ÿWPC´ · ŒÆOæX×ôO»Mq‘B½Ò_ÿ½†ð6Æ*¤û~#(9Ž…‡Up¾­Xî‘ÖfŸf¼‡DN\)¤ÎòeZú:H¦q9’ +Éóm“( sÖ¼–¤œn‰³Ð×N-ÃzÎ!JõpÚ4 ß'vLHm#¶¬ñ’&Çâ¡[nÑ%3%+´æ¬tIß9åÓŒ{U—Éß;ÀøÉ¬yO%üêMÑg#º8b0çaHÛ´ º®â˜“ ³vHâÂäu­S˜§°„mkA4.%c”s6³5à¹8œ¶ážo4ò}nÝxÝè '#ÈvÛ;úÒ¤)R#ì¤{;õwj'&1ÔqÞÛÔLÓÙâ7p¨ªYÕ*¥¼ÙK‹ºl(àš0RÛßöîÈó˜sNkáB¾ê÷¤ôª§_%k~ðû»îš(~Vâ²[Ҧص…/Y›GÆþ”×ýUôNü×þ²Ò<ضғˆ­Óœ:© XAEÝz‘Ü–òK §ê7ÔºòóEô®{í/näë°H.͸ì;4‘Z$Ži®˜‘²¤{%õ*3[D*¹vbY¹fŒ1vTÌÃiGÆWãýÝG/{ծܖ´5ºâ¸.+ÓDá5øhg>p6G^pwø1¾Ž|…,6÷ôT3`#!@UNa %¯ 0(µwÝ4áõ. 0Æ2 0Dø U:< Nv Wx Ï U:× U: ^ K U:W ‘ U:’Ì mÎÎÎÎÎÎÎU:åå Bb<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< AQžÆï 0Dµ 0Dù 0D== D3˜HP LaserJet 8000 DN PSØÚØÚÚØØÚ0'Ör Z ‹6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡{Z='|x $Ý ƒ ²œ$ÝÒ4°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X½eXXXÔÔ€ôXòXX½eÔà Œ àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€The€appellant€was€originally€tried€on€January€30€and€31,€1995.€€That€trial€resulted€in€aÐ `  Ðmistrial.(v(2L˜$¤¤Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÒ4°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X2²XXXÔÔ€ô9¨õXX2²Ôà Œ àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó, øð AZ"Arial Regular MÝ ƒ[¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€X`ùXXXÔÔ€èÓçXX`ùÔÓ  ÓÔ_Ôò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€‹­çèÓÔÐ  ÐÌSeptember€28,€1999ÌÌCecil€Ô_ÔCrowsonÔ_Ô,€Jr.ÌAppellate€Court€Ô_ÔClerkÔdAxÔó óÔ_Ô, øð AZ"Arial Regular,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regularw‡<'L , øð AZ‹"Arial Regular ÷Ý ƒ ²œ$ÝÒ4°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X½eXXXÔÔ€ôXòXX½eÔà Œ àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ€ôXòòôXÔ€The€appellant€subsequently€admitted€to€writing€the€letter., øð AZ"Arial RegularÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ, øð AZ"Arial Regular d XÝ ƒ ²œ$ÝÒ4°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X½eXXXÔÔ€ôXòXX½eÔà Œ àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔPrice€also€testified€that€in€1988€the€appellant€intimidated€her€into€falsifying€an€automobileÐ `  Ðaccident€report€in€order€to€obtain€the€insurance€money.€€Z[\]_Cþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3¯$¢¢Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó'ÿÿdxdÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ` °ÑÒX°ÒÒ4°ÒÑܰÑÑTR[° AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÓ  ÓòòÔ€X`ùXXXÔÔ‡X`ùXXX`ùÔÑ8€‘eXXdìdÈ8Ñò òÑ  ÑÔ_Ôßv€Y _@0,j: `€€@ÿEðf Žtt¨¦(` \vßÔ_ÔÔ_ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€CRIMINAL€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEóóÐ `  Ðà@@ÚÚ0ÚàòòÌAT€KNOXVILLEó óóóÐ 8 Ø ÐÌò òMARCH€1999€SESSIONó óÐ  ª ÐÌÌÌÓ  Óò òSTATE€OF€TENNESSEEó ó,à ” àà ì à*à D àC.C.A.€NO.€03C01„9805„CR„00167€Ð ¨H ÐÌà Œ àAppellee,à < àà ” àà ì à*à D àWASHINGTON€COUNTYÐ z  ÐÌv.à Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì à*à D àHon.€Lynn€W.€Brown,€JudgeÐ Fæ  ÐÌà0 Œ àà 4 àò òTIMOTHY€V.€BOWLINGó ó,à ” àà ì à*à D à(Arson)à ô àà L àà ¤ àà ü! àà T$ àà @T$ àà @T$ àà @T$ àà @T$ àà @T$ àà @T$ àà @T$ àà @T$ àà @T$ àв Œ €%Œ €% Ðà Œ àÌà Œ àAppellant.à < àà ” àÔ#†X`ùXXX`ùå#ÔÔ‡X`ùXXX`ùÔà ì à*à D àÐ ä„ Ðà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àÌà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àÌà Œ àà ä àÌòòÌÌFor€Appellantóó:à < àà ” àà ì àà D àòòFor€Appelleeóó:Ð Hè ÐÌJames€T.€Bowmanà < àà ” àà ì àà D àJohn€Knox€WalkupÐ ´ Ð128€E.€Market€St.à < àà ” àà ì àà D àAttorney€General€and€ReporterÐ úš ÐJonesborough,€TN€€37659à ” àà ì àà D à450€James€Robertson€ParkwayÐ à € Ðà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àNashville,€TN€€37243„0493Ìà Œ àà ä àà < àÌà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àR.€Stephen€JobeÌà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àAssistant€Attorney€GeneralÌà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àCriminal€Justice€DivisionÌà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D à425€Fifth€Avenue€NorthÌà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àNashville,€TN€€37243„0493ÌÌà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àJoe€C.