specific incidents related to the contested nature of the
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custody arrangements, he was allowed to ask Martina Carpenter general questions regarding
the custody situation. Here, the trial court determined that it would not allow defense counsel
to ask questions regarding specific incidents between the parties relating to custody.
Following this ruling, defense counsel stated that it wanted to ask Martina Carpenter whether
she was happy with the custody situation, whether she was angry that Nzamubereka had
custody of the children, and whether she wanted to get custody of the children because these
questions were related to her motive to concoct the events in this case. The trial court ruled
that these questions were acceptable. During Martina Carpenter’s testimony, defense counsel
limited his questions to those deemed acceptable by the trial court. However, defense
counsel declined to make an offer of proof regarding the other questions relating to specific
incidents of the contested custody arrangement and the responses of Martina Carpenter and
Nzamubereka. Tennessee Rule of Evidence 103 provides:
(a) Effect of Erroneous Ruling. Error may not be predicated upon a ruling
which admits or excludes evidence unless a substantial right of the party is
affected, and
(1) Objection. In case the ruling is one admitting evidence, a timely objection
or motion to strike appears of record, stating the specific ground of objection
if the specific ground was not apparent from the context; or
(2) Offer of Proof. In case the ruling is one excluding evidence, the substance
of the evidence and the specific evidentiary basis supporting admission were
made known to the court by offer or were apparent from the context.
Once the court makes a definitive ruling on the record admitting or excluding
evidence, either at or before trial, a party need not renew an objection or offer
of proof to preserve a claim of error for appeal.
Tenn. R. Evid. 103(a) (emphasis added). Because Nzamubereka failed to make an offer of
proof regarding this evidence, he was waived this issue. Moreover, we are unable to
determine “[w]hether the evidence bears sufficient indicia of reliability” because of
Nzamubereka’s failure to make an offer of proof. See Flood, 219 S.W.3d at 316.
We also conclude that Nzamubereka failed to make an offer of proof regarding the
particular pieces of evidence he sought to be introduced regarding the dismissal of the
kidnapping charges, which again results in waiver pursuant to Tennessee Rule of Evidence
103(a). Similarly, we are also unable to determine “[w]hether the evidence bears sufficient
indicia of reliability” because of Nzamubereka’s failure to make an offer of proof. See id.Finally, we conclude that the trial court was not required to apply Rule 404(b) under these
-17-
facts and properly applied Rule 403 prior to making its ruling. Nzamubereka is not entitled
to relief on this issue.
B. Ruling Preventing the Defense from Asking Martina Carpenter If the
Police Conducted a Gunshot Residue Test on Her Hands or If She Fired a Gun the
Night of the Incident. Nzamubereka contends that the trial court prevented him from
presenting a defense when it refused to allow him to ask Martina Carpenter if the police
conducted a gunshot residue test on her hands to determine if she fired a gun the night of the
incident. He claims that these questions would have helped him establish his defense theory
that the Carpenter sisters “concocted” the incident at issue in this case in an attempt to have
Martina Carpenter regain custody of her children. He contends that he was effectively
prevented from presenting a defense because the court prevented him from asking these
questions to Martina Carpenter. In response, the State argues that because the trial court
properly determined that there was no factual basis for the questions and that Martina
Carpenter was not the proper witness to ask about the police investigation, Nzamubereka is
not entitled to relief on this issue. We agree with the State.
Here, defense counsel on cross-examination asked Martina if she had ever fired a gun.
She responded, “No.” He then asked her, “Did the police do any type of gun shot residue
analysis on your hands?” The State immediately objected, and the court called a bench
conference and then a jury-out hearing to deal with the issue. The court stated, “I don’t know
that you just get to lob something out there unless you have a good faith basis.” Defense
counsel responded, “I’m just asking about the investigation. [There are] three people there.
The State’s going to introduce evidence that there is a shot that hit a car. My client says he
didn’t fire the shot, so [there are] only three people there that night, that’s my basis.” The
court sustained the State’s objection on the basis that Martina Carpenter was not the proper
witness to ask about the gun shot residue test and that defense counsel could ask Detective
Mason if he tested anyone’s hands for gunshot residue. When Detective Mason was cross-
examined by defense counsel, he testified that he did not perform a gunshot residue test on
Martina or Takila Carpenter. On re-direct examination, he opined that that gunshot residue
tests were ineffective unless done immediately and that it was his understanding that the TBI
would not perform these tests anymore because of their unreliability.
