State v. Robby Cox ( 2000 )

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT KNOXVILLE
Assigned on Briefs October 17, 2000
STATE OF TENNESSEE v. ROBBY J. COX
Direct Appeal from the Circuit Court for Sullivan County
No. S40,225 Phyllis H. Miller, Judge
No. E1999-00159-CCA-R3-CD
January 5, 2001
The defendant pled guilty to facilitation of the sale of cocaine under Tennessee Code Annotated
section 39-17-417. The defendant was sentenced to a six-year term at the Department of Correction,
as a Range I offender, and fined $2000. The defendant requested alternative sentencing but, after
a review of the defendant’s background by the trial court, the request was denied. The defendant
now appeals his sentence contending that the trial court erred by denying him alternative sentencing.
After a thorough review of the record, we find that the trial court did not err in denying the defendant
alternative sentencing. The defendant’s sentence is affirmed.
Tenn. R. App. P. 3, Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Circuit Court Affirmed
JOHN EVERETT WILLIAMS, J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which DAVID H. WELLES, J., and
WILLIAM B. ACREE, JR., SP. J., joined.
Leslie S. Hale, Assistant Public Defender, for the appellant, Robby J. Cox.
Paul G. Summers, Attorney General and Reporter; Clinton J. Morgan, Counsel for the State; H.
Greeley Wells, Jr., District Attorney General; and Jack Lewis Combs, Jr., Assistant District
Attorney, for the appellee, State of Tennessee.
OPINION
On August 7, 1996, the defendant was indicted for the sale of over .5 grams of cocaine under
Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-17-417, a Class B felony. On March 26, 1999, the defendant
pled guilty to facilitation of the sale of cocaine under Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-17-417,
a Class C felony. The defendant was sentenced to a six-year term at the Department of Correction,
as a Range I offender, and fined $2000. The defendant requested alternative sentencing. After a
thorough review of the record, we affirm the sentence of the trial court.
FACTS
On August 7, 1996, the defendant accepted $900 for the purchase of cocaine. The purchaser
of the cocaine was a confidential informant working with the police department. The defendant gave
the money to a friend who then left to procure the cocaine. Roughly three and a half hours later, the
defendant’s friend returned with the cocaine. At that time, the confidential informant gave the
defendant an additional $900, which the defendant also gave to his friend. The defendant received
$200 from his friend, and the confidential informant received twenty-eight grams of cocaine.
The defendant testified that the confidential informant pressured him into following through
with the drug deal by threatening and harassing him. The defendant testified that the confidential
informant threatened and harassed him by making numerous phone calls to his house; showing up
at his house on several occasions; threatening his family; and putting a gun to the defendant’s head.
The defendant further testified that there were witnesses to these events, but he produced no
witnesses to testify in his behalf at the sentencing hearing. The trial court did not believe the
defendant’s testimony.
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. Ashby, 823 S.W.2d 166, 169 (Tenn. 1991). 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).
Under the Criminal Sentencing Reform Act of 1989, trial judges are encouraged to use
alternatives to incarceration. An especially mitigated or standard offender convicted of a Class C,
D or E felony is presumed to be a favorable candidate for alternative sentencing options in the
absence of evidence to the contrary. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-102(6).
In determining if incarceration is appropriate, a trial court may consider the need to protect
society by restraining a defendant having a long history of criminal conduct, the need to avoid
depreciating the seriousness of the offense, whether confinement is particularly appropriate to
effectively deter others likely to commit similar offenses, and whether less restrictive measures have
often or have recently been unsuccessfully applied to the defendant. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-
103(1); see also Ashby, 823 S.W.2d at 169.
A court may also consider the mitigating and enhancing factors set forth in Tennessee Code
Annotated sections 40-35-113 and -114 as they are relevant to the section 40-35-103 considerations.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-210(b)(5); State v. Boston, 938 S.W.2d 435, 438 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1996).
Additionally, a court should consider the defendant’s potential or lack of potential for rehabilitation
-2-
when determining if an alternative sentence would be appropriate. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-103(5);
Boston, 938 S.W.2d at 438.
