State v. Phyliss McBride

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT NASHVILLE
MAY SESSION, 1997
FILED
October 24, 1997
STATE OF TENNESSEE, )
Cecil W. Crowson
) No. 01C01-9606-CC-00269
Appellate Court Clerk
Appellee/ )
Cross-Appellant )
) RUTHERFORD COUNTY
vs. )
) Hon. JAMES K. CLAYTON, JR., Judge
PHYLISS ANN McBRIDE, )
) (First Degree Murder)
Appellant/ )
Cross-Appellee )
For the Appellant: For the Appellee:
LANCE H. SELVA CHARLES W. BURSON
214 West Main Street Attorney General and Reporter
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
LISA A. NAYLOR
Assistant Attorney General
Criminal Justice Division
450 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243-0493
WILLIAM WHITESELL
District Attorney General
Third Floor Judicial Building
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
OPINION FILED:
CONVICTION AFFIRMED;
REMANDED FOR SENTENCING MODIFICATION
David G. Hayes
Judge
OPINION
The appellant, Phyliss Ann McBride, appeals her conviction, by a
Rutherford County jury, for the first degree murder of her husband, Bobby
McBride. The jury fixed the appellant's sentence at imprisonment for life. At a
separate sentencing hearing, the trial court ordered the life sentence to run
concurrently with seven prior unserved felony sentences.1 In this appeal, the
appellant contends that (1) the trial court failed to comply with the mandatory jury
selection procedure set forth in Tenn. R. Crim. P. 24(c); and (2) the trial court
improperly restricted cross-examination of a State's witness. Additionally, the
State cross-appeals challenging the trial court's decision that the appellant's life
sentence should be served concurrently with her seven felony sentences.
The judgment of conviction is affirmed. Upon de novo review of the
record, however, we find that consecutive sentences are warranted and remand
this case to the trial court for entry of an appropriate order.
Background
In November 1989, the victim, Bobby McBride, began experiencing vision
disturbances, shortness of breath, hallucinations, dizziness, and sleeplessness.
As a result of his deteriorating condition, Mr. McBride was taken to the
emergency room where he was treated for "a urinary tract infection and a throat
infection." On November 13, 1989, approximately one week later, Mr. McBride
was examined by his family physician, Dr. Polk. Dr. Polk testified that, despite a
1
The seve n out stan ding f elony c onvic tions were com mitte d by th e app ellant over a twe nty-
month period occurring after the death of Bobby McBride, but before the return of the indictment
for his murder.
2
history of high blood pressure, Mr. McBride's blood pressure was very low and
he appeared very confused. Moreover, the victim was bloated and had "this
gray, ashen look. . . . He was washed down in perspiration. . . . His face was
discolored. His eyes looked . . .like they were ready to pop out. . . ." Because of
his condition, Mr. McBride was admitted to the hospital for further observation
and tests. During the day, Mr. McBride's condition continued to deteriorate
despite numerous medications and medical procedures. Later that evening, Mr.
McBride died, the cause of death being undetermined by the attending
physicians.2 Due to the peculiar circumstances and unknown cause of Mr.
McBride's death, the attending physicians and the county coroner requested, on
several occasions, that an autopsy be performed. However, the appellant was
opposed, stating that her husband would not have wanted an autopsy.
Accordingly, no autopsy was performed and no further inquiry was made as to
the victim's cause of death.
In July 1990, the appellant filed a complaint with the Sheriff's Department
alleging that her father, Don Tiffin, Sr., had sexually abused her daughters. As a
result of these allegations, deputies ordered Tiffin out of the appellant's house.
A few days after these allegations were made, Tiffin volunteered to law
enforcement officials that Bobby McBride's body should be exhumed, implicating
the appellant in his death. In November 1990, an autopsy was performed on the
victim's body. The autopsy report established the cause of death as "acute and
chronic arsenic poisoning."
Testimony at trial connected the appellant to the murder of her husband.
