State v. Eric Wallace

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT JACKSON
FEBRUARY 1997 SESSION
FILED
July 28, 1997
STATE OF TENNESSEE, ) Cecil Crowson, Jr.
) Appellate C ourt Clerk
APPELLEE, )
) No. 02-C-01-9604-CR-00125
)
) Shelby County
v. )
) John P. Colton, Jr., Judge
)
( (First Degree Murder and Attempt to
) Commit First Degree Murder)
ERIC D. WALLACE, )
)
APPELLANT. )
FOR THE APPELLANT: FOR THE APPELLEE:
W. Mark Ward John Knox Walkup
Assistant Public Defender Attorney General & Reporter
147 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 900 500 Charlotte Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103 Nashville, TN 37243-0497
Betty Jo Thomas Daryl J. Brand
Assistant Public Defender Assistant Attorney General
201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 2-01 450 James Robertson Parkway
Memphis, TN 38103 Nashville, TN 37243-0393
OF COUNSEL: William L. Gibbons
District Attorney General
A C Wharton, Jr. 201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 3-01
Shelby County Public Defender Memphis, TN 38103
201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 2-01
Memphis, TN 38103 Jerry R. Kitchen
Assistant District Attorney General
201 Poplar Avenue, Suite 3-01
Memphis, TN 38103
OPINION FILED:_____________________________
AFFIRMED
Joe B. Jones, Presiding Judge
OPINION
The appellant, Eric D. Wallace (defendant), was convicted of first degree murder
and attempt to commit first degree murder, a Class A felony, by a jury of his peers. The
defendant was sentenced to life in the Department of Correction for the offense of murder
first degree. The trial court, finding the defendant to be a standard offender, imposed a
Range I sentence consisting of confinement for fifteen (15) years in the Department of
Correction for the offense of attempt to commit first degree murder. The sentences are to
be served consecutively. In this Court the defendant contends (a) the evidence is
insufficient to support his convictions and (b) the trial court abused its discretion by
ordering the sentences to be served consecutively. After a thorough review of the record,
the briefs submitted by the parties, and the law governing the issues presented for review,
it is the opinion of this Court that the judgment of the trial court should be affirmed.
On the evening of July 10, 1992, the defendant and his brother, Percy Wallace,
were walking along Woodlawn Street in Memphis. When they were passing the Weddle
residence, they saw Jimmy Weddle, known in the neighborhood as “Jim Bodey,” sitting on
his front porch with several people visiting the Weddle residence. The Wallace brothers
asked Weddle to meet them on the sidewalk. They asked Weddle if he knew of anyone
who wanted to purchase illicit narcotics. Weddle told the Wallaces there was a woman and
a man who desired to make a purchase. The Wallaces told Weddle to send the individuals
to them. They then walked down the street until they came to the next intersection,
Woodlawn and Looney.
Boo Boo Fox, who was driving through the neighborhood, stopped to purchase
drugs from the Wallaces. Weddle walked to the intersection after Fox stopped his vehicle.
Fox asked for a $20 rock of crack cocaine. He gave the Wallaces $15. He was told he
did not have enough money to purchase the rock. Fox told the Wallaces he would go to
the vehicle and get more money. Fox reached inside the vehicle, obtained a pistol, and
told the Wallaces to give him all of the illicit narcotics and money they had on them. He
also made them lay on the ground. Weddle began walking backwards toward his
residence. Fox obtained the money and drugs, and he fired at the Wallaces. It appears
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he grazed Percy Wallace. Fox then drove away.
When Fox left, the Wallaces ran toward their residence. Percy Wallace and the
defendant each obtained a shotgun. They then went to the Weddle residence as they
believed Weddle had assisted Fox in the robbery. Approximately ten to fifteen minutes
expired between the robbery and the appearance of the Wallaces at the Weddle
residence.
When the Wallaces arrived, Weddle and his guests were still sitting on the front
porch. Percy Wallace asked, “Where is Jim Bodey?” He then exclaimed, “Jim Bodey you
a dead man [sic].” When the people saw the Wallaces were armed, they began running
into the Weddle residence. Percy Wallace fired at Weddle. The shot struck the exterior
of the Weddle residence. Percy Wallace then forced his way into the Weddle residence
and fired the shotgun two more times in an effort to shoot Weddle.
While Percy Wallace was attempting to reload his shotgun, he told the defendant
to shoot anyone who exited the residence. Shortly thereafter, the victim, Venita Swift, who
was celebrating her birthday at the Weddle residence, decided to exit the residence and
go home. She lived across the street from the Weddles. As she ran from the residence
with her arms raised above her head, the defendant stated: “Hold, bitch.” Swift looked at
the defendant, but she kept running. The defendant raised his shotgun and fired at Swift.
She subsequently fell in the street. A few minutes later she died.