After reviewing the record, we conclude that Nzamubereka was not prevented from
presenting a defense on this issue because he was allowed to ask Detective Mason about
whether he performed gunshot residue tests on Martina and Takila Carpenter. Consequently,
Martina’s response to defense counsel’s question regarding the gunshot residue test was not
“critical to the defense[.]” See Flood, 219 S.W.3d at 316. Moreover, he was allowed to ask
Martina if she had ever fired a gun and if she or Takila were armed the night of the incident.
Nzamubereka is not entitled to relief on this issue.
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C. Ruling Allowing Detective Mason to Testify Regarding Bullet Holes.
Nzamubereka argues that he is entitled to a new trial because the trial court erred in allowing
Detective Mason to testify as an expert regarding the bullet holes in Nzamubereka’s car,
despite the fact that Detective Mason was not qualified as an expert. He specifically argues
that Detective Mason used “scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge” pursuant
to Tennessee Rule of Evidence 702 in giving his expert opinion regarding the entrance and
exit holes made by the bullet, the direction from which the gun was fired, and his opinions
regarding the age of the bullet holes based on the lack of oxidation. In response, the State
contends that Detective Mason’s testimony satisfied the two requirements of lay witness
testimony in Tennessee Rule of Evidence 701 and that the trial court never accepted
Detective Mason’s testimony as expert testimony. Because Nzamubereka has waived this
issue, he is not entitled to relief.
Unless witnesses are qualified as experts, they may only offer opinions or inferences
which are “rationally based on the perception of the witness” and “helpful to a clear
understanding of the witness’s testimony or the determination of a fact in issue.” Tenn. R.
Evid. 701(a). However, Rule 702, which governs the admissibility of expert testimony,
states, “If scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will substantially assist the
trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue, a witness qualified as
an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education may testify in the form of
an opinion or otherwise.” Tenn. R. Evid. 702.
Here, the State asked Detective Mason if he was able to tell anything about the bullet
holes in Nzamubereka’s car. Defense counsel requested a bench conference and stated, “If
he’s going to start asking him expert questions I’m going to object. There’s been no
foundation for that.” The court determined that if Detective Mason was going to get into
issues regarding whether something is an entrance or exit bullet hole, whether the holes were
caused by the same bullet, or from what direction the bullet traveled, then the State “might
want to qualify him to talk about his training and experience in that area.” Following this
bench conference, Detective Mason testified that he had been a detective for the last twenty
years, had attended numerous schools on advanced criminal investigations and death scene
investigations, had received training in determining the path of bullets, and had used this
training in cases in the past. The State then presented Detective Mason with pictures of the
two bullet holes in Nzamubereka’s car and asked him if he could determine the area from
which the bullet was fired. He responded that he believed the bullet came from the porch of
Nzamubereka’s home. However, on cross-examination, Detective Mason acknowledged that
the bullet could have also been fired from Nzamubereka’s yard.
The State arguably qualified Detective Mason as an expert when he testified about the
area from which the bullet was fired. Detective Mason’s testimony was based on the type
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of “scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge” contemplated by Rule 702. See
State v. Mark Anthony Foulk, No. E2007-00944-CCA-R3-CD, 2009 WL 47346, at *13
(Tenn. Crim. App., at Jan. 8, 2009) (concluding that detective’s testimony regarding a wound
to the defendant’s face was expert testimony in the area of gunpowder stippling despite the
fact that the State never qualified him as an expert), perm. to appeal denied (Tenn. May 26,
2009). Moreover, the State asked him to give his opinion based on his training and
experience. See id. Although defense counsel initially called a bench conference and said
that he was “going to object” if the State started asking the witness expert questions without
laying the proper foundation, defense counsel never actually objected when Detective Mason
gave his opinion about the location where the bullet was fired. Therefore, the issue is
waived. See Tenn. R. App. P. 36(a) (Relief on appeal is typically not available when a party
is “responsible for an error” or has “failed to take whatever action was reasonably available
to prevent or nullify the harmful effect of any error.”). Nzamubereka is not entitled to relief
on this issue on appeal.
