ÿWPC& 䧯º¢ÊÂòUŒ3^rÃÕþl%á^ã.eŽ(U^Šfx?¤|æºZŽAÀR !Ë=ØnÀ׃¡”<<Õ”œðLº‡ýš÷I‚žÐª´:ð‡–Õü®ÃiœÚ *|/$ƒN‰šF–Þ[ïláJ‡µË¸À)Úœ™š_“PºGébõÉ[ÁS ©Óå½.·A>5ýëxÝnôuL#ÉT ¼ºó2W£%ÚÇè+ÂX‡ë𡫇¾[{Œ™ñ¿Ž’)"º~/K€6w”ióÕP§ÏÉIà‰K6õºsÒúð/s·ªúgC=ŠýÄOØ],*]Š;H»Í¡.i°½‚á )mÀ·0žãâd/ûÊ.ê£ Ð~Jæ„*éÆigp‘²Í¸›%4.(Á¶å6LCcËö­Ð×^>øn6 úA¿”ÛzD%GX9œ_¦˜˜.W³èEÿe•È]S¶ÂÃwÏ\87A#=34±Œ >¥Ñú Œ—"ÏËÙö·ÜIÅg¹UÞT I4Ì—Å;mö†˜ÛÜ^‹*ÞYÖ:ÌÐj‚ö]þ´þzõ^—ƬN¥Ù :Çc·û^ÜŽû gäÏ.;ßW§bÞø€xB¢\C2y³Æ‹÷ñÓ`U.@ %nbt-x¥~º8n­Hõ 0(ýU:% w_ 4c ,w 0™£ 0D< U:€ ’º ^ L fX aZ Nn fp Ö #ÁØ m™f° ÆÆâƨÆnÆ4 Bú…üœœf˜ašššššššššššššššššššššššššššššššššššššššššššššššššš AS®® 0V 0VW 0D­­ D5ñ<þ6X9`(CourierX ù #Ñ#€Xd#Ñ Ñ  Ñ tÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÑ\R AØ'Legal\Ñ3|x«<þ6X9`(CourierXôxþ6X@ɹ`7ûX@($¡¡, øð AZ"Arial Regular¬sp' PTOSHAEddins(I(2$$¤¤Ý ƒ !ÝÝ  ÝÒ°ÒÔ€X–XXXÔà ` àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular Ï4 ' Tom Kulaga0Tom Kulaga .   öˆ1(L TÄTABLE A \Ñ\R AØ'ÿ Legal\јHP LaserJet 4000 Series PCL 6ÈÈÈÈÈÈÈÈ0ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ \Ñ\R AØ'ÿ Legal\ÑHLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5ƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 d {Ý ƒ$$ÝÒ°ÒÔ€XZ‰XXXÔà ` àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€€Justice€White€dissented€in€òòSmithóó,€claiming€that€the€position€of€trustÐ `  Ðengendered€by€the€counselor€showed€that€the€defendant's€confession€was€notÐ F æ Ðthe€product€of€a€voluntary,€free€will.€€933€S.W.2d€at€460.€€Justice€Reid€alsoÐ , Ì Ðdissented.€€He€agreed€with€the€trial€court,€even€though€it€ruled€the€statementsÐ  ² Ðadmissible,€when€the€trial€court€said€that€the€state€"mouse-trapped€him."€€òòId.óó€atÐ ø ˜ Ð45.€€However,€in€the€case€at€bar,€the€police€officers€were€not€in€a€position€of€trustÐ Þ ~ Ðrelative€to€the€defendant,€and€there€was€no€evidence€that€the€officers€attemptedÐ Äd Ðto€trap€or€trick€the€defendant€into€making€his€statement. òÝ ƒ$$ÝÒ°ÒÔ€XZ‰XXXÔà ` àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€€Eddins€is€represented€by€counsel€in€this€appeal.€€Nevertheless,€heÐ `  Ðlodged€a€òòpro€seóó€brief,€styled€as€a€supplemental€brief.€€The€supplemental€briefÐ F æ Ðwas€filed€in€support€of€a€motion€for€consideration€of€post„judgment€facts,€aÐ , Ì Ðmotion€which€raised€additional€issues,€but€did€not€recite€any€post„judgment€facts.€Ð  ² ÐHis€attorney€filed€a€brief,€as€well.€€The€briefs€of€the€petitioner€and€his€attorney€doÐ ø ˜ Ðnot€raise€the€same€issues.€€In€this€court,€a€litigant€has€no€right€to€proceedÐ Þ ~ Ðsimultaneously€through€counsel€and€òòpro€se.óó€€òòSeeóó,€òòe.g.óó,€òòState€v.€Ô_ÔBurkhartÔ_Ôóó,€541Ð Äd ÐS.W.2d€365,€371€(Tenn.€1976).€€Only€those€issues€presented€in€counsel's€briefÐ ªJ Ðare€properly€before€the€court.°¸TABLE C[\]_Eþÿ<<Cÿÿ(.3½Ö$¢¢Ý ƒ üœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  Ý(.3½Ö$££Ý ƒ üœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó"""")ÿÿ!dxdxÝ ƒ !ÝÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ` °ÑÒ°ÒÓ  ÓÑTR[ì AØ'LegalXà3Ø' Letter  AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÔ€ XZ‰XXXÔÌÑ€Ñò òÑ€ÑÑ€ÑÑ€Ñà@ àIN€THE€COURT€OF€CRIMINAL€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ F æ ÐÌ€à@@@'àAT€NASHVILLEˆÐ  ² ÐÌà@BB%àJULY€1999€SESSIONó óˆÐ Þ ~ ÐÌÌÌÔ*’ƒ&'ddd Xdd Xdd X(#(#’ÔÔ,Å d ÔÔ,Âdd ÔÔ,™ d ÔÔ+  ÔÐ v v Ðò òSTATE€OF€TENNESSEE,à h à€ó óÐ Úz  ÐÌà ` àà ¸ àAppellee,Ð ¦F  ÐÌvs.Ð r  ÐÌò òÔ_ÔCOREYÔ_Ô€L.€EDDINS,ó óÐ >Þ  ÐÌà ` àà ¸ àAppellant.Ð   ª Ð)Ð Úz Ð)Ð À`  Ð)Ð ¦F  Ð)Ð Œ,  Ð)Ð r  Ð)Ð Xø  Ð)Ð >Þ  Ð)Ð $Ä Ð)Ð  ª Ð)Ð  ð ÐÌÌC.C.A.€No.€W1998„00487„CCA„Ð ¦F  ÐR3„CDÐ Œ,  ÐÌShelby€CountyÐ Xø " ÐÌHon.€Chris€Craft,€JudgeÐ $Ä$ ÐÌ(Second€Degree€Murder)Ð ð& Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àÌÌÔ*’ƒd($ãdÅ d Å Âdd ™ d ™ &'(#(#’ÔÔ,‡dÔÔ,™ d ÔÔ+  ÔÐ Òr(Òr Ðò òFOR€THE€APPELLANT:ó óÐ 6Ö) Ðò òTONY€N.€Ô_ÔBRAYTONÔ_Ô€ó ó(on€appeal)Ð ¼* ÐAssistant€Public€DefenderÐ ¢+ Ð201€Poplar€Avenue,€Suite€2„01Ð èˆ, ÐMemphis,€TN€€38103Ð Î n- ÐÌò òJOHN€C.€HOUGH€ó ó(at€trial)Ð š":/ Ðò òBYRON€Ô_ÔWINSETTÔ_Ôó óÐ €# 0 ÐAssistant€Public€DefendersÐ f$1 Ð201€Poplar€Avenue€„€Second€FloorÐ L%ì2 ÐMemphis,€TN€€38103Ð 2&Ò3 ÐÌÌÐ  ä(„6 Ðò òFOR€THE€APPELLEE:ó óÐ 6Ö7 Ðò òPAUL€G.