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ŠJerry€N.€Ō_ŌEstesŌ_Ō,€District€Attorney€General;€and€Richard€Newman,€Assistant€District€Attorney€General,Š –#ę" Šfor€the€appellee,€State€of€Tennessee.Š †$Ö# ŠÓŠÓĢņ ņOPINIONó óŌ#†¼°¼»XX±;d #ŌŌ‡X±;X»¼°¼ŌŠ f&¶!% ŠĢņņóóŌ#†¼°¼»XX±; #ŌÓ  ÓŌ€X±;X»¼°¼Ōą@22&ģąņ ņI.€€FACTSó óˆŠ F(–#' ŠĢą  ąSheila€Carroll€testified€that€she€was€working€at€Athens€Regional€Medical€Center€on€June€13,Š &*v%) Š1997.€€At€approximately€10:30€a.m.,€Carroll€answered€a€telephone€call€from€a€woman€who€stated€thatŠ +f&* Šshe€had€found€her€three„year„old€son€at€the€bottom€of€the€stairs€and€the€child€would€not€respond€toŠ ,V'+ Šanything.€€Carroll€instructed€the€woman€to€hang€up€the€phone€and€call€911.€€Approximately€five€toŠ ö,F(, Šseven€minutes€later,€Carroll€saw€the€rescue€crew€bring€a€three€year€old€boy€into€the€emergency€room.Š ę-6)-żĀ ŠŌ_Ō‡ą  ąOfficer€Terry€Teague€testified€that€at€10:38€a.m.€on€June€13,€1997,€he€received€a€call€toŠ ° Šrespond€to€apartment€84€in€the€Lee€Manor€Apartments€and€he€arrived€at€10:42€a.m.€€When€he€arrivedŠ  š Šat€the€scene,€Defendant€š šflagged€[him]€downšš€and€began€screaming.€€Defendant€then€led€TeagueŠ ą Šupstairs€to€a€bedroom€where€Sonchious€Ferguson€was€lying€on€a€bed€with€his€brothers€Tyler€andŠ €Š ŠBradlee.€€Teague€checked€Sonchiousšš€vital€signs,€and€he€observed€that€Sonchious€had€cold€skin€andŠ pĄ Šglazed€eyes.€€Teague€observed€that€Sonchious€had€no€pulse€and€no€signs€of€breathing€and€š š[t]hereŠ ` ° Šwas€no€sign€of€life€whatsoever.šš€€Teague€also€observed€that€Sonchiousšš€hair,€face,€neck,€and€clothingŠ P   Šwere€dry.Š @  ŠĢą  ąOfficer€Teague€testified€that€he€asked€Defendant€to€accompany€him€downstairs€so€that€theŠ  p  Šmedical€personnel€could€care€for€Sonchious.€€At€this€point,€Defendant€told€Teague€that€while€she€wasŠ `  Šin€the€bedroom,€Sonchious€had€started€to€go€downstairs.€€Defendant€stated€that€shortly€thereafter,€sheŠ P  Šheard€a€š šboom,€boom,€boom,€boomšš€and€when€she€went€to€the€stairwell,€she€observed€SonchiousŠ š@  Šslumped€over€in€a€seated€position.€€Defendant€stated€that€she€then€picked€up€Sonchious,€took€himŠ ą0  Šupstairs,€put€water€on€his€face,€and€asked€him€what€her€name€was.€€Defendant€stated€that€SonchiousŠ Š  Šresponded€that€her€name€was€š šMommašš€and€he€stood€for€a€moment,€but€he€then€rolled€his€eyes€andŠ Ą Šcollapsed.€€Defendant€stated€that€she€then€called€911.Š ° ŠĢą  ąOfficer€Teague€testified€that€when€he€went€downstairs,€he€saw€Austin€Ferguson.€€TeagueŠ ą Šobserved€that€Austin€had€a€bruise€on€his€forehead€and€a€š špretty€good€size€abrasion€on€his€rightŠ €Š Šcheek.šš€€When€Teague€mentioned€the€bruising,€Defendant€stated€that€Austin€had€been€in€a€fight€withŠ pĄ Šan€unknown€child€the€previous€day.€€Defendant€then€stated€that€she€did€not€spank€her€children€andŠ `° Šshe€turned€to€her€brother€when€the€children€need€spanking.€€Defendant€also€stated€that€Sonchious€hadŠ P  Špreviously€fallen€down€some€stairs€at€her€motherššs€house.Š @ ŠĢą  ąDetective€Terry€Bowers€testified€that€he€responded€to€the€call€from€Defendantššs€apartment.€Š  p ŠBowers€discovered€two€plastic€rods€that€could€have€been€used€to€spank€the€children.€€Bowers€alsoŠ ` Šsaw€some€water€in€the€bathtub.€€Bowers€subsequently€went€to€the€hospital€and€he€observed€thatŠ P ŠSonchious€had€bruises€all€over€his€body€from€the€top€of€his€head€to€his€feet.€€Bowers€also€observedŠ š@ Šthat€Austin€had€bruises€on€his€head,€neck,€back,€and€shoulders.Š ą0 ŠĢą  ąDetective€Don€Long€testified€that€when€he€responded€to€the€call€from€Defendantššs€apartment,Š Ą! Šhe€was€informed€that€Sonchious€was€dead.€€When€Long€asked€Defendant€some€basic€questions€aboutŠ °"  Šwhat€had€happened,€Defendant€asked€Long€why€he€was€accusing€her.€€Long€observed€that€AustinŠ  #š! Šhad€a€bruise€over€his€right€eye€and€when€he€asked€Austin€what€had€happened,€Defendant€stated€thatŠ $ą" ŠAustin€had€been€in€a€fight.€€Long€believed€that€the€bruise€was€shaped€like€the€sole€of€a€shoe.Š €%Š # ŠĢą  ąDetective€Long€testified€that€Defendant€subsequently€made€a€statement€at€the€police€station.€Š `'°"% ŠDefendant€stated€that€at€approximately€9:45€a.m.,€she€yelled€at€Sonchious€because€he€had€urinatedŠ P( #& Šon€the€floor€of€the€hall.€€Defendant€stated€that€she€then€spanked€Sonchious€with€š ša€little€black€thingŠ @)$' Šthat€is€a€piece€of€his€toy€ship.šš€€Defendant€stated€that€shortly€thereafter,€she€heard€Sonchious€walkingŠ 0*€%( Šdownstairs€and€then€she€heard€a€š šboom,€boom,€boom.šš€€Defendant€stated€that€she€knew€thatŠ  +p&) ŠSonchious€had€not€fallen€all€of€the€way€down€the€steps€because€if€he€had,€he€would€have€š šsnappedŠ ,`'* Šhis€neck.šš€€Defendant€stated€that€she€splashed€some€water€on€Sonchiousšš€face€and€put€him€in€theŠ ° Šshower€to€wake€him€up€and€when€she€asked€him€who€she€was€and€who€he€was,€he€was€able€toŠ  š Šanswer.€€Defendant€stated€that€Sonchious€subsequently€became€unresponsive,€and€she€called€911.€Š ą ŠDefendant€claimed€that€she€did€not€spank€her€children€and€instead,€she€called€her€brother€and€heŠ €Š Šspanked€them€with€his€hand€or€a€belt.€€Defendant€claimed€that€the€bruises€on€Sonchiousšš€head€cameŠ pĄ Šfrom€the€fall€down€the€stairs€and€the€other€bruises,€knots,€and€skin€injuries€occurred€while€he€wasŠ ` ° Šstaying€with€Defendantššs€mother.Š P   ŠĢą  ąParamedic€Robert€West€testified€that€he€responded€to€the€call€from€Defendantššs€apartment.€Š 0 € ŠWhen€West€checked€Sonchious,€he€observed€that€Sonchiousšš€skin€was€cool€to€the€touch,€which€isŠ  p  Šusually€a€sign€that€the€person€has€not€been€breathing€for€quite€a€while.€€West€did€not€observe€anyŠ `  Šdampness€or€wetness€on€Sonchious.€€When€West€subsequently€attempted€to€intubate€Sonchious,€heŠ P  Šobserved€that€there€was€a€dark€brown€liquid€on€the€throat€tube,€which€is€a€sign€of€internal€bleeding.€Š š@  ŠWest€also€observed€that€Sonchious€had€bruises€on€his€abdomen.Š ą0  ŠĢą  ąParamedic€Jeff€Layman€testified€that€when€he€arrived€at€Defendantššs€apartment,€he€did€notŠ Ą Šobserve€any€wetness€on€Sonchious.€€Layman€observed€that€Sonchiousšš€skin€was€cool,€which€usuallyŠ ° Šmeans€that€the€person€has€been€dead€for€š šquite€a€period€of€time.ššŠ  š ŠĢą  ąParamedic€Kevin€Womac€testified€that€when€he€checked€Sonchious,€he€discovered€that€theŠ €Š Šskin€was€cool,€there€was€no€pulse,€and€there€was€no€sign€of€wetness.€€Womac€observed€thatŠ pĄ ŠSonchious€had€extensive€bruising€on€his€abdomen€and€he€also€had€some€bruises€on€his€neck,€arms,Š `° Šand€thighs.Š P  ŠĢą  ąParamedic€Stacey€Newman€testified€that€when€she€arrived€at€the€scene,€she€observed€thatŠ 0€ ŠAustin€š šhad€a€big€goose€egg€swelled€out€between€his€eyes.šš€€Newman€also€observed€that€AustinŠ  p Šappeared€to€be€withdrawn€or€in€a€trance.Š ` ŠĢą  ąKaren€Headrick€of€the€Department€of€Childrenššs€Services€testified€that€she€was€called€to€theŠ š@ ŠAthens€police€station€on€June€13,€1997.