ÿWPC zyݱš2›h:æÝ¶HHi:3æ_ô’Sókbÿö~ìÁÇò+àpWMþtó”@mžá¦ŽÍ×ÙûIw¢µÄ¨ÿk´wg3×F>é$úPÌN"jÑYôpOÐÇ%0Ú¡YÒB)b„—ÑÝ" œ¿FT‚†ŠõTIùLäQÕ‹×ö¤®è–c“ËèjváRʆÎ}I¥°òº ®zN^^àž&Ô8±·RGˆæ©€¹ê¼/ÈæíƒZ•ºQþ÷ª§cçlì`¡áYÍ„{|õ£¦×ÊIûÔÔ¾D·>3+ÐZ³„¤éHÝ÷ƶÿ¤l¡BF—ÐkoSàª/-q£NXùB\)*¿†|>M TbDZ^ö³ra¿Øããs!ð&Ú={jƒ%‚ypªttÙm#k˜¬«á÷x²Gá C‚ $p^°«Ì’ΕWɧ¾”y±$!ÔýÛ\J»ÄäîäFü' .sT:Æ )¸‰Æš<‚VŸÇÀ‚OÑÞ]Âl†³u[6'|‘em«m—bVjö ÈÃhgãÜ/Á,_HÇ$¹7Òj—øàÉ ÍÖB¬ãZ:$LS¼þY›þI;§6«Ø½ḟ– »ìú{ÜKÊ Ïb %\^ b 0ˆnUNöwD4H\ zkÒå· m¹ #ÉÐ ™ ƶ Æ|ÆBÆ 0DÎN: 1uNEà 72ÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅÅb÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷ 0ëÿÿÿÿ Bêê 0¤ D5« D-à 0K   ASXÆ« 0¤q 0D A«Y»°¦ž1Þ (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regularóbï.ê:i¢×+003|x ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wptÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜\\IB01S08\KNOXCLERK3ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0 Ý ƒR9_$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô½}ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€€Dr.€Gilliam€indicated€one€other€stab€wound€ð ðin€the€upper€right€_____ðð€and€indicated€rather€than€verbalizingÐ ° Ðthe€location.Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó BlountNordquistBerezElkinsrun[ningBlankenshipMaryvilleGilliam S.W.GillilanddeclarantHoweryPartonGribbleTorcia3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i)- ù-(|G29_$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€5»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô½}ò»»Ô d(|3e$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€5»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV)ÿÿ!dxdx)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3e$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€5»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€5»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÔ€¼5»»»ÔÑ8€UÉXXdì»»d8Ñà@ttìàÔ‡î„5ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€CRIMINAL€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@WW$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEÔ#†¼5»îî„ #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  Óà @ àà @` àAssigned€on€Briefs€September€28,€2004Ð üL ÐÔ‡XUÉX»¼5ÔÌò òÔ#†¼5»XXUÉ##Ôà @ àSTATE€OF€TENNESSEEòòóó€v.€DONNA€K.€BUCKòòóóÔ‡XUÉX»¼5Ôó óÐ úJ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òDirect€Appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Blount€CountyÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€C„13068€€€€€€D.€Kelly€Thomas,€Jr.,€JudgeÐ æ 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` AßÐ ªú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€E2003„02217„CCA„R3„CD€„€Filed€December€30,€Ô_Ô2004Ô_ÔÐ ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓThe€defendant€appeals€her€conviction€for€first€degree€premeditatedÔ#†¼5»XXUÉ¢#ÔÔ‡XUÉX»¼5Ô€murder.