ÿWPCé$ I÷žxKUèünM¿ý6Ã<)•Uÿuê¥a¼¾ Æâ‰Á¨í:vÿ߉£|ñiîúFÔHäc¹ð^9`ÌˆÞ ¤ŠÅåÿn‡‚P÷½s};£Jðgãðš±Guä÷ш>'‚ÒñïÞ•ïਢ¶¤ Ã&"?Ýc Hú'øÚ(«¶œYÒ@¸Ç«ø¹þ1VeƒÁ§G¬ççUcv „S*+¬8%íØ DÚEŠ#ÄkZI+„ºSTGÿ/m4¯P­þ€Á‚Ð÷ äþ³î⫈#ýÜ3•ºTÓ¶ÙV.iRò æfCwAhxÿ¿ H]òEon$e·W¤xu­E–µLˆ°<€Íö$˜HP LaserJet 4,ü,,,,,ü0»(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular qÝ ƒR8$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÒ¼ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€ôÒ¼òòôÒ¼ÔWhile€in€jail€awaiting€trial€on€these€charges,€the€defendant€was€charged€with€and€later€convicted€of€aggravatedÐ ° Ðrape€and€conspiracy€to€commit€aggravated€rape.€€The€effective€sentence€was€25€years.€€òòState€v.€Bobby€G.€Godsey€andÐ xÈ ÐAllen€Hoyleóó,€Nos.€03C01„9803„CR„00121€and€03C01„9803„CR„00122€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.,€at€Knoxville,€Oct.€25,€1999).€Ð @ ÐApplication€for€permission€to€appeal€was€denied€July€17,€2000.€(âx-  Z(Times New Roman  ˜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.wpt ˜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.wpt¡¦2)â Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5q\;'x- Äô§k1È®3|x,ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(ÖÃ9 Z‹(Times New Roman  Ý ƒR8$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÒ¼ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô"[T]o€impede€the€function€of;€to€obstruct."€€òòThe€Sloane„Dorland€Annotated€Medical„Legal€Dictionaryóó€244Ð ° Ð(1987).€€ (ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular ‡Ý ƒR8$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÒ¼ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔA€minority€of€the€states€authorize€felony€murder€where€the€underlying€felony€is€abuse€of€a€child:€Arizona€„Ð ° ÐA.R.S.€ðð€13„1105;€District€of€Columbia€„€D.C.€Code€1981€ðð€22„2401€(also€includes€mayhem);€Iowa€„€I.C.A.€ðð€707.2Ð xÈ Ð(also€includes€a€forcible€felony);€Kansas€„€K.S.A.€ðð€21„3401€(may€also€include€murder,€manslaughter,€assault€andÐ @ Ðbattery);€Michigan€„€M.C.L.A.€750.316;€Oklahoma€„€21€Okl.€St.€Ann.€ðð€701.7;€and€Wyoming€„€W.S.€1977€ðð€6„2„101.€Ð X ÐSome€states€authorize€felony€murder€when€death€occurs€during€the€course€of€any€felony:€Arkansas€„€A.C.A.€ðð€5„10„102;Ð Ð  ÐDelaware€„€11€Del.€Code€Ann.€1953,€ðð€636;€and€Illinois€„€720€Ill.€Comp.€Stat.€Ann.€5/9„1.€€ nÝ ƒR8$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÒ¼ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔòòCallahanóó€was€appealed€to€the€supreme€court,€which€has€since€issued€an€opinion.€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Callahanóó,€979Ð F ÐS.W.€2d€577€(Tenn.€1998).€€The€appeal,€however,€did€not€address€the€issue€of€recording€devices. kÝ ƒR8$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÒ¼ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔTexas€has€a€limited€recording€requirement;€confessions,€but€not€custodial€interrogations,€must€be€recordedÐ F Ðto€be€admissible.€€òòSeeóó€Tex.€Code€Ô_ÔCrimÔ_Ô.€P.€Ann.€art.€38.22,€ðð€3(a)(1).(¦ÙCEMU]emu}AutoList1(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1) (1)3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)"i)(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à Ñ F Ñ  Ý ƒR8$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÒ¼ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThis€statute€was€repealed€in€1989. ÆÝ ƒR8$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÒ¼ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€defendant€had€been€in€jail€awaiting€trial€during€that€entire€period. [Ý ƒR8$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÒ¼ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€North€Carolina€Supreme€Court€cited€and€compared€each€of€the€seven€cases€in€which€the€death€penaltyÐ F Ðhad€been€found€disproportionate€in€that€state.€€òòSeeóó€òòAndersonóó,€513€S.E.2d€at€319„320.€€- ù-(|G28$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€³´»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÒ¼ò»»Ô d(|3#$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€³´»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3#$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€³´»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€³´»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÔ€¼³´»»»ÔÑ8€¢#XXdð»»d8ÑÑ€%LÑÔ_ÔÔ_Ôà@ttìàÔ‡îèG³´ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€CRIMINAL€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@‡‡$ìàAT€Ô#†¼³´»îîèG=#ÔKNOXVILLEˆÐ Ü, Ðà@##ìàÔ_ÔJanuary€Ô_ÔÔ_Ô26,€1999,Ô_Ô€Ô_ÔSessionÔ_ԈРX ÐÔ‡X¢#X»¼³´ÔÌò òÔ#†¼³´»XX¢#—#Ôà@ú ú ìàSTATE€OF€TENNESSEE€v.€€BOBBY€G.€GODSEYó óˆÐ  ` ÐÌÔ€X¢#X»¼³´Ôà@ò ò ìàò òDirect€Appeal€from€the€Criminal€Court€for€Sullivan€CountyˆÐ @  Ðà@**ìàNo.€S38648€€€€R.€Jerry€Beck,€Ô_ÔJudgeÔ_ԈР0 € ÐÌßA€V) °°` d€÷E<` AßÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÐ `  ÐÔ_ÔÌà@ÕÕìàNo.€E1997„00207„CCA„R3„DDˆÐ _  ЀÔ_Ô€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€September€18,€2000Ô_ÔÐ ÿO  ÐßA€V) °°` dE<î` AßÐ ï?  Ðó óÌÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔTheÔ_Ô€defendant,€Bobby€G.€Ô_ÔGodseyÔ_Ô,€was€convicted€of€first€degree€murder€during€the€perpetration€ofÐ î>  Ðaggravated€child€abuse.€€The€jury€imposed€a€death€sentence€based€upon€Ô_Ôa€single€Ô_Ô€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔaggravatingÔ_ÔÐ Þ. ÐÔ_Ôcircumstance:Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ô€€"(1)Ô_Ô€The€murder€was€committed€against€a€person€less€than€twelve€(12)€years€of€ageÐ Î Ðand€the€defendant€was€eighteen€(18)€years€of€age,€or€Ô_Ôolder[.]"