€SUMMERSó óÐ ¼8 ÐAttorney€General€&€ReporterÐ ¢9 ÐÌò òJ.€ROSS€DYERó óÐ Î n; ÐAsst.€Attorney€GeneralÐ ´!T< Ð425€Fifth€Ave.€NorthÐ š":= Ð2d€Floor,€Ô_ÔCordellÔ_Ô€Hull€Bldg.Ð €# > ÐNashville,€TN€€37243„0493Ð f$? ÐÌò òWILLIAM€L.€GIBBONSó óÐ 2&ÒA ÐDistrict€Attorney€GeneralÐ '¸B ÐÌò òKEVIN€R.€Ô_ÔRARDINÔ_Ôó óÐ ä(„D ÐAsst.€District€Attorney€GeneralÐ Ê)j E ÐCriminal€Justice€Center€„€ThirdÐ °*P!F ÐFloorÐ –+6"G Ð201€Poplar€AvenueÐ |,#H ÐMemphis,€TN€€38103Ð b-$I ÐÌÌÌÌOPINION€FILED:________________Ð 2°(M ÐÌò òÌAFFIRMEDÐ Â4b+P ÐÌJAMES€Ô_ÔCURWOODÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔWITTÔ_Ô,€JR.,€JUDGEó óÐ  Ž6.-R ÐÑÑâ âÑ8€YÕXXdädÈ8Ñâ âÑ  Ñâ âÑÑÑ  ÑÑTR[ì AØ'Legal[ì AØ'Legal  AØ'ÿ Legal  AØ'ÿ LegalTÑâ âÑ  ÑÔ_ÔÔ  ÔÑ  ÑÓ'X‚X¸ ˜Xÿÿ°œX'ÓÑ8€ Z‰ XXdæXXdä8ÑÑ€†ÑÑ€† Ñà@qq*àò òòòOPINIONó óóóˆÐ `  ÐÓÓÌà ¸ àThe€defendant,€Corey€Eddins,€appeals€his€Shelby€County€juryÐ  ² Ðconviction€of€second€degree€murder.€€After€a€sentencing€hearing,€the€trial€courtÐ Þ ~ Ðimposed€a€sentence€of€23€years,to€be€served€in€the€Tennessee€Department€ofÐ ªJ ÐCorrection.€€In€this€appeal,€the€defendant€raises€the€following€issues:׃$×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð v  ÐÓÓà8 ¸ à1.à0¸ x¸ xàthe€sufficiency€of€the€evidence;ÐBâ xx Ðà8 ¸ à2.à0¸ x¸ xàwhether€the€defendantððs€September€30,€1996Ð (È  Ðstatement€should€have€been€suppressed;€andЮ xx Ðà8 ¸ à3.à0¸ x¸ xàwhether€defense€witness€Tequila€Kendall€shouldÐ ô”  Ðhave€been€found€competent€to€testify.ÐÚz xx ÐÌÓvÓAfter€a€review€of€the€record,€the€briefs€of€the€parties,€and€the€applicable€law,€weÐ ¦F Ðaffirm€the€trial€courtððs€judgment.Ð r ÐÌà ¸ àOn€the€morning€of€September€10,€1996,€Markesha€Kendall€woke€up,Ð  ª Ðgot€dressed,€and€went€looking€for€her€mother,€Tracy€Shavers.€€She€found€herÐ Öv Ðmother€lying€on€the€living€room€floor,€naked€and€bleeding€from€the€head.€€She€triedÐ ¢!B Ðto€wake€her€mother,€but€could€not.€€She€called€her€grandmother,€her€aunt,€and€911.Ð n# ÐÌà ¸ àThe€defendant€had€lived€with€the€victim€the€year€before€her€death.€€HeÐ '¦! Ðmoved€out€before€she€gave€birth€to€the€twins€he€had€fathered.€€Five€days€after€theÐ Ò(r# Ðvictimððs€murder,€the€defendant€gave€a€statement€to€the€police.€€He€said€that€he€hadÐ ž*>!% Ðbeen€at€home€that€evening€and€had€not€killed€the€victim.€€Two€weeks€later,€theÐ j, #' Ðpolice€picked€up€the€defendant€just€before€his€lunch€break€at€work.€€The€policeÐ 6.Ö$) Ðquestioned€the€defendant€and€he€finally€gave€a€statement€late€that€evening.€€In€hisÐ 0¢&+ Ðsecond€statement,€the€defendant€confessed€to€killing€the€victim.€€He€said€that€atÐ Î1n(- Ðaround€eleven€that€night€he€went€to€the€victimððs€house€seeking€sex.€€He€and€theÐ `  Ðvictim€argued€about€him€and€another€woman,€and€she€slapped€him.€€He€struck€herÐ , Ì Ðand€knocked€her€down.€€He€picked€up€a€gold€statue€and€repeatedly€hit€her€in€theÐ ø ˜ Ðhead€until€she€stopped€struggling.€€He€then€had€sex€with€her.€€He€said€that€he€droveÐ Äd Ðto€a€nearby€lake€and€threw€the€statue€into€the€water.€€He€arrived€at€his€home€aroundÐ 0 Ðthree€oððclock€in€the€morning.Ð \ü  ÐÌà ¸ àAfter€taking€his€statement,€the€police€arrested€the€defendant.€€TheÐ ô”  Ðpolice€searched€for,€but€never€found,€the€murder€weapon.€€At€the€trial,€theÐ À` Ðdefendantððs€step„brother€testified€that€he€had€seen€the€defendant€and€victim€argue.€Ð Œ, ÐHe€said€that€the€victim€picked€up€a€knife€and€the€defendant€picked€up€an€iron€andÐ Xø Ðhe€had€to€step€between€them€to€break€it€up.Ð $Ä ÐÌà ¸ àThe€defendant€was€found€guilty€of€second€degree€murder€by€a€jury.€Ð ¼ \ ÐThe€trial€court€found€that€enhancement€factors€(5),€exceptional€cruelty,€and€(6),Ð ˆ"( Ðgreat€personal€injuries,€applied.€€The€trial€court€sentenced€the€defendant€to€23€yearsÐ T$ô Ðin€the€Department€of€Correction.€€Ð  &À  ÐÌò òÓ  ÓI.€Sufficiency€of€the€EvidenceÐ ¸)X $ ÐÓ×Óó óÌà ¸ àThe€defendant€claims€that€the€evidence€is€insufficient€to€support€hisÐ P-ð#( Ðconviction€for€second€degree€murder.