Don Tiffin, Sr. testified that, prior to the victim's death, the appellant had inquired
2
The victim's death certificate indicated the cause of death as "cardiac arrest, cause
unkn own."
3
as to the effects of rat poison on a person. He further stated that the appellant
received a life insurance check in the amount of $43,000, in addition to the
victim's retirement benefits of $500.64 per month for the remainder of her life.
Kim Bess, one of the appellant's daughters, testified that, prior to the victim's
death, the appellant had asked her to put an electrical wire in the shower with the
victim in order to kill him because she needed the money. Bess added that, on
one occasion, she had observed the appellant "set [a can of drain opener]
beside the refrigerator as she fixed [the victim] a glass of tea."
Carol Burgeson, an admitted informant for law enforcement agencies,
testified that she was acquainted with the appellant through her management of
a children's shop in Smyrna. She recalled that she was at the hospital on the
day the victim was admitted and had spoken with the appellant concerning the
victim's condition. The appellant related to her that the victim had "gotten a hold
of some bad dope." Burgeson suggested that the police be notified, however,
the appellant refused explaining that the police "would find out that he had been
given too much cough medicine," over ten different types. The appellant further
stated that "she did not want [the victim] to be all right, that she had given him
too much . . . and that she wanted him to die; he was mean and bad, and he had
to die." Based upon these facts, the appellant was convicted of first degree
murder.
I. Jury Selection
The appellant first contends that the jury selection procedure employed by
the trial court violated Tenn. R. Crim. P. 24(c). 3 Both parties agree that the trial
3
Tenn. R. Crim. P. 24(c) provides:
After twelve pros pec tive ju rors have been pass ed fo r cau se, c oun sel w ill subm it
simultaneously and in writing, to the trial judge, the name of any juror either
counsel elects to challenge peremptorily. Upon each submission each counsel
4
court deviated from the Rule in that thirty-one jurors were selected for voir dire
rather than the twelve designated by the Rule.4 The trial court seated twelve
jurors in the jury box and four jurors in seats that were placed in front of the jury
box. The remaining fifteen jurors were seated along the railing behind the actual
trial area. Prior to implementing this procedure, however, defense counsel and
the State met in the judge's chambers and discussed the mechanics of the jury
selection process that would be utilized by the court. No objection was made by
either the State or the defense as to the proposed method of jury selection.
The appellant asserts that defense counsel examined only those twelve
jurors seated in the jury box and the four seated immediately in front of the box.
She argues that there was no examination of those seated along the railing.
During voir dire, defense counsel, recognizing his inadvertence, stated:
By the way, I didn't mean to neglect you, but all the questions I've
asked, if any of you happen to replace people up here, all those
questions will apply to you.
Following jury selection, written challenges were submitted to the trial court. Two
jurors were excused and replaced. However, after exercising the appellant's
peremptory challenges, defense counsel asked to approach the bench, where
the following colloquy occurred:
MR. SELVA: We were under the impression that, really, we were
questioning the jurors, and as they would be
replaced, we would be able to ask specific questions
to the jurors that took their seats.
sha ll subm it eithe r a ch alleng e or a blank shee t of pa per. N eithe r part y shall
ma ke k now n the fact th at the party h as no t cha llenge d. Re plac em ent ju rors will
then be ex am ined f or ca use and, after pass ed, c oun sel w ill again subm it
simultaneously, and in writing, to the trial judge the name of any juror counsel
elects to challenge peremptorily. This procedure will be followed until a full jury
has been selected and accepted by counsel. peremptory challenges may be
directed to any me mbe r of the jury an d coun sel shall no t be limited to
replacement jurors. Alternate jurors will be selected in the same manner. The
trial judge will keep a list of those challenged and, if the same juror is challenged
by both parties, each will be charged with the challenge. The trial judge shall not
disclose to any juror the identity of the party challenging the juror.
(Empha sis added).