Ô_Ô€Ô_Ô€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔTenn.Ô_Ô€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13Ô_Ô„204(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)(1).Ô_ԀР¾ ÐThe€defendant€was€also€convicted€of€aggravated€child€abuse.€€The€trial€court€imposed€a€consecutiveÐ ®þ Ðsentence€of€twenty„five€(25)€years.€€Ô_ÔÐ žî ÐÌBecauseÔ_Ô€the€Ô_Ôlegislative€enactment€precludes€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ôa€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔseparateÔ_Ô€punishment€for€aggravated€child€abuse€whereÐ ~Î Ðthe€defendant€Ô_ÔisÔ_Ô€also€convicted€of€felony€murder,€the€aggravated€child€abuse€conviction€and€sentenceÐ n¾ Ðmust€be€set€aside.€€The€felony€murder€conviction€Ô_ÔisÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ô€affirmed.Ô_Ô€€In€our€view,€the€1995€amendment€toÐ ^® Ðthe€death€penalty€statute€and€the€aggravating€circumstance€relating€to€age€meet€constitutionalÐ Nž Ðrequirements.€€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔMoreover,€the€evidence€supports€the€application€of€the€aggravating€circumstanceÐ >Ž Ðfound€by€the€jury,€òòseeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„206(c)(1)(A),€and€there€were€no€prejudicial€errorsÐ .~ Ðduring€the€course€of€the€trial.€€TheÔ_Ô€sentence€of€Ô_Ôdeath,€however,€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔisÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ôdisproportionate,Ô_Ô€considering€theÐ n Ðnature€of€Ô_Ôthis€defendant€and€hisÔ_Ô€Ô_Ôcrime€and€€the€defendants€and€their€crimes€in€similar€cases.€€Thus,Ð ^ Ðthe€sentence€is€modified€to€life€without€the€possibility€of€parole.€€Ð þN ÐÔ_ÔÌÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ôà@ìàò òTenn.Ô_Ô€R.€App.€P.€3;€Judgment€of€the€Trial€Court€Affirmed€in€Ô_ÔPart,€Modified€in€Part,€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔandÔ_Ô€Ô_Ôà@@"ìàˆÐ Þ!.  ÐReversedÔ_Ô€in€Ô_ÔPart.ó óÐ Î"! ÐÔ_ÔÌòòGary€R.€Wade,€Ô_ÔP.J.Ô_Ôóó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòJames€Ô_ÔCurwoodÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔWittÔ_Ô,€Jr.,óó€andÐ ®$þ# ÐòòNorma€McGee€Ogleóó,€JJ.,€joined.Ð ž%î $ ÐÌStephen€M.€Wallace,€District€Public€Defender,€Ô_ÔBlountvilleÔ_Ô,€Tennessee,€and€James€T.€Bowman,Ð ~'Î"& ÐJohnson€City,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Bobby€G.€Ô_ÔGodseyÔ_Ô.€€Ð n(¾#' ÐÌJohn€Knox€Ô_ÔWalkupÔ_Ô,€Attorney€General€&€Reporter,€Michael€E.€Moore,€Solicitor€General,€Alice€B.Ð N*ž%) ÐÔ_ÔLustreÔ_Ô,€Assistant€Attorney€General,€H.€Greeley€Wells,€District€Attorney€General,€and€Barry€Ô_ÔStaubusÔ_Ô,Ð >+Ž&* ÐAssistant€District€Attorney€General,€for€the€appellee,€State€of€Tennessee.€Ô_ÔÐ  .,~'+ý ÐÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ôà@&ìàÔ_ÔÔ_Ôò òOPINIONÔ_Ô€Ô_ԈР° ÐÔ_ÔÌà  àó óIn€this€direct€appeal,€the€Ô_Ôdefendant,€convicted€of€aggravated€child€abuse€and€first€degreeÐ à Ðmurder€in€the€perpetration€of€aggravated€child€abuse,€and€sentenced€to€death€by€electrocution,€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔhasÔ_ÔÐ €Ð Ðpresented€the€following€issues€for€our€Ô_Ôreview:Ð pÀ ÐÔ_ÔÌÔ_ÔÔ_Ôà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(I)€€whether€the€trial€court€erred€by€failing€to€dismiss€the€murderÐ P   Ðcharge€on€the€ground€that€the€1995€amendment€to€the€death€penaltyÐ @  Ðstatute,€which€added€aggravated€child€abuse€to€the€enumeratedÐ 0 € Ðfelonies€Ô_Ôwhich€may€support€a€felony€murder€conviction,Ô_Ô€violates€dueÐ  p  Ðprocess€and€the€restrictions€against€cruel€and€unusual€punishment€asÐ `  Ðprovided€in€the€Tennessee€and€United€States€Constitutions;€ÐP ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(II)€€whether€the€trial€court€erred€by€failing€to€set€aside€the€state'sÐ à0  Ðnotice€of€intent€to€seek€the€death€penalty€on€the€ground€that€the€useÐ Ð  Ðof€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„204(i)(1)€as€the€sole€aggravator€in€Ô_ÔanÐ À Ðaggravated€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔchildÔ_Ô€abuse€felony€murder€prosecution€does€notÐ ° Ðsufficiently€narrow€the€class€of€death€eligible€defendants€and€rendersÐ  ð Ðthe€punishment€of€death€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔdisproportionateÔ_Ô€under€the€Tennessee€andÐ à ÐUnited€States€Ô_ÔConstitutions;Ô_ÔЀÐ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(III)€€whether€the€sentence€of€death€is€excessive€under€Tenn.€CodeÐ `° ÐAnn.€ðð€39„13„206(c)(1)(D),€the€Constitutions€of€the€United€States€andÐ P  ÐTennessee,€and€the€Criminal€Sentencing€Reform€Act€of€1989;Ð@` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(IV)€€whether€the€trial€court€erred€by€allowing€a€separate€convictionÐ  p Ðand€sentence€for€aggravated€child€abuse;€Ð`` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(V)€€whether€the€evidence€is€sufficient€to€establish€beyond€aÐ ð@ Ðreasonable€doubt€that€the€defendant€intended€the€Ô_Ôkilling;Ô_Ô€Ðà0` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(VI)€€whether€the€trial€court€erred€by€failing€to€suppress€theÐ À! Ðstatements€made€by€the€defendant€to€police;а" ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(VII)€€whether€the€trial€court€erred€by€allowing€certain€opinionÐ $à" Ðevidence;€Ð€%Ð #` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(VIII)€€whether€the€trial€court€erred€in€the€selection€and€instruction€ofÐ `'°"% Ðthe€jury;ÐP( #&` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(IX)€€whether€the€prosecutor€improperly€commented€upon€theÐ 0*€%( Ðdefendant's€failure€to€testify;€andÐ +p&)` x` x ÐÐ ,`'* Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(X)€€whether€the€Ô_ÔtrialÔ_Ô€court€erred€by€failing€to€arrest€the€judgment€orÐ ° Ðotherwise€Ô_ÔdismissÔ_Ô€the€Ô_Ôcharge.