Jerome Sawyer v. State of Tennessee

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT JACKSON
Assigned on Briefs September 12, 2006
JEROME SAWYER v. STATE OF TENNESSEE
Direct Appeal from the Criminal Court for Shelby County
No. P-27587 James C. Beasley, Jr., Judge
No. W2005-01813-CCA-R3-PC - Filed March 15, 2007
Following a jury trial, Petitioner, Jerome Sawyer, was convicted of aggravated sexual battery and
sentenced to eighteen years in the Department of Correction as a Range II, multiple offender. This
Court affirmed his conviction. Petitioner then filed a petition for post-conviction relief. After
appointing counsel and conducting several hearings, the trial court denied his petition for post-
conviction relief. In his appeal, Petitioner argues that he is entitled to post-conviction relief because
(1) trial counsel provided ineffective assistance of counsel, and (2) the post-conviction court
improperly allowed trial counsel to be examined outside of Petitioner’s presence. After a thorough
review, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Criminal Court Affirmed
THOMAS T. WOODALL, J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which DAVID H. WELLES and JERRY
L. SMITH , JJ., joined.
Robert Wilson Jones, District Public Defender; Phyllis Aluko, Assistant Public Defender; and
Michael Johnson, Assistant Public Defender, Memphis, Tennessee, for the appellant, Jerome
Sawyer.
Robert E. Cooper, Jr., Attorney General and Reporter; Brian Clay Johnson, Assistant Attorney
General; William L. Gibbons, District Attorney General; and Scot Bearup, Assistant District
Attorney General, for the appellee, the State of Tennessee.
OPINION
I. Background
The facts as set forth by this Court on direct appeal are as follows:
Recounting the evidence in the light most favorable to the state, the defendant was
described as a family friend of Tonya Bobo and her three children and as “god-
daddy” to C.B., one of Ms. Bobo’s daughters and the victim in this case. On October
22, 1999, the defendant came to the Bobo residence at 858 Alaska Street about 5:30
in the afternoon. Tonya Bobo was at work. Present in the house were C.B., age six;
her sister, N.C., age seven; her brother, C.C., age eight; Felicia Pullen, nineteen, who
resided at the house with Ms. Bobo’s brother and who was “babysitting” Ms. Bobo’s
children at the time; and Ms. Pullen’s small child.
According to Ms. Pullen, the defendant went to C.B.’s bedroom to help her clean out
her closet and throw away old shoes. Ms. Pullen testified that the defendant called
C.B. to come to the bedroom, and he sent N.C. and Ms. Pullen’s child out of the
bedroom and into the living room, where Ms. Pullen was watching television. A few
minutes later, Ms. Pullen sent N.C. back to check on C.B., and N.C. returned to
report that C.B. and the defendant were reading a book; however, C.C. went to the
bedroom door, peeked inside, and came back to the living to report to Ms. Pullen that
the defendant had C.B. playing with his “privacy.” Ms. Pullen “went and got her and
. . . told her to sit on the [living room] couch until her mother got home.” C.B. then
went into the kitchen to get a bowl of cereal. Afterward, the defendant called C.B.
back into the bedroom. Ms. Pullen sent N.C. to the bedroom to retrieve C.B. The
defendant then emerged from the bedroom, and Ms. Pullen noticed via a bulge in his
pants that his penis was erect. The defendant returned to the bedroom where C.B.
was, and after five or ten minutes, Ms. Pullen saw C.B. “[shoot] across the hall with
nothing on” and go into the bathroom.
At some point during these events, Ms. Pullen called Ms. Bobo at work, but Ms.
Bobo had already left work to go home.
Ms. Pullen testified that, when the defendant arrived at the home, C.B. was dressed
in the jeans and shirt that she had worn to school. When she emerged from the
bathroom into which she had “shot” unclothed, she wore a dress with Dalmatians on
it. She came into the living room and seemed about to cry. The defendant came into
the living room and asked C.B., “[W]hat you got that frown on your face for? You
better not tell nobody. I ain’t going to buy nothing else.”
Ms. Bobo’s male friend, Gus, arrived at the residence at this time, and the defendant
departed. Gus engaged C.B. in a conversation, and Ms. Pullen testified that C.B.
stated that the defendant made C.B. “touch his thing” and that he touched her “down
there.” Ms. Pullen quoted C.B. as saying that “white stuff” had come from the
defendant’s penis. Ms. Pullen testified that she and Gus found C.B.’s jeans in the
bedroom. She found “white stuff” on the zipper area of the jeans and observed that
the jeans were wet in this area.
-2-
C.B. testified that when she first went into her bedroom with the defendant he
unzipped his pants and took out his “nut-nut,” which was “big.” The defendant asked
her to touch it, but she declined. He touched her in her vaginal area and on her
bottom over her clothes. When he pulled her toward him, he pulled down her pants
and underwear and touched these areas. C.B. testified that she saw something on her
pants that looked like milk, but she denied telling anyone that she saw the “white
stuff” come from the defendant. After she went to the bathroom to wash, she put on
her pajamas, which she was wearing when her mother came home.
N.C. testified that the defendant came to the home to help her and C.B. clean the old
shoes out of their closet. C.B. and the defendant were in the bedroom alone, and
N.C. went to the door and peeked inside. She saw the defendant pulling on C.B.’s
arm. She heard C.B. tell him to quit. Later, she saw C.B. go into C.C.’s room
wearing a towel. N.C. saw C.B. emerge from the bathroom wearing jeans and did
not see her wearing pajamas. C.B. looked mad. The defendant later came out of the
bedroom and told C.B. not to look at him “like that.” The defendant, who had
something “poking” out in his pants, then left the home.
Tonya Bobo testified that she was at work on the evening of October 22, 1999. She
was scheduled to work until 10:00 p.m., but her boyfriend, Anthony Augustus, called
early in the evening and asked her to come home. Ms. Bobo left work and arrived
home about 7:00 p.m. She found C.B. wearing a dress. C.B. told Ms. Bobo what
happened, and Ms. Bobo called the police. When the officers arrived, Ms. Bobo
showed them C.B.’s jeans and underwear that had been left laying in the floor. The
officers collected the clothing and took C.B. to Memphis Sexual Resource Center.
C.B. was examined at the center, after relating to the nurse that her godfather had
touched her in front and on her bottom. The examination was normal except for
some red lines in the vaginal area and some swelling around the anus. Even though
the medical expert testified that these limited findings were consistent with a
complaint of digital assault, she opined that the red lines could have been signs of
irritation caused by fecal material that had not been cleaned from C.B.’s anal area and
that the anal swelling was “nonspecific.” She further testified that the laboratory
report on C.B.’s jeans reflected that no semen was present on the jeans.
State v. Jerome Sawyer, No. 2001-01923-CCA-R3-CD, 2002 WL 31259485, at *1 -2 (Tenn. Crim.
App., at Jackson, Aug. 27, 2002).
II. Post-conviction Hearing
At the post-conviction hearing, Lacrisha West testified she recalled an occasion at church
when she overheard the victim telling her brother and sister that Petitioner did not touch her.
Lacrisha West did not know what touching they were talking about, where or when the touching
-3-
occurred, or the specific body part Petitioner had allegedly touched. She recalled only that she
overheard a conversation between the siblings in which the victim stated that Petitioner did not touch
her.
Gwendolyn West, Lacrisha West’s mother, testified that her daughter told her at the time of
the incident that she overheard the victim telling her brother and sister that Petitioner did not touch
her. Like her daughter, Ms. West did not know any of the specifics regarding the touch the children
were discussing, including where and when it occurred.
Larita Sanders testified that she was engaged to Petitioner at the time of the incident. Ms.
Sanders worked with Petitioner at Jones Fiber Products. On the day of the incident, Ms. Sanders and
Petitioner went to her house together after work and stayed there until approximately five-thirty p.m.
Petitioner then left the house to go and change clothes because the two of them were going to a
movie with another couple. Petitioner was wearing baggy pants and an oversized, striped shirt. Ms.
Sanders did not see Petitioner again until approximately seven o’clock p.m. when she picked him
up at his house to go to the movie.
Ms. Sanders said that Petitioner went to the victim’s house after leaving her house and before
she picked him up for the movie. He stopped by the victim’s house to help her sort her shoes.
Following the movie, Ms. Sanders accompanied Petitioner to the victim’s house because the victim’s
mother called Petitioner during the movie and asked him to come by and talk to her. When they
arrived, neither the victim nor her mother were present. She and Petitioner waited on the couch
together for approximately thirty minutes before the police arrived and arrested Petitioner.
