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Næ>¥áüxC‡À§4y­ŸÓªèF6¡ÚìBbßáj'|Ö‡˜HÖ_Á“¡×2-mntŽ EÊ)T€HBˆøÚñwW0wg£Vº±paÀÅ%.,ѡԸ\äÑ“2*ǹröÝ"H¡8@—U³¢Z*SÖær¤úS0n 7²›—Že „ÏÑ?^a‹é¾èÀ”Ë%TCqŽJ&S;Hò(0w ¹Jö×w ðs„B©§Á!zô¥N­#EB¼ö´¼ö슚ÞX(t÷È´b×!9 Éxã±Ò‹dIþý¤8øydƥе¢b#É\ %% ^ + 0ˆ7 U N¿ w 4 z% ÒŸ q € m‚ ™ Æ¡ Æg Æ-ÆóU@¹NùU>ûUN9E‡‰ 0DŸ 1uã 72X 1Š(!?````````````````bvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv 0ë~~~~ Bii 0¤† D5* D-_ 0KŒŒ ASׯ* 0¤ð 0D” A«Ø˜\\IB01S02\CLERKJACÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0»Èzc/Ï (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regularyö.ê:i¢×+00 ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(ÖÃ9 Z‹(Times New Roman ô\  `‹&Times New Roman(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular Ñ À Ñ(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i)(÷ CEMU]emu}AutoList3(a)(a)(a)(a)(a)(a)(a)(a) Ý ƒRy#$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô”ìò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€defendantððs€brief€refers€to€the€potential€witness€as€ð ðDavid€Blagg.ðð€€We€use€the€spelling€that€appears€inÐ ° Ðthe€transcript. Ñ ° Ñ- ù-(|G2y#$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€A»»dXXdé8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô”ìò»»Ô d(|3À¨$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€A»»dXXdé8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV)ÿÿ!dxdx)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3À¨$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€A»»dXXdé8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€A»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼A»»»ÔÑ8€ÛXXdê»»d8ÑÑ  ÑÔ€¼t”»»¼AÔÑ€?c ÑÑ€Oa Ñà@hhìàÔ‡îï t”ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€CRIMINAL€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@òò%ìàAT€JACKSONÔ#†¼t”»îîï M#ÔˆÐ Ï ÐÓ  ÓSeptember€9,€2003€SessionÐ î> ÐÔ‡X¢þX»¼t”ÔÌò òÔ#†¼t”»XX¢þ>#ÔSTATE€OF€TENNESSEEòòóó€v.€LEONARD€FRANKLINÔ‡X¢þX»¼t”Ôó óÐ à0 ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òDirect€Appeal€from€the€Criminal€Court€for€Shelby€CountyÐ Ò " Ðà@@øøìàNo.€0006441€€€€€€W.€Fred€Ô_ÔAxleyÔ_Ô,€JudgeÐ ¸  ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<i` AßÐ jº  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€W2002„03008„CCA„R3„CD€€„€Filed€October€30,€Ô_Ô2003Ô_ÔÐ _¯  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<*` AßÐ +{  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓA€Shelby€County€jury€convicted€the€defendant,€Leonard€Franklin,€of€simple€assault.€€The€trial€courtÐ  p  ÐÔ#bdddÔsentenced€him€to€seven€months€in€the€Shelby€County€Correctional€Center€with€sixty€days€incarcerationÐ V ÐÔ#ddbdÔfollowed€by€eleven€months€and€twenty„nine€days€probation.€€On€appeal,€the€defendant€contends€theÐ ì< ÐÔ#cdddÔtrial€court€erred€in:€(1)€denying€the€defendantððs€motion€for€a€continuance;€(2)€limiting€the€defendantððsÐ Ò" ÐÔ#ddcdÔcross„examination€of€the€victim€concerning€her€civil€lawsuit€against€him;€(3)€admitting€evidence€ofÐ ¸ Ðthe€defendantððs€suspension€from€his€place€of€employment;€(4)€improperly€commenting€on€theÐ žî Ðevidence;€and€(5)€imposing€a€period€of€confinement.€€We€reduce€the€probationary€term€to€ten€monthsÐ „Ô Ðbut€otherwise€affirm€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court.Ð jº ÐÓõÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Criminal€Court€Affirmed€asÐ 6† ÐModified;€Remandedó óÐ l ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼t”»àX¢þ°#ÔÔ‡X¢þX.¼t”ÔJoe€G.€Riley,óó€J.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòGary€R.€Wade,€Ô_ÔP.J.Ô_Ô,óó€and€òòJerry€L.Ð è8 ÐSmith,€J.óó,€joined.Ð Î ÐÌMichael€F.€Ô_ÔRaffertyÔ_Ô€(on€appeal),€James€R.€Ô_ÔGartsÔ_Ô,€Jr.€(on€appeal),€and€Jeff€A.€Crow,€Jr.€(at€trial),Ð šê ÐMemphis,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Leonard€Franklin.Ð € Ð  ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter;€Kathy€D.€Ô_ÔAslingerÔ_Ô,€Assistant€Attorney€General;Ð L"œ" ÐWilliam€L.€Gibbons,€District€Attorney€General;€and€Eric€Christensen,€Assistant€District€AttorneyÐ 2#‚# ÐGeneral,€for€the€appellee,€State€of€Tennessee.Ð $h$ ÐÓ„ ÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼t”»XX¢þ³ #ÔÔ‡X¢þX»¼t”ÔÐ ä%4!& ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼t”»XX¢þ/ #ÔÓ  ÓÔ€X¢þX»¼t”Ôà  àThe€defendant,€an€anesthesiologist,€was€convicted€of€assault€by€causing€bodily€injury€toÐ °'#( ÐMary€Sue€Rowland,€an€employee€of€the€Ridgelake€Ambulatory€Center,€on€July€26,€1999.€€JamesÐ –(æ#) ÐPike,€the€Clinical€Director€of€the€center,€testified€that€during€the€evening€of€July€26,€he€contactedÐ |)Ì$* Ðthe€defendant€because€a€patient€required€surgery.€€Pike€stated€the€defendant€arrived€at€the€centerÐ b*²%+ Ðapproximately€one€and€one„half€hours€later.€€When€Pike€informed€the€defendant€that€another€patient,Ð H+˜&, ÐJim€Pearl,€had€been€waiting€for€treatment,€the€defendant€replied,€ð ðIððm€the€doctor,€heððll€wait€anotherÐ .,~'- Ðdam[n]€hour€if€I€want€him€to.ððÐ -d(. ÐÐ ú-J)/ý Ðà  àPike€stated€that€moments€later,€the€defendant€approached€him€and€requested€the€patientððsÐ ° Ðmedical€records.€€Pike€informed€the€defendant€that€the€victim€had€the€key€to€the€medical€recordsÐ –æ Ðoffice€and€gave€him€the€victimððs€telephone€number.€€Upon€returning€from€calling€the€victim,€theÐ |Ì Ðdefendant€stated,€ð ð[W]ell,€I€guess€sheððll€get€her€fat€ass€up€here€now.ðð€€He€further€said,€ð ðI€called€andÐ b² Ðtold€her€to€drop€her€dam[n]€fork€and€get€her€fat€ass€up€here€and€get€me€that€chart.ððÐ H˜ ÐÌà  àPike€testified€that€when€he€saw€the€victim€fifteen€to€twenty€minutes€later,€she€informed€himÐ  d Ðthat€she€had€given€the€keys€to€Charlotte€Dunaway€to€retrieve€the€chart.€€Pike€told€her€to€speak€to€herÐ ú J Ðdaughter,€Ira€Nell€Rowland,€who€was€the€recovery€room€nurse,€because€she€had€requested€to€beÐ à 0 Ðrelieved€from€working€with€the€defendant€that€night.€€The€victim€indicated€she€would€and€thenÐ Æ   Ðexited€the€room.Ð ¬ ü  ÐÌà  àPike€stated€he€then€heard€the€victim€screaming€for€help.