€€On€appeal,€the€defendantÐ xÈ  Ðchallenges€the€sufficiency€of€the€evidence€to€support€the€conviction€and€contends€that€the€trial€courtÐ d´ Ðerred€in€disallowing€cross„examination€of€an€unavailable€witness.€€We€affirm€the€conviction.Ð P  ÐÓÍÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Circuit€Court€Affirmedó óÐ (x ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼5»àXUÉ>#ÔÔ‡XUÉX.¼5ÔJohn€Everett€Williams,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòJoseph€M.€Ô_ÔTiptonÔ_Ôóó€andÐ P ÐòòDavid€H.€Welles,€JJ.óó,€joined.Ð ì< ÐÌJulie€A.€Rice,€Knoxville,€Tennessee;€Raymond€Mack€Garner,€District€Public€Defender;€StacyÐ Ä ÐNordquist€and€George€Waters,€Assistant€Public€Defenders,€for€the€appellant,€Donna€K.€Buck.Ð ° ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter;€Renee€W.€Turner,€Assistant€Attorney€General;€Ð ˆØ ÐMichael€L.€Flynn,€District€Attorney€General;€and€Ellen€Berez,€Assistant€District€Attorney€General,Ð tÄ Ðfor€the€appellee,€State€of€Tennessee.€Ð `° ÐÓýÓÌà@@OO&ìàò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼5»XXUÉ,#ÔÔ‡XUÉX»¼5ÔÐ 8!ˆ  ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼5»XXUÉs #ÔÓ  ÓÔ€XUÉX»¼5ÔÓ XÓThe€defendant,€Donna€K.€Buck,€was€convicted€by€a€jury€for€the€first€degree€premeditatedÐ #`" Ðmurder€of€Sandra€Jones,€the€victim,€and€sentenced€to€life€without€parole.€€The€defendant€hasÐ ü#L# Ðpreserved€two€issues€on€appeal:€Ð è$8 $ ÐÓ XÓÓ XÓÓ XÓ(1)€The€evidence€is€insufficient€to€support€a€conviction€for€first€degree€murder;€and€Ð Ô%$!% Ð(2)€The€trial€court€erred€in€disallowing€cross„examination€of€an€unavailable€witness.Ð À&"& ÐÓ X* ÓÓ X ÓÓ X8 ÓÓ XÓAfter€careful€review,€we€affirm€the€conviction.Ð ¬'ü"' ÐÌÓ XQ Óò òÓ  ÓÓ XÓFactual€BackgroundÐ „)Ô$) ÐÓ XÅ ÓÐ p*À%* Ðó óÓ  ÓThe€factual€background€of€this€case€is,€for€the€most€part,€undisputed.€€Due€to€the€defendantððsÐ \+¬&+ Ðconviction,€this€synopsis€of€facts€will€view€the€evidence€in€a€light€most€favorable€to€the€State,€as€weÐ H,˜', Ðmust.€€òòState€v.€Elkinsóó,€102€S.W.3d€578,€581€(Tenn.€2003).Ð 4-„(-ý‘ ÐÔ_Ô‡The€fateful€relationship€between€the€defendant€and€the€victim€began€in€1996€when€they€metÐ ° Ðat€a€bar€in€Knoxville.€€A€week€later€they€were€living€together€as€lovers.€€Their€relationshipÐ œì Ðsubsequently€was€marked€by€periods€of€harmony€interrupted€by€the€victimððs€infidelities€followed€byÐ ˆØ Ðrancorous€separations.€€The€relationship€ended€in€the€early€hours€of€October€13,€2000,€when€theÐ tÄ Ðdefendant€killed€the€victim€by€stabbing€her€repeatedly.Ð `° ÐÐ L œ ÐApproximately€nine€months€before€her€death,€the€victim€met€and€began€an€affair€with€StaceyÐ 8 ˆ ÐParton.€€The€victim€moved€in€with€Ms.€Parton€but€went€back€and€forth€between€Ms.€Parton€and€the€Ð $ t Ðdefendant,€changing€her€residence€depending€on€her€affiliation.€€Ms.