Ms. Sanders was aware that Petitioner had previously been convicted of sexually abusing
children. She also knew that he was tried and acquitted of abusing five children in Pine Bluff,
Arkansas. She was not aware that he had been forced to resign from a job at the Y.M.C.A. and from
a job as a daycare driver because he was allegedly fondling the children.
Larry Steagal testified that he worked with Petitioner and had known him for approximately
two years prior to his arrest. Mr. Steagal said that he and Petitioner worked together on the day of
the incident. Mr. Steagal recalled that Petitioner was wearing loose clothing that day.
According to Mr. Steagal, Petitioner talked about his god-children frequently and often
complained that the house they lived in was “junky,” “messy,” and “dirty.” He also complained that
the children were not dressed well. Mr. Steagal said he had no knowledge of whether the allegations
against Petitioner were true. Mr. Steagal was not aware of Petitioner’s prior conviction for sexual
abuse, nor was he aware that Petitioner had been asked to leave two prior jobs due to allegations that
he was fondling children at work.
Katherine Himphill, the victim’s great-aunt, testified that she had known Petitioner all of his
life. She said that she thought the allegations against Petitioner were unfounded as did the victim’s
deceased grandparents who were living at the time of the incident. Ms. Himphill was aware that
-4-
Petitioner had previously been accused of sexually abusing children. She did not know about the
allegations of abuse at the Y.M.C.A., nor did she know about the allegations that Petitioner had
fondled children while working as a daycare driver.
Mary Anne Sawyer, Petitioner’s sister, testified that Petitioner lived with her at the time of
the incident and that he was wearing baggy pants and an oversized shirt on the day of the incident.
Ms. Sawyer said that she spoke with the victim’s uncle, Lacory Bobo, after the incident. Mr. Bobo
told her that on the day of the incident, he had been at the victim’s house all day, and he did not
believe that Petitioner had sexually abused the victim. Mr. Bobo said the victim told him Petitioner
had an erection, but Mr. Bobo did not believe her. Ms. Sawyer relayed the information from Mr.
Bobo to Petitioner’s trial counsel. Ms. Sawyer admitted that she did not have personal knowledge
that Petitioner had an erection or had abused the victim.
Petitioner’s trial counsel testified at the post-conviction hearing. Petitioner was not present
during trial counsel’s testimony either because the Department of Correction did not receive the
transfer order or did not comply with the transfer order issued by the trial court. The trial court cited
several reasons for allowing trial counsel to testify without Petitioner present. Specifically, the court
noted that trial counsel had traveled from Union City to be present for the hearing, the matter had
been pending for over a year, and the court did not know of any right to confrontation in post-
conviction proceedings. The court further stated that trial counsel would be called back to court if
something developed and it was necessary for him to be present later.
Trial counsel testified that three days prior to trial the State enlarged the time period covered
by the indictment for the offense of aggravated sexual battery to cover a period of activity from 1995
to 1999 rather than 1998 to 1999. The district attorney told him that the State was going to elect to
submit to the jury the offense which occurred on October 22, 1999, but he noted that this still created
a problem for the defense. Relying on State v. Rickman, 876 S.W.2d 824, 825-28 (Tenn. 1994),
trial counsel explained that with an “open date indictment,” he knew that although the State was
electing to convict on only one offense, the jury would be allowed to hear evidence of other sexual
conduct Petitioner allegedly committed against the victim during that time period.
After receiving the expanded indictment, trial counsel said that he and Petitioner discussed
at length whether to request a continuance in order to postpone the trial. They also discussed the
State’s plea offer. Petitioner was fully aware that the other instances of conduct would be harmful
to his case, but persisted with his innocence and wanted to proceed to trial as scheduled. He refused
to accept the State’s plea offer. According to trial counsel, Petitioner never expressed any interest
in wanting to postpone the trial date. Trial counsel did not see any need for seeking a continuance
because he did not feel that more time would allow him to better prepare for trial. He said that there
was no need for further investigation because the State informed trial counsel as to exactly what the
victim’s testimony about the prior acts would be, and the only available defense was Petitioner’s
contention that the prior acts never occurred. Additionally, trial counsel thought that if Petitioner
was found guilty, he would be able to argue that Petitioner could not be sentenced as a multiple
-5-
offender because the State had failed to re-file its intent to seek an enhanced sentenced based on his
prior convictions.
Trial counsel said that he properly cross-examined the victim and attempted to impeach her
testimony by inquiring about prior instances in which the victim made false allegations of sexual
abuse. Trial counsel said that once the victim denied knowledge of these false allegations, the rules
of evidence precluded him from asking further questions or introducing extraneous impeachment
evidence. In any event, trial counsel said that the only evidence he possessed concerning these prior
false allegations was Petitioner’s own contention that these other false claims had been made.
With respect to the victim’s testimony that Petitioner had touched her on three prior
occasions, trial counsel said that he “didn’t touch” the statements. He did not want to cross-examine
the victim regarding the incidents, because he did not want the jury to focus on the other incidents
as “major factors” indicating guilt in the charged offense. Trial counsel admitted that his decision
not to object to the prosecutor’s use of the prior acts during closing argument may have been
prejudicial to Petitioner. Nevertheless, he maintained that the decision not to object was made in
an effort to avoid emphasizing the already damaging evidence.
Trial counsel said he cross-examined the babysitter, Ms. Pullen,”very thoroughly.” He said
that Ms. Pullen’s direct testimony was convoluted and her story changed multiple times. He recalled
that the trial judge had to “scold” him because he openly accused Ms. Pullen of lying in court. He
said that he re-read Ms. Pullen’s testimony prior to the post-conviction hearing because he “just
couldn’t believe that [Petitioner] said [he] didn’t drill her because [he] drilled her every way [he]
could turn her.” After re-reading her testimony, trial counsel said he remained satisfied that he had
adequately cross-examined Ms. Pullen. He said that her testimony was essentially that she was
present in the home during the abuse, and was aware the abuse was occurring, but did nothing to
intervene or prevent the abuse from happening. He said she was not a credible witness on the stand
and he had made every effort to highlight her shortcomings.
Trial counsel said that Petitioner’s clothing was not a significant issue at the time of trial.
Trial counsel was not aware that Ms. Pullen had seen Petitioner with an erection during the incident
until she testified to the fact at trial. Trial counsel said that prior to trial, Petitioner never mentioned
that various witnesses could attest that an erection was not visible through the clothing he was
wearing on the day of the incident. According to trial counsel, Petitioner had suggested the
individuals as possible character witnesses, but never for the purpose of testifying about Petitioner’s
clothing. Trial counsel did not want to provide testimony about Petitioner’s character because,
pursuant to the trial court’s ruling on a motion in limine, evidence of Petitioner’s prior acts would
not be admitted unless the defense attempted to introduce evidence of Petitioner’s character. Those
prior acts included similar allegations of child sexual abuse in Arkansas, and several allegations of
the same type of abuse in Memphis, including an indictment for rape of a child which was pending
at the same time as the present case. Trial counsel also found it important that these “key witnesses”
were not present at the scene and could not testify about the incident.
-6-
Trial counsel admitted that he did not ask the trial court to instruct the jury regarding the
lesser included offense of criminal attempt to commit aggravated sexual battery. He said that he
“overlooked” the instruction and it was a “mistake.” He said that in hindsight the error was
insignificant because the jury would not have reached the charge of criminal attempt to commit
aggravated sexual battery since it convicted on the charged offense which ended the inquiry.
Trial counsel did not request a bill of particulars following the second indictment because
he knew the State was going to elect to charge on the same October 22, 1999 offense from the
original indictment. The State had given trial counsel the specifics regarding the three prior acts
newly alleged in the superceding indictment. As such, a bill of particulars was not necessary because
he had all of the information for each of the offenses alleged. Trial counsel said that with respect
to all other information, the State was cooperative and promptly provided him with any information
he requested, as well as all Jencks material and anything else on file.
Trial counsel could not recall whether the trial court had applied the particularly vulnerable
enhancement factor to Petitioner’s sentence. Trial counsel said that the facts of the case supported
application of the enhancement factor that the offense was committed to gratify Petitioner’s desire
for pleasure or excitement as well as the enhancement factor that Petitioner abused a position of
public or private trust. For this reason, he did not object to the trial court’s application of these
factors for sentence enhancement purposes.
At a subsequent hearing, Petitioner testified regarding the allegations in his petition. He first
argued that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the new indictment and failing to
request a continuance once the new indictment was issued. Petitioner testified that he was not in the
courtroom when he was re-indicted on the three touching incidents prior to October 22, 1999. After
being re-indicted, Petitioner said that he agreed to forego a continuance and proceed to trial because
trial counsel advised him that a continuance would be a waste of time and would not change
anything. Petitioner said he wanted to postpone the trial because trial counsel had not requested a
bill of particulars for the new indictment and had not spoken with the State nor interviewed the
victim or her mother regarding the prior incidents. Petitioner said that he was prejudiced by trial
counsel’s failure to request a bill of particulars because the defense could not adequately defend
against the new indictment without the factual information underlying the allegations. He said trial
counsel wanted to proceed quickly to trial on the scheduled date before the State recognized it had
failed to re-file notice of Petitioner’s prior record for enhancement purposes.