€€He€ran€into€the€hallway€andÐ xÈ  Ðobserved€the€defendant€standing€over€the€victim,€who€had€ð ðcuts€on€her€eyes.ðð€€The€victim,€who€wasÐ ^®  Ðð ðcrying€and€bleeding,ðð€stated€the€defendant€attempted€to€ð ðpoke€[her]€in€the€eyesðð€and€ð ðblindðð€her.€Ð D”  ÐPike€testified€the€defendant€then€came€towards€the€victim,€and€he€moved€in€between€the€defendantÐ *z  Ðand€the€victim.€€Pike€stated€he€never€saw€the€victim€raise€her€hands€toward€the€defendant€orÐ ` Ðotherwise€attempt€to€provoke€him.€€He€then€identified€photographs€of€the€victim€which€depicted€theÐ öF Ðinjuries€caused€by€the€defendant.Ð Ü, ÐÌà  àIra€Nell€Rowland,€the€victimððs€daughter€and€a€registered€nurse€at€the€center,€testified€that€onÐ ¨ø ÐJuly€26,€1999,€while€she€was€speaking€to€two€patients,€the€defendant€approached€and€made€severalÐ ŽÞ Ðcomments€about€the€victim.€€The€defendant€appeared€ð ðvery€agitatedðð€and€commented€about€a€chart.€Ð tÄ ÐOne€of€the€patients€told€the€defendant€that€they€did€not€ð ðneed€to€be€hearing€all€this.ððÐ Zª ÐÌà  àRowland€stated€the€defendant€returned€to€his€desk€and€made€a€telephone€call.€€During€theÐ &v Ðtelephone€conversation,€the€defendant€loudly€stated,€ð ð[Y]ou€need€to€put€your€little€forky€down€andÐ  \ Ðget€your€fat€ass€up€here€and€get€this€chart.ðð€€Rowland€testified€the€defendant€then€ð ðslammedðð€downÐ òB Ðthe€telephone€and€began€ð ðgoing€offðð€about€the€victim.€€She€approached€Pike€and€requested€he€obtainÐ Ø( Ða€replacement€for€her€for€that€night€due€to€the€defendantððs€behavior.Ð ¾ ÐÌà  àRowland€testified€that€upon€returning€to€a€patient,€she€observed€the€victim€and€the€defendantÐ Š Ú Ðengaged€in€a€conversation€in€the€recovery€area.€€Rowland€was€able€to€observe€the€right€side€of€theÐ p!À  Ðvictimððs€face€and€the€defendantððs€left€hand.€€The€victim€asked€the€defendant,€ð ð[I]s€there€anythingÐ V"¦! Ðelse€I€can€get€you?ðð€€Rowland€testified€the€defendant€then€began€ð ðjabbingðð€at€the€victimððs€eyes.€Ð <#Œ" ÐPrior€to€the€incident,€Rowland€did€not€see€the€victim€make€any€movements€toward€the€defendant€andÐ "$r# Ðdid€not€hear€her€yelling€at€him.€€Rowland€and€Pike€then€separated€the€defendant€from€the€victim.€Ð %X $ ÐThe€defendant€moved€toward€the€victim€again,€but€Pike€stopped€him.€€Rowland€identifiedÐ î%>!% Ðphotographs€of€the€victimððs€injuries.Ð Ô&$"& ÐÌà  àMary€Sue€Rowland,€the€victim€and€the€manager€of€the€outpatient€surgery€center,€testified€thatÐ  (ð#( Ðon€July€26,€1999,€while€she€was€eating€dinner€at€her€residence,€the€defendant€called€her€andÐ †)Ö$) Ðrequested€the€key€to€the€medical€records€office.€€When€she€asked€the€defendant€if€she€could€finishÐ l*¼%* Ðeating€her€dinner€first,€the€defendant€replied,€ð ð[Y]ou€need€to€put€your€little€forky€down,€get€your€fatÐ R+¢&+ Ðass€up€here€and€get€me€the€chart.ðð€The€victim€stated€she€then€called€Dr.€Louis€Glazer,€theÐ 8,ˆ', Ðdefendantððs€supervisor,€and€informed€him€of€the€defendantððs€comments.€€Dr.€Glazer€requested€sheÐ ° Ðbring€the€keys€to€the€center€and€remind€the€defendant€that€he€promised€he€would€ð ðbehaveðð€duringÐ –æ ÐDr.€Glazerððs€absence.Ð |Ì ÐÌà  àThe€victim€stated€she€arrived€at€the€center€fifteen€to€twenty€minutes€later.€€The€victim€thenÐ H˜ Ðgave€the€keys€to€Charlotte€Dunaway,€who€worked€in€the€medical€records€department,€and€requestedÐ . ~ Ðshe€retrieve€the€chart.€€Pike€then€asked€her€to€inform€her€daughter€that€another€nurse€was€going€toÐ  d Ðrelieve€her.Ð ú J ÐÌà  àThe€victim€testified€she€saw€the€defendant€standing€in€the€hallway€with€her€daughter.€€TheÐ Æ   Ðvictim€informed€the€defendant€that€someone€was€retrieving€the€chart.€€The€victim€stated€she€thenÐ ¬ ü  Ðapproached€the€defendant€and€told€him€that€she€needed€to€speak€to€him.€€She€testified€that€uponÐ ’â  Ðmentioning€Dr.€Glazer,€the€defendant€shoved€her€with€both€of€his€hands€with€such€force€that€herÐ xÈ  Ðneck€ð ðpoppedðð€three€to€four€times.€€The€victim€stated€the€defendant€then€began€punching€her€eyes,Ð ^®  Ðand€she€was€ð ðblindedðð€for€a€moment.€€She€further€stated€she€threw€her€head€back€in€order€to€moveÐ D”  Ðaway€from€the€defendant.Ð *z  ÐÌà  àThe€victim€testified€that€upon€yelling€for€help,€Pike€and€her€daughter€arrived.€€She€stated€theÐ öF Ðdefendant€continued€to€move€toward€her,€but€Pike€stopped€him.€€The€victim€testified€she€was€notÐ Ü, Ðaggressive€toward€the€defendant€and€made€no€derogatory€remarks€to€him.€€She€identified€her€injuriesÐ Â Ðresulting€from€the€attack€in€photographs,€which€were€taken€the€next€morning.€€The€victim€stated€thatÐ ¨ø Ðafter€the€incident,€Pike€cleaned€her€wounds,€and€she€went€to€Dr.€Glazerððs€residence€where€sheÐ ŽÞ Ðreceived€further€treatment.€€She€also€sought€treatment€from€another€doctor€the€next€morning.€€TheÐ tÄ Ðvictim€testified€she€had€permanent€indentations€under€her€eyes€as€a€result€of€the€incident.Ð Zª ÐÌà  àJim€Pearl€testified€he€was€a€patient€at€the€center€on€July€26,€1999.€€He€stated€that€he€observedÐ &v Ðthe€defendant€and€the€victim€standing€close€to€each€other.€€Pearl€further€stated€he€was€ten€to€fifteenÐ  \ Ðyards€away€and€the€victim€had€her€back€to€him.€€He€testified€he€heard€ð ða€pop€and€another€pop,ðð€andÐ òB Ðthe€victimððs€head€ð ðsnapped€backðð€after€each€ð ðpop.ðð€€Pearl€stated€that€although€he€did€not€see€theÐ Ø( Ðdefendant€strike€the€victim,€he€ð ðheard€what€sounded€like€a€hit€and€her€head€snapped€back.ðð€€HeÐ ¾ Ðfurther€stated€that€prior€to€the€incident,€he€did€not€hear€anyone€yelling,€and€he€did€not€observe€theÐ ¤ô Ðvictim€attempt€to€strike€the€defendant.Ð Š Ú ÐÌà  àDr.€Louis€Glazer,€Chief€Anesthesiologist€and€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔMedicalÔ_Ô€Director€at€the€center,€testified€thatÐ V"¦! Ðon€July€26,€1999,€while€at€his€residence,€he€received€a€telephone€call€from€the€victim.€€He€stated€heÐ <#Œ" Ðinstructed€the€victim€to€take€the€keys€to€the€center€and€give€the€defendant€the€records€which€heÐ "$r# Ðrequested.€€The€victim€and€her€daughter€came€to€his€residence€later€that€evening.€€Dr.€Glazer€statedÐ %X $ Ðthe€victim€was€crying€and€her€face€was€swollen.€€The€victim€informed€the€doctor€that€while€she€wasÐ î%>!