€CrumleyÌà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àAssistant€District€Attorney€General€Ìà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àP.O.€Box€38€Ìà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àJonesborough,€TN€€37659Ìà Œ àà ä àà < àÌÌOPINION€FILED:€€____________________ÌÌÌÌAFFIRMED€ÌÌÌÌNORMA€MCGEE€OGLE,€JUDGEÔ#†X`ùXXX`ù#ÔòòÐ Š5*,1 ÐÓ  Óò òÓÓÑ8€‘eXXdìXXdì8ÑÌÌÐ  :À06  ÐOPINIONóóó óÐ `  ÐÓ*Óà Œ àà ä àÔ‡ X½eXXX½eÔOn€March€21,€1995,€Ô#†X½eXX X½eè#Ôthe€appellant,€Timothy€V.€Bowling,€was€convictedÐ @ à Ðby€a€jury€in€the€Washington€County€Criminal€Court€of€arson,€a€class€C€Felony.׃×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€€OnÐ  À ÐJune€2,€1995,€the€trial€court€sentenced€the€appellant€as€a€Range€II€multiple€offenderÐ   Ðto€an€effective€sentence€of€ten€years€incarceration€in€the€Tennessee€Department€ofÐ à€ ÐCorrection.Ð À`  ÐÌà Œ àà ä àIn€this€appeal€as€of€right,€the€appellant€presents€the€following€issuesÐ €  Ðfor€our€review:Ð ` ÐÓÓà8 Œ àà8ä Œ (#Œ (#à(I)€€Whether€the€evidence€is€sufficient€to€sustain€theÐ @à Ðappellantððs€conviction€of€arson;€and€Ð0Ðä Ð ä Ð  ÐÌà8 Œ àà8ä Œ (#Œ (#à(II)€€Whether€the€trial€court€erred€by€ruling€that€theÐ ° Ðappellantððs€prior€convictions€of€felony€Ô_ÔnonsupportÔ_Ô,Рä Ð ä Ð  Ðà Œ àà ä àstalking,€and€secreting€personal€property€wereÐ ð Ðà Œ àà ä àadmissible€for€impeachment€purposes.Ð à€ ÐÌà8 Œ àà8ä Œ (#Œ (#àÐ ä Ð ä Ð  ÐÓÓFollowing€a€review€of€the€record€and€the€partiesðð€briefs,€we€affirm€the€judgment€ofÐ °"P Ðthe€trial€court.Ð $0 ÐÌÓ  Óòòò òI.€Factual€Backgroundóóó óÐ P(ð! ÐÓ  Óà Œ àà ä àThe€conviction€at€issue€in€this€case€occurred€as€a€result€of€a€fire€onÐ 0*Ð # ÐMay€23,€1994,€at€603€Davis€Street€in€Johnson€City,€Tennessee,€the€residence€ofÐ ,°"% ÐSonya€Price.€€The€record€reflects€that,€prior€to€the€fire,€the€appellant€and€Price,Ð ð-$' Ðalthough€never€married,€had€a€Ô‡ X½eXXX½eÔsporadicÔ#†X½eXX X½eœ#Ô€twelve„year€relationship€that€produced€twoÐ Ð/p&) Ðchildren.€€In€1990,€Ô‡ X½eXXX½eÔthe€relationship€between€the€appellant€and€Price€had€deterioratedÐ °1P(+ Ðto€the€point€that€Price€sought€an€order€of€protection€against€the€appellant.׃& ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€DuringÐ 30*- ÐÔ_Ôthe€next€several€years,€the€appellant€and€Price€maintained€separate€residencesÔ#†X½eXX X½e:#Ô,€andÐ `  Ðtheir€relationship€became€more€volatile.€Ð @ à ÐÌà Œ àPrice€testified€on€behalf€of€the€State€that€in€April€1994,€after€she€and€one€ofÐ   Ðtheir€children€testified€against€him,€the€appellant€pled€guilty€in€the€WashingtonÐ à€ ÐCounty€Criminal€Court€to€two€counts€of€felony€nonsupport€and€one€count€of€stalking.Ð À`  ÐThe€trial€court€ordered€the€appellant€placed€on€probation.€€Almost€immediatelyÐ  @  Ðthereafter,€Price€began€to€have€serious€problems€with€the€appellant.€€The€problemsÐ €  Ðprimarily€consisted€of€numerous€threatening€phone€calls€to€Price.€€She€testified€thatÐ ` Ðthe€appellant€not€only€threatened€her,€but€also€their€children.€€Because€she€wasÐ @à Ðafraid€the€appellant€would€harm€the€children,€Price€took€them€to€her€motherððs€homeÐ  À Ðin€Illinois.€€€Moreover,€Price€stated€that€she€was€afraid€to€stay€alone€at€her€ownÐ   Ðresidence€because€she€feared€that€the€appellant€would€harm€her.€€As€a€result,€atÐ à€ Ðnight€Price€stayed€with€friends€and€at€a€Salvation€Army€Shelter.€€The€appellantÐ À!` Ðcontinued€to€try€to€contact€Price€by€calling€her€residence€and€leaving€messages€onÐ  #@ Ðher€answering€machine.Ð €%  ÐÌà Œ àà ä àÔ‡ X½eXXX½eÔOn€the€afternoon€of€May€22,€1994,€Price€went€to€her€home€betweenÐ @)à" Ð3:00€p.m.€and€5:00€p.m.€to€obtain€her€clothes€so€thatÔ#†X½eXX X½e˜#Ô€she€could€spend€the€night€withÐ  +À!$ Ðher€friend,€Rose€Dunlap.€€She€did€not€return€to€her€home€until€the€morning€of€MayÐ - #& Ð23,€1994,€after€receiving€a€call€from€fire€and€arson€investigators€who€advised€herÐ à.