Petitioner and trial counsel discussed the potential range of punishment should he proceed
to trial. Petitioner was aware the State had offered a plea agreement of six years at thirty percent.
He said he considered taking the State’s plea offer because he was “scared,” but trial counsel
expressed confidence in winning at trial, so Petitioner decided to forego the plea agreement.
Petitioner then said that trial counsel should have objected to the State’s use of the enhancement
factor that the victim was of a particularly vulnerable age because the State did not offer proof of
vulnerability sufficient to support application of the enhancement factor.
-7-
Petitioner said that trial counsel failed to adequately investigate his case and as a result failed
to properly cross-examine witnesses. According to Petitioner, trial counsel was deficient in cross-
examination of Felicia Pullen, N.C., the victim, the victim’s mother, and Nurse Speck. He said that
trial counsel never requested any Jencks material from the State. Thus, trial counsel was not aware
that the witnesses’ statements to the police were inconsistent with their testimony at trial.
Consequently, trial counsel could not use the witnesses’ prior statements to impeach their trial
testimony. Petitioner said that trial counsel also failed to expose the animosity between Petitioner
and Ms. Pullen which gave Ms. Pullen motive to lie and make false accusations against Petitioner.
Petitioner said that trial counsel also failed to cross-examine the victim’s sister and mother
regarding false allegations of sexual abuse previously made by the victim. He said that trial counsel
should have cross-examined the victim’s mother about her second job. Petitioner also complained
that trial counsel should have cross-examined the victim’s mother or Lacrisha West about the victim
having been constipated on the Sunday prior to the incident.
Petitioner said that trial counsel should have objected to any testimony from the victim
regarding incidents of sexual abuse prior to the date of the charged offense. He said that trial counsel
should have objected during the State’s closing argument when the prosecutor made reference to
statements by the victim that were not part of the trial record. Petitioner also stated counsel should
have objected to the State’s failure to elect a charging offense.
Petitioner next testified that trial counsel failed to call certain “key witnesses” at trial.
Specifically, Petitioner said that Ms. Larita Sanders, Mr. Larry Steagal, and Mary Anne Sawyer
should have been called to testify that he was wearing baggy pants and a baggy shirt on the day of
the incident. Petitioner said that Ms. Sanders could also have testified that N.C. told her and
Petitioner that the babysitter and the victim’s mother instructed the victim to say that Petitioner had
touched her. Mr. Steagal would have testified that Petitioner had concerns about Ms. Pullen and the
care she was providing for the children. Petitioner said that Ms. Whitelock, one of the victim’s
teachers, could have been called to testify that he had a problem with the way Ms. Pullen clothed the
victim.
Petitioner said that had Lacrisha West been called to testify, she would have stated that the
victim was experiencing bowel trouble at church on the Sunday preceding the incident. Lacrisha
West could also have testified that the victim said Petitioner did not touch her. Petitioner said that
Pastor West, Lacrisha West’s father, would have testified that the victim’s mother told him she never
had problems with Petitioner prior to the incident. He said that if called, Ms. Katherine Hemphill
would have testified that false allegations of sexual abuse had previously been made against
Petitioner. Petitioner said that trial counsel should have called Lacory Bobo to testify about prior
disagreements between Petitioner and Ms. Pullen. Mr. Bobo could also have testified that the victim
had previously made false allegations of sexual abuse against other men.
Petitioner next testified that trial counsel failed to properly object to hearsay testimony during
the trial. Specifically, he said that Ms. Pullen testified regarding a conversation that took place
-8-
between Gus and the victim in which the victim said that Petitioner had touched her. He said that
Ms. Pullen also improperly testified regarding statements the victim’s brother made to her about his
observations during the incident. Petitioner said that trial counsel should have objected to Nurse
Speck’s hearsay testimony regarding the victim’s medical examination since Ms. Pinson, not Nurse
Speck, actually conducted the examination.
Petitioner next testified that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to request an instruction
on the lesser included offense of criminal attempt to commit aggravated sexual battery.
Ms. Bobo, the victim’s mother, testified that the victim had never falsely accused anyone of
sexually abusing her. Ms. Bobo never told Petitioner that the victim made prior false claims. Ms.
Bobo said the victim never told her that the allegations against Petitioner were false. Ms. Bobo
denied telling Petitioner that the allegations the victim made against him were false. She also denied
telling trial counsel or any of her family members that the victim’s allegations were false. On cross-
examination, Ms. Bobo said neither of her daughters had ever made allegations of sexual abuse prior
to the October 22, 1999, incident. Ms. Bobo said that she never had a conversation with Petitioner
about improper touching or about reports by the children of improper touching. She also denied
giving Ms. Pullen an instruction to “keep an eye” on Petitioner when he was around the children.
At the conclusion of all the proof, the post-conviction court dismissed his petition, finding
that Petitioner had failed to demonstrate prejudice with respect to his claims.
III. Analysis
A. Standard of Review
Petitioner argues that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to adequately investigate and
call witnesses at trial; failing to request a continuance in light of the new indictment; failing to make
proper objections at trial; failing to request that the jury be instructed on the lesser included offense
of criminal attempt to commit aggravated sexual battery; and failing to make proper objections at
the sentencing hearing.
To succeed on a challenge of ineffective assistance of counsel, the petitioner bears the burden
of establishing the allegations set forth in his petition by clear and convincing evidence. T.C.A. §
40-30-110(f) (2003). The petitioner must demonstrate that counsel’s representation fell below the
range of competence demanded of attorneys in criminal cases. Baxter v. Rose, 523 S.W.2d 930, 936
(Tenn. 1975). Under Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 2064 (1984),
the petitioner must establish (1) deficient performance and (2) prejudice resulting from the
deficiency. The petitioner is not entitled to the benefit of hindsight, may not second-guess a
reasonably based trial strategy, and cannot criticize a sound, but unsuccessful, tactical decision made
during the course of the proceedings. Adkins v. State, 911 S.W.2d 334, 347 (Tenn. Crim. App.
1994). This deference to the tactical decisions of trial counsel is dependent upon a showing that the
-9-
decisions were made after adequate preparation. Cooper v. State, 847 S.W.2d 521, 528 (Tenn. Crim.
App. 1992).
It is unnecessary for a court to address deficiency and prejudice in any particular order, or
even to address both if the petitioner makes an insufficient showing on either. Strickland, 466 U.S.
at 697, 104 S. Ct. at 2069. In order to establish prejudice, the petitioner must establish a “reasonable
probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been
different. A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the
outcome.” State v. Burns, 6 S.W.3d 453, 463 (Tenn. 1999) (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694, 104
S. Ct. at 2068). The issues of deficient performance by counsel and possible prejudice to the defense
are mixed questions of law and fact. Id. at 461. “[A] trial court’s findings of fact underlying a claim
of ineffective assistance of counsel are reviewed on appeal under a de novo standard, accompanied
with a presumption that those findings are correct unless the preponderance of the evidence is
otherwise.” Fields v. State, 40 S.W.3d 450, 458 (Tenn. 2001) (citing Tenn. R. App. P. 13(d); Henley
v. State, 960 S.W.2d 572, 578 (Tenn. 1997)). However, conclusions of law are reviewed under a
purely de novo standard with no presumption that the post-conviction court’s findings are correct.
Id.
B. Failure to adequately investigate and call witnesses at trial
Petitioner first contends that trial counsel was ineffective because he failed to adequately
investigate his case by failing to call witnesses and failing to determine all possible avenues of
defense. He contends that he provided trial counsel with the names of ten witnesses who could
provide testimony relevant to his defense, but trial counsel “failed to contact most witnesses and
failed to call all of the witnesses.” Petitioner argues that in failing to contact these witnesses, trial
counsel overlooked crucial avenues for attacking the credibility of the State’s case.
Specifically, Petitioner asserts that had Lacrisha West been called, she would have testified
that she heard the victim say that Petitioner did not commit the offense charged. Lacrisha West
reported this information to her mother who could have been called to testify and corroborate her
daughter’s testimony regarding the victim’s statement. Petitioner asserts that Lacrisha West would
also have testified that the victim was ill and suffering from diarrhea or constipation on the Sunday
prior to the offense. He claims that this information was relevant to explain physical abnormalities
observed by the Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center during the physical examination of the
victim.