€Parton€estimated€this€occurredÐ  ` Ðthree€or€four€times€in€the€nine„month€period.€€This€state€of€affairs€exacted€an€emotional€toll€on€theÐ ü L  Ðdefendant,€and€she€admitted€being€angry€at€the€victim€during€the€nine„month€period.Ð è 8  ÐÐ Ô$  ÐSeveral€witnesses€testified€to€statements€made€by€the€defendant€in€which€she€threatened€toÐ À  Ðkill€the€victim.€€Terri€Poole,€a€friend€of€the€defendant,€had€hosted€a€small€gathering€of€friends€at€herÐ ¬ü  Ðhome€on€the€Sunday€preceding€the€victimððs€death.€€According€to€Ms.€€Poole,€the€defendant€made€aÐ ˜è  Ðstatement€that€day,€to€wit:€€ð ðI€guess€Iððll€just€have€to€kill€the€bitch€to€get€her€out€of€the€way,€out€of€myÐ „Ô  Ðway.ðð€€The€defendant€also€told€Ms.€€Poole€that€killing€the€victim€would€provide€her€room€and€board,Ð pÀ Ðthree€meals€a€day,€and€climate€control.€€Ms.€€Poole€stated€on€October€12th,€prior€to€the€killing,€thatÐ \¬ Ðthe€defendant€had€called€to€tell€her€she€was€packing€to€leave€town€in€order€to€get€away€from€theÐ H˜ Ðvictim€and€the€defendantððs€financial€problems.Ð 4„ ÐÐ  p ÐAnother€friend€of€the€defendant,€Tina€Touchstone,€testified€concerning€statements€by€theÐ  \ Ðdefendant€at€the€gathering€at€Terri€Pooleððs.€€The€defendant€had€discussed€her€troubles€concerning€herÐ øH Ðrelationship€with€the€victim€and€her€personal€financial€problems.€€The€defendant,€according€to€Ms.Ð ä4 ÐTouchstone,€said€she€should€just€kill€her€and€get€it€over€with.€€The€defendant€also€said€that€it€wouldÐ Ð  Ðbe€easier€for€her€concerning€her€bills€and€stress€and€that€it€would€make€life€more€comfortable€for€her.Ð ¼  ÐÐ ¨ø ÐMs.€€Touchstone€recounted€a€phone€conversation€with€the€defendant€some€four€months€priorÐ ”ä Ðto€the€victimððs€death,€when€the€defendant€stated€she€would€like€to€kill€the€victim€and€get€it€over€with.€Ð €Ð ÐMs.€Touchstone€had€three€phone€conversations€with€the€defendant€on€October€12th€and€13th.€€AtÐ l¼ Ð5:00€p.m.€on€the€12th,€the€defendant€expressed€concerns€about€losing€her€truck€through€repossessionÐ X ¨ Ðand€concerns€about€other€creditors.€€The€defendant€also€told€her€she€was€considering€leaving€townÐ D!” Ðalone.€€At€10:00€p.m.€that€night,€the€defendant€called€her€saying€she€was€leaving€town€and€requestedÐ 0"€  Ðto€stay€with€Ms.€Touchstone€for€a€couple€of€days€before€she€left.€€On€October€13th,€at€3:00€a.m.,€theÐ #l! Ðdefendant€called€Ms.€Touchstone€again€to€tell€her€that€all€of€the€defendantððs€problems€were€takenÐ $X" Ðcare€of€and€that€she€would€turn€herself€in€to€the€police.€€Ms.€Touchstone€described€the€defendantððsÐ ô$D # Ðvoice€as€ð ðchoppyðð€and€ð ðout€of€breath.ððÐ à%0!$ ÐÐ Ì&"% ÐJanice€Agee,€a€neighbor€of€the€defendant,€stated€that€on€ð ðnumerous€occasionsðð€the€defendantÐ ¸'#& Ðhad€said€in€reference€to€the€victim,€ð ðI€guess€I€will€just€have€to€kill€the€bitch€in€order€to€get€rid€of€her.ðð€Ð ¤(ô#' ÐMs.