€€He€argues€that€he€was€guilty€of€no€more€thanÐ /¼%* Ðvoluntary€manslaughter€because€the€evidence€showed€that€he€acted€out€of€angerÐ è0ˆ', Ðand€such€a€showing€has€the€effect€of€reducing€second€degree€murder€to€voluntaryÐ ´2T). Ðhomicide.€€The€state€responds€that€any€provocation€from€the€victim€was€notÐ €4 +0 Ðsufficient€to€lead€a€reasonable€person€to€act€in€an€irrational€manner.€€The€stateÐ L6ì,2 Ðargues€that€the€provocation€was€inadequate€because,€according€to€the€defendant,Ð 8¸.4 Ðthe€victim€slapped€him€once€and€then€he€bludgeoned€her€to€death.€Ð ä9„06 Їà ¸ àWhen€an€accused€challenges€the€sufficiency€of€the€evidence,€anÐ `  Ðappellate€court's€standard€of€review€is€whether,€after€considering€the€evidence€in€theÐ , Ì Ðlight€most€favorable€to€the€prosecution,€any€rational€trier€of€fact€could€have€found€theÐ ø ˜ Ðessential€elements€of€the€crime€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt.€€òòJackson€v.€Virginiaóó,Ð Äd Ð443€U.S.€307,€324,€99€S.€Ct.€2781,€2791-92,€(1979);€òòState€v.€Duncanóó,€698€S.W.2dÐ 0 Ð63,€67€(Tenn.€1985);€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(e).€€This€rule€applies€to€findings€of€guiltÐ \ü  Ðbased€upon€direct€evidence,€circumstantial€evidence,€or€a€combination€of€direct€andÐ (È  Ðcircumstantial€evidence.€€òòState€v.€Dykesóó,€803€S.W.2d€250,€253€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.Ð ô”  Ð1990).€€Ð À` ÐÌà ¸ àIn€determining€the€sufficiency€of€the€evidence,€this€court€should€notÐ Xø Ðreweigh€or€reevaluate€the€evidence.€€òòState€v.€Matthewsóó,€805€S.W.2d€776,€779Ð $Ä Ð(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1990).€€Questions€concerning€the€credibility€of€the€witnesses,€theÐ ð Ðweight€and€value€of€the€evidence,€as€well€as€all€factual€issues€raised€by€theÐ ¼ \ Ðevidence€are€resolved€by€the€trier€of€fact.€€òòState€v.€Cabbageóó,€571€S.W.2d€832,€835Ð ˆ"( Ð(Tenn.€1978).€€Nor€may€this€court€substitute€its€inferences€for€those€drawn€by€theÐ T$ô Ðtrier€of€fact€from€the€evidence.€€òòLiakas€v.€Stateóó,€199€Tenn.€298,€305,€286€S.W.2dÐ  &À  Ð856,€859€(1956);€òòFarmer€v.€Stateóó,€574€S.W.2d€49,€51€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1978).€€OnÐ ì'Œ" Ðthe€contrary,€this€court€must€afford€the€State€of€Tennessee€the€strongest€legitimateÐ ¸)X $ Ðview€of€the€evidence€contained€in€the€record€as€well€as€all€reasonable€and€legitimateÐ „+$"& Ðinferences€which€may€be€drawn€from€the€evidence.€€òòCabbageóó,€571€S.W.2d€at€835.€Ð P-ð#( ÐÌà ¸ àSecond€degree€murder€is€the€knowing€killing€of€another.€€Tenn.€CodeÐ è0ˆ', ÐAnn.€ðð€39-13-210€(1997).€€A€homicide,€once€established,€is€presumed€to€be€secondÐ ´2T). Ðdegree€murder.€€òòState€v.€Brownóó,€836€S.W.2d€530,€543€(Tenn.€1992).€€Ð €4 +0 ÐÌà ¸ àIn€the€light€most€favorable€to€the€state,€the€proof€shows€that€theÐ 8¸.4 Ðdefendant€became€angry€with€the€victim€as€they€argued.€€The€victim€slapped€theÐ ä9„06 Ðdefendant.€€The€defendant€then€struck€the€victim,€knocked€her€to€the€floor,€andÐ `  Ðrepeatedly€struck€her€with€a€heavy€statue.€€òòSeeóó€òòCooper€v.€Stateóó,€847€S.W.2d€521,Ð , Ì Ð528€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1992)€(finding€that€not€all€blows€that€excite€passion€will€serveÐ ø ˜ Ðto€reduce€a€homicide€to€manslaughter,€but€will€support€second€degree€murder)Ð Äd Ð(quoting€òòRader€v.€Stateóó,€73€Tenn.€610€(1880)).€€The€evidence€is€sufficient€for€aÐ 0 Ðrational€jury€to€conclude€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt€that€the€defendant€knowinglyÐ \ü  Ðkilled€Tracy€Shavers.Ð (È  ÐÌà ¸ àWe€reject€the€defendantððs€argument€that€the€proof€is€adequate€only€toÐ À` Ðconvict€him€of€voluntary€manslaughter.€€Testimony€showed€that€he€was€angry€andÐ Œ, Ðthe€victim€slapped€him.€€The€jury€did€not€conclude€that€this€was€ð ða€state€of€passionÐ Xø Ðproduced€by€adequate€provocation€sufficient€to€lead€a€reasonable€person€to€act€inÐ $Ä Ðan€irrational€manner.ðð€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39-13-211€(1997).€€As€was€itsÐ ð Ðprerogative,€the€jury€obviously€found€that€slapping€the€defendant€was€not€sufficientÐ ¼ \ Ðprovocation€to€justify€a€killing.