€%( Ðthat€her€house€had€burned.€€When€Price€arrived€at€her€residence,€she€was€told€thatÐ À0`'* Ðthree€of€her€four€cats€had€died€in€the€fire.Ô€XÚöXXX½eÔ€€Moreover,€her€bedroom€was€in€disarrayÐ  2@), Ðand€her€clothes€had€been€ð ðcut€up.ðð€€Price€also€discovered€writing€on€an€interior€wallÐ „4$+. Ðwhich€read€ð ðU€R€DEAD.ðð€€That€same€morning,€Price€received€a€letter€with€the€returnÜÜÐ P6ð,0 Ðaddress€marked€ð ðH.€Brown.ðð€€H.€Brown€is€one€of€Priceððs€former€boyfriends.€UponÐ 8¼.2 Ðinspection€of€the€letter,€she€recognized€is€as€being€the€appellantððs€handwriting.ØØ×ƒ×Ý ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€TheÐ `  Ðletter€contained€the€following€message:€ð ðFor€now€I€am€the€teacher,€and€I€am€theÐ , Ì Ðpreacher.€€When€I€am€done€with€your€mind€you€will€know€what€you€have€learned.€Ð ø ˜ ÐYou€will€know€what€it€means€to€be€fucking€burnt.ððÐ Äd ÐÌà Œ àà ä àAdditionally,€Price€testified€that€her€telephone€bills€showed€that€twoÐ \ü  Ðtelephone€calls€had€been€made€from€her€residence€at€1:54€a.m.€and€1:55€a.m.€onÐ (È  ÐMay€23,€1994.€€The€calls€were€made€to€the€residence€of€her€brother,€David€Vaught,Ð ô”  Ðin€Bloomington,€Illinois.€€Price€testified€that€she€had€not€made€the€calls,€but€that€sheÐ À` Ðhad€left€her€brotherððs€telephone€number€on€a€note€pad€next€to€the€telephone.€Ð Œ, ÐÌà Œ à€Finally,€Price€recalled€an€incident€at€the€Black€and€Tan€Club,€which€occuredÐ $Ä Ðin€April€1994,€approximately€one€month€before€the€fire.€€Price€testified€that€she€wentÐ ð Ðto€the€club€with€her€brothers,€David€Vaught€and€Ricky€Vaught.€€While€at€the€club,€anÐ ¼ \ Ðaltercation€ensued€between€her€brothers€and€the€appellant.€Ô‡XÚöXXXÚöÔ€At€the€conclusion€of€theÐ ˆ"( Ðfight,€Price€heard€the€appellant€state,€ð ðIððve€got€a€bullet€for€your€sister.ðð€€She€did€notÐ T$ô Ðhear€the€appellant€make€any€remarks€about€her€residenceÔ#†XÚöXXXÚö )#Ô.Ð  &À  ÐÌÔ‡XÚöXXXÚöÔà Œ àDavid€Vaught,€testified€on€behalf€of€the€State.€€Vaught€testified€that€in€MayÐ ¸)X $ Ð1994,€sometime€after€midnight€central€time,€he€received€twoÔ#†XÚöXXXÚöÕ*#ÔÔ‡XÚöXXXÚöÔ€telephone€calls.€€Ô#†XÚöXXXÚöÀ+#ÔÔ‡ X½eXXXÚöÔWhenÐ „+$"& Ðhe€answered€the€first€call,Ô#†XÚöXX X½e ,#ÔÔ‡XÚöXXXÚöÔ€no€one€responded.€€However,€upon€answering€the€secondÐ h-$( Ðcall,€Vaught€recognized€the€callerððs€voice€as€belonging€to€the€appellant.€€TheÐ L/ì%* Ðappellant€told€Vaught,€ð ðyour€sister€is€in€a€world€of€hurt,ðð€and€then€hung€up€theÐ 1¸', Ðtelephone.Ð ä2„). ÐÌà Œ àVaught€further€testified€that€prior€to€the€telephone€call,€in€April€1994,€he€hadÐ |6-2 Ðvisited€with€family€and€friends€in€Johnson€City.€€During€his€visit,€he€accompaniedÐ `  ÐPrice€and€his€brother,€Ricky€Vaught,€to€the€Black€and€Tan€Club€in€Johnson€City.€Ð , Ì ÐWhile€there,€he€and€his€brother€were€involved€in€a€fight€with€the€appellant.Ð ø ˜ ÐÌÔ#†XÚöXXXÚö¡,#Ôà Œ àNext,€the€State€introduced€the€testimony€of€Robert€George,Ô‡XÚöXXXÚöÔ€a€taxi€cab€driver,Ð 0 Ðwho€stated€that€on€May€23,€1994,€between€midnight€and€1:00€a.m.,€he€observed€theÐ \ü  Ðappellant€outside€Nashville€Sound,€a€local€nightclub.€€During€a€brief€conversation,Ð (È  Ðthe€appellant€told€George€that€he€was€going€to€visit€friends€on€Boone€Street,€which€isÐ ô”  Ðalso€in€the€direction€of€Priceððs€house.€€Approximately€thirty€to€forty€minutes€laterÔ#†XÚöXXXÚöF0#ÔÔ‡XÚöXXXÚöÔ,Ð À` ÐGeorge€observed€the€appellant€walking€back€toward€the€Nashville€Sound€parking€lot.Ô#†XÚöXXXÚök2#ÔÐ Œ, ÐÌà Œ àThe€State€produced€two€additional€witnesses€to€the€altercation€at€the€BlackÐ $Ä Ðand€Tan€Club.€€Ô‡XÚöXXXÚöÔDebra€Buford,€the€bartender€at€the€Club,€testified€that€after€the€fight,Ð ð Ðshe€heard€the€appellant€say€that€he,€ð ðwould€burn€Davis€street€down.ðð€€ln€addition,Ð ¼ \ ÐOtis€Robinson,€the€owner€of€the€club,€testified€that€after€the€fight€between€theÐ ˆ"( Ðappellant€and€David€Vaught€and€Ricky€Vaught,€he€heard€the€appellant€repeatedlyÐ T$ô Ðsay€that€he€was€going€to€ð ðburn€Davis€Street€down.