The buckshot from the shotgun struck Swift in the back below her left shoulder. The
pellets continued through her body. Wadding from the shotgun blast was found under
Swift’s skin. Numerous pellets entered her body. The pellets went through the victim’s left
lung and struck her heart. The pellets also struck the victim’s aorta, stomach, spleen, and
liver. Two wadding wounds were found. The pathologist estimated that over 100 pellets
entered the victim’s body. He also estimated the shotgun was approximately ten to fifteen
feet from the victim when it was fired. The pathologist testified the cause of death was the
shotgun wound inflicted by the defendant.
The defendant was arrested by the police at his place of employment. He was given
the Miranda warnings. He readily admitted he shot the victim. He cooperated with the
police in an effort to obtain evidence of the murder. However, during the trial, the
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defendant testified the police did not advise him of the Miranda warnings, and he did not
read the statement before signing it. He emphatically denied shooting the victim. He
testified he told the victim to “get down.”
I.
The defendant contends the evidence is insufficient, as a matter of law, to support
his conviction for felony murder. He argues the State of Tennessee failed to establish the
elements of attempt to commit first degree murder, the felony used by the state to establish
the crime.
A.
When an accused challenges the sufficiency of the convicting evidence, this Court
must review the record to determine if the evidence adduced at trial is sufficient "to support
the finding by the trier of fact of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt." Tenn. R. App. P. 13(e).
This rule is applicable to findings of guilt based upon direct evidence, circumstantial
evidence, or a combination of direct and circumstantial evidence. State v. Dykes, 803
S.W.2d 250, 253 (Tenn. Crim. App.), per. app. denied (Tenn. 1990).
In determining the sufficiency of the convicting evidence, this Court does not
reweigh or reevaluate the evidence. State v. Matthews, 805 S.W.2d 776, 779 (Tenn. Crim.
App.), per. app. denied (Tenn. 1990). Nor may this Court substitute its inferences for those
drawn by the trier of fact from circumstantial evidence. Liakas v. State, 199 Tenn. 298,
305, 286 S.W.2d 856, 859, cert. denied, 352 U.S. 845, 77 S. Ct. 39, 1 L. Ed. 2d 49 (1956).
To the contrary, this Court is required to afford the State of Tennessee the strongest
legitimate view of the evidence contained in the record as well as all reasonable and
legitimate inferences which may be drawn from the evidence. State v. Cabbage, 571
S.W.2d 832, 835 (Tenn. 1978).
Questions concerning the credibility of the witnesses, the weight and value to be
given the evidence, as well as all factual issues raised by the evidence are resolved by the
trier of fact, not this Court. Cabbage, 571 S.W.2d at 835. In State v. Grace, 493 S.W.2d
3474, 476 (Tenn. 1973), our Supreme Court said: "A guilty verdict by the jury, approved by
the trial judge, accredits the testimony of the witnesses for the State and resolves all
conflicts in favor of the theory of the State."
Since a verdict of guilt removes the presumption of innocence and replaces it with
a presumption of guilt, the accused, as the appellant, has the burden in this Court of
illustrating why the evidence is insufficient to support the verdicts returned by the trier of
fact. State v. Tuggle, 639 S.W.2d 913, 914 (Tenn. 1982). This Court will not disturb a
verdict of guilt due to the sufficiency of the evidence unless the facts contained in the
record are insufficient, as a matter of law, for a rational trier of fact to find that the accused
is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Tuggle, 639 S.W.2d at 914.
B.
Before an accused can be convicted of murder in the perpetration of a felony, the
State of Tennessee is required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt (a) the accused
recklessly killed the victim and (b) the killing occurred during the perpetration, or attempt
to perpetrate, one of the enumerated felonies set forth in the statute. Tenn. Code Ann. §
39-13-202(a)(2). In this case, the State of Tennessee’s theory was the defendant
recklessly killed the victim while the defendant and his brother were attempting to commit
murder in the first degree. The intended victim was Jimmy Weddle.
The defendant does not challenge the fact he recklessly killed the victim. The
evidence of this fact is overwhelming. The defendant gave the police officers a statement
admitting he shot and killed the victim. In addition, several eyewitnesses testified the
defendant was the person who shot and killed the victim. However, the defendant
contends he did not commit the offense of attempt to commit murder first degree. He
argues the State of Tennessee failed to establish the offense was committed with
deliberation, which is to say “committed with coolness and reflection and without passion
or provocation.”
The question this Court must resolve is whether the element of deliberation was
established by the evidence.
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C.
When this offense was committed, the term deliberation was defined by statute as
an act “performed with a cool purpose.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-201(b)(1). The
defendant contends his status of being a victim of the robbery, the shooting, and his belief
Weddle was acting in concert with Fox created excitement and passion. He argues this
excitement and passion had not subsided prior to the criminal conduct in question.
In this case, the defendant and his brother, Percy, left the situs of the armed
robbery-shooting, went to their residence, armed themselves with shotguns, and went to
the Weddle residence. A rational jury could have found fifteen minutes elapsed from the
time of the robbery-shooting and the defendant’s appearance at the Weddle residence.