With respect to whether Petitioner was prejudiced by trial counsel’s decision not to call
Lacrisha West, the post-conviction court found as follows:
[Lacrisha] West was called and testified she [overheard] the victim and her brother
arguing about the petitioner touching [the] victim and that she heard the victim say
[Petitioner] didn’t do it. The testimony was vague as to when this conversation
occurred and even vague as to which incident it may have been referencing.
-10-
Although it appears this testimony could have been helpful to the petitioner at trial,
this court cannot make that determination based on the proof presented. The burden
of proof is on the petitioner to show that this testimony has relevance and could have
affected the outcome of the trial. This Court feels that the petitioner has failed to
carry that burden as to this witness.
We agree with the trial court. Ms. West was unable to testify with any specificity when the
conversation between the victim and her brother took place, what touching they were discussing,
when the touching occurred, what body part was touched, or where the touching took place. As
such, there is nothing to indicate that the conversation in which the victim stated that Petitioner did
not touch her pertained to the charged offense which occurred on October 22, 1999. Ms. West
likewise could not identify a specific date that the victim was sick with diarrhea. She could only
recall that it was “one Sunday” at church. Without a specific time frame, there is no link between
the day Ms. West recalled the victim being sick and the date of the incident. Thus, the testimony is
not helpful as an alternative explanation for the physical symptoms exhibited by the victim.
Petitioner has failed to meet his burden of demonstrating that he was prejudiced by trial counsel’s
decision not to call Ms. West as a witness.
Petitioner next contends that several witnesses including Larita Sanders, Larry Steagall, and
Mary Anne Sawyer, should have been called to testify that Petitioner was wearing baggy clothing
on the day of the incident. He argues that this testimony was relevant to rebut the State’s evidence
that Petitioner had a visible erection when exiting the victim’s room on the day of the incident.
Specifically, he argues that due to his baggy clothing it was impossible for either the victim’s sister
or Ms. Pullen to see an erection when he exited the victim’s room.
The post-conviction court found that although the testimony from these witnesses “may have
been somewhat helpful in refuting the testimony of the [babysitter] that she observed an erection,
. . . it would still be a question for the jury to determine whether an erection could be seen through
baggy clothing.” In our view, trial counsel’s decision not to call these witnesses was the result of
sound and reasonable trial strategy. Both trial counsel and Petitioner testified that none of these
witnesses were present at the scene when Petitioner exited the victim’s room. Only N.C. and Ms.
Pullen saw Petitioner leave the victim’s room and exit the home. As such, only N.C. and Ms. Pullen
could testify as to whether they observed an erection through the clothing Petitioner was wearing at
that time. Trial counsel stated that this was a significant factor in his decision not to call the
witnesses. Additionally, trial counsel said that prior to trial Petitioner suggested the witnesses as
possible character witnesses, but never mentioned the witnesses in the context of his attire. Trial
counsel explained that he was wary of calling these individuals as character witnesses because he
was afraid such testimony would open the door for evidence of Petitioner’s past acts of sexual abuse,
including a conviction and a child rape charge pending at the time of trial. Trial counsel said that
per his agreement with the State, no evidence of Petitioner’s prior acts would be introduced unless
Petitioner sought to introduce evidence of his own good character. Trial counsel said the issue at
trial was whether Petitioner had touched the victim on the day in question and his attire at the time
of the incident was not dispositive of that issue, nor was it worth the risk that his prior acts would
-11-
be introduced. This Court will not second-guess such a strategic decision. We conclude that
Petitioner has not shown that he was prejudiced by trial counsel’s decision not to call the
aforementioned witnesses at trial. He is not entitled to relief on this issue.
Finally, Petitioner contends that trial counsel was ineffective because he was “unaware and
unprepared” for the victim’s testimony concerning the prior alleged instances of improper touching
which occurred prior to the date of the charged offense. He contends that trial counsel did not
request that the State provide information concerning the prior incidents of sexual abuse. As such,
he argues that trial counsel was unprepared for cross-examination and asked no questions
challenging the three prior instances of improper touching. Petitioner argues that the “inability to
defend against these new allegations allowed the state to make a propensity argument during closing
arguments.”
Presumably, Petitioner is referring to trial counsel’s decision not to request a bill of
particulars after the superceding indictment was issued. The post-conviction court found “counsel
testified that he chose to attempt to minimize the priors and concentrate on the indicted offense and
that the specifics of the prior would not have helped him.” The court further found that “Petitioner
offered no proof in this hearing that had trial counsel received a more particular description of the
prior incidents it would have changed trial strategy or affected the outcome of the trial.”
We see nothing in the record which preponderates against the trial court’s findings. Trial
counsel testified that he did not file for a bill of particulars following the new indictment because
he knew the State was going to elect to charge on the same October 22, 1999 offense alleged in the
original indictment. Trial counsel further testified that the State had given him the available details
regarding the three prior incidents of sexual abuse. Because the victim was so young she was unable
to provide extensive detail. Thus, trial counsel felt that it was unnecessary to request a bill of
particulars following issuance of the superceding indictment. Trial counsel said that he chose not
to cross-examine the victim about the prior incidents because he felt that it was in his client’s best
interest not to focus more attention than necessary on the prior acts. We conclude that it was a
reasonable, strategic decision on the part of trial counsel to direct attention away from the prior
incidents, one which we will not second-guess. Moreover, Petitioner has failed to present evidence
demonstrating that he was prejudiced by trial counsel’s choice not to request a bill of particulars.
Accordingly, Petitioner is not entitled to relief on this issue.
C. Failure to request continuance in light of new indictment
Petitioner next argues that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to request a continuance
in light of the new indictment issued three days prior to trial. He contends that trial counsel “failed
to adequately advise him concerning the repercussions of not demanding a continuance due to the
new indictment.” He also contends that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to adequately prepare
to defend against the new evidence of prior offenses. He argues that by encouraging Petitioner to
proceed to trial and forego a continuance, trial counsel failed to appreciate the impact that this
evidence would have on Petitioner’s defense.
-12-
The record reflects that the indictment was enlarged to expand the time period in which the
offense took place. The initial indictment alleged offense dates from October 22, 1998 to October
24, 1999. The superceding indictment enlarged that time period to include from March 11, 1995
until October 24, 1999. Trial counsel testified that he was informed of the superceding indictment
three days prior to trial. He said that he was aware that pursuant to State v. Rickman, 876 S.W.2d
824, 829 (Tenn. 1994), the enlarged indictment would permit the State to present evidence of other
instances of sexual abuse. Trial counsel was aware of no valid, legal objection to the State’s
introduction of the prior instances of sexual abuse. He testified that he discussed the superceding
indictment with the State. The State informed him that although evidence of other sexual conduct
would be introduced, the State intended to charge on the October 22, 1999 offense just as in the
original indictment.
Trial counsel testified that he informed Petitioner of the new indictment and advised him that
given the last minute nature of the indictment, he had the option to file for a continuance rather than
proceed to trial. Petitioner admitted on cross-examination that it was ultimately his decision to
proceed to trial on the scheduled date. Trial counsel testified that any encouragement from him to
immediately proceed to trial hinged on trial strategy and an effort to get Petitioner a lesser sentence
if convicted. Trial counsel said he felt he had a procedural strategy that would benefit Petitioner by
lessening his sentence in the event he was convicted. Specifically, the State failed to file a new
Range II enhancement notice with the new indictment, and trial counsel thought that as a result,
Petitioner could only receive a Range I sentence if convicted. There was a concern that a
continuance would give the State time to realize its oversight and file the notice.
Trial counsel explained that in light of the evidence, additional time was not necessary to
adequately defend against the new allegations. He testified that he felt like he had a strong case with
respect to the charged offense because the physical evidence yielded no trace of Petitioner’s semen
on the victim or her clothes. The post-conviction court found that “[a] review of the law by this
court finds that trial counsel’s position on the proof of other incidents was sound and that his only
option was to move for a continuance. . . . No proof was presented to show that if the matter had
been continued the proof on either side would have been any different.” The court then concluded
that Petitioner failed to present evidence at the post-conviction hearing that a continuance would
have changed the outcome of his trial or that trial counsel’s actions were anything other than trial
strategy. We find nothing in the record which preponderates against the post-conviction court’s
findings. Thus, Petitioner is not entitled to relief on this issue.