% Ðspeaking€with€the€defendant,€he€attacked€her,€resulting€in€lacerations€under€both€of€her€eyelids.Ð Ô&$"& ÐÌà  àDr.€Glazer€testified€he€examined€the€victim€and€observed€swelling€under€her€eyes€and€ð ðsome€Ð  (ð#( Ðslits,€one€under€each€eye.ðð€€He€stated€he€provided€her€with€an€ointment€to€clean€the€wounds€andÐ †)Ö$) Ðensured€she€received€treatment€the€next€day€at€an€eye€clinic.Ð l*¼%* Ðâ âÐ R+¢&+ Ðà  àDr.€Glazer€testified€he€confronted€the€defendant€at€the€center€the€next€morning€and€informedÐ ° Ðâ âhim€that€he€was€suspended€until€the€matter€was€resolved.€€When€the€defendant€asked€Dr.€GlazerÐ –æ Ðwhether€he€wanted€to€hear€his€side€of€the€story,€the€doctor€stated€the€defendant€had€no€justifiableÐ |Ì Ðexcuse€for€placing€his€hands€on€the€victim.€€Dr.€Glazer€testified€the€defendant€did€not€deny€placingÐ b² Ðhis€hands€on€the€victim.€€The€doctor€stated€that€in€conducting€his€investigation,€he€also€spoke€to€PikeÐ H˜ Ðand€ð ða€few€other€people€at€the€Surgery€Center.ðð€€Based€upon€his€observations€and€his€investigationÐ . ~ Ðof€the€incident,€Dr.€Glazer€concluded€the€defendant€struck€the€victim.Ð  d ÐÌà  àSharon€Harris,€a€registered€nurse€at€the€center,€testified€regarding€a€prior€incident.€€HarrisÐ à 0 Ðstated€she€placed€a€chart€on€a€desk€located€near€the€exit€of€the€recovery€room.€€The€defendant€beganÐ Æ   Ðshouting€at€her€in€a€patientððs€presence€and€accused€her€of€abandoning€a€patient.€€He€then€placed€hisÐ ¬ ü  Ðhand€in€front€of€her€face€and€stated,€ð ðI€only€tolerate€you€because€you€have€cancer.ðð€€Harris€statedÐ ’â  Ðshe€then€began€to€cry.Ð xÈ  ÐÌà  àDr.€James€T.€Gaylon,€an€orthopedic€surgeon,€testified€he€performed€surgery€on€the€defendantÐ D”  Ðon€August€21,€1992,€in€order€to€repair€a€tear€in€his€left€rotator€cuff.€€He€stated€that€as€a€result€of€theÐ *z  Ðinjury€and€the€surgery,€the€defendant€found€it€difficult€to€raise€his€arm€and€rotate€his€arm€forwardÐ ` Ðand€backward€in€extreme€positions.€€Dr.€Gaylon€conceded€he€was€not€familiar€with€the€extent€of€theÐ öF Ðdefendantððs€limitations€on€the€day€of€the€July€26,€1999,€incident.Ð Ü, ÐÌà  àLisa€Holiday€and€Carol€Woods€testified€they€saw€the€victim€on€the€morning€after€the€incidentÐ ¨ø Ðand€did€not€observe€any€injuries€on€the€victimððs€face.Ð ŽÞ ÐÌà  àCharlotte€Dunaway,€a€surgery€technician€at€the€center,€testified€that€on€July€26,€1999,€theÐ Zª Ðvictim€appeared€to€be€ð ð[s]lightly€irritatedðð€and€threw€the€keys€to€the€medical€records€office€at€her.€Ð @ ÐDunaway€stated€that€while€walking€to€the€medical€records€office,€she€observed€the€victim€yellingÐ &v Ðat€the€defendant€in€the€hallway.€€She€further€stated€she€never€heard€the€defendant€yelling€and€thatÐ  \ Ðhe€did€not€appear€to€be€upset.€€Dunaway€testified€that€when€she€later€saw€the€victim,€she€observedÐ òB Ðred€marks,€which€appeared€to€be€fingernail€prints,€on€the€victimððs€cheeks,€but€she€did€not€observeÐ Ø( Ðblood€or€bruising€on€the€victimððs€face.Ð ¾ ÐÌà  àThe€defendant€testified€that€on€July€26,€1999,€he€received€a€telephone€call€from€the€victim,Ð Š Ú Ðduring€which€the€victim€used€profanity.€€Later€that€same€evening,€he€observed€the€victim€walk€outÐ p!À  Ðof€the€recovery€room€at€the€center€and€violently€slam€the€door.€€The€defendant€stated€the€victimÐ V"¦! Ðappeared€ð ðvery,€very€angry,ðð€which€concerned€him€because€he€had€witnessed€the€victimððs€priorÐ <#Œ" Ðð ðoutbursts€of€anger.ðð€€The€victim€then€aggressively€approached€the€defendant€and€displayedÐ "$r# Ðð ðpredatory€malignant€behavior.ðð€€The€defendant€stated€the€victim€came€at€him€ð ðalmost€nose€to€noseððÐ %X $ Ðand€moved€ð ðin€and€outðð€of€his€face.€€He€further€stated€the€victim€raised€her€left€hand,€and€he€put€hisÐ î%>!% Ðhand€up€without€extending€his€arm.Ð Ô&$"& ÐÌà  àThe€defendant€testified€that€by€using€two€of€his€fingers,€he€ð ðtouchedðð€the€victimððs€face€twiceÐ  (ð#( Ðunder€her€eyes.€€He€stated€the€victim€snapped€her€head€back€as€a€ð ðreflex€and€avoidance€thing.ðð€€TheÐ †)Ö$) Ðdefendant€further€stated€that€after€he€ð ðtouchedðð€the€victim,€he€observed€two€small€indentations€inÐ l*¼%* Ðthe€victimððs€makeup.€€The€defendant€testified€the€victim€then€stepped€back€and€said,€ð ðThank€you,Ð R+¢&+ ÐIððll€own€you,ðð€and€then€yelled€for€help.Ð 8,ˆ', Їà  àThe€defendant€testified€he€did€not€yell€at€the€victim€or€push€her.€€He€stated€he€did€not€intendÐ ° Ðto€cause€bodily€injury€to€the€victim€and€denied€causing€the€victimððs€injuries€as€depicted€in€theÐ –æ Ðphotographs.Ð |Ì ÐÌà  àThe€jury€convicted€the€defendant€of€assault,€a€Class€A€misdemeanor.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.Ð H˜ Ððð€39„13„101(a)(1),€(b).€€The€trial€court€sentenced€the€defendant€to€seven€months€in€the€ShelbyÐ . ~ ÐCounty€Correctional€Center€and€required€him€to€serve€sixty€days€in€confinement€followed€by€elevenÐ  d Ðmonths€and€twenty„nine€days€probation.Ð ú J ÐÌÓ  Óò òI.€€DENIAL€OF€MOTION€FOR€A€CONTINUANCEó óÐ Æ   ÐÌÓ  Óòòóóà  àThe€defendant€contends€the€trial€court€erred€in€denying€his€motion€for€a€continuance€due€toÐ ’â  Ðthe€unavailability€of€a€material€witness.€€We€disagree.Ð xÈ  ÐÌò òA.€€Trial€ProceedingsÐ D”  ÐÌó óà  àOn€the€morning€of€trial,€the€defendant€moved€for€a€continuance€due€to€the€absence€of€witnessÐ ` ÐDavid€Black.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€defendant€argued€Black€was€a€material€witness,€whom€he€had€unsuccessfullyÐ öF Ðattempted€to€subpoena.€€The€defendant€stated€he€had€been€informed€that€Black€had€been€ð ðcalled€upððÐ Ü, Ðwith€the€Army€Reserves.€€He€requested€a€continuance€in€order€to€obtain€a€federal€subpoena€forÐ Â ÐBlack.€€The€trial€court€denied€the€motion,€noting€the€defendant€had€many€opportunities€to€find€theÐ ¨ø Ðwitness.Ð ŽÞ ÐÌà  àDuring€the€hearing€on€the€motion€for€new€trial,€the€defendant€argued€that€Black€was€aÐ Zª Ðmaterial€witness€because€he€was€present€when€the€incident€occurred.€€In€denying€the€motion€for€newÐ @ Ðtrial,€the€trial€court€noted:Ð &v ÐÌà8  àIððm€thinking€about€the€number€of€times€that€we€continued€this€case€because€heÐ òB Ðcouldnððt€be€located.