Ð ˆ"( ÐÌÓ  Óò òII.€Defendantððs€Statementó óÐ  &À  ÐÓN1ÓÌà ¸ àThe€defendant€claims€that€the€trial€court€erred€by€not€suppressing€hisÐ ¸)X $ Ðstatement€of€September€30,€1996.€€He€argues€that€the€trial€court€improperly€decidedÐ „+$"& Ðthe€statement€was€admissible€because€the€trial€court€stated€that€it€did€not€have€toÐ P-ð#( Ðdecide€the€credibility€of€the€witnesses€or€the€weight€of€evidence,€but€onlyÐ /¼%* Ðadmissibility.€€The€defendant€contends€that€a€combination€of€threats€and€promisesÐ è0ˆ', Ðof€leniency€made€by€the€questioning€police€officers€overwhelmed€his€will€to€resistÐ ´2T). Ðand€tainted€his€confession.€€The€state€responds€that€the€evidence€proved€at€theÐ €4 +0 Ðsuppression€hearing€does€not€preponderate€against€the€trial€courtððs€denial€of€theÐ L6ì,2 Ðâ âdefendantððs€motion€to€suppress€his€confession.€€The€state€argues€that€the€trial€courtÐ 8¸.4 Ðimpliedly€found€the€officersðð€testimony€more€credible€than€the€defendantððs€becauseÐ `  Ðit€ruled€the€statement€admissible.€€Ð , Ì Ðâ âÌà ¸ àAt€an€evidentiary€hearing,€the€State€has€the€burden€of€demonstratingÐ Äd Ðby€a€preponderance€of€the€evidence€that€the€defendant's€statements€were€voluntary,Ð 0 Ðknowing€and€intelligent.€€òòState€v.€Kellyóó,€603€S.W.2d€726,€728€(Tenn.€1980).€€A€trialÐ \ü  Ðcourt's€determination€at€a€suppression€hearing€is€presumptively€correct€on€appeal,Ð (È  ÐòòState€v.€Stephensonóó,€878€S.W.2d€530,€544€(Tenn.€1994),€and€the€findings€areÐ ô”  Ðbinding€upon€this€court€unless€the€evidence€contained€in€the€record€preponderatesÐ À` Ðagainst€them.€€òòState€v.€Odomóó,€928€S.W.2d€18,€22€(Tenn.€1996);€òòStephensonóó,€878Ð Œ, ÐS.W.2d€at€544;€òòState€v.€Aucoinóó,€756€S.W.2d€705,€710€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1988).€€Ð Xø ÐÌà ¸ àUnder€this€standard,€matters€regarding€the€credibility€of€witnesses,€theÐ ð Ðweight€and€value€to€be€afforded€the€evidence,€and€resolution€of€conflicts€in€theÐ ¼ \ Ðevidence€are€matters€entrusted€to€the€trial€court€as€the€trier€of€fact.€€òòOdomóó,€928Ð ˆ"( ÐS.W.2d€at€23.€€On€appeal,€the€defendant€has€the€burden€of€showing€that€theÐ T$ô Ðevidence€preponderates€against€a€finding€that€a€confession€was,€in€fact,€knowinglyÐ  &À  Ðand€voluntarily€given.€€òòState€v.€Nakdimenóó,€735€S.W.2d€799,€800€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.Ð ì'Œ" Ð1987).€€In€determining€whether€a€statement€is€made€voluntarily,€this€court€must€lookÐ ¸)X $ Ðto€the€totality€of€the€circumstances€surrounding€the€confession,€and€the€standard€isÐ „+$"& Ðwhether€"the€behavior€of€the€state's€law€enforcement€officials€was€such€as€toÐ P-ð#( Ðoverbear€petitioner's€will€to€resist€and€bring€about€confessions€not€freelyÐ /¼%* Ðself-determined."€€òòKellyóó,€603€S.W.2d€at€728.€€Ð è0ˆ', ÐÌà ¸ àIn€the€case€at€bar,€the€defendant€testified€at€the€suppression€hearingÐ €4 +0 Ðthat€on€September€30,€1996€the€interrogating€officers€offered€him€a€choice€betweenÐ L6ì,2 Ðfour€years€incarceration€or€either€the€death€penalty€or€life€imprisonment.€€He€said€heÐ 8¸.4 Ðmade€up€the€confession€because€he€was€afraid€of€getting€the€death€penalty€or€lifeÐ ä9„06 Ðimprisonment€by€being€charged€with€first€degree€murder.€€Sergeant€Stewart€of€theÐ `  ÐMemphis€Police€Department€testified€that€he€read€the€defendant€his€òòMirandaóó€rightsÐ , Ì Ðand€the€defendant€read€and€signed€an€advice€and€waiver€of€rights€form€which€alsoÐ ø ˜ Ðcontained€the€òòMirandaóó€rights.€€He€testified€that€after€interviewing€the€defendant€forÐ Äd Ðsix€hours,€which€included€numerous€breaks€to€verify€parts€of€his€statement,€theÐ 0 Ðdefendant€signed€a€written€statement.€€The€written€statement€spelled€out€theÐ \ü  Ðdefendantððs€òòMirandaóó€rights,€and€Sergeant€Stewart€testified€that€the€defendant€readÐ (È  Ðthe€statement€before€he€signed€it.€€€€He€also€testified€that€he€told€the€defendant€theÐ ô”  Ðpossible€charges€against€him€and€their€accompanying€punishments.€€Sergeant€CashÐ À` Ðwas€called€as€a€rebuttal€witness,€and€he€corroborated€Sergeant€Stewartððs€testimony.