€Agee€said€these€statements€were€made€more€than€a€month€before€the€victimððs€death.€€Ms.€AgeeÐ )à$( Ðreceived€a€phone€call€from€the€defendant€at€4:05€a.m.€on€October€13th.€€The€defendant,€in€a€ð ðdeadlyÐ |*Ì%) Ðcalmðð€voice,€told€Ms.€Agee€that€she€had€killed€the€victim.€€Ð h+¸&* ЇStacey€Parton€testified€that€she€and€the€victim€had€lived€together€as€a€couple,€withÐ ° Ðinterruptions,€during€the€last€nine€months€of€the€victimððs€life.€€During€the€intervening€periods,€theÐ œì Ðvictim€returned€to€live€with€the€defendant.€€On€two€occasions,€at€unspecified€times,€the€defendantÐ ˆØ Ðhad€left€threatening€messages€on€Ms.€Partonððs€answering€machine.€€Once€the€message€was,€ð ðF„„k€youÐ tÄ Ðbitch.€€If€I€ever€see€you€again,€Iððll€kill€you.ðð€€The€other€message€from€the€defendant€proclaimed€thatÐ `° Ðif€she€ever€saw€Ms.€Parton€and€the€victim€again,€the€defendant€would€spend€the€rest€of€her€life€inÐ L œ Ðprison.€€On€€October€11th,€the€defendant€left€a€message€on€Ms.€Partonððs€answering€machineÐ 8 ˆ Ðrequesting€that€she€and€the€victim€come€and€pick€up€the€victimððs€belongings€from€the€defendantððsÐ $ t Ðhouse.€€Neither€Ms.€Parton€nor€the€victim€responded€to€this€request.Ð  ` ÐÐ ü L  ÐThe€transcribed€testimony€of€Linda€Gribble€from€the€preliminary€hearing€was€introduced€dueÐ è 8  Ðto€Ms.€Gribbleððs€intervening€death.€€She€testified€that€the€defendant€had€called€her€two€days€prior€toÐ Ô$  Ðthe€victimððs€death.€€Ms.€Gribble€said€they€were€ð ðjoking€aroundðð€and€the€defendant€said€she€was€inÐ À  Ða€relationship€that€was€ð ðdriving€her€crazy.ðð€€The€defendant€said€she€would€ð ðget€rid€of€it€one€way€orÐ ¬ü  Ðthe€otherðð€and€would€rather€be€in€jail.€€The€defendant€also€said€she€wanted€the€person€causing€herÐ ˜è  Ðproblems€to€stay€away€or€else€the€defendant€ð ðmight€hurt€her.ððÐ „Ô  ÐÐ pÀ ÐWith€the€exception€of€Linda€Gribbleððs€testimony,€the€defendant€did€not€deny€making€priorÐ \¬ Ðstatements€about€killing€the€victim.€€The€defendant€freely€admitted€during€her€interview€with€policeÐ H˜ Ðthat€she€had€made€the€threat€numerous€times.€€The€defendant€volunteered€that€she€had€left€aÐ 4„ Ðthreatening€message€to€both€the€victim€and€Stacey€Parton€on€their€answering€machine€within€theÐ  p Ðweek.€€The€defendant€characterized€these€statements€as€ð ðblowing€offðð€and€ð ðrun[ning]€my€mouthðð€butÐ  \ Ðdenied€any€plan€to€actually€kill€the€victim.€€The€defendant€reiterated€during€her€trial€testimony€thatÐ øH Ðshe€had€often€made€those€types€of€statements€but€denied€any€actual€intent€to€kill€the€victim.€€The€onlyÐ ä4 Ðthreat€the€defendant€denied€making€was€that€related€by€Linda€Gribble.€€The€defendant€testified€thatÐ Ð  Ðshe€had€not€talked€to€Ms.€Gribble€in€eight€years.Ð ¼  ÐÐ ¨ø ÐThe€defendant,€in€her€second€interview€on€October€13th,€admitted€purchasing€a€fillet€knifeÐ ”ä Ðjust€two€days€before.