€€And€when€he€was€located,€the€number€of€times€we€continuedÐ Ø( Ðthe€case€simply€because€you€couldnððt€produce€the€witness.оРР Ðò òÌB.€€Analysisó óÐ Š Ú ÐÌà  àThe€decision€whether€to€grant€a€motion€for€a€continuance€is€a€matter€of€discretion€for€the€trialÐ V"¦! Ðcourt,€the€denial€of€which€will€not€be€overturned€on€appeal€absent€a€clear€showing€the€trial€courtÐ <#Œ" Ðabused€its€discretion€to€the€prejudice€of€the€defendant.€€òòState€v.€Melsonóó,€638€S.W.2d€342,€359€(Tenn.Ð "$r# Ð1982)òòóó;€òòÔ‡X¢þXXX¢þÔóóòòBaxter€v.€Stateóóòò,Ô#†X¢þXXX¢þ4O#ÔóóÔ‡X¢þXXX¢þÔ€503€S.W.2d€226,€230€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1973).€€In€order€to€establish€an€abuseÐ %X $ Ðof€discretion,€the€complaining€party€must€make€a€clear€showing€of€prejudice€as€a€result€of€theÐ î%>!% Ðcontinuance€being€denied.€€Ô#†X¢þXXX¢þ•O#ÔòòÔ‡X¢þXXX¢þÔóóòòState€v.€Teelóóòò,Ô#†X¢þXXX¢þÊP#ÔóóÔ‡X¢þXXX¢þÔ€793€S.W.2d€236,€245€(Tenn.€òòóó1990).Ô#†X¢þXXX¢þ)Q#ÔÐ Ô&$"& Ðâ âÐ º' #' Ðà  àWhen€seeking€a€continuance€due€to€the€unavailability€of€a€witness,€the€defendant€must€fileÐ ° Ðâ âan€affidavit€alleging:Ð –æ ÐÌà8  à(a)€the€substance€of€the€facts€the€defendant€expects€to€prove€through€the€unavailableÐ b² Ðwitness;€(b)€sufficient€facts€to€establish€the€relevance€and€materiality€of€theÐ H˜ Ðtestimony;€(c)€the€admissibility€of€the€testimony,€if€the€witness€was€available;€(d)€theÐ . ~ Ðnon„cumulative€nature€of€the€testimony;€(e)€the€witnessðð€availability€at€a€later€date;Ð  d Ðand€(f)€due€diligence€in€attempting€to€obtain€the€presence€of€the€witness.Ðú JÐ Ð  ÐÌòòState€v.€Zirkleóó,€910€S.W.2d€874,€884€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1995)€(citations€omitted).€€Generally,Ð Æ   ÐÔ_ÔconclusoryÔ_Ô€allegations€or€opinions€alone€are€insufficient€to€support€the€granting€of€a€continuance.€Ð ¬ ü  ÐòòState€v.€Bennettóó,€798€S.W.2d€783,€788€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1990).Ð ’â  ÐÌà  àIn€the€case€at€bar,€the€defendantððs€motion€was€not€accompanied€by€an€affidavit€setting€forthÐ ^®  Ðthe€facts€which€he€expected€to€prove€through€Blackððs€testimony,€sufficient€facts€to€establish€theÐ D”  Ðrelevance€and€admissibility€of€the€testimony,€and€Blackððs€availability€as€a€witness€at€a€later€date.€Ð *z  ÐFurther,€the€defendant€merely€asserted€Black€was€present€when€the€incident€occurred€and€he€hadÐ ` Ðbeen€unsuccessful€in€his€attempts€to€subpoena€Black.€€In€denying€the€motion€for€new€trial,€the€trialÐ öF Ðcourt€noted€the€case€had€been€continued€on€previous€occasions€in€order€to€allow€the€defendant€toÐ Ü, Ðprocure€Black€as€a€witness€and€that€such€efforts€had€been€unsuccessful.€€The€trial€court€did€not€abuseÐ Â Ðits€discretion€in€denying€the€defendantððs€motion€for€a€continuance.Ð ¨ø ÐÌÓ  Óò òII.€€CROSS„EXAMINATION€OF€THE€VICTIMó óÐ tÄ ÐÌÓ  Óà  àThe€defendant€contends€the€trial€court€erred€in€limiting€his€cross„examination€of€the€victimÐ @ Ðregarding€her€civil€lawsuit€against€him.€€He€further€maintains€the€trial€court€erred€in€refusing€toÐ &v Ðadmit€a€copy€of€her€civil€complaint€into€evidence.€€We€disagree.Ð  \ ÐÌò òA.€€Trial€Proceedingsó óÐ Ø( ÐÌà  àPrior€to€trial,€the€state€moved€in€òòÔ_ÔlimineÔ_Ôóó€to€limit€evidence€of€the€victimððs€civil€lawsuit€to€theÐ ¤ô Ðcross„examination€of€the€victim€and€to€prohibit€the€introduction€of€an€enlarged€copy€of€the€civilÐ Š Ú Ðcomplaint.€€The€trial€court€permitted€the€defendant€to€question€the€victim€regarding€the€lawsuitÐ p!À  Ðduring€cross„examination,€but€it€prohibited€the€introduction€of€any€ð ðphysical€exhibits.ððÐ V"¦! ÐÌÔ#bdddÔà  àDuring€direct€examination,€the€victim€testified€she€filed€a€civil€lawsuit€against€the€defendantÐ "$r# Ðon€the€advice€of€her€attorney.€€During€cross„examination,€the€victim€stated€she€incurred€approximatelyÐ %X $ ÐÔ#ddbdÔ$98.00€in€medical€expenses€as€a€result€of€the€incident.Ð î%>!% ÐÌà  àDefense€counsel€then€attempted€to€question€the€victim€regarding€whether€she€had€receivedÐ º' #' Ðtreatment€from€a€psychiatrist€or€a€psychologist€as€a€result€of€the€incident.€€The€trial€court€held€aÐ  (ð#( Ðbench€conference€during€which€defense€counsel€explained€that€the€victim€had€alleged€severeÐ †)Ö$) Ðemotional€injury€in€her€civil€complaint.€€The€trial€court€informed€defense€counsel€that€only€ð ðbodilyÐ l*¼%* Ðâ âinjuryðð€was€required€to€support€an€assault€conviction,€and€the€extent€of€the€victimððs€emotional€injuryÐ R+¢&+ Ðand€the€amount€of€medical€expenses€incurred€were€civil€matters.€€Defense€counsel€then€indicated,Ð ° Ðð ðThatððs€fine.€€We€wonððt€go€there.ðð€€The€trial€court€then€instructed€the€jury:Ð –æ Ðâ âÌà8  àÔ_ÔYaððllÔ_Ô€understand€this€is€a€criminal€case.€€You€donððt€worry€about€what€medical€billsÐ b² Ðwere€incurred.€€Okay?ÐH˜Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àAfter€being€further€questioned€by€defense€counsel,€the€victim€acknowledged€she€filed€a€civilÐ  d Ðlawsuit€against€the€defendant€for€$500,000.€€The€trial€court€then€gave€the€following€jury€instruction:Ð ú J ÐÌà8  àSure.€€Again,€Ô_ÔyaððllÔ_Ô€donððt€need€to€be€concerned€about€some€$500,000ð!ðthereððs€a€timeÐ Æ   Ðwhen€Iððll€tell€you€about€credibility€or€believability€of€a€witness.€€And€part€of€that€isÐ ¬ ü  Ðmanner€and€demeanor€on€the€witness€stand,€ability€to€answer€the€questions€that€areÐ ’â  Ðasked€and€òòinterest€or€lack€of€interest€in€the€outcome€of€the€trialóó,€sure.€€But€other€thanÐ xÈ  Ðthat€donððtð!ðdonððt€get€yourself€in€a€civil€mire,€thatððs€across€the€street€over€there.€Ð ^®  ÐOkay?ÐD” Ð Ð  ÐÌ(Emphasis€added.)€€Defense€counsel€did€not€question€the€victim€any€further.Ð ` ÐÌò òB.€€Analysisó óÐ Ü, ÐÌÔ‡X¢þXXX¢þÔà  àThe€propriety,€scope,€manner€and€control€of€the€examination€of€witnesses€is€within€the€soundÐ ¨ø Ðdiscretion€of€the€trial€court.€€òòState€v.€Ô_ÔHumphreysÔ_Ôóó,€70€S.W.3d€752,€766„67€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€2001).€Ð ŽÞ ÐAbsent€an€abuse€of€discretion,€we€will€not€interfere€with€such€rulings.€€òòState€v.€Harrisóó,€839€S.W.2dÐ tÄ Ð54,€72€(Tenn.€1992).