€Ð Œ, ÐÌà ¸ àWe€note€that€the€record€of€the€suppression€hearing€indicates€that€bothÐ $Ä Ðofficers€testified€on€cross„examination€that€they€could€not€remember€anything€otherÐ ð Ðthan€what€they€had€testified€on€direct,€and€in€general,€they€provided€very€evasive,Ð ¼ \ Ðnon„informative€answers.€€However,€it€is€the€province€of€the€trial€court€to€makeÐ ˆ"( Ðdeterminations€of€credibility,€and€we€defer€to€the€trial€courtððs€determinations€ofÐ T$ô Ðwitness€credibility.€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Odomóó,€928€S.W.2d€18,€23€(Tenn.€1996)Ð  &À  Ð(ð ðQuestions€of€credibility€of€witnesses,€the€weight€and€value€of€the€evidence€andÐ ì'Œ" Ðresolution€of€conflicts€in€evidence€are€matters€entrusted€to€the€trial€judge€as€the€trierÐ ¸)X $ Ðof€fact.ð ð).Ð „+$"& ÐÌà ¸ àAt€the€conclusion€of€the€suppression€hearing,€the€trial€court€noted€thatÐ /¼%* Ðthe€testimony€of€the€defendant€and€the€officers€was€contradictory.€€The€trial€courtÐ è0ˆ', Ðresolved€the€question€of€credibility€of€the€witnesses€in€the€stateððs€favor.€€The€trialÐ ´2T). Ðcourt€found€that€the€defendant€was€not€unduly€influenced€by€any€offer€of€leniency.€Ð €4 +0 ÐThus,€it€found€that€the€state€had€met€its€burden€of€proving€the€statement€should€beÐ L6ì,2 Ðadmitted.Ð 8¸.4 ÐÐ ä9„06 Ðà ¸ àIt€is€undisputed€that€the€defendant€was€advised€fully€and€completelyÐ `  Ðof€his€òòMirandaóó€rights€and€signed€written€waivers€of€his€constitutional€rights€beforeÐ , Ì Ðmaking€the€statements€to€the€investigators.€€He€raised€no€questions€about€theÐ ø ˜ Ðwaivers,€nor€did€he€indicate€that€he€did€not€understand€any€of€them.€€As€in€òòState€v.Ð Äd ÐSmithóó,€the€defendant€was€not€compelled€to€confess€because€ð ðthe€tactics€of€theÐ 0 Ðstateðð€were€not€ð ðso€coercive€as€to€overbear€the€defendant's€will.ðð€€933€S.W.2d€450,Ð \ü  Ð456€(Tenn.€1996)€(affirming€admissibility€of€statements€made€to€a€TennesseeÐ (È  ÐDepartment€of€Human€Services€mental€health€counselor€after€she€told€theÐ ô”  Ðdefendant€that€if€he€sought€treatment,€the€prosecutor€would€most€likely€notÐ À` Ðprosecute,€but€she€could€not€make€any€promises;€however,€if€he€did€not€seekÐ Œ, Ðtreatment,€then€he€would€definitely€be€prosecuted).׃#×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð Xø ÐÌà ¸ àThus,€the€record€clearly€supports€the€trial€court's€findings,€and€theÐ ð Ðdefendant€has€failed€to€carry€his€appellate€burden.€€We€conclude€that,€under€theÐ ¼ \ Ðtotality€of€the€circumstances,€the€defendant€understood€his€rights,€voluntarily€andÐ ˆ"( Ðeffectively€waived€those€rights,€and€voluntarily,€intelligently,€and€understandinglyÐ T$ô Ðgave€his€statement.€€Accordingly,€we€conclude€that€the€trial€court's€denial€ofÐ  &À  Ðdefendant's€motion€to€suppress€was€proper.Ð ì'Œ" ÐÌò òÓ  ÓIII.€Competency€of€WitnessÐ „+$"& ÐÓÁOÓó óÌà ¸ àThe€defendant€claims€that€Tequila€Kendall,€who€was€six€years€old€atÐ /¼%* Ðthe€time€of€the€trial,€knew€the€difference€between€a€lie€and€the€truth€and€should€haveÐ è0ˆ', Ðц Ñâ âÑTR[ì AØ'ÿ Legal[ì AØ'Legal  AØ'ÿ Legal  AØ'ÿ LegalTÑâ âÑ  Ñbeen€permitted€to€testify.€€He€argues€that€there€is€no€requirement€that€the€witnessÐ `  Ðhave€sufficient€knowledge€or€experience€to€define€an€oath€or€articulate€itsÐ , Ì Ðobligations.€€He€contends€that€Miss€Kendall€would€have€testified€that€she€sawÐ ø ˜ Ðanother€man€in€the€victimððs€home€the€night€the€victim€was€murdered.€€The€stateÐ Äd Ðresponds€that€Miss€Kendallððs€answers€to€the€trial€courtððs€questions€did€not€show€thatÐ 0 Ðshe€could€understand€the€oath.€€The€state€argues€that€in€order€to€find€a€childÐ \ü  Ðcompetent€to€testify,€she€must€have€a€due€sense€of€the€obligation€and€sanctity€of€theÐ (È  Ðoath.Ð ô”  ÐÌà ¸ àIn€the€case€at€bar,€the€defendant€wished€to€have€Tequila€KendallÐ Œ, Ðtestify.€€Miss€Kendall€was€six€years€old€at€the€time€of€the€trial.€€The€followingÐ Xø Ðcolloquy€occurred:€Ð $Ä ÐÌÓÓà8 ¸ àTHE€COURT:€Do€you€know€the€difference€betweenÐ ¼ \ Ðtelling€the€truth€and€telling€something€thatððs€not€true.€€Ð¢!B¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€Yes,€sir.