€€Headrick€met€with€Defendant€and€her€children€Austin€andŠ ą0 ŠTyler,€and€while€Defendant€was€š š[n]onchalant,šš€Austin€was€nervous€and€worried€and€Tyler€wasŠ Š  Šfidgety€and€excited.€€Headrick€observed€a€bruise€on€Austinššs€forehead€that€was€shaped€like€a€shoeŠ Ą! Šprint.Š °"  ŠĢą  ąDr.€Kay€Berg€testified€that€on€June€13,€1997,€she€was€working€in€the€emergency€room€whereŠ $ą" ŠSonchious€was€taken€by€the€paramedics.€€Dr.€Berg€immediately€noticed€that€Sonchiousšš€body€wasŠ €%Š # Šš šnowhere€near€as€warmšš€as€it€should€have€been€and€she€observed€that€the€body€was€covered€withŠ p&Ą!$ Šbruises.€€Dr.€Berg€opined€that€although€there€were€bruises€of€various€ages,€at€least€some€of€theŠ `'°"% Šbruises€were€more€than€two€days€old.€€Upon€observing€Sonchious,€Dr.€Berg€concluded€that€he€hadŠ P( #& Šbeen€dead€for€at€least€an€hour€and€any€resuscitation€efforts€would€be€fruitless,€so€she€called€theŠ @)$' Šmedical€examiner.€€Dr.€Berg€opined€that€Sonchious€died€from€some€kind€of€blunt€trauma€that€wasŠ 0*€%( Šinconsistent€with€a€one„time€fall€down€stairs.Š  +p&) ŠŠ ,`'* Šą  ąDr.€William€Foree€testified€that€as€part€of€his€duties€as€the€McMinn€County€MedicalŠ ° ŠExaminer,€he€was€called€to€view€Sonchiousšš€body€at€approximately€11:20€a.m.€€Dr.€Foree€orderedŠ  š Šcore€temperature€measurements€to€be€taken€for€the€next€several€hours€and€he€requested€an€autopsy.€Š ą ŠDr.€Foree€observed€multiple€bruises€and€abrasions€on€the€body.Š €Š ŠĢą  ąDr.€Ronald€Toolsie€testified€that€he€performed€an€autopsy€on€the€body€of€Sonchious€on€JuneŠ ` ° Š13,€1997.€€Based€on€core€temperatures€taken€from€the€body,€Dr.€Toolsie€opined€that€Sonchious€hadŠ P   Šdied€at€5:00€a.m.€on€June€13,€1997.€Š @  ŠĢą  ąDr.€Toolsie€testified€that€during€the€autopsy,€he€discovered€fifty€separate€injuries,€including:Š  p  Šlinear€abrasions€under€the€jaw€that€were€suggestive€of€fingernail€scratches,€a€contusion€on€the€neckŠ `  Šthat€was€between€one€and€twenty„four€hours€old,€a€scar€on€the€cheek€that€was€at€least€several€€weeksŠ P  Šold,€an€abrasion€caused€by€blunt€force€trauma,€an€older€loop€mark€scar,€an€older€hook€mark€scar,€aŠ š@  Šrecent€gliding€abrasion€on€the€abdomen,€a€recent€contusion€on€the€rib€margin,€another€freshŠ ą0  Šcontusion€at€the€rib€level,€three€fading€contusions€in€the€chest€area€that€were€consistent€with€bluntŠ Š  Šforce€trauma€and€were€several€days€old,€several€fresh€contusions€on€the€back€that€could€have€beenŠ Ą Šcaused€by€a€fall€down€some€stairs,€bruises€on€the€undersurface€of€the€scalp€that€were€consistent€withŠ ° Šfalling€down€stairs,€a€recent€contusion€by€the€ear€that€was€consistent€with€a€fall€to€the€floor,€andŠ  š Šmultiple€whip€marks€on€the€back€of€the€legs€that€were€less€than€twelve€hours€old€and€were€similarŠ ą Što€judicial€canings€carried€out€by€prison€guards€in€far€Eastern€countries.Š €Š ŠĢą  ąDr.€Toolsie€testified€that€he€discovered€unusual€bruises€on€the€soft€tissue€of€the€abdomen€thatŠ `° Šwere€consistent€with€inflicted€blows.€€Dr.€Toolsieššs€autopsy€report€states€that€he€discoveredŠ P  Šš š[e]xternal€abdominal€trauma€consistent€with€multiple€inflicted€blows.ššŠ @ ŠĢą  ąDr.€Toolsie€testified€that€fresh€blood€poured€out€of€the€abdominal€cavity€when€he€cut€into€it,Š  p Šwhich€indicated€that€Sonchious€had€been€bleeding€internally.€€Dr.€Toolsie€opined€that€the€bleedingŠ ` Šhad€come€from€the€mesentery,€which€indicated€that€there€had€been€blunt€force€trauma€that€intrudedŠ P Šinto€the€abdominal€cavity.€€Dr.€Toolsie€also€found€bruises€on€the€small€intestine€which€wereŠ š@ Šconsistent€with€€blunt€force€trauma€that€intruded€into€the€abdominal€cavity.€€Dr.€Toolsie€testified€thatŠ ą0 Šit€was€š šwithin€the€realms€of€possibilityšš€that€the€internal€injuries€were€caused€by€falling€against€theŠ Š  Šedge€of€a€stair,€but€it€was€not€š šwithin€the€realms€of€probabilityšš€that€falling€against€a€stair€caused€theŠ Ą! Šinjuries.€€Dr.€Toolsie€opined€that€the€internal€bleeding€occurred€slowly€over€a€period€of€time.Š °"  ŠĢą  ąDr.€Toolsie€testified€that€there€were€two€causes€of€Sonchiousšš€death:€the€internal€abdominalŠ $ą" Šbleeding€and€cerebral€edema,€or€swelling€of€the€brain.€€Dr.€Toolsie€testified€that€either€of€theseŠ €%Š # Šinjuries€would€have€caused€death€by€itself.€€Dr.€Toolsie€opined€that€in€light€of€the€autopsy€evidence,Š p&Ą!$ ŠSonchious€had€died€between€4:00€and€6:00€a.m.€on€June€13,€1997.€€Dr.€Toolsie€opined€thatŠ `'°"% ŠSonchious€had€been€put€to€bed€after€he€sustained€the€injuries,€and€the€injuries€progressed€during€theŠ P( #& Šnight€until€the€point€that€they€became€lethal.Š @)$' ŠĢą  ąTammy€Buckner€testified€that€on€June€12,€1997,€she€lived€in€apartment€83€of€the€Lee€ManorŠ  +p&) ŠApartments,€which€was€right€next€to€Defendantššs€apartment.€€At€approximately€midnight€on€thatŠ ,`'* Šdate,€Buckner€heard€a€noise€similar€to€the€sound€of€furniture€moving€and€she€also€heard€a€shortŠ ° Šscream€come€from€Defendantššs€apartment.Š  š ŠĢą  ąKathy€White€testified€that€she€was€staying€with€Buckner€on€June€12,€1997.€€At€approximatelyŠ €Š Šmidnight€on€that€date,€White€heard€a€noise€like€someone€walking€down€steps€and€she€also€heardŠ pĄ Šsomebody€scream.Š ` ° ŠĢą  ąDr.€Kimberly€Breeden€testified€that€she€examined€Austin€on€June€13,€1997.€€Dr.€BreedenŠ @  Šobserved€that€Austin€was€š ša€sad,€quiet€little€boyšš€and€he€was€covered€with€bruises.€€Austin€hadŠ 0 € Šsignificant€swelling€around€his€nose,€which€caused€Dr.€Breeden€to€suspect€that€the€nose€was€broken.€Š  p  ŠSubsequent€x„rays€confirmed€that€the€nose€was€broken.Š `  ŠĢą  ąDr.€Breeden€testified€that€during€her€examination,€she€discovered€that€Austin€had€numerousŠ š@  Šinjuries,€including:€bruising€and€swelling€on€the€forehead,€linear€line€lesions€that€were€consistentŠ ą0  Šwith€a€child€being€hit€with€a€stick€and€were€between€two€and€seven€days€old,€purple€lesions€on€theŠ Š  Šface€that€were€one€to€two€days€old,€fresh€and€old€lesions€on€the€neck,€healed€injuries€on€the€innerŠ Ą Šthigh,€a€laceration€on€the€chest,€old€lesions€on€the€arm,€scaling€abrasions€on€the€back€that€were€sevenŠ ° Što€fourteen€days€old,€and€fresh€bruises€on€the€shoulder.€€Dr.€Breeden€opined€that€the€linear€lesionsŠ  š Šon€the€face€were€consistent€with€being€hit€with€the€bottom€of€a€shoe€and€were€also€consistent€withŠ ą Šbeing€struck€with€the€shoes€found€in€Defendantššs€apartment.€€In€addition,€Dr.€Breeden€opined€thatŠ €Š Šthe€lesions€on€the€neck€were€consistent€with€being€choked€by€hands€placed€around€the€neck.€€Š pĄ ŠĢą  ąDr.€Breeden€testified€that€it€was€her€medical€opinion€that€the€markings€on€Austinššs€body€wereŠ P  Šthe€result€of€brutal€beatings.€€Dr.€Breeden€opined€that€there€had€been€three€different€beatings€becauseŠ @ Šthe€purple€lesions€were€less€than€forty„eight€hours€old,€the€brown€bruises€were€seven€to€fourteen€daysŠ 0€ Šold,€and€the€healed€lesions€were€more€than€fourteen€days€old.