IV. State’s Comments During Voir Dire. Nzamubereka argues that the trial court
erred in allowing the State to mention O.J. Simpson during voir dire. He specifically asserts
that “any time a black defendant is on trial, any reference to O.J. Simpson’s legal troubles
constitutes error, in that a juror could infer (even without any intended implication
whatsoever) that the reference was meant to demonstrate that before them sits another black
defendant trying to get away with murder.” In response, the State contends that
Nzamubereka has waived this issue because he failed to object to this comment during voir
dire. It also argues this issue is waived because he failed to cite any authority to support this
argument in his brief. We agree with the State.
Here, during voir dire, the prosecutor made the following statement:
Will each of you agree to follow the law that [the trial judge] gives you in this
case? Will each of you do that? And the reason I ask you that is, it seems like
in today’s society we are bombarded with different interpretations of what the
law is. Thank[s] to OJ Simpson we can now look forward to learning about
Las Vegas law for the next five or six months. Will each of you agree to do
that, to follow the law that [the trial judge] gives you and not what you may
have heard on TV last night or perhaps read in a book? Can each of you do
that?
We agree with the State that Nzamubereka has waived this issue by failing to make
a contemporaneous objection to the prosecutor’s remark at trial. See Tenn. R. App. P. 36(a);
State v. McPherson, 882 S.W.2d 365, 373 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1994), perm. to appeal denied
(Tenn. June 20, 1994); State v. Gregory, 862 S.W.2d 574, 578 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1993); and
-20-
State v. Thomas, 818 S.W.2d 350, 364 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1991), perm. to appeal denied
(Tenn. Sept. 9, 1991). We also agree with the State that Nzamubereka has also waived this
issue by failing to cite any authority. “Issues which are not supported by argument, citation
to authorities, or appropriate references to the record will be treated as waived in this court.”
See Tenn. Ct. Crim. App. R. 10(b). Failure to comply with this basic rule will ordinarily
constitute a waiver of the issue. Id.; State v. Hammons, 737 S.W.2d 549, 552 (Tenn. Crim.
App. 1987), perm. to appeal denied (Tenn. Sept. 8, 1987). Accordingly, Nzamubereka is not
entitled to relief on this issue.
V. Sentencing. Nzamubereka contends that the trial court erred in imposing the
maximum sentence for each of his convictions, erred in ordering a partially consecutive
alignment of sentences, and erred in denying alternative sentencing. In response, the State
argues that the record supports the sentence imposed in this case.
This case is governed by the 2005 amended sentencing act because these offenses
occurred on March 12, 2006. Under the amended sentencing act, “the trial court ‘shall
consider, but is not bound by’ an ‘advisory sentencing guideline’ that suggests an adjustment
to the defendant’s sentence upon the presence or absence of mitigating and enhancement
factors.” State v. Carter, 254 S.W.3d 335, 344 (Tenn. 2008) (quoting T.C.A. § 40-35-210(c)
(2006)). Moreover, under the new law “[a]n appellate court is . . . bound by a trial court’s
decision as to the length of the sentence imposed so long as it is imposed in a manner
consistent with the purposes and principles set out in sections -102 and -103 of the
Sentencing Act.” Id. at 346. The Tennessee Supreme Court explained the impact of the
2005 amended sentencing act:
The amended statute no longer imposes a presumptive sentence.
Rather, the trial court is free to select any sentence within the applicable range
so long as the length of the sentence is “consistent with the purposes and
principles of [the Sentencing Act].” Id. § 40-35-210(d). Those purposes and
principles include “the imposition of a sentence justly deserved in relation to
the seriousness of the offense,” id. § 40-35-102(1), a punishment sufficient “to
prevent crime and promote respect for the law,” id. § 40-35-102(3), and
consideration of a defendant’s “potential or lack of potential for . . .
rehabilitation,” id. § 40-35-103(5).
Carter, 254 S.W.3d at 343 (internal footnote omitted). The court also emphasized the broad
discretion the trial court has in sentencing a defendant under this act:
[A] trial court’s weighing of various mitigating and enhancement factors has
been left to the trial court’s sound discretion. Since the Sentencing Act has
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been revised to render these factors merely advisory, that discretion has been
broadened. Thus, even if a trial court recognizes and enunciates several
applicable enhancement factors, it does not abuse its discretion if it does not
increase the sentence beyond the minimum on the basis of those factors.