Ðn#¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ àTHE€COURT:€Whatððs€the€difference?€€Whatððs€theÐ :%Ú Ðdifference€between€telling€something€true€andÐ  &À  Ðsomething€thatððs€not€true?€€(Long€Pause)Ð'¦!¸ x¸ x Ðà8 ¸ àIððve€had€to€ask€my€little€girl€the€same€questions.€€WhatÐ ì'Œ" Ðdoes€it€mean€to€tell€the€truth?ÐÒ(r#¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€I€donððt€know.О*>!%¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ àTHE€COURT:€You€donððt?€€Okay.€€Well,€do€you€knowÐ j, #' Ðwhat€a€lie€is?€€Do€you€know€what€telling€a€lie€is?ÐP-ð#(¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€Yes,€sir.Ð/¼%*¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ àTHE€COURT:€Whatððs€telling€a€lie?€€What€do€you€do?Ðè0ˆ',¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à(Pause)д2T).¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ àThe€reason€Iððm€asking€you€that€is€because€weððre€goingÐ €4 +0 Ðto€ask€you€some€questions€with€these€people€sitting€inÐ f5,1 Ðthis€box€and€we€want€to€make€sure€that€you€tell€usÐ L6ì,2 Ðsomething€thatððs€true€and€not€something€you€made€up.Ð27Ò-3¸ x¸ x Ðâ âÐ 8¸.4 Ðà8 ¸ àDo€you€know€the€difference€between€telling€somethingÐ `  Ðthatððs€true€and€telling€something€that€you€made€up?€€OrÐ F æ Ðnot?Ð, ̸ x¸ x Ðâ âÌà8 ¸ à(Pause)Ðø ˜¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ àWell,€for€the€record,€sheððs€not€saying€anything.Ð Äd Ð[DEFENSE€COUNSEL],€do€you€want€to€talk€to€her?ЪJ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à.€.€.Ðv ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[DEFENSE€COUNSEL]:€Okay.€€Now€what€the€JudgeÐ Bâ  Ðwas€asking€you€here€is€about€whether€youððre€going€toÐ (È  Ðbe€telling€us€the€truth€or€a€story€that€you€made€up.€€YouÐ ®  Ðknow€what€the€truth€is?€€Hmm?Ðô” ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€No,€sir.ÐÀ`¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[DEFENSE€COUNSEL]:€Please?ÐŒ,¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€No,€sir.ÐXø¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[DEFENSE€COUNSEL]:€Well,€is€that€ð!ð€you€know,€whatÐ $Ä Ðthe€Judge€asked€you€if€you€knew€what€it€meant€to€tell€aÐ  ª Ðstory.€€You€know€what€telling€a€story€is?Ðð¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€Yes,€sir.м \¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[DEFENSE€COUNSEL]:€What€is€that?€€Ðˆ"(¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à(Pause)€ÐT$ô¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ àWhat€do€you€do€when€you€tell€a€story?Ð &À ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à(Long€Pause)Ðì'Œ"¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ àYou€want€to€ask€ð!ð€talk€to€your€aunt?€€Huh?и)X $¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€Yes,€sir.Є+$"&¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[DEFENSE€COUNSEL]:€Okay.ÐP-ð#(¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[AUNT]:€You€know€when€you€tell€a€story?Ð/¼%*¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ àTHE€COURT:€Maððam,€youððre€going€to€have€to€speak€upÐ è0ˆ', Ðbecause€weððre€taking€this€down.ÐÎ1n(-¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[AUNT]:€Okay,€Tequila,€you€know€what€a€lie€is,€donððtÐ š3:*/ Ðyou?€Tell€them€what€a€lie€is,€€If€you€tell€a€lie,€what€doÐ €4 +0 Ðyou€do?Ðf5,1¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€You€get€in€trouble.Ð27Ò-3¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[AUNT]:€You€get€in€trouble.€€Is€that€loud€ð!ðÐþ8ž/5¸ x¸ x ÐÐ ä9„06 Ðà8 ¸ àTHE€COURT:€Yeah,€I€heard€her.Ð` ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[AUNT]:€Okay.€€You€get€in€trouble.€€But€if€youððre€tellingÐ , Ì Ðthe€truth,€what€are€you€telling?Ð ²¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€You€donððt€get€in€trouble.ÐÞ ~¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à.€.€.ЪJ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[DEFENSE€COUNSEL]:€When€you€tell€a€story,€you€toldÐ v  Ðyour€aunt€that€you€get€in€trouble,€and€that€if€you€tell€theÐ \ü  Ðtruth,€do€you€get€in€trouble.