€€Ô#†X¢þXXX¢þ#g#ÔThe€scope€of€cross„examination€extends€to€ð ðany€matter€relevant€to€any€issueÐ Zª Ðin€the€case,€including€credibility.ðð€€Tenn.€R.€Ô_ÔEvidÔ_Ô.€611(b).€€A€party€may€offer€proof€through€ð ðcross„Ð @ Ðexamination,€extrinsic€evidence,€or€both,€that€a€witness€is€biased€in€favor€of€or€prejudiced€againstÐ &v Ða€party€or€another€witness.ðð€€Tenn.€R.€Ô_ÔEvidÔ_Ô.€616.€€In€order€to€establish€interest€or€bias,€a€witness€forÐ  \ Ðthe€state€in€a€criminal€case€may€be€questioned€regarding€whether€he€or€she€has€filed€a€civil€lawsuitÐ òB Ðagainst€the€defendant€as€a€result€of€the€acts€involved€in€the€criminal€case.€€òòState€v.€Horneóó,€652Ð Ø( ÐS.W.2d€916,€918€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1983).Ð ¾ ÐÌà  àThe€defendant€maintains€the€trial€court€erred€in€refusing€to€admit€a€copy€of€the€victimððs€civilÐ Š Ú Ðcomplaint€into€evidence.€€However,€the€defendant€failed€to€make€an€offer€of€proof€regarding€theÐ p!À  Ðcontents€of€the€complaint€and€failed€to€include€a€copy€of€the€complaint€in€the€appellate€record.€€AsÐ V"¦! Ða€result,€we€are€unable€to€examine€the€contents€of€the€complaint€and€determine€which€parts,€if€any,Ð <#Œ" Ðwere€admissible.€€Accordingly,€this€issue€is€waived.€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Robinsonóó,€971€S.W.2d€30,€40Ð "$r# Ð(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1997)€(noting€that€if€the€excluded€evidence€is€not€contained€in,€or€apparent€from,Ð %X $ Ðthe€record,€the€appellate€court€will€not€consider€the€issue).€€We€agree€that€evidence€that€the€victimÐ î%>!% Ðfiled€a€civil€lawsuit€against€the€defendant€is€relevant€to€establish€bias;€however,€we€note€the€trialÐ Ô&$"& Ðcourt€properly€permitted€defense€counsel€to€question€the€victim€regarding€the€lawsuit,€and€the€victimÐ º' #' Ðadmitted€filing€the€$500,000€lawsuit.€€Therefore,€based€on€the€record€before€us,€we€are€unable€toÐ  (ð#( Ðdiscern€the€real€need€to€introduce€the€civil€complaint€into€evidence.€€Regardless,€any€error€wasÐ †)Ö$) Ðharmless€in€light€of€the€testimony€about€the€lawsuit.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€36(b).Ð l*¼%* Ðâ âÐ R+¢&+ Ðà  àThe€defendant€next€contends€the€trial€courtððs€limiting€instructions€to€the€jury€effectivelyÐ ° Ðâ ârestricted€the€scope€of€his€cross„examination€of€the€victim€regarding€the€civil€lawsuit.€€However,€theÐ –æ Ðdefendant€failed€to€object€to€these€instructions€at€trial.€€Ô‡X¢þXXX¢þÔBy€failing€to€make€a€contemporaneousÐ |Ì Ðobjection,€a€defendant€waives€appellate€consideration€of€the€issue.€€òòRobinsonóó,€971€S.W.2d€at€42„43;Ð b² ÐòòState€v.€Scott€M.€Craigóó,€No.€E2001„01528„CCA„R3„CD,€2002€Tenn.€Crim.€App.€LEXIS€730,€at€*18Ð H˜ Ð(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€Aug.€27,€2002,€at€Knoxville);€òòState€v.€Ô_ÔLonÔ_Ô€S.€Walkeróó,€No.€01C01„9711„CR„Ð . ~ Ð00535,€1999€Tenn.€Crim.€App.€LEXIS€352,€at€*13€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€Apr.€16,€1999,€at€Nashville),Ð  d Ðòòperm.€to€app.€deniedóó€(Tenn.€1999).€€Moreover,€in€examining€the€trial€courtððs€limiting€instructionsÐ ú J Ðin€their€entirety,€we€are€unable€to€conclude€the€trial€court€Ô#†X¢þXXX¢þis#Ôinstructed€the€jury€that€the€civil€lawsuitÐ à 0 Ðwas€totally€irrelevant.€€Rather,€the€trial€court€told€the€jury€the€lawsuit€could€relate€to€ð ðinterest€or€lackÐ Æ   Ðof€interest€in€the€outcome€of€the€trialðð€as€a€means€of€determining€credibility.€€Thisòòóó€instruction€aboutÐ ¬ ü  Ðð ðinterest€or€lack€of€interest€in€the€outcome€of€the€trialðð€was€also€reiterated€in€the€trial€courtððs€finalÐ ’â  Ðjury€instructions€relating€to€credibility€of€the€witnesses.€€The€defendant€is€not€entitled€to€relief€onÐ xÈ  Ðthis€issue.Ð ^®  ÐÌÓ  Óò òIII.€€EVIDENCE€OF€THE€DEFENDANTððS€SUSPENSIONó óÐ *z  ÐÌÓ  Óà  àThe€defendant€maintains€the€trial€court€committed€reversible€error€in€permitting€Dr.€GlazerÐ öF Ðto€testify€regarding€his€suspension€of€the€defendant€following€the€incident.€€We€discern€no€reversibleÐ Ü, Ðerror.Ð Â ÐÌà  àPrior€to€trial,€the€defendant€òòóórequested€that€the€trial€court€prohibit€the€introduction€of€evidenceÐ ŽÞ Ðrelating€to€his€suspension€of€employment€following€the€incident.€€The€defendant€argued€the€evidenceÐ tÄ Ðwas€irrelevant;€it€was€based€upon€hearsay;€and€its€prejudicial€effect€outweighed€any€probative€value.€Ð Zª ÐThe€trial€court€denied€the€motion,€noting€the€defendant€was€merely€suspended€and€not€terminatedÐ @ Ðfrom€his€employment.Ð &v ÐÌà  àEvidence€is€relevant€if€it€has€ð ðany€tendency€to€make€the€existence€of€any€fact€that€is€ofÐ òB Ðconsequence€to€the€determination€of€the€action€more€probable€or€less€probable€than€it€would€beÐ Ø( Ðwithout€the€evidence.ðð€€Tenn.€R.€Ô_ÔEvidÔ_Ô.€401.€€Once€the€court€concludes€the€evidence€is€relevant,€theÐ ¾ Ðcourt€should€exclude€the€evidence€if€its€probative€value€is€substantially€outweighed€by€its€prejudicialÐ ¤ô Ðeffect.€€Tenn.€R.€Evid.€403;€òòState€v.€Jamesóó,€81€S.W.3d€751,€757€(Tenn.€2002).€€A€trial€courtððsÐ Š Ú Ðdecision€as€to€the€relevance€of€evidence€under€Rule€401€will€be€reversed€only€upon€a€showing€ofÐ p!À  Ðabuse€of€discretion.€€òòState€v.€Powersóó,€101€S.W.3d€383,€395€(Tenn.€2003).Ð V"¦! ÐÌà  àWe€conclude€Dr.€Glazerððs€testimony€regarding€his€investigation€of€the€incident€and€hisÐ "$r# Ðsuspension€of€the€defendant€was€irrelevant€and€was€based€upon€hearsay€information€gleaned€fromÐ %X $ Ðstatements€made€by€others€to€Dr.€Glazer.€€Therefore,€the€trial€court€erred€in€admitting€this€testimony.Ð î%>!% ÐÌà  àRegardless,€we€conclude€such€error€was€harmless.€€As€applicable€to€the€case€at€bar,€oneÐ º' #' Ðcommits€ð ðassaultðð€who€ð ð[Ô_Ôi]ntentionallyÔ_Ô,€knowingly€or€recklessly€causes€bodily€injury€to€another.ðð€Ð  (ð#( ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„101(a)(1).€€The€defendant€admitted€he€ð ðtouchedðð€the€victim€under€herÐ †)Ö$) Ðeyes.€€The€victim€stated€she€did€not€provoke€the€defendant€prior€to€the€incident.€€Ira€Nell€RowlandÐ l*¼%* Ðâ âand€Jim€Pearl€testified€that€prior€to€the€incident,€they€did€not€see€the€victim€attempt€to€strike€theÐ R+¢&+ Ðdefendant.