D. Failure to object to prior bad acts
Petitioner next contends that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to object to the admission
into evidence of instances of sexual abuse perpetrated by Petitioner on the victim prior to the date
of the charged offense. Petitioner asserts that both trial counsel and the State mistakenly relied on
Rickman, believing that Petitioner was precluded from objecting to admission of the prior unlawful
touchings. Petitioner argues that under Rickman, where the indictment charges that sex crimes
occurred over a span of time, evidence of unlawful sexual contact between the defendant and the
-13-
victim allegedly occurring during the time charged in the indictment is admissible provided the State
elects the offense it is going to convict on at the close of its proof-in-chief. Rickman, 876 S.W.2d
at 828-29. He argues that the election must be specific to the offense and not the particular date upon
which the offense was committed. He points out that this Court has previously held that “separate
instances of unlawful sexual contact committed by the same defendant against the same victim on
the same day and within a twenty minute time span were actually two separate occasions; thereby,
requiring the state to make an election of offenses.” State v. Scales, M2000-03150-CCA-R3-CD,
2002 WL 29475, *6 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Nashville, Jan. 11, 2002), perm. app. denied (Tenn. July
15, 2002). According to Petitioner, “[f]ailure to make an election of offenses in such a case warrants
reversal of the conviction in order to protect the accused’s right under the Tennessee Constitution
to a unanimous verdict.”
Petitioner contends that in the present case, the proof at trial suggested that on the afternoon
of October 22, 1999, Petitioner unlawfully touched the victim several times with each touch
constituting a separate offense. He argues that although the State elected the date of October 22,
1999 as the date of the convicting offense, it failed to elect the specific offense committed on that
date for which it was seeking a conviction. He contends that the victim’s testimony suggested that
one touching occurred when Petitioner “went into her bedroom to help her put her shoes up, sat on
the floor, took out his “nut-nut,” and touched her on the front and back. Petitioner contends that on
cross-examination, the victim identified a second incident, suggesting that Petitioner “touched her
by the bunk bed, while they were both standing up.” The third touching occurred “as [the victim]
passed by the door and was looking in.” According to Petitioner, the victim suggested another
touching occurred when Petitioner “came over to her and told her to stand up and touched her over
her clothing on her pocketbook and behind.”
Petitioner argues that each touch constituted a separate act rather than one continuous activity
because the victim was entering and exiting the bedroom between the touches. He asserts that the
testimony from the victim’s sister and Ms. Pullen supports his contentions. Because each touch
amounted to a separate offense, Petitioner argues that the State failed to meet the requirements of
electing an offense under Rickman. He contends that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to
recognize the State’s error and failing to object to admission of the other acts. In any event, he
argues that even absent a request from trial counsel, it was the responsibility of the trial court to
ensure that the State properly elected an offense, and the trial court failed in this regard. He argues
that a reversal is warranted because without a proper election his conviction is based on a
“patchwork verdict” with each juror convicting on different offenses in evidence.
As correctly noted by Petitioner, the Tennessee Supreme Court held in Rickman, that
evidence of other sex crimes is admissible when an indictment is not time specific and when the
evidence relates to sex crimes that allegedly occurred during the time as charged in the indictment.
Rickman, 876 S.W.2d at 829. In such cases, the state must, at the close of its proof, elect the single
offense for which a conviction is sought. Id. In reaching this decision, our supreme court reiterated
that there is no general “sex crime” exception to the general rule against admitting evidence of other
crimes. See State v. Burchfield, 664 S.W.2d 284, 287 (Tenn. 1984). However, the court recognized
-14-
that, as a limited exception, the State should be allowed some latitude in the prosecution of criminal
acts committed against young children who are frequently unable to identify a specific date on which
a particular offense was committed. Rickman, 876 S.W.2d at 828.
In the case sub judice, the indictment was enlarged to include the time period between March
11, 1995 and October 24, 1999. Both the prior instances of touching and the charged offense
occurred within the specified time period set forth in the indictment. Our review of the record
reveals that only one instance of touching occurred on October 22, 1999. That touching occurred
in the victim’s bedroom when Petitioner fondled the victim’s vaginal region with his hands while
her pants were partially down. Trial counsel testified that the State informed him prior to trial that
the charged offense would be for the abuse which occurred on October 22, 1999. The record reflects
that at the close of the State’s proof the judge discussed with trial counsel and the State what the
charged offense would be and there was no objection from trial counsel. Additionally, the State
informed the jury during closing argument that it was seeking a conviction only for the offense which
occurred on October 22, 1999, wherein Petitioner touched the victim in the vaginal area with his
hands. Trial counsel said that the testimony from the varying witnesses consisted of individual
accounts of the same October 22nd touching and not descriptions of multiple incidents of touching
as argued by Petitioner. The post-conviction court found “no valid objection could have been made
[to admission of the prior acts], nor was one offered at this hearing.” We agree with the trial court
and find that the State properly elected a charging offense. Accordingly, having met the
requirements or Rickman, we conclude that the prior instances of touching were properly admitted
into evidence. Petitioner has not demonstrated that he was prejudiced by trial counsel’s failure to
object to introduction of the prior offenses. Petitioner is not entitled to relief on this issue.
E. Failure to object to prejudicial hearsay evidence presented during the trial
Petitioner next contends that trial counsel was ineffective in allowing the State’s witnesses
“to testify to inadmissible prejudicial hearsay.” Specifically, he asserts that trial counsel failed to
raise a hearsay objection to testimony from the victim that her brother told her she had something
white on her pants; he failed to object to N.C.’s testimony that she heard the victim tell Petitioner
to “quit” when he pulled on her arm; he failed to object when Ms. Pullen testified that the victim’s
brother said he saw the victim playing with Petitioner’s “privacy;” and finally, trial counsel failed
to object when Ms. Pullen testified that the victim told her that Petitioner made the victim touch his
“thing.” Petitioner argues that the testimony of these witnesses offered the only corroboration of the
victim’s testimony. Petitioner contends that without this “hearsay testimony” the victim’s statements
would stand alone and the outcome of the trial would have been different. He also argues that the
case should be remanded for further findings of fact because the trial court failed to explicitly state
on the record its reasons for denying relief on this issue.
Initially, we note that although the post-conviction court’s order denying the petition contains
findings of fact and conclusions of law, there are no findings pertaining to Petitioner’s hearsay
claims. Following a post-conviction hearing, a post-conviction court is required to enter written
findings of fact and conclusions of law addressing all grounds for relief. See T.C.A. § 40-30-111(b)
-15-
(2003); Tenn. R. S. Ct. 28, § 9(A). However, because the substance of the witnesses’ testimony was
undisputed, it is not necessary for us to reverse the judgment in order that the post-conviction court
may make findings of fact with respect to this issue. See Webb v. State, 475 S.W.2d 228, 236 (Tenn.
Crim. App. 1971). Furthermore, the post-conviction court’s failure to enter findings of fact or
conclusions of law was harmless error because Petitioner has failed to show that he is entitled to
post-conviction relief on this issue. See Ralph Dewayne Moore v. State, No. E2005-01007-CCA-
R3-PC, 2005 WL 3076833, at *3 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Knoxville, Sept. 27, 2005), perm app. denied
(Tenn. May 30, 2006).
Prior to her statements regarding what her brother told her, the victim testified from her own
knowledge about the white substance on her pants. She twice stated that after Petitioner touched her
she had something white on her pants that “looked like milk but . . . wasn’t milk.” Petitioner raises
no issue regarding these earlier statements and none is apparent from the record. We see no
prejudice resulting from the victim’s testimony about what her brother told her since evidence of the
white substance was otherwise admitted. Additionally, trial counsel was not questioned at the post-
conviction hearing regarding his decision not to object to the victim’s statements or those of N.C.
and Ms. Pullen. Even were we to find that trial counsel’s performance was deficient, Petitioner has
failed to demonstrate how the outcome of his trial would have been different had counsel objected
to the cited testimony.
Petitioner also raises a hearsay complaint with respect to the testimony of Nurse Speck. He
contends that trial counsel should have raised a hearsay objection to Nurse Speck’s testimony
regarding the forensic examination report because Nurse Speck did not participate in the
examination. He contends that the report of the examination conducted by Nurse Pinson was
arguably testimonial evidence and as such, Nurse Speck should not have been allowed to testify
regarding the report absent a showing that Nurse Pinson was unavailable. Petitioner cites State v.
Henderson, 554 S.W.2d 117 (Tenn. 1977) in support of his argument.
In State v. Henderson, laboratory assistants at the state toxicology lab were unavailable to
testify regarding the results of tests they conducted to determine the nature of substances the
defendant sold to undercover officers. Id. The test results were introduced into evidence as an
exhibit to the testimony of the director of the state toxicology lab who testified in place of the
assistants. The test results constituted the only evidence that the substances were contraband. Id.