Similarly, if the trial court recognizes and enunciates several applicable
mitigating factors, it does not abuse its discretion if it does not reduce the
sentence from the maximum on the basis of those factors. The appellate courts
are therefore left with a narrower set of circumstances in which they might find
that a trial court has abused its discretion in setting the length of a defendant’s
sentence.
Id. at 345-46.
On appeal, we must review issues regarding the length and manner of service of a
sentence de novo with a presumption that the trial court’s determinations are correct. T.C.A.
§ 40-35-401(d) (2006). Nevertheless, “the presumption of correctness which accompanies
the trial court’s action is conditioned upon the affirmative showing in the record that the trial
court considered the sentencing principles and all relevant facts and circumstances.” State
v. Ashby, 823 S.W.2d 166, 169 (Tenn. 1991). This means that if the trial court followed the
statutory sentencing procedure, made adequate findings of fact that are supported by the
record, and gave due consideration and proper weight to the factors and principles that are
relevant to sentencing under the 1989 Sentencing Act, this court may not disturb the sentence
even if we would have preferred a different result. State v. Fletcher, 805 S.W.2d 785, 789
(Tenn. Crim. App. 1991). In a case where “the trial court applies inappropriate mitigating
and/or enhancement factors or otherwise fails to follow the Sentencing Act, the presumption
of correctness fails.” Carter, 254 S.W.3d at 345 (citing State v. Shelton, 854 S.W.2d 116,
123 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1992), perm. to appeal denied (Tenn. March 22, 1993)). Because it
appears that the trial court properly considered the purposes and principles of the sentencing
act, our review is de novo with a presumption of correctness. See id. at 345-46; Ashby, 823
S.W.2d at 169.
A trial court, when sentencing a defendant, must consider the following:
(1) The evidence, if any, received at the trial and the sentencing hearing;
(2) The presentence report;
(3) The principles of sentencing and arguments as to sentencing alternatives;
(4) The nature and characteristics of the criminal conduct involved;
(5) Evidence and information offered by the parties on the mitigating and
enhancement factors set out in §§ 40-35-113 and 40-35-114;
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(6) Any statistical information provided by the administrative office of the
courts as to sentencing practices for similar offenses in Tennessee; and
(7) Any statement the defendant wishes to make in the defendant’s own behalf
about sentencing.
T.C.A. § 40-35-210(b) (2006); see also State v. Imfeld, 70 S.W.3d 698, 704 (Tenn. 2002);
State v. Osborne, 251 S.W.3d 1, 24 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2007), perm. to appeal denied (Tenn.
Jan. 28, 2008). The defendant has the burden of showing the impropriety of the sentence.
See T.C.A. § 40-35-401(d) (2006), Sentencing Comm’n Comments.
A. Length. Nzamubereka argues that the trial court erroneously applied
enhancement factors (8) and (10) in this case. Specifically, he claims that the court erred in
applying factor (8) because he was no longer on unsupervised probation when he committed
the April 16, 2001 offenses. He also argues that the court’s application of factor (8), as to
his November 18, 2000 reckless endangerment offense, should be given little weight because
he committed that offense while he was on unsupervised probation. Finally, he argues that
the trial court inappropriately applied factor (10) on the basis that he did not exit his home
for the SWAT team. In response, the State concedes that the trial court erroneously found
that he committed a theft and an assault on April 16, 2001 while on unsupervised probation
as one of the justifications for the application of factor (8); however, the State argues that the
court correctly applied factor (8) to Nzamubereka’s November 18, 2000 reckless
endangerment offense that he committed while he was on unsupervised probation. The State
further argues that the amended sentencing act allows the trial court greater discretion in
sentencing and that the trial court’s imposition of a six-year sentence for each of the
convictions was justified. We agree with the State.
The trial court determined that Nzamubereka was a Range I, standard offender. The
court also applied the following enhancement factors in this case:
(1) The defendant has a previous history of criminal convictions or criminal
behavior, in addition to those necessary to establish the appropriate range;
....
(8) The defendant, before trial or sentencing, failed to comply with the
conditions of a sentence involving release into the community; [and]
....
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(10) The defendant had no hesitation about committing a crime when the risk
to human life was high[.]
T.C.A. § 40-35-114(1), (8), and (10) (2006). The court did not apply any statutory mitigation
factors in Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-35-113. Regarding his work history, the
court said, “I’m not going to find that as a mitigator, though I do give you some credit for
having a work history[.]”