€€Rowland,€Pearl,€and€James€Pike€stated€they€did€not€hear€the€victim€yelling€at€theÐ ° Ðdefendant.€€Ð –æ Ðâ âÌà  àIra€Nell€Rowland€and€Pike€testified€they€stepped€in€between€the€victim€and€the€defendant,Ð b² Ðwho€continued€to€pursue€the€victim.€€Dr.€Glazer€testified€he€observed€the€ð ðslitsðð€under€both€of€theÐ H˜ Ðvictimððs€eyes€shortly€after€the€affray.€€Pike,€Rowland,€and€the€victim€identified€photographs€of€theÐ . ~ Ðvictimððs€injuries€as€those€caused€by€the€defendant.€€Our€examination€of€these€photographs€revealsÐ  d Ðswelling€and€clearly€identifiable€red€scratches€or€slits€under€both€of€the€victimððs€eyes.€€Ð ú J ÐÌà  àWe€further€note€that€Dr.€Glazer€testified€he€spoke€to€the€victim,€Pike,€and€others€during€theÐ Æ   Ðcourse€of€his€investigation.€€We€also€note€the€victim,€Pike,€some€of€the€employees,€and€a€patientÐ ¬ ü  Ðtestified€at€trial.€€Dr.€Glazer€further€stated€he€did€not€listen€to,€and€thus€did€not€rely€upon,€theÐ ’â  Ðdefendantððs€version€of€the€events€prior€to€rendering€the€suspension.€€As€noted€above,€at€trial,€theÐ xÈ  Ðdefendant€admitted€he€ð ðtouchedðð€the€victim,€but€he€claimed€he€did€so€in€self„defense.€€TheÐ ^®  Ðphotographs€of€the€victimððs€injuries,€which€injuries€the€jury€obviously€concluded€were€not€self„Ð D”  Ðinflicted,€belie€the€defendantððs€claims.€€In€light€of€these€facts€and€circumstances,€we€conclude€Dr.Ð *z  ÐGlazerððs€testimony€about€the€suspension€was€harmless.€€òòSee€óóTenn.€R.€App.€P.€36(b).Ð ` ÐÌÓ  Óò òIV.€€TRIAL€COURTððS€COMMENTSó óÐ Ü, ÐÌÓ  Óà  àThe€defendant€maintains€the€trial€court€improperly€commented€during€trial€regarding€theÐ ¨ø Ðcredibility€of€the€witnesses€and€the€evidence,€and€the€improper€comments€constituted€plain€error.€Ð ŽÞ ÐWe€disagree.Ð tÄ ÐÌò òA.€€Trial€Proceedingsó óÐ @ ÐÌà  àAt€the€conclusion€of€the€testimony€of€patient€Jim€Pearl,€a€witness€for€the€state,€the€followingÐ  \ Ðcolloquy€occurred:€€Ð òB ÐÌà8  àTHE€COURT:€€Thank€you,€sir,€you€may€step€down.€€Youððre€free€to€go€about€yourÐ ¾ Ðbusiness.€€Be€careful.ФôÐ Ð  Ðà8  àTHE€WITNESS:€€Well,€thank€you€so€much.€€I€enjoyed€it,€thank€you.Њ ÚÐ Ð  Ðà8  àTHE€COURT:€€Come€back€to€see€us€socially.Ðp!À Ð Ð  Ðà8  àTHE€WITNESS:€€Iððll€be€happy€to.ÐV"¦!Ð Ð  Ðà8  àTHE€COURT:€€Canððt€we€all€be€nice€like€that?Ð<#Œ"Ð Ð  Ðà8  àDEFENSE€COUNSEL:€€Do€what?Ð"$r#Ð Ð  Ðà8  àTHE€COURT:€Why€canððt€we€all€be€nice€like€that?€€Shakes€the€manððs€hand€as€heððsÐ %X $ Ðleaving.€€Maybe€itððs€been€set€so€many€times€heððs€on€a€first€name€basis€with€theÐ î%>!% ÐProsecutor,€he€calls€him€Eric.€€Heððs€a€nice€man.ÐÔ&$"&Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àLater€during€trial,€the€defendant€testified€at€length€regarding€his€private€practice€and€hisÐ  (ð#( Ðemployment€agreement€with€the€center.€€Defense€counsel€then€interrupted€the€defendant:Ð †)Ö$) ÐÌâ âÐ R+¢&+ ÐÑ?c Ñâ âÑÀ°Ñâ âÑ  Ñà8  àÔ#cdddÔDEFENSE€COUNSEL:€€Doctor€Franklin,€going€back€to€the€issues€of€this€case€for€oneÐ ° Ðâ âÔ#ddcdÔminute€ð!ð€Ð–æÐ Ð  Ðà8  àTHE€COURT:€€Thank€you.Ð|ÌÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àOn€cross„examination,€the€defendant€testified€he€arrived€at€the€center€on€time€on€the€day€ofÐ H˜ Ðthe€incident.€€The€prosecutor€then€questioned€the€defendant€regarding€Pikeððs€testimony€of€his€failedÐ . ~ Ðattempts€to€contact€him.€€The€following€colloquy€occurred:Ð  d ÐÌà8  àQ:€€Had€a€hard€time€getting€hold€of€you,€didnððt€he?Ðà 0Ð Ð  Ðà8  àA:€€Thatððs€what€they€say.ÐÆ  Ð Ð  Ðà8  àQ:€€Theyððre€lying€about€that?Ь ü Ð Ð  Ðà8  àA:€€I€donððt€presume€to€make€a€comment€about€that.Ð’â Ð Ð  Ðà8  àQ:€€Are€they€mistaken€about€that?ÐxÈ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àA:€€I,€again,€donððt€presume€to€know€what€they€were€doing€from€their€end.Ð^® Ð Ð  Ðà8  àTHE€COURT:€€Excuse€me€just€a€minute.€€Is€this€the€Fifth€Amendment?ÐD” Ð Ð  Ðà8  àDEFENSE€COUNSEL:€€Sir?Ð*z Ð Ð  Ðà8  àTHE€COURT:€€Is€this€a€Fifth€Amendment?Ð`Ð Ð  Ðà8  àDEFENSE€COUNSEL:€€No.€ÐöFÐ Ð  Ðà8  àTHE€COURT:€€Well,€heððs€refusing€to€answer€on€some€grounds.€€If€weððre€getting€intoÐ Ü, Ðit,€I€need€to€advise€him€of€his€rights.ÐÂÐ Ð  Ðà8  àDEFENSE€COUNSEL:€€No,€youððre€not,€weððre€not.ШøÐ Ð  Ðà8  àTHE€COURT:€€Ask€him€again.ÐŽÞÐ Ð  ÐÌThe€defendant€then€testified€he€believed€Pike€was€mistaken.Ð Zª ÐÌà  àThere€was€no€objection€by€defense€counsel€at€trial€relating€to€the€comments€of€the€trial€court,Ð &v Ðnor€was€this€issue€raised€in€the€motion€for€new€trial.€€Thus,€the€issue€is€waived.€€òòSee€óó€òòState€v.€Walkeróó,Ð  \ Ð910€S.W.2d€381,€386€(Tenn.€1995);€òòLon€S.€Walkeróó,€1999€Tenn.€Crim.€App.€LEXIS€352,€at€*13.Ð òB ÐÌò òB.€€Analysisó óÐ ¾ ÐÌà  àÔ‡X¢þXXX¢þÔBecause€the€issue€is€waived,€we€now€proceed€to€determine€whether€there€was€plain€error.€Ð Š Ú ÐAn€error€which€has€affected€the€substantial€rights€of€a€defendant€may€be€noticed€at€any€time€in€theÐ p!À  Ðdiscretion€of€the€appellate€court€where€necessary€to€do€substantial€justice.€€òòState€v.€Tayloróó,€992Ð V"¦! ÐS.W.2d€941,€944€(Tenn.€1999).€€ð ðPlain€errorðð€or€ð ðfundamental€errorðð€is€recognized€under€TennesseeÐ <#Œ" ÐRule€of€Criminal€Procedure€52(b).€€òòState€v.€Adkissonóó,€899€S.W.2d€626,€639€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.Ð "$r# Ð1994).€€òòóóSome€errors€are€so€fundamental€and€pervasive€that€they€require€reversal€without€regard€toÐ %X $ Ðthe€facts€or€circumstances€of€the€particular€case.€€òòDelaware€v.€Van€Arsdallóó,€475€U.S.€673,€681,€106Ð î%>!% ÐS.€Ct.€1431,€1436,€89€L.€Ed.€2d€674€(1986).€Ð Ô&$"& ÐÌà  àThere€are€five€factors€which€must€be€present€for€a€court€to€determine€ð ðplain€errorðð€exists:Ð  (ð#( ÐÌÓ€ (÷ 83Óà  àà ` à(a)€€the€record€must€clearly€establish€what€occurred€in€the€trial€court;€Ð l*¼%* Ðà  àà ` à(b)€€a€clear€and€unequivocal€rule€of€law€must€have€been€breached;€Ð R+¢&+ Ðà  àà ` à(c)€€a€substantial€right€of€the€accused€must€have€been€adversely€affected;€Ð 8,ˆ', Ðà  àà ` à(d)€€the€accused€did€not€waive€the€issue€for€tactical€reasons;€and€Ð -n(- ÐÑOa Ñâ âѰÀÑâ âÑ  Ñà  àà ` à(e)€€consideration€of€the€error€is€ð ðnecessary€to€do€substantial€justice.