4
We note that, effective July 1, 1997, Rule 24(c) was amended, dispensing with the
requirem ent of "twe lve" prosp ective juro rs. See State v. Anthony, No. 02C01-9605-CC-00159
(Tenn. Crim. App . at Jackson, Mar. 18, 1997).
5
COURT: I explained that to you this morning, and you've seen us
operate under that procedure.
MR. SELVA: Okay. That's fine.
MR. SHULMAN: Judge, there's only one question, I think, has not been
asked that I think is important. Maybe you could do that.
Somebody should have read the list of witnesses, both the
State's and the defense, because we don't know whether
any of these people are related to the witnesses or have any
association with them, and I think that's fairly significant.
COURT: It's a little bit late to start reasking questions.
Written challenges were again submitted. One juror was replaced. The court
announced that a jury was selected and drew two names for alternate jurors.
One of the alternates was excused for cause. Another alternate was selected
and the trial proceeded. The appellant argues that, because she was denied the
opportunity to examine any replacement jurors, she was effectively denied her
right to exercise any meaningful or intelligent challenge.5 The appellant
contends that the trial court's non-compliance with Rule 24(c) compromises the
integrity of the jury selection process. She urges that we find that "any departure
[from] Rule 24 constitutes plain error and [is] prejudicial per se." The appellant
cites no legal authority in support of her argument, as such, we decline the
invitation to so rule and rely instead upon the standard of review announced in
previous decisions.
Although the particular procedure employed by the trial court deviated
from Tenn. R. Crim. P. 24(c), the burden is on the appellant to prove prejudice or
purposeful discrimination in the selection of a jury. State v. Coleman, 865
S.W.2d 455, 458 (Tenn. 1993). Prejudice will not be presumed. Id. (citing Swain
v. Alabama, 380 U.S. 202, 85 S.Ct. 824 (1965)). Moreover, while the
"adherence to the procedure prescribed by Tenn. R. Crim. P. 24(c) is
mandatory," deviation from the rule may qualify as harmless error. See
Anthony, No. 02C01-9605-CC-00159.
5
The record reflects that of the twelve jurors selected, three were replacement jurors.
6
The appellant fails to show how she was prejudiced by the procedure
employed by the trial court. Equally important, we note that not only did defense
counsel not object to the method of jury selection, but also agreed to the method
of selection prior to voir dire. See Tenn. R. App. P. 36(a) (A party is not entitled
to relief if the party invited error, waived an error, or failed to take whatever steps
were reasonably available to cure an error). Defense counsel commented that
the only question that should have been asked was whether any member of the
jury knew any of the trial witnesses. Although the appellant alleges that he was
denied the opportunity to question the three replacement jurors, the record
indicates that all three jurors were present throughout the entire voir dire.
Defense counsel informed all the prospective jurors that the questions applied to
them. None of the prospective jurors indicated that they had any problem with
the questions posed by either party. Accordingly, we conclude that absent a
showing of prejudice, the deviation from the mandatory procedure of Tenn. R.
Crim. P. 24(c) was harmless. This issue is without merit.
II. Cross-Examination of Carol Burgeson
Next, the appellant argues that the trial court improperly restricted her
cross-examination of State's witness Carol Burgeson, thereby, violating her Sixth
Amendment right of confrontation. Specifically, the appellant sought to cross-
examine this witness about various criminal charges against her which had
previously been dismissed by the State. The trial court ruled that defense
counsel could ask Burgeson about a prior conviction for theft, but could not
question the witness about any charges that had been dismissed. The appellant
contends that Tenn. R. Evid. 616 permits cross-examination as to the prior
charges to establish the witness's bias in favor of the State.
7
The Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment guarantees the right of
an accused in a criminal prosecution to "be confronted with the witnesses
against him." Delaware v. Van Arsdall, 475 U.S. 673, 678, 106 S.Ct. 1431, 1435
(1986). However, the right of confrontation "means more than being allowed to
confront the witness physically." Id. (citation omitted). "[T]he main and essential
purpose of confrontation is to secure for the opponent the opportunity of cross-
examination." Id. (citations omitted) (internal quotations omitted) (emphasis in
original). See also State v. Henning, No. 02C01-9504-CC-00115 (Tenn. Crim.