Рð` x` x ÐÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ôà  àÌà  àÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔòòóóThe€conviction€for€felony€murder€is€affirmed.€€For€the€reasons€hereinafter€set€out,€theÐ €Ð Ðsentence€must€be€modified€to€life€without€the€possibility€of€parole.€€The€conviction€for€aggravatedÐ pÀ Ðchild€abuse€is€reversed€and€dismissed.€€Ð ` ° ÐÌà  àAtÔ_Ô€7:21€P.M.€on€January€1,€1996,€the€male€victim,€seven„month„old€Evan€Price,€was€drivenÐ @  Ðto€the€Holston€Valley€Memorial€Hospital€by€his€mother,€Robin€Marshall.€€He€was€not€breathing€andÐ 0 € Ðwas€suffering€from€cardiac€arrest.€€Efforts€at€resuscitation€were€successful€and€an€endotracheal€tubeÐ  p  Ðwas€placed€into€the€victim's€airway.€€An€x„ray€revealed€fractures€to€the€skull€and€to€an€arm.€€TheÐ `  Ðvictim€was€then€transported€to€Johnson€City€Medical€Center€for€more€Ô_ÔspecializedÔ_Ô€continuing€care.€Ð P  ÐUltimately,€the€victim€suffered€multi„organ€system€failure.€€Physicians€determined€that€he€was€brainÐ ð@  Ðdead€and€life€support€was€withdrawn.€€Ð à0  ÐÌà  àAn€autopsy€revealed€that€the€victim€had€suffered€a€severe€blow€to€the€head.€€There€wasÐ À Ðextensive€swelling€of€the€brain,€referred€to€as€cerebral€edema,€which€led€to€the€victimððs€death.€Ð ° Ð"Child€abuse,€non„accidental€trauma"€was€listed€as€the€cause€of€death.Ð  ð ÐÌà  àDarla€Faye€Anderson,€a€detective€in€the€Kingsport€Police€Department,€initiated€anÐ €Ð Ðinvestigation€on€the€day€following€the€victim's€admission€to€the€hospital.€€Detective€Anderson€firstÐ pÀ Ðspoke€with€the€defendant€at€the€Johnson€City€Medical€Center.€€Later,€the€defendant€made€a€writtenÐ `° Ðstatement.€€He€told€Detective€Anderson€that€for€approximately€five€months,€he€had€lived€inÐ P  ÐKingsport€with€Ms.€Marshall,€the€victim,€and€Ô_ÔMs.€Marshall's€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔtwoÔ_Ô€other€children.€€He€stated€that€heÐ @ Ðprovided€care€for€the€three€children€every€evening€Ô_Ôfrom€8:00€or€9:00€P.M.€untilÔ_Ô€approximately€10:45Ð 0€ Ðor€11:00€Ô_ÔP.M.,Ô_Ô€when€Ms.€Marshall€returned€from€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ôwork.Ô_Ô€€He€related€that€on€the€night€the€victim€wasÐ  p Ðhospitalized,€he€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔreturnedÔ_Ô€to€his€residence€at€approximately€4:30€P.M.€and€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔcompletedÔ_Ô€a€shower€withinÐ ` Ðsixty€to€seventy€minutes€thereafter,€at€which€time€he€heard€the€victim€whimper.€€The€defendantÐ P Ðclaimed€that€he€first€lifted€the€victim€to€his€shoulder,€Ô_Ôbrought€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔhimÔ_Ô€to€his€mother's€bed,€and€then€beganÐ ð@ Ðpatting€his€Ô_Ô"butt,"Ô_Ô€noticing€nothing€unusual€about€his€condition.€€Ô_ÔAfter€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔMs.Ô_Ô€Marshall€came€to€theÐ à0 Ðbedroom€to€say€that€she€intended€to€give€a€friend€a€ride€home,€the€victim,€according€to€the€defendant,Ð Ð  ÐÔ_Ôwas€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔplacedÔ_Ô€back€into€his€Ô_ÔcribÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ô.Ô_Ô€€The€defendant€stated€that€when€Ms.€Marshall€returned€within€two€orÐ À! Ðthree€minutes,€the€Ô_Ôvictim€was€asleep€and€the€twoÔ_Ô€decided€to€watch€a€movie.€€He€Ô_ÔexplainedÔ_Ô€that€atÐ °"  Ðabout€7:15€P.M.,€while€Ms.€Marshall€was€beginning€preparations€for€supper,€he€walked€upstairs€toÐ  #ð! Ðwake€the€victim.€€The€defendant€told€Detective€Anderson€that€when€he€removed€the€victim€from€hisÐ $à" Ðcrib,€the€victim€lay€motionless€and€was€not€breathing.€€The€defendant€claimed€that€he€attempted€toÐ €%Ð # Ðresuscitate€the€victim€by€breathing€into€his€mouth€and€that€he€called€for€Ms.€Marshall€and€directedÐ p&À!$ Ðher€to€telephone€911.€€He€remembered€that€Ms.€Marshall€then€took€the€victim€and€drove€to€nearbyÐ `'°"% ÐHolston€Valley€Memorial€Hospital.€€The€defendant€explained€that€he€did€not€accompany€Ms.Ð P( #& ÐMarshall€because€he€was€not€dressed€at€the€time.€€He€Ô_Ôdid,Ô_Ô€however,€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔcallÔ_Ô€the€911€operator€Ô_ÔhimselfÐ @)$' ÐÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔbeforeÔ_Ô€getting€dressed€and€traveling€to€the€hospital€separately.€€Ð 0*€%( Ðâ âÐ  +p&) Ðà  àAt€trial,€Detective€Anderson€testified€that€she€received€a€statement€from€Ms.€Marshall€at€theÐ ° Ðâ âhospital€and€then€traveled€to€the€crime€scene.€€The€defendant€led€Detective€Anderson€to€the€victimððsÐ  ð Ðbedroom€where€she€photographed€Ô_ÔaÔ_Ô€toddler€bed€and€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ôa€crib€that€were€in€the€room.Ô_Ô€€According€to€theÐ à Ðdetective,€the€toddler€bed€railing€appeared€to€be€approximately€six€inches€from€the€Ô_Ôfloor;€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔtheÔ_Ô€crib,Ð €Ð ÐÔ_Ôappeared€to€be€approximatelyÔ_Ô€two€feet€from€the€bed.€€Detective€Anderson€found€toys€scattered€insideÐ pÀ Ðthe€crib€and€stains€on€the€sheet.€€She€gathered€for€analysis€the€sheet,€a€blanket€from€the€crib,€and€aÐ ` ° Ðgray€tee€shirt€which€belonged€to€the€defendant.€€The€defendant€explained€to€Detective€Anderson€thatÐ P   Ðthe€Ô_Ôvictim€had€been€teething€and€that€the€bloodÔ_Ô€on€his€tee€shirt€had€come€from€the€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ôvictim's€mouth.