ðð€Ð ° ÐÌòòState€v.€Smithóó,€24€S.W.3d€274,€282€(Tenn.€2000)€(citing€òòAdkissonóó,€899€S.W.2d€at€641„42).€Ð |Ì ÐComplete€consideration€of€all€five€factors€is€unnecessary€if€at€least€one€is€absent.€€òòIdóó.€at€283.€Ð b² ÐFurthermore,€the€plain€error€must€be€such€that€it€probably€changed€the€outcome€of€the€trial.€Ð H˜ ÐòòAdkissonóó,€899€S.W.2d€at€642.Ô#†X¢þXXX¢þÌš#ÔÐ . ~ ÐÌÔ‡X¢þXXX¢þÔà  àA€trial€court€has€the€inherent€power€to€supervise€and€control€its€own€court€proceedings.€€òòStateÐ ú J Ðv.€Cazesóó,€875€S.W.2d€253,€260€(Tenn.€1994)òòóó.€€However,€the€trial€court€must€take€care€not€to€conveyÐ à 0 Ðto€the€jury€an€appearance€of€taking€sides.€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Suttlesóó,€767€S.W.2d€403,€407€(Tenn.€1989);Ð Æ   ÐòòState€v.€Brownóó,€823€S.W.2d€576,€588€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1991).Ô#†X¢þXXX¢þÙ£#Ô€€Therefore,€the€trial€court€isÐ ¬ ü  Ðprohibited€from€commenting€upon€the€credibility€of€a€witness€or€upon€the€evidence€presented€at€trial.€Ð ’â  ÐòòSuttlesóó,€767€S.W.2d€at€406.Ð xÈ  ÐÌà  àThe€defendant€contends€the€three€incidents€described€above,€as€well€as€the€trial€courtððsÐ D”  Ðinstruction€to€the€jury€regarding€the€victimððs€civil€lawsuit,€effectively€denied€him€a€fair€trial.€€WhileÐ *z  Ðwe€do€not€condone€the€comments€at€issue,€we€are€unable€to€conclude€that€the€trial€courtððs€commentsÐ ` Ðaffected€the€verdict€in€this€hard„fought€four„day€trial.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€36(b);€Tenn.€R.€Crim.Ð öF ÐP.€52(a).€€Accordingly,€in€examining€the€record€in€its€entirety,€we€conclude€the€trial€courtððsÐ Ü, Ðcomments€did€not€affect€the€ð ðsubstantial€rights€of€the€accusedðð€and€consideration€of€the€alleged€errorÐ Â Ðis€not€ð ðnecessary€to€do€substantial€justice.ðð€€Tenn.€R.€Crim.€P.€52(b);€òòSmithóó,€24€S.W.3d€at€282.€Ð ¨ø ÐTherefore,€the€trial€courtððs€comments€do€not€rise€to€the€level€of€plain€error.Ð ŽÞ ÐÌÓ  Óò òV.€€SENTENCINGó óÐ Zª ÐÌÓ  Óà  àThe€defendant€contends€the€trial€court€erred€in€imposing€a€sentence€of€split€confinement.€Ð &v ÐWe€disagree.Ð  \ ÐÌò òA.€€Sentencing€Hearingó óÐ Ø( ÐÌà  àAt€the€sentencing€hearing,€Mary€Sue€Rowland,€the€victim,€testified€she€felt€humiliated€andÐ ¤ô ÐÔ#cdddÔdegraded€as€a€result€of€the€incident.€€She€stated€that€after€the€incident,€she€has€found€it€difficult€toÐ Š Ú Ðinteract€Ô#ddcdÔwith€professionals€on€a€ð ðone„on„oneðð€basis.Ð p!À  ÐÌà  àBetty€Conrad€testified€she€has€known€the€defendant€for€fifteen€years€and€worked€for€him€atÐ <#Œ" Ðthe€center.€€She€stated€the€defendant€was€ð ðgoodðð€with€his€patients.€€She€further€stated€she€neverÐ "$r# Ðexperienced€any€problems€with€the€defendant,€and€she€was€unaware€of€any€problems€between€theÐ %X $ Ðdefendant€and€other€employees.€€Conrad€testified€she€was€not€present€when€the€offense€occurred.Ð î%>!% ÐÌà  àThe€defendant€testified€he€was€sixty„one€years€old€at€the€time€of€the€hearing.€€He€stated€heÐ º' #' Ðgraduated€from€medical€school€at€the€University€of€Tennessee€and€received€his€medical€license€inÐ  (ð#( Ð1969.€€He€also€maintained€his€own€practice,€which€focused€on€the€area€of€pain€management.Ð †)Ö$) ÐÌà  àThe€defendant€testified€he€suffers€from€chronic€congestive€heart€failure.€€He€stated€he€wasÐ R+¢&+ Ðhospitalized€in€February€2000€as€a€result€of€his€condition,€and€although€his€condition€has€beenÐ 8,ˆ', Ðstabilized€through€medication,€he€is€only€able€to€work€approximately€two€hours€per€week.€€TheÐ ° Ðdefendant€testified€he€has€a€form€of€Ô_ÔnarcolepsyÔ_Ô,€and€due€to€a€prior€rotator€cuff€injury,€he€suffers€fromÐ –æ Ðresidual€muscle€weakness,€arthritis,€and€chronic€pain.Ð |Ì ÐÌà  àThe€defendant€expressed€his€regret€regarding€his€involvement€in€the€incident,€but€heÐ H˜ Ðmaintained€he€ð ðhad€every€right€to€defend€[himself]€and€suspect€injury€to€[himself].ðð€€He€stated€heÐ . ~ Ðcould€not€ð ðassume€responsibility€for€anything€other€than€defending€[himself].ðð€€He€further€stated€heÐ  d Ðbelieved€he€should€be€acquitted€of€the€charge.Ð ú J ÐÌà  àÔ#cdddÔThe€defendant€testified€that€in€February€1997,€he€was€arrested€for€DUI€and€public€intoxicationÐ Æ   ÐÔ#ddcdÔand€was€later€convicted€of€DUI.€€He€stated€that€in€November€1998,€he€was€charged€with€recklessÐ ¬ ü  Ðendangerment€with€a€deadly€weapon,€and€the€charge€was€later€expunged€from€his€record.€Ð ’â  ÐÌà  àIn€sentencing€the€defendant,€the€trial€court€noted€the€circumstances€of€the€offense€wereÐ ^®  Ðð ðuniqueðð€in€regard€to€the€place€where€the€offense€occurred€and€the€people€who€were€involved.€€TheÐ D”  Ðcourt€then€characterized€the€offense€as€one€involving€violence€in€the€workplace.€€It€also€noted€itÐ *z  Ðconsidered€the€ð ðdeterrent€effect€in€the€medical€communityðð€in€sentencing€the€defendant.Ð ` ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€sentenced€the€defendant€to€seven€months€in€the€Shelby€County€CorrectionalÐ Ü, ÐCenter.€€The€court€ordered€the€defendant€to€serve€sixty€days€in€confinement€followed€by€elevenÐ Â Ðmonths€and€twenty„nine€days€probation.Ð ¨ø ÐÌò òB.€€Misdemeanor€Sentencingó óÐ tÄ ÐÌà  àMisdemeanor€sentencing€is€controlled€by€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€40„35„302,Ð @ Ðwhich€provides€in€part€that€the€trial€court€shall€impose€a€specific€sentence€consistent€with€theÐ &v Ðpurposes€and€principles€of€the€1989€Criminal€Sentencing€Reform€Act.€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Palmeróó,€902Ð  \ ÐS.W.2d€391,€393€(Tenn.€1995).€€The€trial€court€retains€the€authority€to€place€the€defendant€onÐ òB Ðprobation€either€immediately€or€after€a€time€of€periodic€or€continuous€confinement.€€Tenn.€CodeÐ Ø( ÐAnn.€ðð€40„35„302(e).€€We€further€note€that€the€trial€court€has€more€flexibility€in€misdemeanorÐ ¾ Ðsentencing€than€in€felony€sentencing.€€òòState€v.€Troutmanóó,€979€S.W.2d€271,€273€(Tenn.€1998).€€WhenÐ ¤ô Ða€defendant€challenges€the€sentence,€this€court€conducts€a€òòde€novoóó€review€with€a€presumption€theÐ Š Ú Ðtrial€courtððs€determinations€are€correct.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„35„401(d).