Š  p ŠĢą  ąDefendant€testified€that€she€woke€up€at€approximately€9:45€a.m.€on€June€13,€1997.€€Tyler€andŠ P ŠAustin€went€downstairs€to€watch€television,€and€Sonchious€went€into€the€hall€and€urinated€on€theŠ š@ Šfloor.€€Defendant€then€spanked€Sonchious€and€she€changed€his€clothing.€€Defendant€went€back€intoŠ ą0 Šthe€bedroom€and€she€heard€Sonchious€fall€down€the€stairs.Š Š  ŠĢą  ąDefendant€testified€that€she€ran€downstairs€and€saw€Sonchious€slumped€over.€€Sonchious€wasŠ °"  Šable€to€respond€to€questioning,€so€Defendant€carried€him€upstairs.€€At€that€point,€Sonchious€beganŠ  #š! Šš šacting€funny.šš€€Defendant€then€put€Sonchious€in€the€shower€and€she€turned€on€the€cold€waterŠ $ą" Šbecause€she€had€been€told€that€cold€water€can€prevent€a€person€from€becoming€unconscious.€Š €%Š # ŠDefendant€subsequently€took€Sonchious€out€of€the€shower€and€changed€his€clothes.€€Sonchious€wasŠ p&Ą!$ Šable€to€respond€to€more€questioning,€but€when€Defendant€put€Sonchious€in€bed€his€eyes€š šlookedŠ `'°"% Šfunny.šš€€Shortly€thereafter,€Defendant€called€911.Š P( #& ŠĢą  ąDefendant€testified€that€she€and€her€children€were€the€only€people€who€had€been€in€herŠ 0*€%( Šapartment€from€June€11,€1997,€until€June€13,€1997.Š  +p&) ŠŠ ,`'* Šą  ąDefendant€testified€that€in€regard€to€disciplining€Sonchious,€she€yelled€a€lot.€€DefendantŠ ° Šadmitted€that€when€Sonchious€urinated€on€the€floor€on€June€13,€1997,€she€spanked€him€with€a€blackŠ  š Šplastic€rod.€€Defendant€admitted€that€this€whipping€caused€the€marks€on€the€back€of€Sonchiousšš€legsŠ ą Šthat€had€been€discovered€by€Dr.€Toolsie.€€Defendant€denied€ever€hitting€Austin€with€a€shoe,€and€sheŠ €Š Štestified€that€Austin€had€been€beaten€while€playing€at€the€playground€on€June€11,€1997.€€DefendantŠ pĄ Šdenied€choking€her€children,€and€she€believed€that€the€marks€on€Austinššs€neck€were€sustained€duringŠ ` ° Šthe€playground€incident.Š P   ŠĢą  ąDefendant€testified€that€her€children€came€to€live€with€her€at€the€Lee€Manor€Apartments€onŠ 0 € ŠMay€22,€1997,€and€before€that,€they€lived€with€Defendantššs€mother€in€Sweetwater.€€Around€June€1,Š  p  Š1997,€Defendantššs€children€stayed€with€Defendantššs€mother€and€stepfather€for€the€weekend.€€At€thatŠ `  Štime,€Sonchious€was€taken€to€the€hospital€because€he€had€previously€fallen€down€the€stairs€and€hadŠ P  Šsustained€a€red€knot€on€his€head€and€a€red€spot€on€his€eye.€€Š š@  ŠĢą  ąDefendant€testified€that€on€one€occasion€while€she€was€living€in€the€Lee€Manor€Apartments,Š Š  Šshe€called€her€brother€to€discipline€the€children€and€her€brother€came€and€spanked€them.€€BeforeŠ Ą ŠDefendant€moved€into€the€apartment,€her€family€members€would€discipline€the€children.€DefendantŠ ° Štestified€that€although€she€bathed€her€children€everyday,€she€did€not€particularly€notice€any€bruisesŠ  š Šon€Sonchiousšš€body.€€Š ą ŠĢą  ąDefendant€testified€that€Detectives€Long€and€Bowers€had€lied€during€their€testimony€and€š šaŠ pĄ Šwhole€bunch€of€liesšš€were€brought€out€during€the€Stateššs€case€in€chief.€€Š `° ŠĢą@ī ī ģąņ ņII.€€SUFFICIENCY€OF€THE€EVIDENCEó óˆŠ @ ŠĢą  ąDefendant€contends€that€the€evidence€was€legally€insufficient€to€support€her€convictions€forŠ  p Štwo€counts€of€aggravated€child€abuse€and€one€count€of€first€degree€murder€in€perpetration€ofŠ ` Šaggravated€child€abuse.€€We€disagree.Š P ŠĢą  ąIn€this€case,€Defendant€was€convicted€of€the€first€degree€murder€of€Sonchious€Ferguson€inŠ ą0 Šperpetration€of€aggravated€child€abuse€on€or€about€June€13,€1997.€€Defendant€was€also€convicted€ofŠ Š  Šthe€aggravated€child€abuse€of€Sonchious€Ferguson€between€May€1,€1997,€and€June€13,€1997.€€InŠ Ą! Šaddition,€Defendant€was€convicted€of€the€aggravated€child€abuse€of€Austin€Ferguson€between€MayŠ °"  Š1,€1997,€and€June€13,€1997.Š  #š! ŠĢą  ąWhere€the€sufficiency€of€the€evidence€is€contested€on€appeal,€the€relevant€question€for€theŠ €%Š # Šreviewing€court€is€whether€any€rational€trier€of€fact€could€have€found€the€accused€guilty€of€everyŠ p&Ą!$ Šelement€of€the€offense€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt.€€ņņJackson€v.€Virginiaóó,€443€U.S.€307,€319,€99€S.Ct.Š `'°"% Š2781,€2789,€61€L.Ed.2d€560,€573€(1979)ņņóó.€€In€determining€the€sufficiency€of€the€evidence,€this€CourtŠ P( #& Šdoes€not€reweigh€or€reevaluate€the€evidence.€€ņņState€v.€Cabbageóó,€571€S.W.2d€832,€835€(Tenn.€1978).€Š @)$' ŠNor€may€this€Court€substitute€its€inferences€for€those€drawn€by€the€trier€of€fact€from€circumstantialŠ 0*€%( Ševidence.€€ņņLiakas€v.€Stateóó,€199€Tenn.€298,€305,€286€S.W.2d€856,€859€(1956).€€To€the€contrary,€thisŠ  +p&) ŠCourt€is€required€to€afford€the€State€the€strongest€legitimate€view€of€the€evidence€contained€in€theŠ ,`'* Šrecord€as€well€as€all€reasonable€and€legitimate€inferences€which€may€be€drawn€from€the€evidence.€Š ° ŠņņState€v.€Tuttleóó,€914€S.W.2d€926,€932€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1995).€€Since€a€verdict€of€guilt€removes€theŠ  š Špresumption€of€a€defendantššs€innocence€and€replaces€it€with€a€presumption€of€guilt,€the€defendantŠ ą Šhas€the€burden€of€proof€on€the€sufficiency€of€the€evidence€at€the€appellate€level.€€ņņState€v.€Tuggleóó,€639Š €Š ŠS.W.2d€913,€914€(Tenn.€1982).Š pĄ ŠĢą  ąAt€the€time€of€the€incidents€in€this€case,€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€39„13„202Š P   Šprovided,€in€relevant€part€that€š šFirst€degree€murder€is:€[a]€killing€of€another€committed€in€theŠ @  Šperpetration€of€or€attempt€to€perpetrate€any€first€degree€murder,€arson,€rape,€robbery,€burglary,€theft,Š 0 € Škidnapping,€aggravated€child€abuse€or€aircraft€piracy.šš€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€šš€39„13„202(a)(2)€(1997).€Š  p  ŠIn€addition,€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€39„15„401€provided,€in€relevant€part:Š `  ŠĢą8  ąAny€person€who€knowingly,€other€than€by€accidental€means,€treats€a€child€underŠ š@  Šeighteen€(18)€years€of€age€in€such€a€manner€as€to€inflict€injury€or€neglects€such€aŠ ą0  Šchild€so€as€to€adversely€affect€the€childššs€health€and€welfare€commits€a€Class€AŠ Š  Šmisdemeanor;€€provided,€that€if€the€abused€child€is€six€(6)€years€of€age€or€less,€theŠ Ą Špenalty€is€a€Class€D€felony.аРР ŠĢTenn.€Code€Ann.€šš€39„15„401(a)€(1997).€€Š ą ŠĢFurther,€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€39„15„402€provided,€in€relevant€part:€š šA€person€commitsŠ pĄ Šthe€offense€of€aggravated€child€abuse€and€neglect€who€commits€the€offense€of€child€abuse€andŠ `° Šneglect€as€defined€in€šš€39-15-401€and:€€(1)€The€act€of€abuse€or€neglect€results€in€serious€bodily€injuryŠ P  Što€the€child.šš€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€šš€39„15„402(a)€(1997).