€Ð @  ÐÌÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ôà  àDetective€Anderson€described€the€defendant€as€cooperative€at€the€time€she€examined€theÐ  p  Ðapartment.€€She€stated€that€the€defendant€freely€provided€information€about€his€tee€shirt€and€the€otherÐ `  Ðitems€she€had€taken€from€the€scene.€€Detective€Anderson€testified€that€she€did€not€see€any€blood€onÐ P  Ðeither€the€floor€or€the€wall€of€the€Ô_Ôvictim's€bedroom.Ô_Ô€€She€introduced€as€evidence€a€photograph€of€theÐ ð@  Ðinside€of€Ms.€Marshallððs€vehicle€which€showed€vomit€on€the€Ô_Ôfront€passenger'sÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ôseat.Ô_Ô€€Ð à0  ÐÔ_ÔÌÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ôà  àDeaneÔ_Ô€Johnson,€former€forensic€serologist€for€the€Tennessee€Bureau€of€Investigation€Ô_Ô(TBI),Ô_ÔÐ À Ðexamined€the€defendant's€tee€shirt€and€the€sheet€and€blanket€that€had€been€taken€from€the€crib.€€AtÐ ° Ðtrial,€she€testified€that€human€blood€stains€were€on€each€of€the€items.€€Ð  ð ÐÌà  àMike€Martin,€supervisor€of€the€serology€section€of€the€TBI€Crime€Laboratory,€examined€theÐ €Ð Ðdefendant's€tee€shirt,€the€Ô_Ôcrib€sheetÔ_Ô€and€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ôblanket,Ô_Ô€and€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔaÔ_Ô€blood€€sample€of€the€victim.€€ConstanceÐ pÀ ÐHoward,€a€TBI€forensic€scientist€specializing€in€DNA€analysis,€testified€that€the€blood€stains€on€theÐ `° Ðtee€shirt€matched€the€DNA€profile€of€the€victimððs€blood.€€Ms.€Howard€described€the€odds€that€theÐ P  Ðblood€on€the€tee€shirt€came€from€a€source€other€than€the€victim€as€one€in€45.8€million.Ð @ ÐÌà  àLieutenant€Ed€Swayze€questioned€the€defendant€at€the€Kingsport€Police€Department€on€theÐ  p Ðday€following€the€victim's€admission€to€the€hospital.€€After€being€advised€of€his€constitutional€rights,Ð ` Ðthe€defendant€signed€a€waiver€and€initially€denied€knowing€anything€about€how€the€injuries€Ô_Ôto€theÐ P Ðvictim€mightÔ_Ô€have€occurred.€€The€defendant€did€concede€that€the€manner€in€which€Ô_Ôhe€Ô_ÔÔ_Ôplaced€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔtheÔ_ÔÐ ð@ Ðvictim€Ô_ÔonÔ_Ô€the€toddler€bed€Ô_Ôwhile€attempting€to€resuscitate€him€mightÔ_Ô€have€caused€the€fracture€to€theÐ à0 Ðarm.€€He€Ô_Ôalso€suggestedÔ_Ô€that€the€victim€might€have€hit€his€head€on€the€exposed€area€of€the€bed€rail.€Ð Ð  ÐÌÔ_ÔÔ_Ôà  àLieutenant€Swayze,€who€was€accompanied€in€the€interrogation€by€Sergeant€Mike€Cutshaw,Ð °"  Ðtestified€that€Ô_Ôafter€the€defendant€was€advised€that€Ms.€Marshall€had€not€heard€any€noise€when€theÐ  #ð! Ðdefendant€had€gone€to€retrieve€the€victim,€theÔ_Ô€defendant€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔstatedÔ_Ô€that€Ô_Ôthe€victim's€injuries€occurredÐ $à" Ðearlier€in€the€evening€when€heÔ_Ô€Ô_Ôhad€attemptedÔ_Ô€to€lift€the€victim€Ô_Ôand€the€victim€had€fallen€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔtoÔ_Ô€the€floor.€Ð €%Ð # ÐÔ_ÔWhenÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ô€LieutenantÔ_Ô€Swayze€said€that€a€fall€from€that€distance€could€not€cause€a€skull€fracture,€Ô_Ôhowever,Ð p&À!$ ÐtheÔ_Ô€defendant€explained€that€he€had€been€swinging€the€victim€around€and€that€the€victim€may€haveÐ `'°"% Ðhit€his€head€on€the€metal€bed€rail.€€When€asked€about€the€injury€to€the€arm,€the€defendant€Ô_ÔansweredÐ P( #& ÐÔ_ÔÔ_ÔthatÔ_Ô€he€had€been€swinging€the€victim€by€his€ankles€to€keep€him€from€crying€and€that€the€victim€mayÐ @)$' Ðhave€hit€both€his€head€and€his€arm€on€the€floor.€€According€to€Lieutenant€Swayze,€the€defendant€atÐ 0*€%( Ðthat€point€announced€that€he€was€prepared€to€tell€the€truth.€€He€Ô_ÔfirÔ_ÔÔ_Ôst€revealed€that€he€wasÔ_Ô€irritableÐ  +p&) Ðwhen€he€returned€from€work€because€he€had€been€trying€to€quit€smoking.€€He€confessed€that€he€hadÐ ,`'* Ðbecome€agitated€at€the€victim's€crying€and€had€grabbed€the€victim€by€the€arm.€€He€stated€that€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔtheÔ_ÔÐ ° Ðvictim's€arm€Ô_Ôbecame€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔcaughtÔ_Ô€on€the€Ô_Ôcrib€and€that€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔheÔ_Ô€grabbed€the€victim€by€the€leg€and€arm€and€threwÐ  ð Ðhim€Ô_ÔtowardÔ_Ô€the€toddler€bed.€€The€defendant€told€officers€that€the€victim€Ô_Ôlanded€on€the€floor,€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔslidÔ_ÔÐ à Ðunder€the€bed,€and€hit€the€wall.€€He€contended,€however,€that€the€victim,€who€was€still€crying,€wasÐ €Ð Ðbreathing€when€he€was€placed€into€his€crib.€€Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àAfter€a€break€in€Lieutenant€Swayze's€interview,€the€defendant€made€a€final€statement€inÐ P   Ðwriting.€€In€that€document,€the€defendant€Ô_Ôcontended€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔthatÔ_Ô€he€was€agitated€when€he€returned€from€workÐ @  Ðbecause€he€was€trying€to€quit€smoking;€that€he€put€the€victim€to€bed€in€his€crib€and€left€to€take€aÐ 0 € Ðshower;€and€that€when€he€finished€his€shower,€he€took€the€victim€from€the€crib€to€Ms.€Marshall'sÐ  p  Ðbedroom€to€play.€The€defendant€stated€that€when€Ms.€Marshall€came€upstairs€to€say€she€intended€toÐ `  Ðdrive€her€friend€home,€he€placed€the€victim€on€his€stomach€and€began€to€pat€his€rear.€€The€defendantÐ P  Ðstated€that€the€victim€started€to€cry€as€he€was€returned€to€his€crib.€€He€admitted€that€he€became€angryÐ ð@  Ðwhen€the€victim€would€not€stop€crying.