App. at Jackson, Jan. 9, 1997). The exposure of a witness's motivation in
testifying is a proper and important function of cross-examination. Id. at 678-
679, 106 S.Ct. at 1435. Indeed, although limited to what is actually relevant
evidence, an accused has the right to explore promises of leniency made to a
prosecution witness or expectations of leniency, both real and imagined, by that
same witness to show a motive for testifying falsely for the State. See State v.
Smith, 893 S.W.2d 908, 824 (Tenn. 1994); State v. Scott, No. 01C01-9202-CR-
00053 (Tenn. Crim. App. at Nashville, Feb. 11, 1993); Tenn. R. Evid. 616. See
also Tenn. R. Evid. 402. However, the Confrontation Clause does not prevent a
trial court from imposing reasonable limits on defense counsel's inquiry into the
potential bias of a prosecution witness. Van Arsdall, 475 U.S. at 679, 106 S.Ct.
at 1435. The propriety, scope, manner and control of testimony and other
evidence, including the scope of cross-examination, remains within the sound
discretion of the trial court, which will not be reversed absent an abuse of that
discretion. See State v. Barnard, 899 S.W.2d 617, 624 (Tenn. Crim. App.),
perm. to appeal denied, (Tenn. 1994) (citing State v. Banks, 564 S.W.2d 947,
949 (Tenn. 1978); State v. Elrod, 721 S.W.2d 820, 823 (Tenn. Crim. App.
1986)); Tenn. R. Evid. 611(a). Thus, so long as a reasonably complete picture
of the witness's veracity, bias, and motivation is developed on direct, the trial
court enjoys the power and discretion to set reasonable boundaries to cross-
examination.
8
There is no indication from the record that Burgeson had an incentive to
testify falsely against the appellant. She was not being paid for her testimony,
nor did she testify in exchange for immunity or prosecutorial leniency since the
proof fails to reveal any charges pending against her. Indeed, with the exception
of one misdemeanor arrest for a worthless check, the charges at issue were
dismissed prior to the return of the indictment in the instant case, and, in some
instances, were dismissed prior to Bobby McBride's murder. Moreover, the
credibility of this witness was not vital to the State's case as substantial
circumstantial evidence was elicited from other witnesses. Although the trial
court's ruling was based on Tenn. R. Evid. 608 and 609 rather than Rule 616, we
cannot conclude that the trial court erred by prohibiting cross-examination of
Burgeson's previously dismissed charges. We are unable to rationalize how
proof of previously dismissed charges would show any promises of leniency by
the State in exchange for Burgeson's testimony at the appellant's trial, nor can
we conclude that the appellant expected future leniency from the State arising
from her testimony in the present case. See People v. Tomes, 672 N.E.2d 289,
293 (Ill. App. 1 Dist. 1996) ("[W]here there is no expectation of leniency from the
State, the trial court may prohibit cross-examination regarding the charge."); see
also 98 C.J.S. Witnesses § 560(h) (1957). Again, evidence of the witness's
activity as a paid informant was revealed during direct examination. Thus, the
jury was presented with the possibility of her bias in favor of the State. The law
is well-settled that the credibility of witnesses is a jury question. Byrge v. State,
575 S.W.2d 292 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1978). This issue is without merit.
III. Sentencing
The State cross-appeals, challenging the trial court's order that the
appellant's life sentence is to be served concurrently with seven outstanding
9
felony sentences. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-115 (1990). In support of its
position, the State contends that the appellant (a) is a professional criminal, (b)
has an extensive history of criminal activity, and (c) is a dangerous offender.
Tenn.Code Ann. §§ 40-35-115(b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(4). After review of this issue,
we agree that the appellant has an extensive history of criminal activity and that
consecutive sentences are warranted in this case.6
When the State challenges the sentence imposed by the trial court, this
court conducts a de novo review with a presumption that the determinations
made by the trial court are correct. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-402(d) (1990).