€€She€claimed€that€she€always€kept€a€knife€in€her€truck€for€protection€but€boughtÐ €Ð Ðthe€fillet€knife€on€impulse,€in€order€to€have€a€sharper€knife€to€carry€in€her€truck.€€The€defendant€freelyÐ l¼ Ðconfessed€in€her€statement€to€police€that€the€fillet€knife€was€the€weapon€used€to€kill€the€victim.€Ð X ¨ ÐWhen€she€turned€herself€in,€the€defendant€had€informed€police€where€the€knife€was€located.€Ð D!” ÐHowever,€she€denied€buying€the€knife€for€the€purpose€of€killing€the€victim.Ð 0"€  ÐÐ #l! ÐAccording€to€the€defendantððs€interviews€and€court€testimony,€she€had€planned€to€leave€forÐ $X" Ða€indefinite€period.€€She€had€packed€clothing€and€set€aside€some€of€the€victimððs€belongings.€€In€aÐ ô$D # Ðphone€conversation,€the€defendant€asked€the€victim€if€she€wanted€to€come€over.€€The€parties€agreedÐ à%0!$ Ðthat€the€victim€would€park€her€car€at€Wal„Mart€where€the€defendant€would€pick€her€up.€€TheÐ Ì&"% Ðdefendant€parked€her€truck€behind€her€mobile€home€upon€their€arrival.€€These€measures€were€takenÐ ¸'#& Ðto€avoid€Ms.€Partonððs€detection€of€their€meeting.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÐ )à$( ÐThe€defendant€and€the€victim€discussed€their€relationship€and€the€possibility€of€the€victimÐ |*Ì%) Ðgoing€with€the€defendant€or€returning€to€Ms.€Parton.€€The€defendant€said€the€argument€was€notÐ h+¸&* Ðheated€but€ð ðmore€or€less€a€bickering.ðð€€The€defendant€said€that€she€was€ð ðstressed€and€aggravated.ðð€Ð ° ÐEventually,€the€defendant€told€the€victim€that€she€would€take€her€back€to€her€vehicle€at€Wal„Mart.€Ð œì ÐWhile€sitting€€in€the€defendantððs€truck,€the€victim€made€the€statement€that€the€defendant€did€not€loveÐ ˆØ Ðher.€€The€defendant€then€took€the€fillet€knife€from€its€storage€place€between€the€driverððs€seat€and€theÐ tÄ Ðconsole€and€started€stabbing€the€victim.€€The€defendant€could€not€remember€how€many€times€sheÐ `° Ðstabbed€the€victim€or€the€victim€defending€herself.€€The€defendant€said€she€stopped€the€stabbing€butÐ L œ Ðresumed€when€she€heard€the€victim€breathing.€€Eventually,€the€breathing€ceased.€€The€defendantÐ 8 ˆ Ðcarried€the€victimððs€body€to€the€back€steps€of€the€defendantððs€residence€and€then€pulled€it€into€theÐ $ t Ðmobile€home.€€The€defendant€placed€the€body€in€the€living€room€floor€and€crossed€the€victimððsÐ  ` Ðhands.€€The€defendant€placed€the€fillet€knife€between€the€dryer€and€the€wall.€€After€making€phoneÐ ü L  Ðcalls€to€Janice€Agee€and€Tina€Touchstone,€the€defendant€washed€her€hands€and€changed€her€clothes.€Ð è 8  ÐÌThe€defendant€then€drove€to€the€Blount€County€Justice€Center€and€requested€an€officer.€€TheÐ À  Ðdefendant€gave€an€account€to€Michelle€Blankenship,€a€Maryville€police€officer.€€Officer€BlankenshipÐ ¬ü  Ðdescribed€the€defendant€as€cooperative€and€very€calm.