€€Further,€š š[s]erious€bodily€injuryšš€meansŠ @ Šbodily€injury€which€involves:€€(A)€A€substantial€risk€of€death;€(B)€Protracted€unconsciousness;€(C)Š 0€ ŠExtreme€physical€pain;€(D)€Protracted€or€obvious€disfigurement;€€or€(E)€Protracted€loss€or€substantialŠ  p Šimpairment€of€a€function€of€a€bodily€member,€organ€or€mental€faculty.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€šš€39„11„Š ` Š106(a)(34)€(1997).Š P ŠĢą@‹‹)ģąņ ņA.ó óˆŠ ą0 ŠĢą  ąDefendant€initially€contends€that€the€evidence€was€insufficient€to€support€her€conviction€forŠ Ą! Šthe€first€degree€murder€of€Sonchious€in€perpetration€of€aggravated€child€abuse.€€We€conclude€thatŠ °"  Šwhen€the€evidence€is€viewed€in€the€light€most€favorable€to€the€State,€as€it€must€be,€the€evidence€wasŠ  #š! Šsufficient€for€a€rational€jury€to€find€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt€that€Defendant€killed€SonchiousŠ $ą" Šduring€the€perpetration€of€aggravated€child€abuse.Š €%Š # ŠĢą  ąDr.€Berg€testified€that€when€Sonchious€was€brought€to€the€hospital,€he€was€already€dead€andŠ `'°"% Šthere€was€no€question€whatsoever€that€he€had€been€severely€beaten€and€abused.€€Dr.€Berg€alsoŠ P( #& Štestified€that€the€bruises€on€Sonchiousšš€body€were€not€consistent€with€a€one„€time€fall€down€stairs.Š @)$' ŠĢą  ąDr.€Toolsie€testified€that€during€the€autopsy,€he€discovered€fifty€separate€injuries€onŠ  +p&) ŠSonchiousšš€body.€€€Dr.€Toolsie€testified€that€he€discovered€unusual€bruises€on€the€soft€tissue€of€theŠ ,`'* Šabdomen€that€were€consistent€with€inflicted€blows€and€his€autopsy€report€states€that€he€discoveredŠ ° Šš š[e]xternal€abdominal€trauma€consistent€with€multiple€inflicted€blows.šš€Dr.€Toolsie€testified€thatŠ  š Šfresh€blood€poured€out€of€Sonchiousšš€abdominal€cavity€when€he€cut€into€it,€which€indicated€thatŠ ą ŠSonchious€had€been€bleeding€internally.€€Dr.€Toolsie€opined€that€the€bleeding€had€come€from€theŠ €Š Šmesentery,€which€indicated€that€there€had€been€blunt€force€trauma€that€intruded€into€the€abdominalŠ pĄ Šcavity.€€Dr.€Toolsie€also€found€bruises€on€the€small€intestine€which€were€consistent€with€€blunt€forceŠ ` ° Štrauma€that€intruded€into€the€abdominal€cavity.€€In€fact,€Dr.€Toolsie€testified€that€the€bleeding€wasŠ P   Šcaused€by€š ša€very,€very€significant€blunt€force€injury.šš€€Dr.€Toolsie€opined€that€the€internal€bleedingŠ @  Šoccurred€slowly€over€a€period€of€time.€€Dr.€Toolsie€testified€that€the€internal€abdominal€bleeding€wasŠ 0 € Šsignificant€enough€in€and€of€itself€to€cause€Sonchiousšš€death.Š  p  ŠĢą  ąDr.€Toolsie€testified€that€Sonchiousšš€internal€injuries€were€similar€to€those€he€had€seen€inŠ P  Švictims€of€car€wrecks€where€there€had€been€š šan€enormous€impact.šš€€Dr.€Toolsie€stated€that€it€wasŠ š@  Šš šwithin€the€realms€of€possibilityšš€that€the€internal€injuries€were€caused€by€falling€against€the€edgeŠ ą0  Šof€a€stair,€but€it€was€not€š šwithin€the€realms€of€probabilityšš€that€falling€against€a€stair€caused€theŠ Š  Šinjuries.€€Further,€Dr.€Toolsie€stated€that€he€did€not€observe€the€type€of€marks€on€Sonchiousšš€bellyŠ Ą Šthat€he€would€expect€to€see€if€the€blunt€force€injury€had€been€caused€by€falling€against€the€edge€ofŠ ° Ša€stair.€Š  š ŠĢą  ąDr.€Toolsie€testified€that€it€was€impossible€for€Sonchious€to€have€died€when€DefendantŠ €Š Šclaimed€he€had.€€Dr.€Toolsie€testified€that€rather€than€dying€around€9:45€a.m.€as€claimed€byŠ pĄ ŠDefendant,€Sonchious€had€died€between€4:00€and€6:00€a.m.€€Dr.€Toolsie€opined€that€Sonchious€hadŠ `° Šbeen€put€to€bed€after€he€sustained€the€injuries,€and€the€injuries€progressed€during€the€night€until€theŠ P  Špoint€that€they€became€lethal.€€Numerous€witnesses€testified,€contrary€to€Defendantššs€claim€that€sheŠ @ Šgave€Sonchious€a€shower€shortly€before€he€died,€that€there€was€no€indication€of€wetness€on€or€aroundŠ 0€ ŠSonchiousšš€body.Š  p ŠĢą  ąDefendant€testified€that€she€and€her€children€were€the€only€people€who€had€been€in€theŠ P Šapartment€from€June€11,€1997,€until€June€13,€1997.Š š@ ŠĢą  ąA€rational€jury€could€conclude€from€the€evidence€that€Sonchiousšš€internal€abdominalŠ Š  Šbleeding€was€caused€by€a€š ša€very,€very€significant€blunt€force€injury,šš€that€it€was€not€within€theŠ Ą! Šrealm€of€probability€that€the€injury€was€caused€by€falling€against€a€stair,€that€there€were€no€marksŠ °"  Šon€the€belly€that€would€have€been€expected€if€there€had€been€a€fall€against€a€stair,€that€SonchiousššŠ  #š! Šbody€had€š š[e]xternal€abdominal€trauma€consistent€with€multiple€inflicted€blowsšš,€that€Defendant€wasŠ $ą" Šthe€only€adult€in€the€residence€when€the€abdominal€injury€was€sustained,€that€Defendant€lied€bothŠ €%Š # Šbefore€and€during€trial€about€the€timing€of€Sonchiousšš€death,€and€that€Defendant€knowingly€inflictedŠ p&Ą!$ Šthe€serious€bodily€injury€on€Sonchious€that€caused€his€death.€€Thus,€the€evidence€was€sufficient€toŠ `'°"% Šsupport€Defendantššs€conviction€for€the€first€degree€murder€of€Sonchious€in€perpetration€ofŠ P( #& Šaggravated€child€abuse.Š @)$' ŠĢĢŠ ,`'* Šą@)ģąņ ņB.ó óˆŠ ° ŠĢą  ąDefendant€contends€that€the€evidence€was€insufficient€to€support€her€conviction€for€theŠ ą Šaggravated€child€abuse€of€Sonchious,€alleged€in€count€3€of€the€indictment€to€have€occurred€betweenŠ €Š ŠMay€1,€1997€and€June€13,€1997.€€We€conclude€that€when€the€evidence€is€viewed€in€the€light€mostŠ pĄ Šfavorable€to€the€State,€the€evidence€was€sufficient€for€a€rational€jury€to€find€beyond€a€reasonableŠ ` ° Šdoubt€that€Defendant€knowingly€treated€Sonchious€in€a€manner€that€resulted€in€serious€bodily€injury.Š P   ŠĢą  ąAlthough€her€time„sequence€was€inconsistent€with€other€proof€taken€in€the€light€mostŠ 0 € Šfavorable€to€the€State,€Defendant€did€admit€in€her€testimony€that€she€spanked€Sonchiousšš€legs€withŠ  p  Ša€black€plastic€rod.€€Dr.€Toolsie€testified:Š `  ŠĢą8  ąWell,€you€know,€the€whip€marks€we€saw€on€the€back€of€[Sonchiousšš]€legs€were€prettyŠ š@  Šsevere.€€You€know,€they€were€associated€with€not€only€a€lot€of,€lot€of€bruising€at€theŠ ą0  Šwhip€marks€but€a€lot€of€bruising€around€it€as€well,€contusions.€€Like€I€mentionedŠ Š  Šearlier€on,€thatš"šwhippings€or€canings€of€this€severityš"šthis€sort€of€injury€that€we€seeŠ Ą Šthat,€that€occurs€in€the€judicial€canings€in€some€of€the€far€Eastern€countries€where€itššsŠ ° Šactually€carried€out,€you€know,€by€prison€guards,€where€thereššs€this€very€particularŠ  š Štype€of€injury€where,€thatššs€pale€in€the€center€and€dark€red€on€the€outside.€€That,€asŠ ą ŠI€indicated,€requires€a€lot€of€force€and€is€usually€associated€with€bleeding€not€onlyŠ €Š Šinto€the€underlying€soft€tissue,€but€also€the€underlying€muscles.ŠpĄŠ Š  ŠĢDr.€Toolsie€also€testified€that€the€leg€injuries€would€have€caused€š š[d]ysfunction€over€a€period€of€oneŠ P  Šor€two€weeks.