ððÐ  &À  ÐÌà Œ à€Additionally,€the€State€produced€the€testimony€of€Dr.€Larry€Miller,€aÐ ¸)X $ Ðquestioned€documents€expert,€who€stated€that€he€had€compared€known€exemplarsÐ „+$"& Ðof€the€defendantððs€handwriting€to€the€letter€that€Price€received€the€morning€after€theÐ P-ð#( Ðfire,€and€also€the€writing€on€the€wall€of€Priceððs€residence.€€Dr.€Miller€positivelyÐ /¼%* Ðidentified€the€handwriting€of€the€letter€as€matching€the€known€handwriting€exemplarsÐ è0ˆ', Ðof€the€appellant.€€However,€because€the€ð ðU€R€DEADðð€writing€on€the€wall€contained€aÐ ´2T). Ðsmall€number€of€letters,€all€of€which€were€capitalized,€he€was€unable€to€make€aÐ €4 +0 Ðconclusive€match€as€to€that€writing.€€Nevertheless,€because€there€were€no€significantÐ L6ì,2 Ðdisimilarities€between€the€wall€writing€and€the€appellantððs€known€exemplars,€he€couldÐ 8¸.4 Ðnot€rule€out€the€defendant€as€the€source€of€the€writing.Ð `  ÐÔ#†XÚöXXXÚö¦3#ÔÔ‡XÚöXXXÚöÔÌà Œ àRegarding€the€investigation€of€the€fire,€the€State€produced€the€expertÐ ø ˜ Ðtestimony€of€Steve€Shell€and€George€Leonard,€the€Johnson€City€Fire€Marshalls€whoÐ Äd Ðinvestigated€the€fire€at€Priceððs€residence.€€Leonard€arrived€at€the€scene€on€May€23,Ð 0 Ð1994,€at€approximately€5:30€a.m.€€After€investigating€the€residence€and€conducting€aÐ \ü  Ðreconstruction€of€the€position€of€the€furniture€in€the€basement,€he€concluded€that€theÐ (È  Ðfire€originated€on€a€bed€in€the€basement€of€the€home.€€Although€he€was€unable€toÐ ô”  Ðdetermine€when€the€fire€started,€Leonard€concluded€that€the€fire€was€intentionallyÐ À` Ðset€and€assigned€the€follow€up€investigation€to€Steve€Shell.Ð Œ, Ðà Œ àà ä àÔ#†XÚöXXXÚöl:#ÔÔ‡XÚöXXXÚöÔÌÔ#†XÚöXXXÚö>#Ôà Œ àà ä àShell€testified€that€he€arrived€at€603€Davis€Street€on€May€23,€1994,€atÐ $Ä Ðapproximately€6:00€a.m.€€€Shell€first€examined€the€exterior€of€the€house€and€notedÐ ð Ðminimal€damage.€However,€upon€entering€the€residence,€he€observed€smokeÐ ¼ \ Ðdamage€and€also€noted€the€phrase€ð ðU€R€DEADðð€written€on€an€interior€wall.€€BasedÐ ˆ"( Ðupon€his€investgation,€Shell€was€able€to€determine€that€the€fire€originated€in€an€areaÐ T$ô Ðaround€a€bed€in€the€basement.€€Shell€testified€that€he€did€not€detect€the€use€ofÐ  &À  Ðaccelerants€and€was€unable€to€pinpoint€an€exact€time€when€the€fire€started€becauseÐ ì'Œ" Ðof€the€manner€in€which€it€had€burned.€€However,€Shell€estimated€that€the€fire€startedÐ ¸)X $ Ðno€more€than€eight€to€nine€hours€before€its€discovery€at€approximately€5:00€a.m.€€€Ð „+$"& ÐBased€upon€his€investigation€of€the€house,€including€an€examination€of€wiring€andÐ P-ð#( Ðelectrical€boxes,€€Shell€determined€that€the€fire€was€intentionally€set.€Ð /¼%* ÐÌà Œ àAdditionally,€Shell€investigated€the€possibility€that€the€fire€was€caused€by€theÐ ´2T). Ðowner€for€insurance€purposes.€€However,€he€noted€that€the€residence€appeared€toÐ €4 +0 Ðbe€occupied.€€Also,€personal€property€was€damaged€and€pets€were€killed€as€a€resultÐ L6ì,2 Ðof€the€fire.€€Based€on€these€observations,€Shell€concluded€that€there€was€nothing€toÐ 8¸.4 Ðindicate€that€the€owner€had€set€the€fire€in€order€to€obtain€insurance€proceeds.Ð `  ÐÌà Œ àà ä àIn€defense,€the€appellant€offered€the€testimony€of€his€sister,€JoyceÐ ø ˜ ÐDixon.€€Dixon€recalled€that€the€appellant€and€Price€had€lived€€together€in€1992.€€SheÐ Äd Ðtestified€that,€when€she€observed€the€appellant€and€Price€together,€Price€did€notÐ 0 Ðappear€to€be€afraid€of€the€appellant.€€Ð \ü  ÐÌà Œ àà ä àRobin€Tatem,€whose€daughter€is€the€appellantððs€niece,€testified€thatÐ ô”  Ðthe€appellant€and€Price€lived€together€in€December€1992.€€Specifically,€sheÐ À` Ðremembered€a€party€at€Priceððs€residence€in€January€1993€at€which€time€theÐ Œ, Ðappellant€and€Price€were€living€together.€€Tate€also€testified€that€she€heard€PriceÐ Xø Ðcomplain€that€the€appellant€was€deliquent€in€his€child€support€payments.€€AccordingÐ $Ä Ðto€Tate,€Price€stated€that€she€ð ðwould€get€him€in€jail€one€way€or€another.