€€Other€officers€were€dispatched€to€theÐ ˜è  Ðdefendantððs€residence€where€they€found€the€victimððs€body€and€the€fillet€knife€in€the€locations€theÐ „Ô  Ðdefendant€had€related.Ð pÀ ÐÐ \¬ ÐThe€defendant€was€interviewed€on€two€different€occasions€by€a€detective€and€an€investigatorÐ H˜ Ðfrom€the€Blount€County€Sheriffððs€Department.€€Both€interviews€were€tape€recorded€and€played€forÐ 4„ Ðthe€jury.€€Detective€Scott€Johnson,€one€of€the€defendantððs€interviewers,€testified€that€during€theÐ  p Ðinterviews€the€defendant€was,€at€times,€upset€but€was€calm€for€the€most€part.Ð  \ ÐÐ øH ÐDr.€David€Gilliam,€the€Blount€County€Medical€Examiner,€testified€that€the€cause€of€theÐ ä4 Ðvictimððs€death€was€multiple,€penetrating€stab€wounds.€€He€said€the€victim€suffered€twelve€stabÐ Ð  Ðwounds€in€the€chest,€two€in€the€abdomen,€one€in€the€left€thigh,€and€two€defensive€wounds€on€the€leftÐ ¼  Ðarm.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Ð ¨ø ÐÐ ”ä Ðò òÓ XÓÓ  ÓSufficiency€of€the€EvidenceÐ €Ð ÐÓy=ÓÓ Xk=ÓÐ l¼ Ðó óThe€defendant€maintains€that€the€evidence€is€insufficient€to€support€the€conviction€for€firstÐ X ¨ Ðdegree€premeditated€murder.€€She€claims€that€the€stabbing€of€the€victim€was€a€result€of€ð ðpassion€andÐ D!” Ðexcitementðð€caused€by€a€statement€made€by€the€victim.€€The€State€contends€that€the€evidence€isÐ 0"€  Ðsufficient€and,€from€our€review,€we€agree€with€the€State.Ð #l! ÐÐ $X" ÐWhen€the€defendant€questions€the€sufficiency€of€the€evidence€on€appeal,€our€reviewingÐ ô$D # Ðstandard€is€ð ðwhether,€after€viewing€the€evidence€in€the€light€most€favorable€to€the€prosecution,€anyÐ à%0!$ Ðrational€trier€of€fact€could€have€found€the€essential€elements€of€the€crime€beyond€a€reasonableÐ Ì&"% Ðdoubt.ðð€€òòJackson€v.€Virginiaóó,€443€U.S.€307,€319,€99€S.€Ct.€2781,€2789€(1979).€€In€determiningÐ ¸'#& Ðsufficiency€of€the€evidence,€this€Court€does€not€reweigh€or€reevaluate€the€evidence.€€òòState€v.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐCabbageóó,€571€S.W.2d€832,€835€(1978).€€We€are€required€to€afford€the€State€the€strongest€legitimateÐ ° Ðview€of€the€evidence€contained€in€the€record,€as€well€as€all€reasonable€and€legitimate€inferencesÐ œì Ðwhich€may€be€drawn€from€the€evidence.€€òòState€v.€Elkinsóó,€102€S.W.3d€578,€581€(Tenn.€2003).€Ð ˆØ ÐWitness€credibility€questions€were€resolved€by€the€jury.€€òòId.óó€Ð tÄ ÐÐ `° ÐTennessee€Code€Annotated€section€39„13„202:Ð L œ ÐÓ$”,È’X°œX$Ó(a)€First€degree€murder€is:Ð 8 ˆ Ðà 4 à(1)€A€premeditated€and€intentional€killing€of€another;Ð $ t ÐÓ XÓÓ XÓÓ XÓà0 4 àà0` 4Ð 4Ð àà 4 à(d)€As€used€in€subdivision€(a)(1),€ð ðpremeditationðð€is€an€act€done€after€theÐ  ` Ðexercise€of€reflection€and€judgment.€€ð ðPremeditationðð€means€that€the€intentÐ ü L  Ðto€kill€must€have€been€formed€prior€to€the€act€itself.€€It€is€not€necessary€thatÐ è 8  Ðthe€purpose€to€kill€pre„exist€in€the€mind€of€the€accused€for€any€definite€periodÐ Ô$  Ðof€time.