ššŠ @ ŠĢą  ąA€rational€jury€could€certainly€infer€that€the€š šjudicial€caningšš€with€a€plastic€rod€thatŠ  p Šš šrequire[d]€a€lot€of€forcešš€and€was€so€painful€that€it€would€hinder€the€ability€to€walk€for€one€or€twoŠ ` Šweeks€caused€Sonchious€to€suffer€extreme€physical€pain.€€ņņSeeóó€ņņState€v.€Jim€Inmanóó,€No.€03C03„9201„Š P ŠCR„00020,€1993€WL€483321,€at€*8€Campbell€County€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.,€Knoxville,€Nov.€23,€1993),Š š@ Šņņperm.€to€app.€deniedóó,€(Tenn.€April€4,€1994)€(holding€that€the€jury€could€infer€from€the€circumstancesŠ ą0 Šthat€injuries€resulted€in€extreme€pain).€€Therefore,€the€whipping€injuries€qualify€as€serious€bodilyŠ Š  Šinjury.€€ņņSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€šš€39„11„106(a)(34)(C)€(1997).€€Thus,€the€evidence€was€sufficient€toŠ Ą! Šsupport€Defendantššs€conviction€for€the€aggravated€child€abuse€of€Sonchious.Š °"  ŠĢą@‹‹)ģąņ ņC.ó óˆŠ $ą" ŠĢą  ąDefendant€contends€that€the€evidence€was€insufficient€to€support€her€conviction€for€theŠ p&Ą!$ Šaggravated€child€abuse€of€Austin.€€We€conclude€that€when€the€evidence€is€viewed€in€the€light€mostŠ `'°"% Šfavorable€to€the€State,€the€evidence€was€sufficient€for€a€rational€jury€to€find€beyond€a€reasonableŠ P( #& Šdoubt€that€Defendant€knowingly€treated€Austin€in€a€manner€that€resulted€in€serious€bodily€injury.Š @)$' ŠĢą  ąDetective€Long€testified€that€when€he€saw€Austin€on€June13,€1997,€he€observed€that€AustinŠ  +p&) Šhad€a€bruise€on€his€face.€€Long€believed€that€the€bruise€looked€like€the€sole€of€a€shoe€because€it€hadŠ ,`'* Šš šsome€striation€or€some€lines€running€across€almost€vertically,€to€a€slight€angle,€across€the€entire€partŠ ° Šof€the€face€where€the,€where€the€bruise€is€showing,€and€also€a€definite€outline€back€here€as€to€an€archŠ  š Šof€some€type.šš€€Dr.€Breeden€testified€that€when€she€saw€Austin€later€that€same€day,€she€observedŠ ą Šš špurplish€linear€lesionsšš€across€the€side€of€his€face€and€over€his€eye.€€Dr.€Breeden€testified€that€theseŠ €Š Šlinear€lesions€were€between€twenty„four€and€forty„eight€hours€old€and€they€š šlooked€like€the€bottomŠ pĄ Šof€a€shoe.šš€€In€fact,€Dr.€Breeden€testified€that€the€linear€lesions€were€consistent€with€the€shoes€thatŠ ` ° Šwere€found€in€Defendantššs€apartment.€€Dr.€Breeden€testified€that€for€the€blow€with€the€shoe€to€haveŠ P   Šleft€the€kind€of€marks€it€did,€it€would€have€to€have€been€š š[v]ery€hard,€veryš"š.šš€€Further,€Dr.€BreedenŠ @  Štestified€that€the€injuries€on€Austin€were€the€result€of€being€š šbeaten€brutally.šš€€Also,€Dr.€BreedenŠ 0 € Štestified€that€Austinššs€nose€had€significant€swelling,€and€that€x„rays€confirmed€that€his€nose€wasŠ  p  Šbroken.€€Š `  ŠĢą  ąA€rational€jury€could€infer€from€the€evidence€that€the€liner€lesions€on€Austinššs€face€wereŠ š@  Šconsistent€with€the€tread€on€the€shoes€found€in€Defendantššs€apartment,€that€the€lesions€were€betweenŠ ą0  Štwenty„four€and€forty„eight€hours€old,€and€that€Defendant€was€the€only€adult€who€had€been€in€theŠ Š  Šapartment€for€approximately€the€previous€two€days,€and€that€Defendant€was€the€person€who€struckŠ Ą ŠAustin€with€a€shoe€and€caused€the€lesions.€€A€rational€jury€could€also€infer€from€the€evidence€thatŠ ° ŠAustin€was€brutally€beaten€with€a€shoe€with€such€great€force€that€it€left€the€imprint€of€the€shoeššs€treadŠ  š Šon€his€face€that€Austin€suffered€extreme€pain.€€€€ņņSeeóó€ņņJim€Inmanóó,€1993€WL€483321,€at€*8.€€Therefore,Š ą Šthe€shoe„shaped€lesions€on€Austinššs€face€qualify€as€serious€bodily€injury.€€ņņSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ššŠ €Š Š39„11„106(a)(34)(C)€(1997).€€The€broken€nose€meets€the€definition€of€obvious€disfigurement€andŠ pĄ Šextreme€physical€pain.€€ņņSeeóó€ņņIdóó.€(a)(34)(D).€€Thus,€the€evidence€was€sufficient€to€support€DefendantššsŠ `° Šconviction€for€the€aggravated€child€abuse€of€Austin.Š P  ŠĢą@‹‹)ģąņ ņD.ó óˆŠ 0€ ŠĢą  ąDefendant€also€contends€that€the€evidence€was€insufficient€because€the€testimony€of€theŠ ` ŠStateššs€witnesses€was€contradicted€by€the€testimony€of€Defendant€or€other€witnesses€and€because€theŠ P ŠStateššs€witnesses€failed€to€take€all€relevant€facts€into€consideration€when€they€estimated€the€time€ofŠ š@ ŠSonchiousšš€death.€€However,€š š[t]he€credibility€of€the€witnesses,€the€weight€to€be€given€theirŠ ą0 Štestimony,€and€the€reconciliation€of€conflicts€in€the€evidence€are€matters€entrusted€exclusively€to€theŠ Š  Šjury€as€the€triers€of€fact.šš€€ņņState€v.€Cribbsóó,€967€S.W.2d€773,€793€(Tenn.€1998).€€We€will€not€secondŠ Ą! Šguess€the€jury€in€the€resolution€of€any€conflicts€in€the€proof€or€the€determination€of€witnessesššŠ °"  Šcredibility.Š  #š! ŠĢą  ąIn€this€case,€Defendant€essentially€asks€us€to€reconsider€the€evidence€and€substitute€a€verdictŠ €%Š # Šof€not€guilty€in€place€of€the€verdict€found€by€the€jury.€€That€is€not€our€function.€€Instead,€we€concludeŠ p&Ą!$ Šthat€a€rational€jury€could€have€found€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt€that€Defendant€committed€the€threeŠ `'°"% Šoffenses€for€which€she€was€convicted.€€ņņSeeóó€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(e).€€Defendant€is€not€entitled€to€reliefŠ P( #& Šon€this€issue.Š @)$' ŠĢĢŠ ,`'* Šą@ĆĆ#ģąņ ņIII.€€SEVERANCEó óņ ņó óˆŠ ° ŠĢą  ąIn€this€case,€Defendant€was€indicted€for€the€following€counts:€€(1)€the€first€degree€murder€ofŠ ą ŠSonchious€Ferguson€in€perpetration€of€aggravated€child€abuse€on€or€about€June€13,€1997;€(2)€theŠ €Š Šaggravated€child€abuse€of€Sonchious€Ferguson€on€or€about€June€13,€1997;€(3)€the€aggravated€childŠ pĄ Šabuse€of€Sonchious€Ferguson€between€May€1,€1997,€and€June€13,€1997;€(4)€the€aggravated€childŠ ` ° Šabuse€of€Austin€Ferguson€between€May€1,€1997,€and€June€13,€1997;€(5)€the€child€abuse€of€TylerŠ P   ŠFerguson€between€May€1,€1997,€and€June€13,€1997;€and€(6)€the€child€neglect€of€Bradlee€FergusonŠ @  Šbetween€May€1,€1997,€and€June€13,€1997.€€During€a€pretrial€hearing,€Defendant€moved€to€sever€theŠ 0 € Štrials€for€the€charges€involving€Sonchious€(counts€1š!š3)€from€the€trials€for€the€charges€involving€theŠ  p  Šother€children€(counts€4š!š6).€€The€State€subsequently€agreed€in€a€second€hearing€to€the€severance€ofŠ `  Šthe€trials€for€counts€5€and€6,€and€Defendant€then€moved€to€sever€the€trial€for€count€1€from€the€trialsŠ P  Šfor€counts€2š!š4.€€The€trial€court€denied€the€motion€to€sever€the€trial€for€count€1€from€the€trials€forŠ š@  Šcounts€2š!š4.€€On€appeal,€Defendant€challenges€the€trial€courtššs€failure€to€sever€the€trial€for€counts€1Š ą0  Šand€2€from€the€trial€for€count€3€and€the€trial€for€count€4.€€Defendant€does€not€challenge€the€failureŠ Š  Što€sever€counts€1€and€2.€€Indeed,€it€appears€that€count€2€was€charged€as€a€lesser„included€offense€ofŠ Ą Šcount€1€rather€than€as€a€separate€offense.€€However,€in€both€her€motion€for€new€trial€and€amendedŠ ° Šmotion€for€new€trial,€Defendant€only€complained€of€the€trial€courtššs€failure€to€sever€count€4€(theŠ  š Šaggravated€child€abuse€of€Austin€Ferguson)€from€the€trial€in€counts€1€and€3.