There is no mathematical equation to be utilized in determining sentencing alternatives. Not
only should the sentence fit the offense, but it should fit the offender as well. Tenn. Code Ann. §
40-35-103(2); State v. Boggs, 932 S.W.2d 467, 476-77 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1996). Indeed,
individualized punishment is the essence of alternative sentencing. State v. Dowdy, 894 S.W.2d
301, 305 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1994). In summary, sentencing must be determined on a case-by-case
basis, tailoring each sentence to that particular defendant based upon the facts of that case and the
circumstances of that defendant. State v. Moss, 727 S.W.2d 229, 235 (Tenn. 1986).
ANALYSIS
The defendant contends that the trial court erred by not granting his request for alternative
sentencing. We do not agree.
Defendant’s Criminal History
Our review of the record reveals that the defendant has an extensive criminal history which
dates back to at least 1989. Specifically, the record reveals that the defendant was convicted of the
following criminal offenses: driving while impaired in 1994; driving while license suspended in
1994; two counts of possession and distribution of intoxicating liquor by a person under the age of
21, one in 1993 and one in 1994; possession of a controlled substance; fraudulent use of a driver’s
license; reckless driving in 1991; violation of the bad check law in 1994; and two juvenile
delinquency adjudications that would constitute a felony if committed by an adult.
The sentencing transcript reveals that the trial court did consider the defendant’s criminal
history in arriving at its sentencing determination. The defendant, however, contends that it was
error for the trial court to give “great weight” to the defendant’s extensive criminal history. We do
not agree.
Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-35-103(1)(A) sets forth that the trial court should
consider the necessity of restraining a defendant who has a long history of criminal conduct when
deciding whether to impose a sentence of confinement. Additionally, Tennessee Code Annotated
section 40-35-114(1) sets forth that a defendant’s criminal history can be used as an enhancement
factor. As a result of Tennessee Code Annotated sections 40-35-103(1)(A), -114(1) and the
extensive criminal history of the defendant, it was not improper for the trial court to give greater
consideration to this factor.
Before progressing in our analysis, we pause to note that the defendant alludes to error on
behalf of the trial court for not considering that his last criminal conviction was in 1994, three years
prior to the conviction in the instant case. While Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-35-113(13)
provides a catchall enabling the trial court to consider “any other mitigating factor[s]” in arriving at
-3-
its sentencing determination, we do not find that the defendant’s hiatus from crime since 1994
warrants consideration as a mitigating factor. The defendant has cited no authority to support this
position. Further, we recognize that, for some people, a three-year streak without committing a
crime is a major feat, however, the trial court did not err by failing to recognize this as a mitigating
factor.
Depreciating Seriousness of the Offense
The record amply reflects the trial court’s findings on “the need to avoid depreciating the
seriousness of the offense.” The courts of this state have held that “the court may look behind a plea
agreement and consider the true nature of the offense committed.” State v. Hollingsworth, 647
S.W.2d 937, 939 (Tenn. 1983); State v. Biggs, 769 S.W.2d 506, 507 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1988); State
v. Montrell D. Perry, No. W1999-0419-CCA-R3-CD, *2 (Tenn. Crim. App., May 4, 2000, at
Jackson); State v. Latoya Anderson, No. 02C01-9707-CR-00251 (Tenn. Crim. App., September 11,
1998, at Jackson). Further, the Legislature has held that “in arriving at a proper sentence and its
imposition, the sentencing court is entitled to inquire into the nature and characteristics of the
criminal conduct involved.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-210(b)(4); Hollingsworth, 647 S.W.2d at
939.
The sentencing transcript indicates that the trial court did look behind the defendant’s plea
agreement, and ascertained the true nature of the offense committed by the defendant. In the trial
court’s examination of the defendant’s criminal conduct, it found that this was “one of the most
severe offenses you can commit.” Further, the trial court found that the seriousness of the crime had
already been mitigated downward to a lesser crime. A reading of the record evidences that the trial
court did not wish to further depreciate the seriousness of the offense.