€€The€defendant€related€that€he€took€the€victim€in€both€armsÐ à0  Ðand€squeezed€the€Ô_Ôvictim's€headÔ_Ô€between€his€biceps€and€forearm€until€the€crying€ceased.€€TheÐ Ð  Ðdefendant€stated€that€the€victim€was€breathing€short€breaths€when€he€was€left€in€the€Ô_Ôcrib,€butÔ_Ô€seemedÐ À Ðto€be€all€right.€€The€defendant€explained€that€after€watching€Ô_Ôpart€of€theÔ_Ô€movie,€he€returned€to€checkÐ ° Ðon€the€victim€at€approximately€7:15.€€He€Ô_Ôthen€discoveredÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔthatÔ_Ô€the€victim€wasò ò€ó ónot€breathing.€€TheÐ  ð Ðdefendant€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔinitiatedÔ_Ô€CPR€and€directed€Ms.€Marshall€to€call€911.€€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔMs.€Marshall€decided€to€leave€forÐ à Ðthe€hospital€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ôwith€the€victim€beforeÔ_Ô€completing€the€call.€€Ô_ÔAt€trial,€LieutenantÔ_Ô€Swayze€estimated€thatÐ €Ð Ðthe€defendant€had€given€Ô_Ôas€many€as€nineÔ_Ô€different€accounts€of€what€had€transpired€during€the€threeÔ_Ô„Ô_ÔÐ pÀ ÐandÔ_Ô„Ô_ÔÔ_Ôone„Ô_Ôhalf€hour€interview.€€Ô_Ôò òó óSergeant€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔCutshawÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ô€corroborated€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔLieutenantÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔSwayze's€testimony.Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÐ `° ÐÌà  àDr.€Bickley€Craven€treated€the€victim€at€the€Holston€Valley€Hospital.€€Within€seven€minutesÐ @ Ðafter€his€arrival,€the€victim€was€resuscitated.€€€An€endotracheal€tube€facilitated€artificial€ventilation.€Ð 0€ ÐDr.€Craven€testified€that€she€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔobservedÔ_Ô€bruises€on€the€victim's€jaw,€forehead,€and€ear€Ô_Ôand€discoveredÐ  p Ðsigns€of€a€skull€fracture.Ô_Ô€€She€described€the€fracture€to€the€Ô_Ôvictim's€armÔ_Ô€as€twistÔ_Ô„type.Ô_ÔÐ ` ÐÌà  àDr.€Craven€suggested€the€transfer€to€the€Johnson€City€Medical€Center€for€more€testing€inÐ ð@ Ðregard€to€the€skull€fracture.€€Dr.€Craven€stated€that€she€could€not€recall€any€claim€that€the€victim€wasÐ à0 Ðteething€but€did€remember€that€Ms.€Marshall€indicated€that€there€was€blood€on€the€defendantððs€teeÐ Ð  Ðshirt.€€When€shown€the€sheet€from€the€crib,€Dr.€Craven€asserted€that€it€would€be€"very€unusual"€forÐ À! Ðthat€amount€of€blood€to€have€been€the€result€of€teething.€€Ð °"  ÐÌà  àDr.€Craven€reviewed€the€medical€records€of€the€victim€and€noted€that€he€had€been€treatedÐ $à" Ðwith€an€antibiotic€for€sinusitis€some€twelve€days€earlier.€€She€testified€that€the€medical€records€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ôof€theÔ_ÔÐ €%Ð # ÐFamily€Practice€Center,€where€the€victim€had€been€treated€since€birth,€gave€no€indication€of€brokenÐ p&À!$ Ðbones,€burn€scars,€black€eyes,€swollen€lips,€bite€marks,€lacerations,€abdominal€trauma,€brokenÐ `'°"% Ðfingers,€or€rib€injuries.€€Emergency€room€records€on€the€night€of€the€victim's€hospitalizationÐ P( #& Ðindicated€"unwitnessed€cardiopulmonary€arrest,€found€by€mother€in€bed."€€There€was€no€externalÐ @)$' Ðbleeding.€€Ð 0*€%( Ðâ âÐ  +p&) Ðà  àDr.€Craven€conceded€that€during€her€treatment,€one€of€the€victim's€lungs€had€collapsedÐ ° Ðâ âbecause€the€endotracheal€tube€Ô_ÔhadÔ_Ô€been€misplaced€Ô_Ôinitially.Ô_Ô€€She€stated€that€there€was€Ô_Ôvomit,Ô_ÔÔ_Ô€whichÐ  ð Ðcould€have€caused€choking€and€cardiac€arrest,€onÔ_Ô€the€face€of€the€Ô_Ôvictim.Ô_Ô€€She€stated€that€blood€gasÐ à Ðtest€results€indicated€that€the€ventilation€procedure€was€successful€even€though€the€breathing€tubeÐ €Ð Ðhad€been€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ômisplaced.Ô_Ô€€Dr.€Craven€also€stated€that€a€cerebral€edema€could€cause€vomiting€and€that€aÐ pÀ ÐoneÔ_Ô„Ô_ÔÔ_ÔandÔ_ÔÔ_Ô„Ô_ÔÔ_Ôone„halfÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ô€hour€delay€in€treatment€could€be€critical€in€the€event€of€a€cerebral€edema.€Ð ` ° ÐÌà  àDr.€Glynda€Ramsey,€a€radiologist,€reviewed€the€x„rays€and€CAT€scans€taken€of€the€victimÐ @  Ðupon€his€arrival€at€the€Johnson€City€Medical€Center.€€At€trial,€Dr.€Ramsey€testified€that€the€victimÐ 0 € Ðhad€suffered€three€skull€fractures€and€moderate€to€severe€swelling€of€the€brain.€€An€x„ray€indicatedÐ  p  Ða€fracture€of€the€right€arm€at€the€elbow.€€Dr.€Ramsey€related€that€the€victim€did€not€have€a€sufficientÐ `  Ðamount€of€air€in€Ô_ÔhisÔ_Ô€lungs€and€that€there€was€more€gas€in€the€bowel€than€normal.ò ò€€ó óIn€her€opinion,€theÐ P  Ðvictim's€injury€was€too€severe€to€have€occurred€from€a€mere€dropping€of€the€victim€from€the€heightÐ ð@  Ðof€an€adult.€€Dr.€Ramsey€stated€that€the€three€Ô_Ôskull€fracturesÔ_Ô€were€consistent€with€the€severity€of€theÐ à0  Ðcerebral€edema€which€would,€in€turn,€result€in€vomiting€and€the€failure€of€vital€organs.ò ò€€ó óSheÐ Ð  Ðdescribed€the€arm€fracture€as€a€transverse€fracture€with€some€twisting€or€spiral€components€andÐ À Ðstated€that€there€was€no€displacement€in€the€skull€fractures.€€Ð ° ÐÌà  àDr.€Rick€Thomas€Mohon,€a€pediatric€physician€at€the€Johnson€City€Medical€Center,€testifiedÐ à Ðthat€the€victim€was€comatose€at€the€time€of€his€arrival€but€was€breathing€with€the€assistance€of€anÐ €Ð Ðendotracheal€tube.€€Dr.€Mohon€testified€that€the€victim€had€lower€than€normal€blood€pressure,€a€fasterÐ pÀ Ðthan€normal€heartbeat,€and€facial€Ô_ÔbruisingÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ô.Ô_Ô€€He€testified€that€the€victim€showed€no€signs€of€lifeÐ `° Ðfunction.