€€On€direct€appeal€weŠ ą Šare€precluded€from€addressing€any€issues€that€are€not€also€raised€in€the€defendantššs€motion€for€a€newŠ €Š Štrial.€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€3(e);€ņņState€v.€Clintonóó,€754€S.W.2d€100,€103€(Tenn.€Crim.€Ap.€1988).€Š pĄ Šņ ņó óTherefore,€we€can€only€review€the€issue€of€severance€only€as€it€applies€to€count€4€chargingŠ `° Šaggravated€child€abuse€of€Austin.€€Š P  ŠĢą  ąSeverance€of€offenses€is€primarily€governed€by€Rule€14(b)(1)€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€ofŠ 0€ ŠCriminal€Procedure,€which€provides:Š  p ŠĢą8  ąIf€two€or€more€offenses€have€been€joined€or€consolidated€for€trial€pursuant€to€RuleŠ P Š8(b),€the€defendant€shall€have€a€right€to€a€severance€of€the€offenses€unless€theŠ š@ Šoffenses€are€part€of€a€common€scheme€or€plan€and€the€evidence€of€one€would€beŠ ą0 Šadmissible€upon€the€trial€of€the€others.ŠŠ Š Š  ŠĢTenn.€R.€Crim.€P.€14(b)(1).€€A€trial€courtššs€denial€of€a€motion€for€severance€under€this€rule€will€onlyŠ °"  Šbe€reversed€when€there€has€been€an€abuse€of€discretion.€€ņņState€v.€Shirleyóó,€6€S.W.3d€243,€247€(Tenn.Š  #š! Š1999).Š $ą" ŠĢą  ąThe€primary€inquiry€into€whether€a€severance€should€have€been€granted€under€Rule€14(b)(1)Š p&Ą!$ Šis€whether€the€evidence€of€one€crime€would€be€admissible€in€the€trial€of€the€other€if€the€counts€of€theŠ `'°"% Šindictment€had€been€severed.€€ņņState€v.€Mooreóó,€6€S.W.3d€235,€239€(Tenn.€1999).€€When€the€otherŠ P( #& Šoffenses€in€a€common€scheme€or€plan€are€not€relevant€to€a€material€issue,€a€severance€should€beŠ @)$' Šgranted€in€order€to€ensure€that€the€defendant€receives€a€fair€trial€because€a€failure€to€sever€invites€theŠ 0*€%( Šjury€to€improperly€infer€that€the€defendant€has€a€propensity€to€commit€crimes.€€ņņId.óóŠ  +p&) ŠŠ ,`'* Šą  ąBecause€a€motion€to€sever€is€typically€a€pretrial€motion,€evidence€and€argument€tending€toŠ ° Šestablish€or€negate€the€propriety€of€severance€must€be€presented€to€the€trial€court€in€the€hearing€onŠ  š Šthe€motion.€€ņņState€v.€Spiceróó,€12€S.W.3d€438,€445€(Tenn.€2000).€€Further,€appellate€courts€should€lookŠ ą Šonly€to€the€evidence€and€argument€presented€at€the€hearing,€along€with€the€trial€courtššs€findings€ofŠ €Š Šfact€and€conclusions€of€law,€when€determining€whether€the€trial€court€abused€its€discretion€byŠ pĄ Šrefusing€to€grant€a€severance.€€ņņId.óóŠ ` ° ŠĢą  ąBefore€a€trial€court€may€deny€severance,€the€trial€court€must€conclude€from€the€evidence€andŠ @  Šargument€presented€at€the€pretrial€hearing€that:Š 0 € ŠĢą8  ą(1)€the€multiple€offenses€constitute€parts€of€a€common€scheme€or€plan,€Tenn.€R.Š `  ŠCrim.€P.€14(b)(1);€€(2)€evidence€of€each€offense€is€relevant€to€some€material€issue€inŠ P  Šthe€trial€of€all€the€other€offenses,€Tenn.€R.€Evid.€404(b)(2);€€ņņMooreóó,€6€S.W.3d€at€239;€Š š@  Šand€(3)€the€probative€value€of€the€evidence€of€other€offenses€is€not€outweighed€by€theŠ ą0  Šprejudicial€effect€that€admission€of€the€evidence€would€have€on€the€defendant,€Tenn.Š Š  ŠR.€Evid.€404(b)(3).ŠĄŠ Š  ŠņņĢSpiceróó,€12€S.W.3d€at€445.Š  š ŠĢą  ąThe€record€indicates€that€the€trial€court€found€that€the€first€degree€murder€of€SonchiousŠ €Š Šduring€the€perpetration€of€aggravated€child€abuse,€the€aggravated€child€abuse€of€Sonchious,€and€theŠ pĄ Šaggravated€child€abuse€of€Austin€were€part€of€a€common€scheme€or€plan.Š `° ŠĢą  ąIn€Tennessee,€there€are€three€categories€of€common€scheme€or€plan€evidence:€(1)€offensesŠ @ Šthat€reveal€a€distinctive€design€or€are€so€familiar€as€to€constitute€š šsignaturešš€crimes;€(2)€offenses€thatŠ 0€ Šare€part€of€a€larger,€continuing€plan€or€conspiracy;€and€(3)€offenses€that€are€all€part€of€the€sameŠ  p Šcriminal€transaction.€€ņņMooreóó,€6€S.W.3d€at€240.€€The€State€argued€at€one€time€or€another€during€theŠ ` Štwo€pretrial€hearings€that€the€three€offenses€at€issue€fit€into€all€three€categories€of€common€schemeŠ P Šor€plan€evidence.Š š@ ŠĢą  ąBefore€multiple€offenses€may€be€said€to€fit€into€the€first€category€of€common€scheme€or€planŠ Š  Ševidence,€the€modis€operandi€employed€must€be€so€unique€and€distinctive€as€to€be€like€a€signatureŠ Ą! Šin€that€the€methods€used€have€such€unusual€particularities€that€it€is€not€likely€the€methods€wereŠ °"  Šemployed€by€different€persons.€€ņņShirleyóó,€6€S.W.3d€at€248.€€In€this€case,€the€State€failed€to€introduceŠ  #š! Šany€evidence€that€the€methods€employed€by€Defendant€in€committing€the€three€offenses€at€issue€wereŠ $ą" Šthe€least€bit€unique.€€The€State€did€not€specifically€identify€the€type€of€abuse€that€resulted€inŠ €%Š # ŠSonchiousšš€death,€and€although€the€State€argued€that€the€proof€would€show€that€both€Sonchious€andŠ p&Ą!$ ŠAustin€had€been€beaten€with€a€plastic€rod,€the€State€essentially€conceded€that€the€proof€establishedŠ `'°"% Šthat€Austin€was€also€beaten€with€a€shoe.€€Quite€simply,€the€State€did€not€establish€that€all€threeŠ P( #& Šcrimes€were€committed€by€the€same€method€and€more€importantly,€there€is€nothing€so€unique€orŠ @)$' Šunusual€about€committing€aggravated€child€abuse€by€using€a€rod€or€a€shoe€that€would€causeŠ 0*€%( Šreasonable€people€to€conclude€that€the€same€person€committed€all€of€the€offenses.Š  +p&) ŠŠ ,`'* Šą  ąThe€second,€continuing€plan€category€encompasses€groups€or€sequences€of€crimes€committedŠ ° Šin€order€to€achieve€a€common€ultimate€goal€or€purpose.€€ņņState€v.€Hallockóó,€875€S.W.2d€285,€290Š  š Š(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1993).€€The€State€argued€during€the€pretrial€hearings€that€the€offenses€were€partŠ ą Šof€a€continuing€plan€or€conspiracy.€€Although€the€State€argues€on€appeal€that€the€offenses€were€partŠ €Š Šof€a€continuing€plan€to€discipline€the€children,€the€State€did€not€make€that€argument€during€theŠ pĄ Špretrial€hearings.€€Instead,€the€State€argued€during€the€hearings€that€the€similar€abuse€over€aŠ ` ° Šrelatively€short€period€of€time€demonstrated€a€pattern€of€abusive€parenting.€€Regardless,€the€StateŠ P   Šfailed€to€identify€any€evidence€during€the€pretrial€hearings€that€Defendant€committed€the€offensesŠ @  Šas€part€of€a€plan€to€discipline€the€children,€or€for€any€other€plan€or€purpose.€€Quite€simply,€noŠ 0 € Ševidence€was€identified€during€the€pretrial€hearings€from€which€it€could€be€concluded€that€theŠ  p  Šoffenses€were€committed€to€achieve€a€common€ultimate€goal€or€purpose.Š `  ŠĢą  ąThe€third,€same€transaction€category€denotes€crimes€which€occur€within€a€single€criminalŠ š@  Šepisode.€€ņņId.óó€€The€fact€that€offenses€occurred€within€the€same€house€and€over€much€of€the€sameŠ ą0  Šperiod€of€time€does€not€mean€that€they€are€part€of€the€same€transaction.€€ņņId.