ððÐ ð ÐÌà Œ àà ä àThe€appellant€also€offered€the€testimony€of€Rex€Campbell,€a€formerÐ ˆ"( Ðinmate€who€had€been€in€jail€at€the€same€time€as€the€appellant.€€Campbell€testifiedÐ T$ô Ðthat€he€wrote€the€poem€containing€the€line,€ð ðYou€will€know€what€it€means€to€beÐ  &À  Ðfucking€burnt.ðð€€Campbell€recalled€that€he€had€written€the€phrase€about€a€Ð ì'Œ" Ðrelationship€in€which€he€was€mistreated.€€Further,€Campbell€testified€that,€after€theÐ ¸)X $ Ðappellant€read€the€poem€in€jail,€he€asked€Campbell€if€he€could€copy€the€poem.€€OnÐ „+$"& Ðcross„examination,€Campbell€testified€that€he€recalled€the€defendant€stating€that€heÐ P-ð#( Ðwould€ð ðget€evenðð€with€Price.€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð /¼%* ÐÌà Œ àAdditionally,€the€appellant€offered€proof€in€support€of€an€alibi€defense.€€PhilipÐ ´2T). ÐBowling,€the€appellantððs€brother,€testified€that€the€appellant€came€home€around€2:00Ð €4 +0 Ða.m.€on€May€23,€1994,€and€fell€asleep€on€the€couch.€€He€next€saw€the€appellant€atÐ L6ì,2 Ðapproximately€9:00€a.m.€as€the€appellant€was€leaving€for€work.Ð 8¸.4 Їà Œ àArthur€Welch,€a€friend€of€the€appellantððs,€testified€that€on€May€23,€1994,€heÐ `  Ðwas€at€the€home€shared€by€the€appellant€and€Phillip€Bowling.€€Welch€testified€thatÐ , Ì Ðthe€appellant€came€home€at€approximately€2:00€a.m.€and€fell€asleep€on€the€couch.€Ð ø ˜ ÐHe€did€not€notice€anything€unusual€about€the€appellants€behavior.€Walter€Brady,€theÐ Äd Ðappellantððs€step„father,€also€testified€that€he€observed€the€appellant€asleep€on€theÐ 0 Ðcouch€at€the€appellantððs€residence€at€approximately€5:00€a.m.€on€the€morning€ofÐ \ü  ÐMay€23,€1994.€€Ð (È  ÐÌà Œ àFinally,€Percel€Fain,€the€appellantððs€brother€in„law,€testified€that€he€lives€in€theÐ À` Ðvicinity€of€Davis€Street€and€that€the€Nashville€Sound€night€club€is€an€eight€to€tenÐ Œ, Ðminute€walk€from€Davis€Street.€Ð Xø Ðà Œ à€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð $Ä ÐÓ  Óòòò òII.€AnalysisÐ ð ÐóóÓ  ÓA.€€Motion€for€New€Trial€Ð È h Ðà Œ àà ä àó óAs€a€preliminary€matter,€we€must€first€determine€whether€the€issuesÐ  "@ Ðraised€have€been€waived€by€the€untimely€filings€of€the€appellantððs€motion€for€newÐ l$  Ðtrial€and€notice€of€appeal.Ð 8&Ø  ÐÌà Œ àà ä àA€motion€for€new€trial€must€be€filed€ð ðwithin€thirty€days€of€the€date€theÐ Ð)p $ Ðorder€of€sentence€is€entered.ðð€€Tenn.€R.€Crim.€P.€33(b).€€This€is€a€mandatory€filingÐ œ+<"& Ðperiod€which€cannot€be€extended.€€Tenn.€R.€Crim.€P.€45(b).€€The€trial€court€does€notÐ h-$( Ðpossess€jurisdiction€over€an€untimely€filed€motion€for€new€trial.€€òòState€.v€Martinóó,€940Ð 4/Ô%* ÐS.W.2d€567,€569€(Tenn.€1997)€(citations€omitted).€€ð ðThe€trial€judgeððs€erroneousÐ 1 ', Ðconsideration€[and]€ruling€on€a€motion€for€new€trial€not€timely€filed€.€.€.€does€notÐ Ì2l). Ðvalidate€the€motion.ðð€€òòId.óó€€(citing€òòState€v.€Dodsonóó,€780€S.W.2d€778,€780€(Tenn.€Crim.Ð ˜48+0 ÐApp.€1989)).€€An€untimely€filed€motion€for€new€trial€ð ðnot€only€results€in€the€appellantÐ d6-2 Ðlosing€the€right€to€have€a€hearing€on€the€motion,€but€it€also€deprives€the€appellant€ofÐ 08Ð.4 Ðthe€opportunity€to€argue€on€appeal€any€issues€that€were€or€should€have€beenÐ `  Ðpresented€in€the€motion€for€new€trial.ðð€€òòId.óó€€(citations€omitted).€€On€appeal,€waiver€ofÐ , Ì Ðthese€issues€occurs€pursuant€to€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€3(e),€which€states:Ð ø ˜ ÐÓÓà8 Œ àà8ä Œ (#Œ (#à[I]n€all€cases€tried€by€a€jury,€no€issue€presented€forÐ Äd Ðreview€shall€be€predicated€upon€error€in€the€admission€orÐ ªJ Ðexclusion€of€evidence,€jury€instructions€granted€orÐ 0 Ðrefused,€misconduct€of€jurors,€parties,€or€counsel,€orÐ v  Ðother€action€committed€or€occurring€during€the€trial€of€theÐ \ü  Ðcase,€or€other€ground€upon€which€a€new€trial€is€sought,Ð Bâ  Ðunless€the€same€was€specifically€stated€in€a€motion€forÐ (È  Ðnew€trial;€otherwise€such€issues€will€be€treated€asÐ ®  Ðwaived.Ðô” ä Ð ä Ð  ÐÌÌÓÓà Œ àà ä àHowever,€this€court€may€address€issues€which€would€result€in€outrightÐ ¦F Ðdismissal€of€the€prosecution,€such€as€the€sufficiency€of€evidence.