€€The€mental€state€of€the€accused€at€the€time€the€accused€allegedlyÐ À  Ðdecided€to€kill€must€be€carefully€considered€in€order€to€determine€whether€theÐ ¬ü  Ðaccused€was€sufficiently€free€from€excitement€and€passion€as€to€be€capableÐ ˜è  Ðof€premeditation.€Ð„Ô ` Ð ` Ð  ÐÓ X¿DÓÓ XÛDÓÓ XÍDÓÓ( °œX”,È’XD(ÓÐ pÀ ÐThe€jury€determines€whether€the€element€of€premeditation€is€present€by€an€examination€ofÐ \¬ Ðthe€circumstances€surrounding€the€killing,€and€oòòóóur€supreme€court€has€enumerated€a€non„exclusiveÐ H˜ Ðlist€of€factors€which€supports€the€presence€of€these€elements,€which€includes:€€the€use€of€a€deadlyÐ 4„ Ðweapon€upon€an€unarmed€victim;€the€particular€cruelty€of€the€killing;€declarations€by€the€defendantÐ  p Ðof€an€intent€to€kill;€evidence€of€procurement€of€a€weapon;€preparation€beforehand€for€concealmentÐ  \ Ðof€the€crime,€and€calmness€immediately€after€the€killing.€€òòState€v.€Blandóó,€958€S.W.2d€651,€660Ð øH Ð(Tenn.€1997)€(citing€òòBrownóó,€836€S.W.2d€at€541„42,€and€òòState€v.€Westóó,€844€S.W.2d€144,€148€(Tenn.Ð ä4 Ð1992)).Ð Ð  ÐÐ ¼  ÐThe€facts€in€this€case€show€that€the€defendant€made€repeated€statements€about€killing€theÐ ¨ø Ðvictim€as€recently€as€two€and€four€days€prior€to€the€killing.€€The€defendantððs€statements€also€revealedÐ ”ä Ðan€acknowledgment€of€the€consequences€of€such€a€course€of€action.€€Two€days€prior€to€the€victimððsÐ €Ð Ðdeath,€the€defendant€bought€the€fillet€knife€used€to€kill€the€victim.€€The€defendantððs€stabbing€attackÐ l¼ Ðon€the€unarmed€victim€was€unprovoked€other€than€by€the€victimððs€statement€that€the€defendant€noÐ X ¨ Ðlonger€loved€the€victim.€€The€jury€could€logically€infer€that€the€defendant€lured€the€victim€to€herÐ D!” Ðhouse€to€effect€her€plan.€€With€the€exception€of€some€display€of€emotion€during€her€interview€by€theÐ 0"€  Ðpolice,€the€defendant€was€described€as€calm€by€all€witnesses€who€spoke€with€her€immediately€afterÐ #l! Ðthe€killing.€€Although€the€defendant€places€a€different€emphasis€on€the€largely€undisputed€facts,€aÐ $X" Ðrational€jury€could€reasonably€find€the€elements€of€premeditation,€thus€justifying€their€verdict€of€firstÐ ô$D # Ðdegree€murder.€€Ð à%0!$ ÐÐ Ì&"% Ðò òÓ XÓÓ  ÓImpeachment€of€Unavailable€WitnessÐ ¸'#& ÐÓëPÓÓ XÝPÓÐ ¤(ô#' Ðó óThe€defendant€next€alleges€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€failing€to€permit€defense€counsel€toÐ )à$( Ðcross„examine€an€unavailable€witness.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÐ h+¸&* ÐLinda€Gribble€had€formerly€testified€at€the€defendantððs€preliminary€hearing.€€She€had€diedÐ ° Ðin€the€intervening€time€before€the€trial.€€The€State€was€allowed,€pursuant€to€Tennessee€Rule€ofÐ œì ÐEvidence€804(b)(1),€to€introduce€the€witnessððs€prior€preliminary€hearing€testimony.