óó€€Although€the€StateŠ Š  Šcontended€during€one€of€the€pretrial€hearings€that€all€of€Defendantššs€children€were€beaten€at€leastŠ Ą Šonce€during€a€single€transaction,€the€State€admitted€during€the€other€pretrial€hearing€that€the€proofŠ ° Šcould€only€establish€that€the€children€were€abused€during€the€same€forty„eight€hour€period.€Š  š ŠMoreover,€the€State€failed€to€identify€any€evidence€that€Sonchious€and€Austin€were€abused€duringŠ ą Ša€single€criminal€episode,€rather€than€just€during€the€same€general€time€period.€€In€fact,€the€StateŠ €Š Šargued€that€the€count€for€the€first€degree€murder€of€Sonchious€during€the€perpetration€of€aggravatedŠ pĄ Šchild€abuse€and€the€count€for€the€aggravated€child€abuse€of€Sonchious€were€separate€offensesŠ `° Šbecause€they€occurred€at€different€times.Š P  ŠĢą  ąWe€conclude€that€the€State€presented€no€evidence€during€the€pre„trial€hearing€that€the€offenseŠ 0€ Šregarding€Austin€Ferguson€as€the€victim€was€part€of€a€common€scheme€or€plan,€as€that€is€defined€byŠ  p Šcase€law,€with€the€offenses€involving€Sonchious€Ferguson.Š ` ŠĢą  ąBecause€the€three€offenses€were€not€part€of€a€common€plan€or€scheme,€we€hold€that€the€trialŠ š@ Šcourt€abused€its€discretion€when€it€failed€to€sever€the€trials€for€all€three€of€the€offenses€at€issue€in€thisŠ ą0 Šcase.€€However,€that€does€not€end€our€inquiry€because€a€failure€to€sever€may€be€harmless€error.€Š Š  ŠņņSpiceróó,€12€S.W.3d€at€447.€€š šThe€line€between€harmless€and€prejudicial€error€is€in€direct€proportionŠ Ą! Što€the€degree€of€the€margin€by€which€the€proof€exceeds€the€standard€required€to€convict,€beyond€aŠ °"  Šreasonable€doubt.šš€€ņņShirleyóó,€6€S.W.3d€at€250€(citation€and€internal€quotations€omitted).Š  #š! ŠĢą  ąAlthough€the€evidence€in€this€case€was€legally€sufficient€to€support€all€three€of€DefendantššsŠ €%Š # Šconvictions,€the€evidence€was€far€from€overwhelming.€€For€instance,€the€State€did€not€present€anyŠ p&Ą!$ Šwitness€who€was€able€to€testify€that€he€or€she€personally€saw€Defendant€abuse€the€victims€on€anyŠ `'°"% Šoccasion.€€In€addition,€Dr.€Toolsie€testified€that€Sonchious€had€several€injuries€on€his€body€that€wereŠ P( #& Šconsistent€with€a€fall€down€some€stairs€and€Dr.€Toolsie€testified€that€although€it€was€not€probable,Š @)$' Šit€was€possible€that€the€internal€abdominal€injuries€that€caused€Sonchiousšš€death€were€inflicted€whenŠ 0*€%( Šhe€fell€against€the€edge€of€a€stair.€€Dr.€Breeden€testified€that€several€of€Austinššs€injuries€could€haveŠ  +p&) Šbeen€caused€by€other€children€or€by€incidents€such€as€being€hit€in€the€head€with€a€baseball.€€AlthoughŠ ,`'* Šthe€evidence€was€legally€sufficient,€the€Stateššs€evidence€was€hardly€unimpeachable.€€The€error€inŠ ° Šfailing€to€sever€count€4€from€the€other€counts,€more€probably€than€not,€affected€the€verdict€renderedŠ  š Šby€the€jury.€€Therefore,€the€trial€courtššs€failure€to€sever€was€reversible€error.€€Š ą ŠĢą@ööģąņ ņIV.€€DENIAL€OF€MISTRIALó óˆŠ pĄ ŠĢą  ąDefendant€contends€that€the€trial€court€erred€when€it€failed€to€grant€a€mistrial€when€theŠ P   Šprosecutor€elicited€a€hearsay€statement€that€had€previously€been€ruled€inadmissible.€€We€agree.Š @  ŠĢą  ąThe€record€indicates€that€in€August€of€1997,€Defendant€filed€a€motion€in€limine€in€which€sheŠ  p  Šasked€the€trial€court€to€rule€that€one€of€the€paramedics€who€responded€to€the€911€call€from€herŠ `  Šresidence€could€not€testify€that€when€the€paramedic€asked€Austin€what€happened€to€his€head,€AustinŠ P  Šstated€that€his€mommy€did€it.€€The€record€also€indicates€that€the€trial€court€subsequently€filed€anŠ š@  Šorder€in€which€it€ruled€that€neither€Defendant€nor€the€State€could€mention€Austinššs€statement€duringŠ ą0  Švoir€dire€and€opening€statements.€€The€court€also€ruled€that€the€paramedic€was€prohibited€fromŠ Š  Šrepeating€Austinššs€statement€unless€there€was€a€subsequent€jury€out€hearing€during€which€the€courtŠ Ą Šfound€the€statement€to€be€admissible.€€The€trial€court€subsequently€ruled€that€Austin€was€incompetentŠ ° Što€testify€during€trial.Š  š ŠĢą  ąDuring€trial,€Detective€Long€was€recalled€to€testify€for€the€defense€and€he€was€questionedŠ €Š Šabout€whether€the€shoe€that€allegedly€caused€the€lesions€on€Austinššs€face€had€been€tested€for€theŠ pĄ Špresence€of€blood€or€skin.€€The€prosecutor€then€cross„examined€Long,€and€the€following€colloquyŠ `° Šoccurred:Š P  ŠĢą8  ą[Prosecutor]:ą0ø Š Š ąą0ø Š ø Š ąNow,€[defense€counsel]€asked€you€about€the€playground€andŠ 0€ Šyour€discussions€with€Austin€and€what€he€said.€€What€didŠ  p Šheš"šwho€did€he€say€did€this€to€him?Š`Š Š  Šą8  ą[Long]:ą0ø Š Š ąą0ø Š ø Š ąHe€told€me€that€his€mother€did€it€to€him.ŠPŠ Š  Šą8  ą[Defense€counsel]:ą0Š Š ąIššm€going€to€object€to€that.Šš@Š Š  Šą8  ą[Court]:€ą0ø Š Š ąą0ø Š ø Š ąSustained.Šą0Š Š  ŠĢDefense€counsel€then€moved€for€a€mistrial,€and€the€prosecutor€argued€that€a€mistrial€was€not€requiredŠ Ą! Šbecause€defense€counsel€had€opened€the€door€to€admission€of€Austinššs€statement.€€Defense€counselŠ °"  Šdenied€opening€the€door€to€admission€of€the€statement,€and€the€trial€court€conducted€a€jury€outŠ  #š! Šhearing€in€which€it€asked€the€court€reporter€to€play€back€the€tape€of€the€testimony€in€question.€€AfterŠ $ą" Šlistening€to€the€testimony,€the€trial€court€found€that€defense€counsel€had€done€nothing€whatsoeverŠ €%Š # Što€open€the€door€to€Austinššs€statement.Š p&Ą!$ ŠĢą  ąAt€this€point,€the€prosecutor€argued€again€that€defense€counsel€had€opened€the€door€toŠ P( #& Šadmission€of€Austinššs€statement.€€The€following€colloquy€then€occurred:Š @)$' ŠĢą8  ą[Court]:€ą0ø Š Š ąWell,€what€he€said€was€that€he€talked€to€somebody€and€they€didnšštŠ  +p&) Šsee€anything.€€That€did€not€in€any€way€open€up€anything€aboutŠ ,`'* ŠAustin,€because€the€question€was€trying€to€say,€š šWas€somebody€elseŠ ° Šthere€that€might€have€seen€that€they€got€hurt€on€the€playground?šš€€TheŠ  š Šanswer€was€no,€which€precluded€him€from€pursuing€anything€elseŠ ą Šabout€it€being€a€playground€thing.Ѐи Š ø Š  Šą8  ą[Prosecutor]:ą0ø Š Š ąYour€Honor,€he€asked€about€the€injuries€to€Austinš"šŠpĄø Š ø Š  Šą8  ą[Court]:€ą0ø Š Š ąGeneral,€weššre€here€on€a€three„day€trial€and€the€State€asks€a€questionŠ ` ° Šthatššs€clearly,€clearly€inadmissible.€€Now€what€am€I€supposed€to€do?€Š P   ŠCan€I€cure€that€with€an€instruction?Š@ ø Š ø Š  Šą8  ą[Prosecutor]:€ą0ø Š Š ąWellš"šŠ0 €ø Š ø Š  Šą8  ą[Court]:€ą0ø Š Š ąOr€are€we€going€to€mistrial€and€start€over€again?€€Now€thatššs€clearlyŠ  p  Šthe€kind€of€question€thatš"šŠ` ø Š ø Š  Šą8  ą[Prosecutor]:ą0ø Š Š ą(Brief€Pause)€Obviously€you€donššt€agree€with€me,€Your€Honor,€butŠ P  ŠI€think€itššs€clear€thatš"šŠš@ ø Š ø Š  Šą8  ą[Court]:ą0ø Š Š ąI€donššt€agree€that€you€can€get€through€this€witness€hearsay€evidenceŠ ą0  Šon€who€hit€or€whether€he€.€.€.€the€defendant€hit€the€person€or€not.ŠŠ ø Š ø Š  Šą8  ąą0` Š Š ąą ø ąą0` Š ` Š ą.€.€.€.ŠĄŠ Š  Šą8  ą[Prosecutor]:ą0ø Š Š ąAnd€then€I€very€methodically,€Your€Honorš"šŠ°ø Š ø Š  Šą8  ą[Court]:ą0ø Š Š ąYou€canššt€methodically€get€in€inadmissible€hearsay€evidence.