The defendant objected and our supreme court ultimately held that “in the face of an objection by
the person charged, the State cannot prove an essential element of a criminal offense by test results
introduced through a witness other than the one who conducted the test.” Id. at 122. In the court’s
opinion, to hold otherwise would violate the defendant’s right to confront his accusers. Id. The
holding in this case dealt with situations involving toxicology examinations and was later, as noted
in State v. Hughes, 713 S.W.2d 58, 62 (Tenn. 1986), superceded by Tennessee Code Annotated
section 55-10-410. That statute addresses the procurement of a sample of a person’s blood for the
purpose of conducting a test to determine the alcohol content, drug content, or both. As such,
Petitioner’s reliance on Henderson is misplaced.
-16-
At present, defendants’ rights under the confrontation clause are governed by the United
States Supreme Court decision Crawford v. Washington, 541 U.S. 36, 124 S. Ct. 1354, 158 L. Ed.
2d 177 (2004), which establishes when testimonial evidence is admissible in light of the
confrontation clause, and State v. Maclin, 183 S.W.3d 335 (Tenn. 2006), the Tennessee Supreme
Court decision which interprets Crawford as applicable in Tennessee courts. However, at the time
of Petitioner’s trial, a Confrontation Clause issue was governed by Ohio v. Roberts, 448 U.S. 56, 100
S. Ct. 2531, 65 L. Ed. 2d 597 (1980). Thus, the Confrontation Clause issue raised by Petitioner must
be determined under the standard set forth in that case.
Under Ohio v. Roberts, when a hearsay declarant is not present for cross-examination at trial,
the Confrontation Clause requires a showing that he or she is unavailable. Once it is established that
the declarant is unavailable, the out-of-court statement is admissible only if it (1) falls within a firmly
rooted exception to the hearsay rule or (2) contains such particularized guarantees of trustworthiness
that adversarial testing of the statement through cross-examination would add little to the assessment
of whether the evidence is reliable.
In the case herein, the out-of-court declarant is Nurse Pinson, and her statement is the report
of the forensic examination. The State contends that Nurse Speck’s testimony with respect to the
report was properly admitted under the business records exception to the hearsay rule. See Tenn. R.
Evid. 803(6). Tennessee Rule of Evidence 803(6) sets forth what constitutes a business record as
follows:
Records of Regularly Conducted Activity.-A memorandum, report, record, or data
compilation, in any form, of acts, events, conditions, opinions, or diagnoses made at
or near the time by or from information transmitted by a person with knowledge and
a business duty to record or transmit if kept in the course of a regularly conducted
business activity and if it was the regular practice of that business activity to make
the memorandum, report, record, or data compilation, all as shown by the testimony
of the custodian or other qualified witness . . . unless the source of information or the
method or circumstances of preparation indicate lack of trustworthiness. The term
“business” as used on this paragraph includes every kind of business, institution,
association, profession, occupation, and calling, whether or not conducted for profit.
This Court has previously held that a forensic nurse examiner was a “custodian or other
qualified witness,” for purposes of admitting reports from the sexual assault resource center as a
business record in a trial for aggravated rape, where the examining nurse was unavailable to testify
and where the forensic examiner’s duties and training involved knowledge as to how reports of the
victim’s forensic examination are prepared. State v. Dean, 76 S.W.3d 352, 364-65 (Tenn. Crim.
App. 2001). In concluding that the witness was qualified to testify, this court noted the following
regarding who is qualified to authenticate a business record:
Rule 803(6) simply provides that the witness be the records “custodian or other
qualified witness.” Typically that witness will be in charge of maintaining records
-17-
of the particular business, but other employees or officers or appropriately informed
witnesses could be used as well. The key is that the witness have knowledge of the
method of preparing and preserving the records. If no witness is available to testify,
the records cannot be authenticated as business records, unless the parties stipulate
to authentication.
Id. (quoting Neil P. Cohen et al., Tennessee Law of Evidence, § 8.11[11] (4th ed. 2000)).
Nurse Speck testified that Nurse Pinson was unable to testify at trial because she was in Paris,
France. Nurse Speck further testified that at the time of trial she worked as the nurse coordinator at
the Memphis Sexual Assault Resource Center and had served in that capacity since 1988. Nurse
Speck was tendered and accepted by the trial court as a custodian of records for the center. She was
also tendered and accepted as an expert in the field of forensic nursing. Nurse Speck then testified
that the report of the victim’s examination was made in the course of completing a forensic
evaluation of the victim. She said that such a report was made with every patient that presents at the
center, and that the center was under a business duty to keep the records on file. Nurse Speck
explained the results of the examination as reflected in the report, including the medical procedure
used in examining the victim and the process for analyzing the results of the examination.
We agree with the State and conclude the forensic examination report was properly admitted
under the business records exception to the hearsay rule. Nurse Pinson’s testimony established that
MSARC records were made in the regular course of the center’s business, and that she, as a certified
nurse practitioner and the keeper of records, was qualified to testify regarding the information
contained in the victim’s examination report. As such, trial counsel was not deficient in his decision
not to object to Nurse Speck’s testimony regarding the contents of the report. Regardless, Petitioner
does not argue what prejudice he suffered as a result of trial counsel’s inaction. Therefore, he has
not proven ineffective assistance in relation to this issue. As with Petitioner’s other hearsay claims,
we see no need to remand this case to the post-conviction court for further findings of fact because
the substance of Nurse Speck’s testimony is undisputed, and Petitioner has failed to demonstrate that
he is entitled to relief.
F. Failure to object to statements made by the prosecutor during closing argument
Petitioner next argues that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to object to or request a
curative instruction regarding improper statements made by the prosecutor during closing argument.
Petitioner first contends that trial counsel should have objected to the prosecution’s use of the prior
instances of touching to mount a propensity argument. He then argues that trial counsel failed to
object to the introduction of facts not in evidence. Specifically, the prosecutor stated that Petitioner
touched the victim’s vagina and buttocks with his hand. Finally, he contends that although trial
counsel objected when the prosecutor made statements characterizing trial counsel’s opinions and
objected when she said that Petitioner “was attempting to engage in trickery,” trial counsel failed to
request a curative instruction.
-18-
At the post-conviction hearing, trial counsel testified that he made a tactical decision not to
object to the prosecutor’s use of the prior instances of touching during closing argument. He
admitted that although the decision not to object may have been a mistake, he felt at the time that
the best strategy was to limit the amount of focus directed at the prior incidents. He testified that it
was his opinion that drawing attention to the prior incidents by raising an objection during closing
argument would be more damaging to Petitioner’s case than allowing the prosecutor to mention the
prior acts. Once again, trial counsel’s decision was a tactical decision which we will not second-
guess.
With respect to Petitioner’s other claims, our review of the record does not reveal that the
prosecutor attempted to introduce evidence during closing argument that was not part of the record.
Indeed, the statements that Petitioner now objects to, i.e. that the Petitioner touched the victim’s
vagina and buttocks with his hand, refer to evidence in the record and, in fact, the exact touching for
which Petitioner was convicted. Furthermore, Petitioner has not demonstrated that the outcome of
his trial would have been different had counsel objected to the prosecutor’s statements. Nor has
Petitioner shown how he was prejudiced by counsel’s failure to request a curative instruction
following the prosecutor’s characterization of trial counsel’s opinions and her statements that
Petitioner “was attempting to engage in trickery.” Accordingly, Petitioner is not entitled to relief on
this issue.
G0. Failure to object to proceeding to trial absent arraignment on the second indictment
Petitioner next argues that trial counsel was ineffective when he failed to object to proceeding
to trial absent proof of arraignment. He cites Rule 10 of the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure
in support of his argument. Rule 10 provides that “[b]efore any person is tried for the commission
of an offense, the person shall be called into open court and arraigned, except as provided in Rule
43.” Petitioner argues that there is no indication in the record that he was arraigned on the new
indictment, nor does he recall having been arraigned on the indictment. At the post-conviction
hearing, trial counsel testified that Petitioner was present at every stage of the trial proceedings.
Petitioner testified that,”[he] was not even in the courtroom when [he] was re-indicted,” and despite
trial counsel’s testimony to the contrary, “the first time [he] even heard that [he] was re-indicted was
that Friday evening when [trial counsel] came to see [him].”
As noted by the State, while there may be no evidence in the record to show that Petitioner
was arraigned on the superceding indictment, there is likewise no evidence to show that he was not
arraigned. The proof at the post-conviction hearing amounted to Petitioner’s word against that of
trial counsel. The post-conviction court obviously accredited the testimony of trial counsel over that
of Petitioner. There is nothing in the record which preponderates against the post-conviction court’s
finding that his trial counsel should have objected to proceeding to trial without an arraignment.
Petitioner has failed to meet his burden of showing by clear and convincing evidence that he was not
arraigned on the superceding indictment. Petitioner is not entitled to relief on this issue.