€€òòSeeóó€òòDodsonóó,€780Ð r ÐS.W.2d€at€780;€òòState€v.€Williamsóó,€675€S.W.2d€499,€501€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1984).€€InÐ >Þ Ðaddition,€this€court€may€review€the€record€for€plain€errors€when€necessary€to€doÐ  ª Ðsubstantial€justice.€€Tenn.€R.€Crim.€P.€52(b).Ð Öv ÐÌà Œ àà ä àIn€the€instant€case,€the€trial€court€entered€the€order€of€sentence€onÐ n# ÐJune€2,€1995€and€the€appellant€filed€a€motion€for€new€trial€on€July€10,€1995,€moreÐ :%Ú Ðthan€30€days€after€sentencing.€This€court€lacks€the€authority€to€waive€the€timely€filingÐ '¦! Ðof€a€motion€for€new€trial.€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Seyleróó,€No.€01C01„9801„CR„00050,€1999€WLÐ Ò(r# Ð357348,€at€*2€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€at€Nashville,€June€4,€1999);€òòState€v.€Williamsóó,€No.Ð ž*>!% Ð02C01„9710„CR„00388,€1999€WL€2848,€at€*6€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€at€Jackson,Ð j, #' ÐJanuary€5,€1999);€òòState€v.€Wallaceóó,€No.€01C01„9711„CC„00526,€1998€WL€670627,Ð 6.Ö$) Ðat€*4€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€at€Nashville,€September€30,€1998);€òòState€v.€Brannanóó,€No.Ð 0¢&+ Ð01C01„9704„CC„00148,€1998€WL€242453,€at€*3€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€at€Nashville,€MayÐ Î1n(- Ð15,€1998).€€Furthermore,€this€court€has€consistently€held€that€counselððs€untimelyÐ š3:*/ Ðfiling€of€a€motion€for€new€trial€is€imputed€to€the€appellant€for€the€purpose€of€waiver.€Ð f5,1 ÐòòSeeóó€òòDodsonóó,€780€S.W.2d€at€780;€òòWilliamsóó,€675€S.W.2d€at€501.€€Therefore,€theÐ 27Ò-3 Ðissue€concerning€the€trial€courtððs€admission€of€prior€convictions,€which€could€onlyÐ þ8ž/5 Ðresult€in€the€granting€of€a€new€trial€and€not€dismissal€of€the€prosecution,€is€waivedÐ `  Ðand€the€only€issue€that€remains€for€our€consideration€is€the€sufficiency€of€theÐ , Ì Ðevidence.Ð ø ˜ ÐÌà Œ àà ä àIn€addressing€the€appellantððs€sufficiency€issue,€we€are€faced€withÐ 0 Ðanother€problem€stemming€from€the€failure€to€file€a€motion€for€new€trial€in€a€timelyÐ \ü  Ðmanner.€€A€notice€of€appeal€is€required€to€be€filed€with€the€clerk€of€the€trial€courtÐ (È  Ðwithin€thirty€days€after€the€date€of€entry€of€the€judgment€or€order€from€which€relief€isÐ ô”  Ðsought.€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€4(a).€€Timely€filing€of€a€motion€for€new€trial€tolls€this€periodÐ À` Ðuntil€the€entry€of€the€order€denying€the€motion€for€new€trial.€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€4(c).€Ð Œ, ÐòòSee€alsoóó€òòState€v.€Lockóó,€839€S.W.2d€436,€440„41€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1992).€€Ð Xø ÐÌà Œ àà ä àIn€the€present€case,€because€the€untimely€motion€for€new€trial€was€aÐ ð Ðnullity,€it€did€not€toll€the€thirty„day€period€for€filing€a€notice€of€appeal.€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.Ð ¼ \ ÐDavisóó,€748€S.W.2d€206,€207€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1987).€€Ô‡ X½eXXXÚöÔ€Ô#†XÚöXX X½eòh#ÔÔ‡ X½eXXXÚöÔÔ‡ ôXòX X½eÔ€Ô#† X½eXò ôXTi#ÔAs€stated€previously,€theÐ ˆ"( Ðtrial€court€entered€the€order€of€sentence€on€Ô#†XÚöXX X½e5i#ÔÔ‡ X½eXXXÚöÔJune€2,€1995,€and€the€appellant€filed€anÐ l$  Ðuntimely€motion€for€new€trial€on€July€10,€1995.€€After€the€appointment€of€newÐ L&ì  Ðcounsel,€the€appellant€filed€a€second€motion€for€new€trial€on€October€9,€1996.€€TheÐ ,(Ì" Ðtrial€court€conducted€a€hearing€and€subsequently€denied€the€motion€on€August€6,Ð  *¬ $ Ð1997.€€Ô#†XÚöXX X½e+j#ÔÔ‡ X½eXXXÚöÔThe€notice€of€appeal€was€filed€on€September€3,€1997.Ð ì+Œ"& ÐÌà Œ àà ä àOf€course,€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€4(a)€provides€that€the€notice€of€appealÐ ¬/L&* Ðdocument€is€not€jurisdictional€and€that€timely€filing€may€therefore€be€waived€in€theÐ Œ1,(, Ðinterest€of€justice.€€òòSee€alsoóó€òòState€v.€Bilbreyóó,€816€S.W.2d€71,€75€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.Ð l3 *. Ð1991);€òòWilliamsóó,€No.