The court properly applied enhancement factor (1) because Nzamubereka had a
criminal history that included misdemeanor convictions for criminal trespass, contributing
to the delinquency of a child, reckless driving, theft, perjury, vandalism, and resisting arrest
as well as five convictions for reckless endangerment and three convictions for simple
assault. In addition, following his convictions in the instant case but prior to sentencing,
Nzamubereka was also convicted of a traffic offense, a violation of the open container law,
and driving under the influence of an intoxicant.
We also agree that the trial court erroneously found that Nzamubereka committed a
theft and an assault on April 16, 2001 while on unsupervised probation as one of the
justifications for the application of enhancement factor (8). However, we also agree with the
State that the court correctly applied factor (8) to Nzamubereka’s November 18, 2000
reckless endangerment offense that was committed while he was on unsupervised probation.
Therefore, the court properly applied factor (8) as to the reckless endangerment offense.
Nzamubereka also argues that the trial court erred in applying enhancement factor
(10). Here, the trial court gave the following explanation for its application of factor (10) in
this case:
I’m going to [apply factor (10)] but not [f]or the reason the State suggested.
The State suggested that it was [applicable] because of the circumstance, but
it you look at the fact that while the criminal charge involves the shooting of
a weapon in a relatively brief time period, you have to add . . . the other six or
seven hours that are involved . . . when law enforcement was surrounding the
house, when there were young children inside the house, when there was
another woman inside the house. In my opinion that should be considered as
part of this criminal episode and while he wasn’t charged with not coming out
of the house when he was instructed to do that, at the same time in my opinion
by going in, by not responding, by not doing what the officers asked him to do,
in my opinion he was creating a risk, there was a high risk to human life
because of his actions as part of this entire incident. I’m not talking about the
shooting part[,] but I’m talking about when you consider . . . his remaining in
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the house with those young children and with the other woman with law
enforcement surrounding [his house], asking him to come out and his not
coming out so I do find [this factor] because of that fact.
The Tennessee Supreme Court has evaluated the application of factor (10) when individuals
other than the victim are endangered by the defendant’s conduct:
The enhancement factor in Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-114(10) is broadly
written to include “risk to human life,” and it does not contain the restrictions
to “the crime” and “a victim” that are contained in Tenn. Code Ann. §
40-35-114(16). Indeed, in the present case it is the “risk to human life” factor
that accounts for the fact that other individuals were involved in the accident
and endangered by the defendant’s actions.
State v. Imfield, 70 S.W.3d 698, 707 (Tenn. 2002). In light of the danger he created for his
children, his girlfriend, and the SWAT team and officers present at his home the night of the
incident, we conclude that the trial court properly applied factor (10).
Under the amended sentencing act, as relevant in this case, “the trial court ‘shall
consider, but is not bound by’ an ‘advisory sentencing guideline’ that suggests an adjustment
to the defendant’s sentence upon the presence or absence of mitigating and enhancement
factors.” Carter, 254 S.W.3d at 344. We conclude that the court’s application of factors (1),
(8), and (10) was more than sufficient to enhance Nzamubereka’s sentence to the maximum
sentence in the range for each conviction.
B. Consecutive Sentencing. Nzamubereka also contends that the trial court erred
in ordering a partially consecutive sentence alignment. First, he claims that he does not have
an extensive criminal history because he was convicted only of five misdemeanors between
the ages of twenty-one and twenty-three and received no convictions in the five years
preceding this case. Second, he challenges the court’s finding that he was a dangerous
offender but fails to make any argument in support of this contention. In response, the State
argues that the trial court properly determined that Nzamubereka was an offender whose
record was extensive and that he was a dangerous offender. See T.C.A. § 40-35-115(b)(2),
(4) (2006). We agree with the State.
Where a defendant is convicted of one or more offenses, the trial court has discretion
to decide whether the sentences shall be served concurrently or consecutively. T.C.A. § 40-
35-115(a) (2006). A trial court may order multiple offenses to be served consecutively if it
finds by a preponderance of the evidence that a defendant fits into at least one of the seven
categories in section 40-35-115(b) (2006). An order of consecutive sentencing must be
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“justly deserved in relation to the seriousness of the offense.” T.C.A. § 40-35-102(1) (2006).