A reasonable and prudent person would have called the police and reported the
crime. If the Wallaces reported the robbery-shooting to the police, they would have had
to admit they were selling illicit narcotics, and Fox took their money and illicit narcotics.
Thus, they did not report the crime to the police. However, the Wallaces felt compelled to
establish there was a price to pay when someone committed a criminal act against them.
In other words, the Wallaces wanted to deter such conduct in the future. They became the
police, judge, jury, and executioner.
There was a concerted effort to kill Weddle. Percy Wallace fired at Weddle as he
ran into the dwelling. He then forced his way into the dwelling where he fired twice. While
Percy Wallace was attempting to reload the shotgun, he told the defendant to shoot
anyone who left the dwelling. When the innocent victim left the residence with her hands
held above her head, the defendant shot her in the back from a distance of ten to fifteen
feet.
This Court concludes the evidence contained in the record supports a finding by a
rational trier of fact the defendant recklessly shot the victim during an attempt to commit
first degree murder beyond a reasonable doubt. Tenn. R. App. P. 13(e). See Jackson v.
Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 99 S. Ct. 2781, 61 L. Ed. 2d 560 (1979). Based upon the facts
contained in the record, the jury could reasonably conclude sufficient time had elapsed for
any excitement or passion to dissipate.
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This issue is without merit.
II.
The defendant contends the trial court abused its discretion by ordering his
sentences to be served consecutively. He argues the record fails to establish he “is an
offender whose record of criminal activity is extensive.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-
115(b)(2).
A.
When an accused challenges the manner of service of sentences, it is the duty of
this Court to conduct a de novo review on the record with a presumption that "the
determinations made by the court from which the appeal is taken are correct." Tenn. Code
Ann. § 40-35-401(d). This presumption 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. 1994). The presumption
does not apply to the legal conclusions reached by the trial court in sentencing the accused
or to the determinations made by the trial court which are predicated upon uncontroverted
facts. State v. Butler, 900 S.W.2d 305, 311 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1994); State v. Smith, 891
S.W.2d 922, 929 (Tenn. Crim. App.), per. app. denied (Tenn. 1994); State v. Bonestel,
871 S.W.2d 163, 166 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1993). However, this Court is required to give
great weight to the trial court's determination of controverted facts as the trial court's
determination of these facts is predicated upon the witnesses' demeanor and appearance
when testifying.
In conducting a de novo review of a sentence, this Court must consider (a) any
evidence received at the trial and/or sentencing hearing, (b) the presentence report, (c) the
principles of sentencing, (d) the arguments of counsel relative to sentencing alternatives,
(e) the nature and characteristics of the offense, (f) any mitigating or enhancing factors, (g)
any statements made by the accused in his own behalf, and (h) the accused's potential or
lack of potential for rehabilitation or treatment. Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 40-35-103 and -210;
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State v. Scott, 735 S.W.2d 825, 829 (Tenn. Crim. App.), per. app. denied (Tenn. 1987).
The party challenging the sentences imposed by the trial court has the burden of
establishing that the sentences are erroneous. Sentencing Commission Comments to
Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-401; Ashby, 823 S.W.2d at 169; Butler, 900 S.W.2d at 311.
In this case, the defendant has the burden of illustrating the sentences imposed by the trial
court are erroneous.
B.
The record does not support a finding that the defendant has a record of extensive
criminal activity. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-115(b)(2). The presentence report establishes
the defendant has been convicted of two counts of felony possession of cocaine with intent
to sell, reckless driving, and driving while license suspended. No evidence was introduced
during the sentencing hearing. It appears the trial court considered mere arrests and
charges which were either nolle prossed or dismissed to support the finding of extensive
criminal conduct. These entries in the presentence report should not have been
considered.
Consecutive sentencing was warranted. Here, the defendant was on probation
when he committed the offenses in question. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-115(b)(6). The
defendant was convicted of felony possession of cocaine on May 25, 1989 in the Criminal
Court of Shelby County, Tennessee. He was placed on five years probation. The offense
in question occurred on July 10, 1992.
Given the defendant’s prior convictions, the outstanding indictments for a felony
drug offense and another murder first degree, and the facts in this case, the citizens of
Tennessee need to be protected from the defendant’s future criminal conduct. The
defendant has several drug-related convictions. Yet, he is only 25 years of age. The
record establishes the defendant is beyond rehabilitation; and he will continue to engage
in criminal activity if released into society. His history of criminal convictions supports this
conclusion. See State v. Wilkerson, 905 S.W.2d 933, 939 (Tenn. 1995).
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___________________________________
JOE B. JONES, PRESIDING JUDGE
CONCUR:
______________________________________
JOHN H. PEAY, JUDGE
______________________________________
JOE G. RILEY, JUDGE
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