€02C01„9710„CR„00388,€1999€WL€2848,€at€*6.€€We€find€that€thisÐ L5ì+0 Ðis€an€appropriate€case€to€waive€the€timely€filing€requirement€for€the€notice€of€appeal.€Ð ,7Ì-2 ÐAccordingly,€we€will€address€the€sufficiency€of€evidence€issue.€€Ô#†XÚöXX X½eõk#Ô€€Ð  9¬/4 Їò òB.€€Sufficiency€of€the€EvidenceÐ `  Ðà Œ àà ä àó óThe€appellant€contends€that€the€record€contains€insufficient€evidenceÐ 8 Ø Ðto€sustain€his€conviction€of€arson.€€Specifically,€the€appellant€argues€that€the€StateððsÐ  ¤ Ðproof€is€entirely€circumstantial€and€does€not€raise€more€than€a€suspicion€that€theÐ Ðp Ðappellant€may€have€been€responsible€for€the€offense.Ð œ< ÐÌà Œ àà ä àIn€TennesseeÔ‡ X½eXXXÚöÔ,€appellate€courts€accord€considerable€weight€to€theÐ 4Ô  Ðverdict€of€a€jury€in€a€criminal€trial.€€In€essence,€a€jury€conviction€removes€theÐ ¸  Ðpresumption€of€the€defendantððs€innocence€and€replaces€it€with€one€of€guilt,€so€thatÐ ø˜ Ðthe€appellant€carries€the€burden€of€demonstrating€to€this€court€why€the€evidence€willÐ Øx Ðnot€support€the€juryððs€findings.€€òòState€v.€Tuggleóó,€639€S.W.2d€913,€914€(Tenn.€1982).€Ð ¸X ÐThe€appellant€must€establish€that€ð ðno€reasonable€trier€of€factðð€could€have€found€theÐ ˜8 Ðessential€elements€of€the€offense€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt.€€òòJackson€v.€Virginiaóó,Ð x Ð443€U.S.€307,€319,€99€S.€Ct.€2781,€2789€(1979);€Tenn€R.€App.€P.€13(e).Ð X!ø ÐÌà Œ àà ä àAccordingly,€on€appeal,€the€State€is€entitled€to€the€strongest€legitimateÐ %¸ Ðview€of€the€evidence€and€all€reasonable€inferences€which€may€be€drawn€therefrom.€Ð ø&˜  ÐòòState€v.€Williamsóó,€657€S.W.2d€405,€410€(Tenn.€1983).€€In€other€words,€questionsÐ Ø(x" Ðconcerning€the€credibility€of€witnesses€and€the€weight€and€value€to€be€given€theÐ ¸*X!$ Ðevidence,€as€well€as€factual€issues€raised€by€the€evidence,€are€resolved€by€the€trierÐ ˜,8#& Ðof€fact,€and€not€the€appellate€courts.€€òòState€v.€Pruettóó,€788€S.W.2d€559,€561€(Tenn.Ð x.%( Ð1990).Ð X0ø&* ÐÌà Œ àà ä àAlthough€the€evidence€of€the€appellantððs€guilt€is€circumstantial€inÐ 4¸*. Ðnature,€a€criminal€offense€may€be€established€by€circumstantial€evidence€alone.€Ð ø5˜,0 ÐòòState€v.€Tharpeóó,€726€S.W.2d€896,€899„900€(Tenn.€1987);€òòMarable€v.€Stateóó,€313Ð Ø7x.2 ÐS.W.2d€451,€457€(Tenn.€1958);€òòState€v.€Lequireóó,€634€S.W.2d€608,€614€(Tenn.€Crim.Ð `  ÐApp.€1987).€€However,€before€an€accused€may€be€convicted€of€a€criminal€offenseÐ @ à Ðbased€upon€circumstantial€evidence€alone,€the€facts€and€circumstances€ð ðmust€be€soÐ  À Ðstrong€and€cogent€as€to€exclude€every€other€reasonable€hypothesis€save€the€guilt€ofÐ   Ðthe€defendant.ðð€€òòState€v.€Crawfordóó,€470€S.W.2d€610,€612€(Tenn.€1971).€€In€otherÐ à€ Ðwords,€ð ð[a]€web€of€guilt€must€be€woven€around€the€defendant€from€which€he€cannotÐ À`  Ðescape€and€from€which€facts€and€circumstances€the€jury€could€draw€no€otherÐ  @  Ðreasonable€inference€save€the€guilt€of€the€defendant€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt.ðð€Ð €  ÐòòId.óó€at€613.Ð ` ÐÌà Œ àà ä àWhile€following€the€above€guidelines,€this€court€must€remember€thatÐ  À Ðthe€jury€decides€the€weight€to€be€given€to€circumstantial€evidence€and€that€ð ð[t]heÐ   Ðinferences€to€be€drawn€from€such€evidence,€and€the€extent€to€which€theÐ à€ Ðcircumstances€are€consistent€with€guilt€and€inconsistent€with€innocence€areÐ À!` Ðquestions€primarily€for€the€jury.ðð€€òòMarable€v.€Stateóó,€313€S.W.2d€at€457;€òòsee€alsoóóÐ  #@ ÐòòState€v.€Gregoryóó,€862€S.W.2d€574,€577€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1993);€òòState€v.€Couryóó,Ð €%  Ð697€S.W.2d€373,€377€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1985);€òòPruitt€v.€Stateóó,€460€S.W.2d€385,€391Ð `'  Ð(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1970).€€€€€€Ð @)à" Ѐ€Ð  +À!$ Ðà Œ àà ä àWith€respect€to€the€appellantððs€conviction€of€arson,€Ô#†XÚöXX X½eq#Ôthe€applicableÐ - #& Ðstatute€provides:Ð ä.