In addition, the length of a consecutive sentence must be “no greater than that deserved for
the offense committed.” T.C.A. § 40-35-103(2) (2006).
Here, the trial court imposed consecutive sentencing because it determined that
Nzamubereka was “an offender whose record of criminal activity [was] extensive” and was
“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.” T.C.A. § 40-35-
115(b) (2), (4) (2006). This court has held that “[e]xtensive criminal history alone will
support consecutive sentencing.” State v. Adams, 973 S.W.2d 224, 231 (Tenn. Crim. App.
1997) (citing State v. Chrisman, 885 S.W.2d 834, 839 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1994), perm. to
appeal denied (Tenn. Sept. 12, 1994)), perm. to appeal denied (Tenn. March 2, 1998). Here,
the presentence report showed that Nzamubereka, between the ages of twenty-one and
twenty-three, received misdemeanor convictions for criminal trespass, contributing to the
delinquency of a child, reckless driving, theft, perjury, vandalism, and resisting arrest as well
as five convictions for reckless endangerment and three convictions for simple assault.
Initially, we conclude that Nzamubereka has waived any challenge to the court’s
determination that he was a dangerous offender because he failed to present any argument
on this issue. See Tenn. Ct. Crim. App. R. 10(b) (“Issues which are not supported by
argument, citation to authorities, or appropriate references to the record will be treated as
waived in this court.”). We further conclude that the trial court did not err in requiring
Nzamubereka to serve counts one and two consecutively to count three. A finding of any one
of the factors in section 40-35-115(b) can justify the trial court’s imposition of consecutive
sentencing. The record on review shows that the trial court properly found that Nzamubereka
was both an offender “whose record of criminal activity [was] extensive” and “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.” T.C.A. § 40-35-115(b) (2), (4)
(2006). At the sentencing hearing, the trial court reviewed Nzamubereka’s criminal history,
which was not disputed by him. Accordingly, Nzamubereka is not entitled to relief on this
issue.
C. Alternative Sentence. Nzamubereka further argues that the trial court erred
in denying alternative sentencing on the basis of his “long history” of criminal conduct. He
also contends that there was only one instance, rather than two, where he committed a
misdemeanor while on unsupervised probation. Finally, he argues that the trial court
improperly denied alternative sentencing based on the fact that his children were born out of
wedlock, especially given the testimony at the sentencing hearing from two of the three
mothers of his children. In response, the State asserts that under the amended sentencing act,
a defendant is not presumed a favorable candidate for alternative sentencing. See T.C.A. §
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40-35-102(5), (6) (2006). The State also notes that the trial court found that that
Nzamubereka was not eligible for community corrections because there was no evidence that
he had special needs and because he had a prior history of violent behavior. We agree with
the State.
Any sentence that does not involve complete confinement is an alternative sentence.
See generally State v. Fields, 40 S.W.3d 435 (Tenn. 2001). Tennessee Code Annotated
section 40-35-102(6) (2006) states that a defendant who does not require confinement under
subsection (5) and “who is an especially mitigated or standard offender convicted of a Class
C, D, or E felony, should be considered as a favorable candidate for alternative sentencing
options in the absence of evidence to the contrary[.]” A trial court should consider the
following when determining whether there is “evidence to the contrary” that would prevent
an individual from receiving alternative sentencing:
(A) Confinement is necessary to protect society by restraining a defendant who
has a long history of criminal conduct;
(B) Confinement is necessary to avoid depreciating the seriousness of the
offense or confinement is particularly suited to provide an effective deterrence
to others likely to commit similar offenses; or
(C) Measures less restrictive than confinement have frequently or recently
been applied unsuccessfully to the defendant[.]
T.C.A. § 40-35-103(1)(A)-(C) (2006); see also Ashby, 823 S.W.2d at 169.
We note that the trial court’s determination of whether the defendant is entitled to an
alternative sentence and whether the defendant is a suitable candidate for full probation are
different inquiries with different burdens of proof. State v. Boggs, 932 S.W.2d 467, 477
(Tenn. Crim. App. 1996), perm. to appeal denied (Tenn. Oct. 14, 1996). Where a defendant
is considered a favorable candidate for alternative sentencing, the State has the burden of
presenting evidence to the contrary. See State v. Bingham, 910 S.W.2d 448, 454 (Tenn.