-19-
H. Failure to adequately cross-examine State’s witnesses
Petitioner next asserts that trial counsel provided ineffective assistance when he failed to
adequately cross-examine the state’s witnesses. Specifically, he contends that trial counsel failed
to request Jencks material and thus failed to impeach any witnesses with their prior inconsistent
statements. He argues that the victim made prior inconsistent statements to the police as did the
babysitter, Ms. Pullen. He also argues that trial counsel failed to cross-examine the victim’s mother
as to whether the victim was suffering from diarrhea and constipation prior to her physical
examination, and likewise failed to question Ms. Pullen about her motivation to lie about Petitioner’s
actions. Trial counsel testified that he interviewed the victim prior to trial and had copies of her
statement and the statements of the other witnesses. He could not recall anything from the
statements that was worthy of use for impeachment purposes. He felt that he had adequately cross-
examined the witnesses, sufficiently pointing out the inconsistencies in each of the witnesses’s
testimony, even going so far as to be admonished by the trial court for his aggressive cross-
examination of Ms. Pullen.
After reviewing the record of the trial transcript, the post-conviction court noted that two of
the primary witnesses in this case were young, specifically, the victim who was six-years-old at the
time of the incident and her sister who was eight-years-old. The court found that “[a]lthough there
were inconsistencies in some of the details of their testimony it was consistent with regard to the
major issues. . . . [and] the inconsistencies were adequately pointed out on cross-examination.” The
court then found that the cross-examination of the children, the babysitter, and the nurse practitioner
were adequate under the law and any issues with these witnesses’ testimony were resolved during
direct and cross-examination. In reaching this conclusion, the court noted that no proof was offered
at the post-conviction hearing to show that the victim lied during her testimony or recanted her
statement that Petitioner had committed the offense charged. In light of its findings, the post-
conviction court determined this issue to be without merit. We once again agree with the post-
conviction court, concluding that Petitioner has failed to show by clear and convincing evidence that
trial counsel rendered deficient representation or that Petitioner was prejudiced by trial counsel’s
cross-examination of the State’s witnesses. Petitioner is not entitled to relief on this issue.
I. Failure to request jury be instructed on lesser included offenses
In his next issue, Petitioner argues that trial counsel provided ineffective assistance because
he failed to request that the trial court instruct the jury on the lesser included offense of criminal
attempt to commit aggravated sexual battery. At the post-conviction hearing, trial counsel testified
that he failed to request a charge of criminal attempt to commit aggravated sexual battery, but
recalled that other lesser included offenses were charged. Trial counsel opined that the failure to
instruct on the lesser included offenses was harmless error. He reasoned that because the jury
convicted on the charged offense it would never have considered a charge for criminal attempt.
Portions of the trial transcript were made an exhibit at the post-conviction hearing, however, the jury
instructions were not transcribed. Thus, the record is void of any additional evidence indicating the
-20-
trial court’s instructions to the jury. With respect to this issue, the post-conviction court stated its
findings as follows:
Although all crimes include a lesser offense of [c]riminal [a]ttempt, the law does not
require that it be charged in all offenses. This court’s review of the trial transcript
leads the Court to believe that a reasonable jury could not find that this was an
attempt. Further, the jury convicted the petitioner as charged with [a]ggravated
[s]exual [b]attery; therefore they never would have reached [c]riminal [a]ttempt in
this discussion. Any error was harmless.
The facts of the present case are analogous to those in State v. Marcum, 109 S.W.3d 300(Tenn. 2003), a case decided by our supreme court subsequent to Petitioner’s trial. In Marcum, the
victim testified that the defendant forced her to engage in fellatio. Id. at 304. The defendant testified
that the event never happened and he was never alone with the victim. Id. The court found that the
evidence supported two interpretations of the events that occurred -that the defendant raped the
victim or he did not. Id. Citing Burns, the court held that there was no evidence of attempt and
therefore no instruction on attempt was warranted. Id. (citing Burns, 6 S.W.3d at 471). In the
present case, the victim, a six-year-old child, testified that Petitioner pulled down her pants and
touched her in her genital area. Although Petitioner did not testify, his defense was that the touching
never occurred. Implicit in the trial court’s ruling is the fact that the evidence presented permitted
only two interpretations - that Petitioner committed aggravated sexual battery against the victim or
he did not. As in Marcum, there was no evidence of merely an attempt. Thus, no instruction on
attempt was warranted.
Even were we to conclude that an attempt instruction was warranted, Petitioner is still not
entitled to relief. At the time of Petitioner’s trial, it was “the trial court’s duty to charge juries as to
the law of each offense included in an indictment . . . whether or not a defendant requested such an
instruction.” State v. Wilson, 92 S.W.3d 391, 394 (Tenn. 2002) (citing T.C.A. § 40-18-110(c)
(1997)); see also State v. Page, 184 S.W.3d 223, 229 (Tenn. 2006) (holding that “[u]nder this prior
version of section 40-18-110, a defendant was not required to request a lesser-included instruction
to assign as error the trial court’s failure to give such instruction). Based on the trial court’s duty to
instruct the jury regardless of a request to do so from the defendant, this Court has previously
concluded that defense counsel was not ineffective for failing to request an instruction on a particular
lesser included offense. See Chivous Robinson v. State, No. E2005-010E6-CCA-R3-PC, 2006 WL
1381511, at *6 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Knoxville, May 19, 2006), perm. app. denied (Tenn. Oct. 2,
2006); Jeffery Lee Miller v. State, No. M2003-02841-CCA-R3-PC, 2005 WL 901130, at *5 (Tenn.
Crim. App., at Knoxville, Apr. 19, 2005), perm. app. denied (Tenn. Oct. 17, 2005); Terrance L.
Turner v. State, No. M2002-02429-CCA-R3-PC,2004 WL 587636, at *5 (Tenn. Crim. App., at
Nashville, Mar. 25, 2004), perm. app. denied (Tenn. Aug. 30, 2004). Accordingly, in the case sub
judice, trial counsel was not ineffective for failing to request an instruction on the lesser included
offense of criminal attempt to commit aggravated sexual battery because, at the time of Petitioner’s
trial, this obligation was statutorily imposed on the trial court and not the defense attorney.
Petitioner did not argue in his brief or at the post-conviction hearing that trial counsel was ineffective
-21-
in failing to raise the lesser included issue on appeal. See Chivous Robinson, 2006 WL 1381511,
at *6. Thus, Petitioner is not entitled to relief on this issue.
Although unnecessary for the disposition of this appeal, in light of the statements of trial
counsel and the findings of the post-conviction court, we find it necessary to further address this
issue in light of the ruling of our supreme court in State v. Williams, 977 S.W.2d 101, 106-08 (Tenn.
1998).
In Williams, the defendant was charged and convicted of premeditated first degree murder.
Id. at 104. The trial court instructed the jury on premeditated first degree murder, second degree
murder and reckless homicide, but refused a defense request to instruct the jury on voluntary
manslaughter. Id. A panel of this court reversed the conviction and remanded the case for a new
trial because the trial court refused to instruct the jury as to the offense of voluntary manslaughter.
On appeal, the supreme court acknowledged that the trial court erred in refusing to charge the jury
on voluntary manslaughter. However, the court held that the error was harmless beyond a reasonable
doubt “because the jury’s verdict of guilt on the greater offense of first degree murder and its
disinclination to consider the lesser included offense of second degree murder clearly demonstrates
that it certainly would not have returned a verdict on voluntary manslaughter.” Id. at 106-08; Id.;
see State v. Boyd, 797 S.W.2d 589, 593 (Tenn. 1990) (Any possible error in failing to instruct
voluntary and involuntary manslaughter, when second degree murder was charged and the defendant
was convicted of first degree felony murder, was “completely harmless.”); State v. Blanton, 926
S.W.2d 953 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1996); State v. Newsome, 744 S.W.2d 911 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1987);
State v. Atkins, 681 S.W.2d 571 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1984). In other words, where the trial court
instructs on a lesser included offense which is intermediate and serves as a “buffer” between the
greater offense and the second lesser included offense for which the defendant was refused
instruction, and the jury convicts on the greater offense, the failure to instruct on the requested lesser
included offense is harmless. Applying this reasoning to the present case, the statements of trial
counsel and the post-conviction court are accurate only if the jury convicted on the charged offense
to the exclusion of a lesser offense which served as a “buffer” between the convicted offense and the
offense of criminal attempt to commit aggravated sexual battery.
J. Failure to object to improper enhancement factors
Petitioner next contends that trial counsel failed to object to the application of certain
enhancement factors during the sentencing phase of his trial. Specifically, Petitioner complains that
trial counsel did not object to the application of the following enhancement factors: (1) that the
victim was particularly vulnerable because of her age; (2) that the offense was committed to gratify
Petitioner’s desire for pleasure; and (3) that Petitioner violated a position of private trust. In raising
this issue both in his petition and at the post-conviction hearing, Petitioner’s complaint concerned
only application of the enhancement factor that the victim was particularly vulnerable due to her age.