Š šø Š ø Š  Šą8  ą[Prosecutor]:ą0ø Š Š ąBut€he€had,€if€heš"šŠąø Š ø Š  Šą8  ą[Court]:ą0ø Š Š ąHe€doesnšštš"šŠ€Šø Š ø Š  Šą8  ą[Prosecutor]:ą0ø Š Š ąHe€has€the€right€to€object€when€I,€I€tell€him,€you€know.€€I€meanš"šŠpĄø Š ø Š  Šą8  ą[Court]:ą0ø Š Š ąGeneral,€the€State€has€an€obligation€when€itššs€prosecuting€a€case€toŠ `° Šsee€that€justice€is€done€and€that€inadmissible€evidence€is€not€slippedŠ P  Šin.Š@ø Š ø Š  ŠĢShortly€thereafter,€the€jury€returned€and€the€trial€court€gave€the€following€instruction:Š  p ŠĢą8  ąLadies€and€gentlemen,€the€Court€at€this€time€would€instruct€you€that€you€are€not€toŠ P Šconsider€any€hearsay€evidence€in€your€deliberations.€€Any€statements€made€by€thisŠ š@ Šwitness€and€attributed€to€someone€else€should€be€disregarded€by€you€and€notŠ ą0 Šconsidered€by€you€in€any€way€during€your€deliberations,€nor€should€any€decision€youŠ Š  Šmake€be€based€on€any€such€testimony.ŠĄ!Š Š  ŠĢą  ąThe€decision€of€whether€to€grant€a€mistrial€is€within€the€sound€discretion€of€the€trial€court.Š  #š! ŠņņState€v.€McKinneyóó,€929€S.W.2d€404,€405€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1996).€€This€Court€will€not€disturb€thatŠ $ą" Šdecision€absent€a€finding€of€an€abuse€of€discretion.€€ņņId.ó󀀹 šGenerally,€a€mistrial€will€be€declared€in€aŠ €%Š # Šcriminal€case€only€when€there€is€a€'manifest€necessity'€requiring€such€action€by€the€trial€judge.šš€€ņņStateŠ p&Ą!$ Šv.€Millbrooksóó,€819€S.W.2d€441,€443€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1991).€€š šThe€purpose€for€declaring€a€mistrialŠ `'°"% Šis€to€correct€damage€done€to€the€judicial€process€when€some€event€has€occurred€which€precludes€anŠ P( #& Šimpartial€verdict.šš€€ņņState€v.€Williamsóó,€929€S.W.2d€385,€388€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1996).€In€determiningŠ @)$' Šwhether€there€is€a€š šmanifest€necessityšš€for€a€mistrial,€no€abstract€formula€should€be€mechanicallyŠ 0*€%( Šapplied€and€all€circumstances€should€be€taken€into€account.€€ņņState€v.€Mounceóó,€859€S.W.2d€319,€322Š  +p&) Š(Tenn.€1993)€(citation€omitted).€€š šWhile€Tennessee€Courts€do€not€apply€any€rigid€test€whenŠ ,`'* Šexamining€the€failure€to€grant€a€mistrial€after€a€witness€has€given€improper€testimony,€there€areŠ ° Šcertain€factors€that€are€often€considered:€(1)€whether€the€improper€testimony€was€elicited€by€the€StateŠ  š Šor€whether€it€was€a€spontaneous€declaration€by€the€witness,€(2)€whether€the€case€against€theŠ ą Šdefendant€was€strong€or€weak,€and€(3)€whether€the€trial€court€gave€a€prompt€curative€instruction.šš€Š €Š ŠņņState€v.€William€Dotsonóó,€No.€03C01„9803„CC„00105,€1999€WL€357327,€at€*4€Blount€County€(Tenn.Š pĄ ŠCrim.€App.,€Knoxville,€June€4,€1999)€(numerous€citations€omitted)€no€Rule€11€filed..€€Š ` ° ŠĢą  ąFirst,€there€can€be€absolutely€no€question€that€the€prosecutor€intentionally€elicited€theŠ @  Šinadmissible€testimony€about€Austinššs€statement.€€We€have€reviewed€the€record,€and€we€agree€withŠ 0 € Šthe€trial€courtššs€ruling€that€defense€counsel€did€absolutely€nothing€that€can€be€interpreted€as€openingŠ  p  Šthe€door€to€the€admission€of€Austinššs€statement.€€Instead,€the€prosecutor€deliberately€elicitedŠ `  Štestimony€from€Long€that€he€knew€had€already€been€declared€inadmissible€by€the€trial€court.€€TheŠ P  Šprosecutor€attempted€to€place€the€blame€for€his€actions€on€defense€counselššs€failure€to€object€beforeŠ š@  ŠLong€was€able€to€provide€the€inadmissible€testimony.€€We€agree€with€the€trial€court€that€theŠ ą0  Šprosecutor€had€an€obligation€to€ensure€that€justice€was€served€and€as€part€of€that€obligation,€theŠ Š  Šprosecutor€had€a€duty€to€avoid€violating€a€court€order€by€introducing€evidence€that€was€š šclearly,Š Ą Šclearly€inadmissible.šš€€The€prosecutorššs€conduct,€under€these€circumstances,€was€inexcusable.Š ° ŠĢą  ąSecond,€although€the€evidence€in€this€case€was€sufficient€to€support€the€conviction€for€theŠ ą Šaggravated€child€abuse€of€Austin,€the€evidence€of€Defendantššs€guilt€was€not€overwhelming.€€AsŠ €Š Šnoted€above,€no€witness€testified€that€he€or€she€ever€saw€the€Defendant€strike€Austin€and€the€StateŠ pĄ Šdid€not€introduce€any€other€direct€evidence€of€guilt.€€Moreover,€although€Defendant€admitted€duringŠ `° Šher€testimony€at€trial€that€she€had€spanked€Sonchious€with€a€plastic€rod,€she€never€admitted€toŠ P  Šstriking€Austin.€€Although€there€was€sufficient€circumstantial€evidence€to€support€the€conviction€forŠ @ Šthe€aggravated€child€abuse€of€Austin,€there€was€no€direct€evidence€that€Defendant€committed€theŠ 0€ Šoffense.Š  p ŠĢą  ąThird,€we€note€that€the€trial€court€did€give€a€curative€instruction.€€However,€we€conclude€thatŠ P Šthis€factor€is€completely€outweighed€by€the€two€factors€mentioned€above.Š š@ ŠĢą  ąAfter€taking€all€relevant€circumstances€into€account,€we€conclude€that€the€trial€court€abusedŠ Š  Šits€discretion€when€it€failed€to€grant€a€mistrial€in€this€case.€€There€can€be€no€question€that€AustinššsŠ Ą! Šhearsay€statement€that€š šmommy€did€itšš€was€clearly€prejudicial.€€In€the€absence€of€any€directŠ °"  Ševidence,€the€hearsay€accusation€was€particularly€damaging.€€The€improper€elicitation€of€the€hearsayŠ  #š! Šstatement€was€especially€prejudicial€in€light€of€the€severance€error€discussed€in€Part€III,€ņņsupraóó.€€NotŠ $ą" Šonly€did€the€hearsay€statement€have€an€obvious€tendency€to€suggest€that€Defendant€abused€Austin,Š €%Š # Šit€also€had€the€tendency€to€suggest€that€since€Defendant€abused€Austin,€she€must€also€have€abusedŠ p&Ą!$ Šand€killed€Sonchious.€€Under€these€circumstances,€we€hold€that€the€prosecutorššs€intentionalŠ `'°"% Šelicitation€of€improper€testimony€in€violation€of€a€prior€court€order€created€a€manifest€necessity€forŠ P( #& Ša€mistrial€in€this€case€and€the€trial€courtššs€failure€to€declare€a€mistrial€was€reversible€error.€Š @)$' ŠConsidering€the€whole€record€in€this€case,€not€only€did€the€error€involve€a€substantial€right,€whichŠ 0*€%( Šmore€probably€than€not€affected€the€judgment,€it€resulted€in€prejudice€to€the€judicial€process.€€RuleŠ  +p&) Š36,€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€Š ,`'* Їą@³³#ģąņ ņV.€€CONCLUSIONó óˆŠ ° ŠĢą  ąIn€conclusion,€while€the€evidence€was€legally€sufficient€to€support€the€Defendantššs€challenge,Š ą Šreversible€error€was€committed€when€the€trial€court€failed€to€sever€count€4€from€counts€1,€2,€and€3,Š €Š Šand€when€the€trial€court€failed€to€grant€the€motion€for€a€mistrial.€€The€judgment€of€the€trial€court€isŠ pĄ Štherefore€reversed€and€this€case€is€remanded€for€a€trial€on€counts€1,€2,€and€3€and€a€separate€trial€onŠ ` ° Šcount€4.€Š P   ŠĢą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ąą  ą___________________________________€Š 0 € Šą  ąą ` ąą ø ąą  ąą h ąą Ą ąą  ąTHOMAS€T.€WOODALL,€JUDGE