ÐBâ ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€No,€sir.Ю ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[DEFENSE€COUNSEL]:€Huh?ÐÚz ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€No,€sir.ЦF¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[DEFENSE€COUNSEL]:€So€whatððs€the€differenceÐ r Ðbetween€ð!ð€Is€there€a€difference€between€telling€the€truthÐ Xø Ðand€telling€a€story?Ð>Þ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€I€donððt€know.Ð ª¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[DEFENSE€COUNSEL]:€Huh?ÐÖv¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€I€donððt€know.Т!B¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ àTHE€COURT:€She€said,€ð ðI€donððt€know.ððÐn#¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€I€donððt€know.Ð:%Ú¸ x¸ x ÐÓBVÓÌà ¸ àThe€trial€court€did€not€find€that€the€child€was€competent€because€it€didÐ ì'Œ" Ðnot€think€that€her€testimony€would€be€reliable.€€The€trial€court€said€that€it€could€notÐ ¸)X $ Ðdetermine€whether€she€knew€the€difference€between€telling€something€thatÐ „+$"& Ðhappened€and€something€that€she€made€up.€€The€defendant€then€made€theÐ P-ð#( Ðfollowing€offer€of€proof:Ð /¼%* ÐÌÓÓà8 ¸ à[DEFENSE€COUNSEL]:€Tequila,€let€me€ask€you,€do€youÐ ´2T). Ðremember€talking€to€the€police€officers€right€after€youÐ š3:*/ Ðmother€died?Ѐ4 +0¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€No,€sir.ÐL6ì,2¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[DEFENSE€COUNSEL]:€Huh?Ð8¸.4¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€No,€sir.Ðä9„06¸ x¸ x Ðц Ñâ âÑTR[ì AØ'ÿ Legal[ì AØ'ÿ Legal  AØ'ÿ Legal  AØ'ÿ LegalTÑâ âÑ  ÑÌà8 ¸ à[DEFENSE€COUNSEL]:€You€donððt€remember€themÐ F æ Ðcoming€down€here,€you€coming€down€here€and€talkingÐ , Ì Ðto€you?Ð ²¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€No,€sir.ÐÞ ~¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[DEFENSE€COUNSEL]:€Huh?ЪJ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€No,€sir.Ðv ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[DEFENSE€COUNSEL]:€Come€down€here€in€thisÐ Bâ  Ðbuilding€before?Ð(È ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€No,€sir.Ðô” ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[DEFENSE€COUNSEL]:€You€didnððt?ÐÀ`¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€No,€sir.ÐŒ,¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[DEFENSE€COUNSEL]:€And€you€donððt€rememberÐ Xø Ðtalking€to€and€having€Tasha€and€Lakesha€present€withÐ >Þ Ðyou€when€you€talked€to€these€men?Ð$ĸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€No,€sir.Ðð¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[DEFENSE€COUNSEL]:€Huh?м \¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€No,€sir.Ј"(¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[DEFENSE€COUNSEL]:€No,€sir.€€Okay.€€You€donððtÐ T$ô Ðremember€saying€that€you€saw€a€man€in€a€black€mask,Ð :%Ú Ðand€a€black€shirt,€and€black€pants?Ð &À ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€No,€sir.Ðì'Œ"¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[DEFENSE€COUNSEL]:€Huh?и)X $¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€No,€sir.Є+$"&¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[DEFENSE€COUNSEL]:€You€donððt€remember€sayingÐ P-ð#( Ðthat.€€Didnððt€you€tell€me€yesterday€that€you€rememberedÐ 6.Ö$) Ðsaying€that?Ð/¼%*¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€No,€sir.Ðè0ˆ',¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[DEFENSE€COUNSEL]:€Okay.€€Do€you€rememberÐ ´2T). Ðtelling€me€this€man€looked€kind€of€like€Greg?К3:*/¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€Yes,€sir.Ðf5,1¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[DEFENSE€COUNSEL]:€You€told€me€he€looked€likeÐ 27Ò-3 ÐGreg.Ð8¸.4¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€Yes,€sir.Ðä9„06¸ x¸ x Їà8 ¸ à.€.€.Ð` ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[DEFENSE€COUNSEL]:€And€do€you€remember€ð!