„%( ÐÓÓà8 Œ àà8ä Œ (#Œ (#à(a)€A€person€commits€an€offense€who€knowinglyÐ °0P'* Ðdamages€any€structure€by€means€of€fire€or€explosion:Ж16(+ä Ð ä Ð  Ðà8 Œ àà8ä Œ (#Œ (#àà8<ä Ð ä Ð à(1)€Without€the€consent€of€all€persons€whoÐ |2), Ðhave€a€possessory,€proprietary,€or€securityÐ b3*- Ðinterest€therein;.€.€.€.ÐH4è*.<x<x ÐÌÓÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„14„301(a)(1)€(1997).€€In€this€case,€the€jury€convicted€theÐ 6´,0 Ðappellant€of€arson€pursuant€to€an€indictment€charging€that€the€appellant€ð ðdidÐ à7€.2 Ðunlawfully€and€knowingly€damage€a€house€located€at€603€Davis€Street€.€.€.€withoutÐ `  Ðthe€consent€of€all€persons€who€had€a€possessory,€proprietary,€or€security€interestÐ , Ì Ðtherein.€.€.€.ðð€Ð ø ˜ Ðà8 Œ àà8ä Œ (#Œ (#àÔ‡ X½eXXXÚöÔÐ ä Ð ä Ð  Ðà Œ àà ä àÔ#†XÚöXX X½eoƒ#ÔÔ‡ X½eXXXÚöÔWe€conclude€that€the€State€adduced€ample€evidence€to€convict€theÐ ¤D Ðappellant€of€arson.€€Ô#†XÚöXX X½eàƒ#ÔÔ‡XÚöXXXÚöÔAlthough€the€appellant€contended€that€he€had€also€been€aÐ „$  Ðresident€at€the€Davis€Street€house,€there€was€ample€evidence€to€the€contrary.€Ô#†XÚöXXXÚöŒ„#ÔÔ‡ X½eXXXÚöÔ€TheÐ h  ÐState€presented€proof€that,€after€the€appellantððs€convictions€of€felony€nonsupportÐ Lì  Ðand€stalking€in€April€1994,€the€appellant€began€to€threaten€Price€and€one€of€herÐ ,Ì Ðchildren,€who€had€testified€against€him€in€those€cases.€€Moreover,€shortly€after€theÐ  ¬ Ðappellantððs€release€from€custody,€the€appellant€was€involved€in€an€altercation€withÐ ìŒ ÐPriceððs€brothers.€€Immediately€following€the€altercation,€the€appellant€repeatedlyÐ Ìl Ðthreatened€to€ð ðburn€Davis€Street€downðð€and€also€said€that€he€had€ð ðone€bullet€left€inÐ ¬L Ðhis€gun,ðð€referring€to€Price.€Ð Œ!, ÐÌà Œ àà ä àAdditionally,€the€State€presented€the€testimony€of€Robert€George,€whoÐ L%ì Ðobserved€the€appellant€within€walking€distance€of€Priceððs€residence€betweenÐ ,'Ì  Ðmidnight€and€1:00€a.m.€on€the€night€of€May€22€and€the€early€morning€hours€of€MayÐ  )¬" Ð23,€1994.€€Furthermore,€David€Vaughtððs€testimony,€along€with€Priceððs€testimony€andÐ ì*Œ!$ Ðtelephone€records,€established€that€the€appellant€made€two€telephone€calls€fromÐ Ì,l#& ÐPriceððs€residence€to€David€Vaughtððs€residence€in€Illinois€in€the€early€morning€hoursÐ ¬.L%( Ðof€May€23,€1994,€thus€placing€the€appellant€at€the€scene€of€the€fire€at€a€timeÐ Œ0,'* Ðconsistent€with€the€start€of€the€fire.€€Shellððs€testimony€established€that€the€fire€beganÐ l2 ), Ðno€more€than€eight€to€nine€hours€before€its€discovery€at€5:00€a.m.€€Ô#†XÚöXX X½ei…#ÔÔ‡ X½eXXXÚöÔÐ L4ì*. ÐÌà Œ àà ä àFurthermore,€the€expert€testimony€of€the€fire€and€arson€investigators,€€Ð  8¬.2 ÐGeorge€Leonard€and€Steve€Shell,€established€that€the€fire€in€Priceððs€residence€hadÐ `  Ðbeen€intentionally€set.€€They€also€opined€that€the€evidence€showed€no€indicationsÐ @ à Ðthat€the€fire€was€caused€by€the€owner€for€insurance€purposes.€Ð  À ÐÌà Œ àà ä àFinally,€the€questioned€document€expert,€Dr.€Larry€Miller€concludedÐ à€ Ðthat€the€appellant€wrote€the€letter€containing€the€line,€ð ðyou€will€know€what€it€means€toÐ À`  Ðbe€fucking€burnt.ðð€€Dr.€Millerððs€testimony€also€confirmed€that€there€were€noÐ  @  Ðsignificant€dissimilarities€between€the€appellantððs€handwriting€and€the€ð ðU€R€DEADððÐ €  Ðwriting€on€the€interior€wall€of€Priceððs€residence.€€Ð ` ÐÌà Œ à€We€conclude€that€the€evidence€in€this€case€is€sufficient€to€sustain€theÐ  À Ðappellantððs€conviction€for€arson.Ô#†XÚöXX X½e¦Œ#ÔÐ   Ѐ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð à€ Ðà Œ àà ä àAccordingly,€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed.Ð ¬!L Ðà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àÌÓÓà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àÌà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D à__________________________________Ð *&Ê Ðà Œ àà ä àà < àà ” àà ì àà D àNorma€McGee€Ogle,€JudgeÐ '°  ÐÌÌCONCUR:Ð Â)b # ÐÌÌ______________________________Ð t,#& ÐGary€R.€Wade,€Presiding€JudgeÐ Z-ú#' ÐÌÌ_______________________________Ð  0¬&* ÐCornelia€A.€Clark,€Special€Judgeà ì àà D àà œ àà ô àà L à