Ð p!À  ÐÌà  àThe€defendant€submits€the€trial€court€erred€in€failing€to€grant€judicial€diversion.€€òòSee€id.óó€ðð€40„Ð <#Œ" Ð35„313(a)(1)(A)€(Supp.€1999).€€However,€the€defendant€failed€to€request€judicial€diversion€duringÐ "$r# Ðthe€sentencing€hearing.€€Ô‡X¢þXXX¢þÔThis€issue€is€waived.€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Donnie€Thompsonóó,€No.€M2002„01499„Ð %X $ ÐCCA„R3„CD,€2003€Tenn.€Crim.€App.€LEXIS€178,€at€*8€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€Mar.€3,€2003,€atÐ î%>!% ÐNashville);€òòState€v.€David€E.€Smith,€Jr.óó,€No.€01C01„9805„CR„00224,€1999€Tenn.€Crim.€App.€LEXISÐ Ô&$"& Ð573,€at€**11„12€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€June€9,€1999,€at€Nashville)òòóó.Ô#†X¢þXXX¢þW¾#Ô€€Furthermore,€according€to€theÐ º' #' Ðpresentence€report€and€the€defendantððs€testimony,€Ô_ÔheÔ_Ô€has€a€previous€conviction€for€DUI,€a€Class€AÐ  (ð#( Ðmisdemeanor.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€55„10„403(a)(1).€€An€accused€is€eligible€for€judicial€diversionÐ †)Ö$) Ðonly€if€he€or€she€ð ð[h]as€not€previously€been€convicted€of€a€felony€or€a€Class€A€misdemeanor.ðð€€òòId.óóÐ l*¼%* Ððð€40„35„313(a)(1)(B)(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)(c)€(Supp.€1999).€€As€a€result,€the€defendant€is€not€qualified€to€receiveÐ R+¢&+ Ðjudicial€diversion.Ð 8,ˆ', Їà  àThe€defendant€next€maintains€the€trial€court€erred€in€denying€total€probation.€€The€defendantÐ ° Ðhas€the€burden€of€establishing€suitability€for€total€probation.€€òòId.óó€ðð€40„35„303(b);€òòState€v.€Boggsóó,€932Ð –æ ÐS.W.2d€467,€477€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1996).€€A€defendant€seeking€total€probation€bears€the€burdenÐ |Ì Ðon€appeal€of€showing€the€sentence€imposed€is€improper,€and€that€total€probation€will€be€in€the€bestÐ b² Ðinterests€of€the€defendant€and€the€public.€€òòState€v.€Bakeróó,€966€S.W.2d€429,€434€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.Ð H˜ Ð1997).Ð . ~ ÐÌà  àWe€initially€observe€that€the€record€does€not€contain€any€evidence€that€there€was€a€need€forÐ ú J ÐÔ#cdddÔð ðdeterrence€in€the€medical€community.ðð€€òòSee€generallyóó€òòState€v.€Hooperóó,€29€S.W.3d€1,€9€(Tenn.€2000).€Ð à 0 ÐÔ#ddcdÔNevertheless,€we€conclude€that€the€defendant€has€not€met€his€burden€of€establishing€his€entitlementÐ Æ   Ðto€total€probation.€€The€trial€court€properly€considered€the€nature€and€circumstances€of€the€offenseÐ ¬ ü  Ðin€which€the€defendant,€a€doctor,€attacked€the€victim,€a€fellow€employee,€during€a€dispute€while€atÐ ’â  Ðtheir€place€of€employment€in€the€presence€of€fellow€employees€and€one€or€more€patients.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.Ð xÈ  ÐCode€Ann.€ðð€40„35„103(1)(B).€€We€further€note€that€while€the€defendant€expressed€regret€regardingÐ ^®  Ðhis€involvement€in€the€incident,€he€continued€to€maintain€he€acted€in€self„defense.€€Furthermore,€theÐ D”  Ðdefendantððs€testimony€at€the€sentencing€hearing€regarding€his€belief€that€he€should€be€acquitted€ofÐ *z  Ðthe€charge€negatively€reflects€upon€his€potential€for€rehabilitation.€€òòSee€id.óó€ðð€40„35„103(5);€òòsee€alsoóóÐ ` ÐòòState€v.€Zeoliaóó,€928€S.W.2d€457,€463€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1996)€(considering€a€defendantððs€failureÐ öF Ðto€accept€responsibility€in€determining€whether€to€impose€probation€or€confinement).€€We€also€noteÐ Ü, Ðthe€trial€court€expressly€questioned€the€defendantððs€credibility€at€the€hearing.€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Nunleyóó,Ð Â Ð22€S.W.3d€282,€289€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1999)€(holding€untruthfulness€is€a€proper€consideration).€Ð ¨ø ÐThe€trial€court€was€in€a€much€better€position€than€this€court€to€make€this€determination.€€MostÐ ŽÞ Ðsignificantly,€we€also€note€the€defendant€had€a€prior€criminal€conviction€for€DUI€about€fourteenÐ tÄ Ðmonths€before€the€instant€offense.€€We€are€unable€to€conclude€the€trial€court€erred€in€imposing€sixtyÐ Zª Ðdays€of€incarceration.Ð @ ÐÌò òC.€€Illegal€Sentenceó óÐ  \ ÐÌà  àThe€defendant€was€convicted€of€assault€by€causing€bodily€injury,€a€Class€A€misdemeanor.€Ð Ø( ÐòòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„101(a)(1),€(b).€€The€maximum€term€of€imprisonment€for€a€Class€AÐ ¾ Ðmisdemeanor€is€eleven€months€and€twenty„nine€days.€€òòId.óó€ðð€40„35„111(e)(1).€€òòóóIn€òòState€v.€Watkinsóó,Ð ¤ô Ð972€S.W.2d€703,€705€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1998),€this€court€held€a€defendant,€who€was€convicted€ofÐ Š Ú Ða€Class€A€misdemeanor€and€was€entitled€to€five€months€and€eight€days€of€jail€credit,€could€notÐ p!À  Ðreceive€a€probationary€term€of€eleven€months€and€twenty„nine€days.€€òòSee€alsoóó€òòState€v.€Vito€Summaóó,Ð V"¦! ÐNo.€02C01„9411„CR„00254,€1995€Tenn.€Crim.€App.€LEXIS€1001,€at€**6„7€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€Dec.Ð <#Œ" Ð28,€1995,€at€Jackson).€€Thus,€a€trial€court€may€not€impose€upon€a€Class€A€Ô_ÔmisdemeanantÔ_Ô€a€periodÐ "$r# Ðof€probation€which,€when€combined€with€the€time€of€confinement,€exceeds€eleven€months€andÐ %X $ Ðtwenty„nine€days.€€òòWatkinsóó,€972€S.W.2d€at€705.Ð î%>!% ÐÌà  àIn€the€case€at€bar,€the€trial€court€sentenced€the€defendant€to€seven€months€in€the€county€jailÐ º' #' Ðand€ordered€him€to€serve€sixty€days€of€that€sentence€followed€by€eleven€months€and€twenty„nineÐ  (ð#( Ðdays€probation.€€We€conclude€the€trial€court€erred€in€imposing€a€sentence€beyond€the€authorizedÐ †)Ö$) ÐÔ#cdddÔmaximum€term€of€eleven€months€and€twenty„nine€days.€€Therefore,€we€reduce€the€period€of€probationÐ l*¼%* ÐÔ#ddcdÔto€ten€months.Ð R+¢&+ ÐÐ 8,ˆ', ЇÓ  Óò òVI.€€CONCLUSIONó óÐ ° ÐÌÓ  Óà  àIn€summary,€we€reduce€the€term€of€probation€to€ten€months€and€remand€for€entry€of€aÐ |Ì Ðcorrected€judgment€reflecting€this€modification.€€We€otherwise€affirm€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court.Ð b² ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à____________________________________€Ð ú J Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àJOE€G.€RILEY,€JUDGE