€€He€described€the€cerebral€edema€as€having€been€caused€by€non„accidental€trauma,Ð P  Ðobserving€that€one€would€have€to€use€all€of€his€or€her€strength€to€cause€the€Ô_ÔinjurÔ_ÔÔ_Ôies€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔheÔ_Ô€had€diagnosed.€Ð @ ÐÌà  àÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔDr.Ô_Ô€Mohon€stated€that€the€victim€went€into€cardiac€arrest€shortly€after€arriving€at€JohnsonÐ  p ÐCity€Medical€Center€but€was€resuscitated€a€second€time.€€He€stated€that€the€victim€was€treated€withÐ ` Ðplasma,€blood€pressure€stabilization€medication,€oxygen€distribution€medication,€and€fluids€to€helpÐ P Ðproduce€urine.€€Dr.€Mohon€testified€that€the€Ô_Ôvictim's€organsÔ_Ô€began€to€fail€and€Ô_Ôthat€byÔ_Ô€6:25€P.M.€onÐ ð@ ÐJanuary€2,€1996,€approximately€twenty„three€hours€after€the€initial€hospitalization,€the€victim€wasÐ à0 Ðdeclared€brain€dead€and€life€support€was€withdrawn.€€Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àDr.€Mohon€answered€a€number€of€hypothetical€questions€in€regard€to€the€several€explanationsÐ °"  Ðmade€by€the€defendant€as€to€the€injuries€suffered€by€the€victim.€€In€his€opinion,€none€of€the€initialÐ  #ð! Ðexplanations€provided€by€the€defendant€could€have€caused€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔinjuriesÔ_Ô€Ô_Ôas€severe€as€those€received€by€Ô_ÔÐ $à" Ðthe€victim.€€He€did,€however,€testify€that€the€injuries€were€consistent€with€the€explanation€that€theÐ €%Ð # Ðdefendant€had€grabbed€the€victim€by€the€arm€and€leg,€tangled€the€Ô_Ôvictim's€armÔ_Ô€in€the€crib,€and€thrownÐ p&À!$ Ðthe€victim€Ô_Ôsuch€that€he€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔstruckÔ_Ô€the€floor€and€slid€under€the€bed€and€against€the€wall.€Ð `'°"% ÐÌà  àOn€cross„examination,€Dr.€Mohon€conceded€that€if€an€endotracheal€tube€had€been€mistakenlyÐ @)$' Ðinserted€too€far€into€one€lung,€the€victim€might€have€become€hypoxemic€or€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔsufferedÔ_Ô€from€lowÐ 0*€%( ÐÔ_Ôoxygen,Ô_Ô€which€could€cause€swelling€Ô_ÔofÔ_Ô€the€brain.€€Dr.€Mohon€testified€that€the€retinal€hemorrhagingÐ  +p&) Ðof€the€victim€was€an€indication€of€non„accidental€trauma.€€He€stated€that€while€cerebral€edema€canÐ ,`'* Ðcause€vomiting€and€choking,€most€seven„monthÔ_Ô„oldÔ_Ô€children€would€have€mechanisms€to€protect€Ô_ÔtheirÐ ° Ðairways€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔunlessÔ_Ô€their€mental€status€was€severely€depressed€by€cerebral€edema.€€Ð  ð ÐÌà  àDr.€William€McCormick,€Deputy€Chief€Medical€Examiner€for€the€state,€Ô_ÔconductedÔ_Ô€anÐ €Ð Ðautopsy€on€the€day€following€the€Ô_Ôvictim's€deathÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_Ô.Ô_Ô€€Dr.€McCormick€€confirmed€that€there€was€a€fractureÐ pÀ Ðto€the€end€of€the€right€Ô_ÔhumerusÔ_Ô€and€a€laceration€of€the€intervertebral€disk€Ô_Ôbetween€the€twelfthÐ ` ° Ðthoracic€and€first€lumbar€vertebrae.€€He€found€skull€fractures€and€severe€swelling€of€the€brain.€€HeÐ P   Ðdiscovered€that€the€impairment€of€oxygen€to€the€brain€had€caused€irreparable€damage€to€neurons,€Ð @  Ðcritical€components€of€brain€function.€€Dr.€McCormick€also€discovered€hypostatic€pneumonia,€whichÐ 0 € Ðoccurs€when€the€brain€is€so€damaged€that€it€no€longer€produces€coughing€or€the€clearing€ofÐ  p  Ðsecretions.€€Dr.€McCormick€determined€that€the€death€of€the€neurons€in€the€brain€had€been€causedÐ `  Ðby€a€severe€blow€to€the€head€resulting€in€cerebral€edema.€€He€described€the€death€as€a€homicide.€€Ð P  ÐÌà  àDr.€McCormick€testified€that€there€was€an€absence€of€older€injuries€indicative€of€prior€abuseÐ à0  Ðand€conceded€that€the€victim€did€not€exhibit€severe€external€bruising,€intra€cranial€hemorrhaging,Ð Ð  Ðintestinal€bruising,€a€rupture€of€the€discus,€stomach,€or€spleen,€a€liver€fracture,€or€a€renal€fracture.€Ð À ÐHe€admitted€that€he€could€not€exclude€the€possibility€that€the€injuries€were€inflicted€through€recklessÐ ° Ðor€grossly€negligent€behavior.€€Ð  ð ÐÌà  àRobin€Michelle€Marshall€testified€for€the€defense.€€She€stated€that€the€defendant€had€residedÐ €Ð Ðwith€her,€the€victim,€and€her€two€other€children,€ages€five€and€four.€€She€contended€that€theÐ pÀ Ðdefendant,€who€usually€had€exclusive€care€of€her€children€between€8:00€or€9:00€P.M.€and€10:30€P.M.Ð `° Ðeach€night,€had€a€good€relationship€with€the€victim€and€her€two€other€children.€€She€testified€that€theÐ P  Ðvictim€suffered€frequent€respiratory€infections,€and€at€the€time€of€his€hospitalization,€had€beenÐ @ Ðcutting€teeth,€which€caused€his€gums€to€bleed.€€She€claimed€that€some€of€the€stains€on€the€defendant'sÐ 0€ Ðtee€shirt€came€from€the€bleeding€gums,€but€she€could€not€identify€the€stains€on€the€sheet€found€in€theÐ  p Ðcrib.€€Ms.€€Marshall€testified€that€there€were€vomit€stains€on€the€blanket€found€in€the€crib€andÐ ` Ðconfirmed€that€the€toddler€bed€was€made€of€metal.€€She€testified€that€the€victim,€who€was€learningÐ P Ðto€walk,€often€fell€and€had€several€bruises€from€the€falls.€€She€asserted€that€the€defendant€had€neverÐ ð@ Ðstruck€the€victim€or€been€"mean€to€him."Ð à0 ÐÌà  àMs.€Marshall€testified€that€the€defendant€worked€on€January€1,€1996,€and€that€her€other€twoÐ À! Ðchildren€were€visiting€her€mother.€€She€recalled€that€the€defendant€arrived€at€the€apartment€at€6:00Ð °"  Ðor€6:30€P.M.€and€played€with€the€victim€for€a€while€before€she€placed€the€victim€in€his€crib€and€droveÐ  #ð! Ðher€friend€home.€€Upon€her€return€a€few€minutes€later,€Ms.€Marshall€discovered€the€defendant€andÐ $à" Ðthe€victim€in€her€bedroom.