However, this presumption is only applied if there is an "affirmative showing in
the record that the trial court considered relevant sentencing principles and all
relevant facts and circumstances." State v. Ashby, 823 S.W.2d 166, 169 (Tenn.
1991). The record before this court is absent such a showing, thus, the
presumption does not apply. However, the party challenging the sentence, in this
case the State, bears the burden of proving the impropriety of said sentence.
Sentencing Commission Comments, Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-402.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-115 sets forth classifications under which
consecutive sentencing may be imposed. But see Tenn. R. Crim. P. 32
(mandatory consecutive sentences). If one of these classifications is not met,
the court must order the sentences to run concurrently. However, a finding by
the trial court that one of these factors exists is not alone sufficient to justify the
imposition of consecutive sentences. "The proof must also establish that the
terms imposed are reasonably related to the severity of the offenses committed
and are necessary in order to protect the public from further criminal acts by the
offender." State v. Wilkerson, 905 S.W.2d 933, 938 (Tenn. 1995).
6
Tenn. Code A nn. § 40-35-402(c) grants the reviewing court the authority to "affirm,
vacate, set aside, increase or reduce the sentenc e imposed or rem and the case or direct the entry
of an ap propriate order."
10
Notwithstanding proof of these three criterion, a sentencing court retains the
discretion of imposing consecutive sentences. On appeal, the exercise of the
trial court's discretion is afforded great weight, provided the court correctly
applied the principles of consecutive sentencing.
Upon de novo review, we conclude that the State's argument has merit.
The appellant's prior record includes seven felony convictions and numerous
misdemeanor convictions. 7 This is more than sufficient to establish that the
appellant has an extensive history of criminal activity. See Tenn. Code Ann. §
40-35-115(b)(2). Moreover, we find that the appellant committed the instant
offense while on probation from a June 30, 1989, conviction for passing a
worthless check. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-115(b)(6); see also State v.
Franklin, No. 01C01-9405-CC-00172 (Tenn. Crim. App. at Nashville, Oct. 31,
1995). While a statutory classification for imposition of consecutive sentences is
present, consecutive sentences should not be imposed unless such a sentence
would reasonably relate to the severity of the offense and are necessary to
protect the public from further criminal acts by the appellant. Wilkerson, 905
S.W.2d at 938. In addition to her conviction for the premeditated murder of her
husband, the appellant has burned her house, and has committed numerous
offenses of insurance fraud, theft, and passing worthless checks. We find that
the aggregate sentences are reasonably related to the severity of the offenses
and that an extended sentence is necessary to protect the public from further
criminal acts of the appellant. Thus, we conclude that consecutive sentences
are warranted in the present case.
7
The presentence report revealed that the appellant has seven felony convictions for
which she is serving an effective sentence of fourteen years in the Tennessee Department of
Correction; all of these offenses occurred after Bob by McBride's death. These co nvictions involve
arson; insurance fraud over $60,000; insurance fraud over $1,000; three counts of theft over
$1,000; and passing a worthless check over $1,000. The record indicates misdemeanor
convictions for passing a worthless check ; three traffic offenses; and theft under $500. Moreover,
the appellant was charged with the following crimes: theft of two telephones from K-Mart; theft of
a Black Angus b ull calf; sale of an untested cow; and trading livestock without a license; however,
these c harges were su bsequ ently dism issed.
11
The judgment of conviction is affirmed. The appellant's sentence of life
imprisonment is ordered to run consecutively to her effective sentence of
fourteen years stemming from her seven felony convictions. This case is
remanded to the trial court for entry of an order reflecting a sentence of life
imprisonment plus fourteen years.
____________________________________
DAVID G. HAYES, Judge
CONCUR:
________________________________
PAUL G. SUMMERS, Judge
________________________________
JERRY L. SMITH, Judge
12