€€The€defendantÐ ˆØ Ðchose€not€to€introduce€the€preliminary€hearing€cross„examination€of€Ms.€Gribble.Ð tÄ ÐÐ `° ÐMs.€Gribble€had€testified€that€she€had€a€phone€conversation€with€the€defendant€two€daysÐ L œ Ðbefore€the€victimððs€death.€€The€defendant€discussed€problems€she€was€having€with€a€relationship€andÐ 8 ˆ Ðstated€she€would€get€rid€of€the€problem€one€way€or€the€other€and€then€turn€herself€in.€€The€defendantÐ $ t Ðcontends€that€pursuant€to€Tennessee€Rule€of€Evidence€806,€she€should€have€been€permitted€to€callÐ  ` Ðthe€unavailable€declarant,€Ms.€Gribble,€as€a€witness€and€pose€cross„examination€questions€to€anÐ ü L  Ðempty€witness€chair.Ð è 8  ÐÐ Ô$  ÐTennessee€Rule€of€Evidence€806,€states:Ð À  ÐÓ XÓÓ XÓÓ XÓWhen€a€hearsay€statement€has€been€admitted€in€evidence,€the€credibility€of€theÐ ¬ü  Ðdeclarant€may€be€attacked€and,€if€attacked,€may€be€supported€by€any€evidence€whichÐ ˜è  Ðwould€be€admissible€for€those€purposes€if€declarant€had€testified€as€a€witness.€Ð „Ô  ÐEvidence€of€a€statement€or€conduct€by€the€declarant€at€any€time,€inconsistent€with€theÐ pÀ Ðdeclarantððs€hearsay€statement,€is€not€subject€to€any€requirement€that€the€declarantÐ \¬ Ðmay€have€been€afforded€an€opportunity€to€deny€or€explain.€€If€the€party€against€whomÐ H˜ Ða€hearsay€statement€has€been€admitted€calls€the€declarant€as€a€witness,€the€party€isÐ 4„ Ðentitled€to€examine€the€declarant€on€the€statement€as€if€under€cross„examination.Ð  p ÐÓ XãVÓÓ XÕVÓÓ XÇVÓÐ  \ ÐWe€do€not€believe€the€rule€contemplates€an€absurd€scenario€of€questioning€an€empty€witnessÐ øH Ðchair€in€an€attempt€to€impeach€the€deceased€witness.€€Such€an€approach€would€defy€logic€and€reason.Ð ä4 ÐÐ Ð  ÐThe€defendant€introduced€the€testimony€of€Kathy€Howery€who€stated€that€Ms.€Gribble,€at€theÐ ¼  Ðtime€of€her€statement€to€police,€was,€by€her€own€admission,€too€medicated€to€remember€what€she€hadÐ ¨ø Ðtold€police.€€Ms.€Howery€also€related€that€during€the€relevant€time€period,€Ms.€Gribble€had€been€sentÐ ”ä Ðhome€from€work€two€or€three€times€due€to€her€over„medicated€condition.Ð €Ð ÐÐ l¼ ÐThe€defendant,€in€her€testimony,€denied€the€specific€conversation€that€Ms.€Gribble€had€relatedÐ X ¨ Ðand€testified€that€they€had€not€conversed€in€eight€years.€€Thus,€the€defendant€was€able€to€introduceÐ D!” Ðimpeaching€evidence€to€counter€the€admissible€hearsay€of€Ms.€Gribble.€€We€conclude€that€it€was€notÐ 0"€  Ðerror€for€the€trial€court€to€disallow€the€defendantððs€chosen€method€of€impeachment.€Ð #l! ÐÐ $X" Ðò òÓ XÓÓ  ÓConclusionÐ ô$D # Ðó óÓ:_ÓÓ X,_ÓÐ à%0!$ ÐFor€the€foregoing€reasons,€we€affirm€the€defendantððs€conviction€for€first€degree€premeditatedÐ È&"% Ðmurder.€€Ð ´'#& ÐÐ  (ð#' ÐÐ Œ)Ü$( Ðà0 ` àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#à___________________________________€Ðx*È%)(#(# Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à€€€JOHN€EVERETT€WILLIAMS,€JUDGE