ð€youÐ , Ì Ðdonððt€remember€telling€those€people€there€that€you€sawÐ  ² Ðhim€in€a€black€mask,€a€black€shirt,€and€the€black€pants?Ðø ˜¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€No,€sir.ÐÄd¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[DEFENSE€COUNSEL]:€You€donððt€remember€that.€Ð 0 ÐOkay.€€You€remember€telling€that€the€doorknob,€youÐ v  Ðlooked€through€the€doorknob€in€your€room,€the€hole€inÐ \ü  Ðthe€door?ÐBâ ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€No,€sir.Ю ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[DEFENSE€COUNSEL]:€You€donððt€remember€thatÐ Úz  Ðeither.€€You€donððt€remember€telling€me€yesterday€thatÐ À` Ðyou€did?ЦF¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[WITNESS]:€No,€sir.Ðr¸ x¸ x ÐÌà8 ¸ à[DEFENSE€COUNSEL]:€Your€Honor,€obviously€sheððsÐ >Þ Ðchanged€her€story€from€then€and€from€yesterday.€€IÐ $Ä Ðdonððt€know€whether€itððs€through€coaching€or€what.€€ButÐ  ª Ðsheððs€changed€it.Ðð¸ x¸ x ÐÓBlÓÌà ¸ àRule€601,€Tennessee€Rules€of€Evidence,€provides€that€"every€personÐ ¢!B Ðis€presumed€competent€to€be€a€witness."€€No€one€is€automatically€prohibited€fromÐ n# Ðtestifying€because€of€age€or€mental€status.€€òòState€v.€Caughronóó,€855€S.W.2d€526,Ð :%Ú Ð537-38€(Tenn.€1993).€€"So€long€as€a€witness€is€of€sufficient€capacity€to€understandÐ '¦! Ðthe€obligation€of€an€oath€or€affirmation,€and€some€rule€does€not€provide€otherwise,Ð Ò(r# Ðthe€witness€is€competent."€€òòId.óó€at€538.€€The€question€of€competency€is€a€matterÐ ž*>!% Ðwithin€the€discretion€of€the€trial€court.€òòIdóó.€€The€trial€court's€determination€onÐ j, #' Ðcompetency€will€not€be€overturned€absent€a€showing€of€an€abuse€of€discretion.€Ð 6.Ö$) ÐòòState€v.€Howardóó,€926€S.W.2d€579,€584€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1996).€€Ð 0¢&+ ÐÌà ¸ àIn€òòState€v.€Griffisóó,€964€S.W.2d€577€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1997),€the€victimÐ š3:*/ Ðof€the€rape€and€attempted€murder,€who€was€four€years€old€at€the€time€of€her€abuse,Ð f5,1 Ðtestified€at€the€trial.€€òòId.óó€at€584,€591„92.€€The€trial€court€determined€that€ð ðthe€childÐ 27Ò-3 Ðunderstood€the€difference€between€a€true€statement€and€an€untrue€statement€asÐ þ8ž/5 Ðwell€as€the€importance€of€telling€the€truth€during€the€course€of€the€trial.ðð€€òòId.óó€at€592.€Ð `  ÐThe€trial€court€found€the€child„victim€to€be€a€competent€witness€because,€in€additionÐ , Ì Ðto€taking€the€oath,€she€told€the€trial€court€that€she€was€required€to€tell€the€truth€inÐ ø ˜ Ðcourt€and€she€promised€to€do€so.€€òòId.óó€€This€court€affirmed€òòGriffisóó€because€the€child„Ð Äd Ðvictimððs€testimony€was€cogent€and€responsive€to€the€questions€asked€of€her.€€òòId.óó€atÐ 0 Ð592.Ð \ü  ÐÌà ¸ àThe€trial€court€in€the€case€at€bar€found€the€child€was€not€competent€toÐ ô”  Ðtestify.€€The€record€supports€this€determination.€€Unlike€the€child„victim€in€òòGriffisóó,€theÐ À` Ðchild€in€this€case€was€not€responsive€to€either€the€trial€courtððs€or€defense€counselððsÐ Œ, ÐÌÐ  $Ä Ðquestions.€€The€childððs€testimony€during€the€defendantððs€offer€of€proof€furtherÐ `  Ðsubstantiates€the€trial€courtððs€finding.€€The€child€answered€every€question€in€theÐ , Ì Ðnegative€except€for€those€about€her€brotherððs€father,€Greg.€€She€did€not€rememberÐ ø ˜ Ðwhat€she€had€told€the€police€after€the€killing€or€defense€counsel€the€previous€day.€Ð Äd ÐHer€testimony€was€not€what€the€defendant€expected€and€did€nothing€to€establishÐ 0 Ðthat€another€committed€the€crime.€€Accordingly,€we€conclude€that€the€trial€court€didÐ \ü  Ðnot€abuse€its€discretion€in€finding€that€the€child€was€not€competent.Ð (È  ÐÌà ¸ àThe€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed.Ð À` ÐÓÓÌÌà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à________________________________Ð Xø Ðà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àJAMES€CURWOOD€WITT,€JR.,€JUDGEÐ >Þ ÐÌÌCONCUR:Ð ð ÐÌÌÌÌ_____________________________Ð n# ÐJOSEPH€M.€TIPTON,€JUDGEÔ% € ÔÐ T$ô ÐÌÌÌ_____________________________Ð ì'Œ" ÐJOHN€EVERETT€WILLIAMS,€JUDGE