€€She€remembered€that€the€defendant€had€offered€to€place€the€victim€inÐ €%Ð # Ðhis€crib€as€she€went€downstairs€to€prepare€supper.€€Soon€afterwards,€the€defendant€came€downstairsÐ p&À!$ Ðand€they€watched€a€home€video€for€approximately€an€hour€before€deciding€that€the€victim€should€beÐ `'°"% Ðawakened.€€She€said€that€the€defendant€discovered€the€victim's€condition€and€directed€her€to€call€911.€Ð P( #& ÐShe€claimed€that€while€she€did€call€911,€she€did€not€wait€on€the€operator€because€she€realized€thatÐ @)$' Ðshe€could€get€the€victim€to€Holston€Valley€Memorial€Hospital€faster€than€an€ambulance€could€getÐ 0*€%( Ðâ âto€her€residence.€€She€remembered€that€while€she€was€calling€911,€the€defendant€attempted€CPR€onÐ  +p&) Ðthe€victim.€€Ms.€Marshall€testified€that€there€was€vomit€on€the€victim€and€on€the€seat€of€her€car.€€SheÐ ° Ðstayed€with€the€victim€continuously€until€his€death€the€next€day.€€Ð  ð Ðâ âÌà  àOn€cross„examination,€Ms.€Marshall€testified€that€she€had€married€the€defendantÐ €Ð Ðapproximately€two€months€after€the€death€of€the€victim.€€She€also€revealed€that€she€had€filed€for€anÐ pÀ Ðannulment€in€April€of€1997,€a€little€over€a€year€after€their€marriage.׃(×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€She€claimed€that€she€had€neverÐ ` ° Ðseen€the€blood€stains€on€the€sheet€or€the€vomit€stain€on€the€blanket€found€in€the€crib.€€She€concededÐ P   Ðthat€she€did€not€know€what€happened€to€the€child€when€she€left€the€apartment€to€take€her€friend€homeÐ @  Ðon€the€day€the€victim€was€taken€to€the€hospital.€€Ms.€Marshall€acknowledged€that€the€toddler€bed€wasÐ 0 € Ða€hollow€tube€frame€with€thin€metal€that€could€be€lifted€with€one€hand.Ð  p  ÐÌà  àDaniel€Christian€roomed€with€the€defendant€for€seven€or€eight€months€in€1995€and€hadÐ P  Ðworked€with€him€as€a€landscaper€and€a€commercial€painter.€€Christian€testified€that€he€visited€theÐ ð@  Ðdefendant€at€least€twice€a€week€after€the€defendant€moved€into€Ms.€Marshall's€residence.€€He€testifiedÐ à0  Ðthat€the€defendant€had€served€in€a€"fatherly€role"€to€the€victim.€€Christian€recalled€that€the€defendantÐ Ð  Ðhad€turned€down€his€invitation€to€attend€a€Citrus€Bowl€football€game€in€Florida€so€that€he€couldÐ À Ðspend€the€holidays€with€Ms.€Marshall€and€her€children.Ð ° ÐÌà  àSilas€Jenkins,€owner€of€New€World€Paint€Services,€testified€that€the€defendant,€who€had€beenÐ à Ðan€employee€of€his€business,€was€an€excellent€worker.€€Jenkins€recalled€having€seen€the€defendantÐ €Ð Ðwith€the€victim€on€two€occasions€during€which€the€defendant€had€provided€good€care€for€the€victimÐ pÀ Ðand€had€expressed€concern€for€his€health.€€Ð `° ÐÌà  àChristy€Christian,€a€neighbor,€testified€that€she€often€visited€the€apartment€occupied€by€theÐ @ Ðdefendant,€Ms.€Marshall,€and€Ms.€Marshall's€children.€€Ms.€Christian€stated€that€the€defendant€hadÐ 0€ Ðalways€been€good€with€the€children,€that€he€had€provided€for€them,€and€that€he€had€had€an€especiallyÐ  p Ðgood€relationship€with€the€victim,€whom€he€treated€as€his€own€child.€€Ms.€Christian,€who€wasÐ ` Ðvisiting€in€the€residence€just€before€the€victim€suffered€his€injuries,€overheard€the€defendant€playingÐ P Ðwith€the€victim€upstairs€just€before€she€left€with€Ms.€Marshall.€€Ms.€Christian€testified€that€she€hadÐ ð@ Ðleft€her€daughter€at€Ms.€Marshall's€residence€that€evening.€€When€Ms.€Christian€called€the€residenceÐ à0 Ðan€hour€later€to€check€on€her€daughter,€the€defendant€explained€that€the€victim€was€at€the€hospitalÐ Ð  Ðand€that€Ms.€Christian's€daughter€was€being€cared€for€by€Ms.€Marshall's€mother.Ð À! ÐÌà  àVickie€Robinson,€a€friend€of€the€defendant,€testified€that€the€defendant€had€expressedÐ  #ð! Ðsatisfaction€with€his€relationship€with€Ms.€Marshall€and€her€three€children.€€She€recalled€that€she€hadÐ $à" Ðseen€the€defendant€prior€to€the€hospitalization€of€the€victim€and€that€the€defendant€had€stated€that€heÐ €%Ð # Ðwas€working,€that€he€was€staying€out€of€trouble,€and€that€his€life€was€going€well.Ð p&À!$ ÐÌà  àScotty€Trivett,€who€was€at€the€Holston€Valley€Hospital€on€the€night€the€victim€was€admitted,Ð P( #& Ðtestified€that€he€observed€Ms.€Marshall€arrive€at€the€hospital€screaming,€"Help€me,€help€me,€myÐ @)$' Ðbaby."€€Trivett€testified€that€Ms.€Marshall€reached€into€her€car,€grabbed€the€victim,€and€ran€towardÐ ° Ðthe€front€door€of€the€hospital.€€He€stated€that€she€jerked€the€hospital€door€open,€and€that€the€doorÐ  ð Ðappeared€to€strike€the€victim€on€the€middle€of€his€head€or€on€the€forehead.€€Trivett€testified€that€theÐ à Ðdefendant,€who€arrived€at€the€hospital€about€thirty€minutes€later,€was€hugging€Ms.€Marshall€andÐ €Ð Ðcrying€with€her.€€He€described€both€the€defendant€and€Ms.€Marshall€as€very€upset.€€Trivett€testifiedÐ pÀ Ðthat€when€he€learned€later,€while€watching€television,€that€the€defendant€had€been€charged€with€theÐ ` ° Ðcrime,€he€contacted€the€€Jonesborough€Police€Department€to€report€what€he€had€seen€about€theÐ P   Ðhospital€door.€€On€cross„examination,€Trivett€reiterated€that€he€had€seen€the€hospital€door€strike€theÐ @  Ðvictim€in€the€forehead,€but€also€acknowledged€that€the€victim€appeared€to€be€dead€at€the€time€he€wasÐ 0 € Ðtaken€from€Ms.€Marshall's€car.Ð  p  ÐÌà  àRuby€Metros,€an€oncology€social€worker€at€the€Johnson€City€Medical€Center,€testified€thatÐ P  Ðshe€had€observed€the€defendant€and€Ms.€Marshall€throughout€the€day€following€the€hospitalizationÐ ð@  Ðof€the€victim.€€She€stated€that€at€times€they€appeared€to€be€relatively€calm€and€that€at€other€times€theyÐ à0  Ðappeared€to€be€very€upset.€€Ms.€Metros€was€present€when€the€defendant€and€Ms.