Thus, Petitioner’s remaining claims are waived because, as previously stated, an issue may not be
-22-
raised for the first time on appeal. We will address only Petitioner’s argument regarding the
particular vulnerability of the victim. Citing State v. Adams, 864 S.W.2d 31, 35 (Tenn. 1993),
Petitioner argues that the trial court erred in applying this factor because age was an element of the
offense and therefore could not be considered as an enhancement factor without additional findings
of vulnerability. He contends that he was prejudiced by trial counsel’s failure to object to application
of this factor because that failure resulted in his receiving an enhanced sentence.
At the sentencing hearing, the State cited the following enhancement factors as applicable
to Petitioner’s sentence: Petitioner’s criminal history (four prior convictions for aggravated sexual
battery), the victim’s vulnerability, the crime was committed to gratify Petitioner’s desire for
pleasure, and Petitioner abused a position of public or private trust. The State then recommended
a sentence of twenty years as a Range II offender, citing “the number of past victims and the nature
of this crime” in support of the sentence. In imposing Petitioner’s sentence of eighteen years, the
trial court stated that it was relying on all of the enhancement factors cited by the State. In rendering
its findings however, the court stated only that “[t]he court has considered the fact that [Petitioner]
has other offenses - - similar offenses in the past as pending offenses. And the court feels that is a
proper sentence based on his history and the circumstances in this case that’s set out in the
enhancement and the one mitigating factor submitted to the court.”
At the post-conviction hearing, trial counsel testified that he did not object to application of
the enhancement factors because he felt all were applicable to Petitioner’s sentence. The post-
conviction court found that the trial court “put a great deal of emphasis on the enhancement factor
based upon prior [c]onviction and [c]riminal behavior.” The post-conviction court stated that
“[t]here is nothing in the transcript to indicate that the trial Judge put much weight on anything but
the prior record of the petitioner.” The post-conviction court then noted that the trial court had not
sentenced Petitioner to the maximum sentence based on his prior convictions, and that the sentence
imposed was proper given the nature of Petitioner’s prior convictions and their similarity to the
offense in the present case. Finally, the post-conviction court found that Petitioner “failed to show
that the trial Judge relied on the questioned enhancement factor with more weight or with a sufficient
amount of weight that it impacted or increased the sentence.” In so doing, the trial court implicitly
found that even if it was error to apply the challenged enhancement factor, the remaining
enhancement factors justified the sentence imposed, therefore, there was no prejudice.
Tennessee Code Annotated section 40-35-114 outlines those factors which may be
considered in enhancing a defendant’s sentence. T.C.A. § 40-35-114. A determination of whether
a particular enhancing factor applies must be made on a case-by-case basis. State v. Walton, 958
S.W.2d 724, 729 (Tenn. 1997). Our review of the record supports the enhancement of Petitioner’s
sentence based on his prior criminal record. T.C.A. § 40-35-114(1). Petitioner’s repeated abuse of
his position as caretaker and authority figure in the child’s life paired with the victim’s age and her
mental perception of Petitioner as someone she trusted and depended on, support enhancement of
Petitioner’s sentence based on his abuse of a position of public or private trust. T.C.A. § 40-35-
-23-
114(14). We cannot conclude, however, that the record supports enhancement of Petitioner’s
sentence based on the victim’s vulnerability because there was no proof showing that the victim
suffered from a mental or physical disability, and her age, six-years-old, was not shown to make her
vulnerable. T.C.A. § 40-35-114(4). Nonetheless, even if trial counsel provided deficient
performance by failing to object to application of the enhancement factor or failing to raise the issue
on appeal, Petitioner has shown no prejudice because the remaining enhancement factors support
the sentence imposed.
K. Cumulative Effect of Counsel’s Errors
Petitioner argues that the cumulative effect of all the alleged errors deprived him of a
meaningful defense. Our Court has previously held that cumulative error may in fact deprive a
defendant of a fair and meaningful defense. State v. Taylor, 968 S.W.2d 900, 912 (Tenn. Crim. App.
1997). The post-conviction court found that “although there may have been several minor issues that
could have been handled differently the Court is of the opinion that overall the representation
provided petitioner meets the guidelines set out by law . . . .” After consideration of the entire
record, we agree with the trial court and find that Petitioner was not deprived of a meaningful
defense. Accordingly, we find this issue without merit.
IV. Examination of Trial Counsel in Petitioner’s Absence
In his final issue on appeal, Petitioner contends that the trial court erred in allowing trial
counsel to testify at the post-conviction hearing without Petitioner’s presence in the courtroom.
Citing Scott v. State, 936 S.W.2d 271, 273 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1996), Petitioner argues that his
presence was necessary at the post-conviction hearing to ensure adequate cross-examination of trial
counsel and in the event his testimony was needed for rebuttal. He contends that the confusion
regarding whether he was arraigned on the new indictment could have been resolved on rebuttal if
he had been present during trial counsel’s testimony.
Also relying on Scott v. State, the State urges this Court to hold that “the constitutional right
a criminal defendant enjoys to confront and cross-examine witnesses does not apply to an already
convicted petitioner who collaterally attacks his or her judgment in a civil proceeding such as a post-
conviction [hearing].” In any event, the State contends that there existed “appropriate justification”
here for the post-conviction court to allow trial counsel to testify without the presence of the
petitioner. Scott, at 273. As evidence of this “appropriate justification,” the State relies on those
same facts cited by the trial court in making its decision to proceed with the hearing in Petitioner’s
absence. Specifically, the trial court, over objection from post-conviction counsel, stated as follows:
-24-
For the record we are at a point where we’re trying to continue the Post Conviction
Hearing for Mr. Jerome Sawyer. And, we have a delay into the later afternoon on
Friday afternoon and I have a witness here from Union city. And, we are just now
being advised that we do not have the defendant here. Orders were entered to have
him shipped here from TDOC. TDOC either didn’t get the order or didn’t follow up
on the order. We understood that the defendant was here. And, we spent the last
hour or so trying to track him down, we can’t find him. Apparently he’s never been
sent. So, we’re at a position now where I don’t have a defendant and I have an out
of town witness. . . . I don’t believe there’s a right of confrontation in the Post
Conviction Petition. I don’t believe I have to have a defendant here to go forward at
this point. Obviously, I don’t think that the defendant is waiving his right to be here
because he’s not here to waive it. But, I do have an out of town witness. And, I’m
going to go forward with the testimony of that witness. And, if something develops
when [Petitioner] is here that I need to get [trial counsel] back here, then, we’ll just
have to deal with that. . . . This matter has been pending for over a year.
In Scott v. State, this Court addressed a similar situation in which the petitioner was removed
from the post-conviction proceedings prior to his trial counsel’s testimony. In determining whether
the petitioner’s rights had been violated, we stated as follows:
Given the fact that a post-conviction petitioner has the burden of proof, the right to
appear and testify when disputed facts are at issue may well include the need for
rebuttal testimony to respond to unexpected details of evidence presented through the
testimony of others. Thus, absent some appropriate justification for removal, a
petitioner appearing at an evidentiary hearing pursuant to the Post-Conviction
Procedure Act should be allowed to remain present through the remainder of the
presentation of evidence.
Scott, at 273. This Court concluded that there was no justification for removing the petitioner from
the courtroom. However, we found that because the record did not reflect any evidence of prejudice,
any error suffered as a result of the petitioner’s removal from the courtroom was harmless. Scott,
at 274.
In the present case, we have thoroughly reviewed the testimony of trial counsel and that of
Petitioner. Although we cannot find “appropriate justification” for Petitioner’s absence from the
hearing, see Scott, at 273, we cannot conclude that Petitioner was prejudiced as a result of his
absence during trial counsel’s testimony. Petitioner’s testimony at the post-conviction hearing was
offered subsequent to that of trial counsel, and after a thorough, personal review of the transcript of
trial counsel’s post-conviction testimony. Therefore, Petitioner had the opportunity to resolve any
confusion of the issues or need for rebuttal with his own subsequent testimony. Additionally, the
trial court stated that should any need arise requiring trial counsel to provide further testimony, trial
-25-
counsel would be summoned back to the post-conviction court to resolve any issues. Accordingly,
any error by the trial court in conducting the hearing in Petitioner’s absence was harmless. Petitioner
is not entitled to relief on this issue.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reason, the judgment of the post-conviction court is affirmed.
___________________________________
THOMAS T. WOODALL, JUDGE
-26-