Crim. App. 1995), overruled on other grounds by State v. Hooper, 29 S.W.3d 1, 9 (Tenn.
2000), perm. to appeal denied (Tenn. Oct. 2, 1995). However, the defendant has the burden
of establishing suitability for full probation, even if the defendant is considered a favorable
candidate for alternative sentencing. See id. (citing T.C.A. § 40-35-303(b)).
A defendant is eligible for probation if the actual sentence imposed upon the
defendant is ten years or less and the offense for which the defendant is sentenced is not
specifically excluded by statute. T.C.A. § 40-35-303(a) (2006). The trial court shall
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automatically consider probation as a sentencing alternative for eligible defendants; however,
the defendant bears the burden of proving his or her suitability for probation. Id. §
40-35-303(b) (2006). In addition, “the defendant is not automatically entitled to probation
as a matter of law.” Id. § 40-35-303(b) (2006), Sentencing Comm’n Comments. Rather, the
defendant must demonstrate that probation would serve the ends of justice and the best
interests of both the public and the defendant. See State v. Souder, 105 S.W.3d 602, 607
(Tenn. Crim. App. 2002), perm. to appeal denied (Tenn. Mar. 17, 2003).
When considering probation, the trial court should consider the nature and
circumstances of the offense, the defendant’s criminal record, the defendant’s background
and social history, his present condition, including physical and mental condition, the
deterrent effect on the defendant, and the best interests of the defendant and the public. See
State v. Kendrick, 10 S.W.3d 650, 656 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1999) (citing State v. Grear, 568
S.W.2d 285 (Tenn. 1978)). The court should also consider the potential for rehabilitation or
treatment of the defendant in determining the appropriate sentence. See T.C.A. §
40-35-103(5) (2006). In addition, the principles of sentencing require the sentence to be “no
greater than that deserved for the offense committed” and “the least severe measure
necessary to achieve the purposes for which the sentence is imposed.” T.C.A. § 40-35-
103(2), (4) (2006). Moreover, the Tennessee Supreme Court has held that truthfulness is a
factor which the court may consider in deciding whether to grant or deny probation. State
v. Bunch, 646 S.W.2d 158, 160 (Tenn. 1983) (citing State v. Poe, 614 S.W.2d 403, 404
(Tenn. Crim. App. 1981), perm. to appeal denied (Tenn. Mar. 23, 1981)).
Here, the trial court found that “[c]onfinement [was] necessary to protect society by
restraining a defendant who has a long history of criminal conduct[,]” and “[m]easures less
restrictive than confinement [had] frequently or recently been applied unsuccessfully to the
defendant[.]” T.C.A. § 40-35-103(1)(A)-(C) (2006). In applying the first factor, the trial
court stated that it was relying on the same findings it made when considering consecutive
sentencing. Regarding the second factor, the court noted that Nzamubereka had previously
received split sentences, full probation, and had committed crimes while he was on
probation. The court found that Nzamubereka had a poor social history because he had
fathered so many children out of wedlock. Then the trial court made the following findings
regarding Nzamubereka’s potential for rehabilitation:
The other thing I have to look at, too, is what your potential for
rehabilitation is and frankly of course . . . you deny any of this happened other
than the fact that you had . . . too much to drink and when you went inside the
house and all these law enforcement people showed up you didn’t come out.
I mean that’s basically what you’re saying happened that night and of course
the jury has found otherwise. I found otherwise based on the testimony here
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today. In order for someone to succeed at rehabilitation then they need to have
an awareness of what they did wrong and if you don’t appreciate the
wrongfulness of your actions then that in turn – because you obviously can’t
take responsibility for your actions in this case, then I don’t find you to be
truthful and I think that that would in turn mean that you would have a poor
ability to do well if I placed you on [full] probation.
The court also stated that Nzamubereka was not eligible for community corrections because
he did not have special needs and because of his “prior history of violent or assaultive
behavior.” Ultimately, the trial court imposed a twelve-year sentence, with Nzamubereka to
serve six years in the Tennessee Department of Correction before serving the remaining six
years on probation.
Upon review, we conclude that the trial court’s sentence was proper. Nzamubereka
has failed to show the impropriety of his sentence. Accordingly, he is not entitled to relief
on this issue.
CONCLUSION
Upon review of the record, we affirm the trial court’s judgments.
_______________________________
CAMILLE R. McMULLEN, JUDGE
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