Prior Success in Alternative Sentencing
In arriving at its decision to deny alternative sentencing, the trial court adequately considered
the defendant’s prior unsuccessful attempts at alternative sentencing. The trial court found that the
defendant was first given an alternative sentence of split confinement in 1993, but was not
rehabilitated.
The trial court also found that the defendant was on probation in Sullivan County in 1995.
Ten months after being placed on probation, the defendant’s probation was extended for six months
due to his unwillingness to comply with the terms of his probation. The defendant continued to
demonstrate an unwillingness to comply with the terms of his probation, and in 1997 was ordered
to serve his sentence. The trial court stated that the defendant’s probation was a failure.
We agree with the trial court that the defendant’s previous failed attempts at alternative
sentencing demonstrate a lack of potential for rehabilitation if an alternative sentence is imposed.
The trial court was correct in giving weight to these factors in arriving at its decision to deny
alternative sentencing.
-4-
Mitigating and Enhancing Factors
In arriving at its decision to deny alternative sentencing, the trial court also considered
numerous mitigating and enhancing factors. The trial court found that there were two mitigating
factors that applied. Specifically, the trial court noted that the defendant did assist the authorities
in uncovering offenses committed by other persons, but gave this “little credit.” The trial court also
found that the defendant had a “good work history.” However, with regards to the defendant’s
remorse, the trial court stated that it believed the defendant was sorry he got caught, but did not
believe that the defendant’s remorse extended beyond that. See Tenn Code. Ann. §§ 40-35-113.
The defendant contends that the trial court should have considered as a mitigating factor his
testimony about the confidential informant placing a gun to his head and forcing him to proceed with
the drug deal. This testimony was considered by the trial court, but the trial court made it clear that
it did not believe the testimony of the defendant. This was the prerogative of the trial court.
The trial court also considered the enhancing factors that applied to the defendant. The trial
court found that the defendant: has a previous history of criminal convictions; was the leader in the
commission of an offense involving two (2) or more criminal actors; has a previous history of
unwillingness to comply with the conditions of a sentence involving release into the community; and
was adjudicated to have committed delinquent acts that would have been considered felonies if
committed by an adult. See Tenn Code. Ann. §§ 40-35-114.
A review of the record and testimony given in the sentencing transcript supports the
enhancement factors found by the trial court. Further, we agree with the trial court that the
enhancement factors “far outweigh the mitigating factors.”
Denial of Alternative Sentencing
A thorough analysis of this case overwhelmingly supports the trial court’s denial of
alternative sentencing for the defendant. First, the defendant does have an extensive criminal history.
Second, the offense was already mitigated downward. The addition of an alternative sentence would
further depreciate the value of the actual crime committed by the defendant. We acknowledge that,
in general, the nature of a crime by itself is not sufficient for the denial of probation. State v.
Gutierrez, 5 S.W.3d 641, 647 (Tenn. 1999); State v. Cleavor, 691 S.W.2d 541, 543 (Tenn. 1985).
In this case, however, the denial of probation did not hinge on this factor alone. This factor was but
one of several factors upon which the denial of probation was predicated. Third, the defendant has
attempted alternative sentencing on two prior occasions. The defendant’s continuing criminal
conduct openly reflects that prior attempts at imposed alternative sentences have failed to rehabilitate
the defendant. Further, the defendant’s refusal to comply with the terms of the alternative sentence
imposed on him in 1995 demonstrates that he would not be a good candidate for alternative
sentencing. Fourth, when weighing the enhancing factors against the mitigating factors, the
enhancing factors far outweigh the mitigating factors. A thorough review of the record fails to
expose any other considerations that would weigh in favor of the defendant receiving an alternative
-5-
sentence. The trial court’s denial of the defendant’s request for alternative sentencing was proper.
CONCLUSION
The sentence imposed on the defendant by the trial court is affirmed.
___________________________________
JOHN EVERETT WILLIAMS, JUDGE
-6-