€Marshall€were€toldÐ Ð  Ðthat€life€support€would€be€disconnected.€€She€recalled€that€the€defendant€and€Ms.€Marshall€were€veryÐ À Ðemotional€when€placed€in€the€room€with€the€victim€to€say€their€goodbyes.€€Ð ° ÐÌà  àThe€911€audiotape€indicated€that€the€defendant€had€initially€called€for€an€ambulance,€statingÐ à Ðthat€the€victim€had€stopped€breathing.€€The€tape€indicated€that€the€defendant€then€informed€theÐ €Ð Ðdispatcher€that€Ms.€Marshall€was€on€her€way€to€Holston€Valley€Hospital€with€the€victim.Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àDr.€Geoffrey€Boercker,€a€physician€specializing€in€the€field€of€trauma€medication,€testifiedÐ P  Ðfor€the€defense.€€After€reviewing€the€relevant€medical€facts€and€circumstances€pertaining€to€theÐ @ Ðvictim,€Dr.€Boercker€concluded€that€the€majority€of€the€brain€injuries€suffered€by€the€victim€wereÐ 0€ Ðdue€to€heart€stoppage.€€He€stated€that€the€fracture€of€the€arm€probably€occurred€either€simultaneouslyÐ  p Ðwith€or€just€following€the€cardiac€arrest.€€It€was€his€opinion€that€the€impact€which€caused€the€victim'sÐ ` Ðskull€to€fracture€also€caused€the€bilateral€retinal€hemorrhages.€€Ð P ÐÌà  àDr.€Boercker€testified€that€the€misplacement€of€the€endotracheal€tube€lessened€to€some€degreeÐ à0 Ðwhat€little€chance€the€victim€may€have€had€for€survival.€€Dr.€Boercker€testified€at€length€as€to€theÐ Ð  Ðvarious€classes€of€injuries€associated€with€an€abused€child€and€noted€an€absence€of€any€of€the€classicÐ À! Ðsigns€in€this€victim.€€Dr.€Boercker,€who€noted€that€the€victim€had,€in€fact,€been€teething€at€the€timeÐ °"  Ðof€his€death,€testified€that€he€did€not€agree€that€it€could€be€determined€within€a€reasonable€degree€ofÐ  #ð! Ðmedical€certainty€that€the€victim€had€died€of€"traumatic€brain€injury,€child€abuse/non„accidentalÐ $à" Ðtrauma."€€He€identified€heart€stoppage€as€the€cause€of€death€and€testified€that€while€the€victim'sÐ €%Ð # Ðinjuries€were€consistent€with€child€abuse,€they€could€have€occurred€in€other€ways.€€On€cross„Ð p&À!$ Ðexamination,€Dr.€Boercker€expressed€the€view€that€retinal€hemorrhages€could€be€caused€by€aÐ `'°"% Ð"moderate"€force,€more€than€falling€off€a€two„foot„high€bed.€€Ð P( #& ÐÌà  àIn€rebuttal,€Dr.€William€McCormick€refuted€Dr.€Boercker's€claim€that€the€victim's€spinalÐ 0*€%( Ðâ âinjury€and€broken€arm€occurred€simultaneously€with€cardiac€arrest.€€He€stated€that,€in€his€opinion,Ð  +p&) Ðthe€death€of€the€victim€could€not€have€been€caused€by€acute€respiratory€embarrassment׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€due€toÐ ° Ðâ âaspirations€with€laryngospasm€and€secondary€cardiac€arrest,€because€the€regurgitation€produced€byÐ  ð Ðthe€victim€was€small€in€amount.€€He€testified€that€the€injuries€could€have€been€the€result€of€eitherÐ à Ðreckless€or€intentional€conduct.€€Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àAfter€the€defendant€was€found€guilty€of€first€degree€murder€and€aggravated€child€abuse,€theÐ ` ° Ðstate€declined€to€present€further€evidence€in€the€penalty€phase€of€the€trial.€€Dr.€Larry€Miller,€professorÐ P   Ðof€criminal€justice€and€criminology€at€East€Tennessee€State€University,€testified€for€the€defense€asÐ @  Ðan€expert€in€the€areas€of€criminology€and€mitigation.€€Dr.€Miller,€who€had€investigated€the€defendantÐ 0 € Ðby€interviewing€the€defendant's€family,€friends,€and€former€employers€and€by€examining€theÐ  p  Ðdefendant's€medical€records,€school€records,€and€criminal€records,€testified€that€the€defendant'sÐ `  Ðfamily€had€moved€ten€times€by€the€time€that€the€defendant€was€seventeen€years€of€age.€€Dr.€MillerÐ P  Ðstated€that€the€defendant€had€hidden€in€a€closet€at€the€age€of€four€when€the€family's€trailer€caught€onÐ ð@  Ðfire€and€that€his€father€had€re„entered€the€fire€to€save€him.€€He€learned€that€the€defendant's€fatherÐ à0  Ðabused€alcohol€and€had€become€emotionally€abusive€upon€discovering€that€the€defendant's€motherÐ Ð  Ðhad€a€child€as€the€result€of€an€extramarital€affair.€€Shortly€after€the€discovery,€the€defendant's€parentsÐ À Ðwere€divorced.€€Thereafter,€the€defendant's€father€did€not€provide€either€financial€or€emotionalÐ ° Ðsupport.€€The€defendant's€stepfather,€who€also€abused€alcohol,€attempted€suicide€and€then€divorcedÐ  ð Ðthe€defendant's€mother.€€Dr.€Miller€concluded€that€the€defendant€suffered€emotional€trauma€andÐ à Ðneglect€during€his€formative€years.€€Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àDr.€Miller€also€learned€that€the€defendant€functioned€above€average€intellectually€andÐ `° Ðperformed€quite€well€in€elementary€school.€€He€did€observe,€however,€that€the€defendant€wasÐ P  Ðaccident„prone€and€had€suffered€several€cuts€and€burns€which€required€regular€treatment€atÐ @ Ðemergency€rooms.€€Although€he€was€prescribed€eyeglasses€at€the€age€of€12,€the€defendant€was€unableÐ 0€ Ðto€afford€eye€care€and€did€not€continue€to€wear€glasses.Ð  p ÐÌà  àDr.€Miller€described€the€defendant€as€a€follower,€not€a€leader,€and€as€one€who€was€left€on€hisÐ P Ðown€a€great€deal.€€He€learned€that€the€defendant€began€to€associate€with€older€boys€and€got€intoÐ ð@ Ðtrouble€for€alcohol€and€€marijuana€usage€and€shoplifting.€€At€age€14,€the€defendant,€his€brother,€andÐ à0 Ðtwo€others€broke€into€a€Laundromat.€€Dr.€Miller€testified€that€the€defendant€was€sent€to€SullivanÐ Ð  ÐHouse€for€Children€and€received€a€greater€degree€of€punishment€after€he€left€without€permission.€Ð À! ÐThe€defendant€did€not€attend€school€regularly€after€his€release€from€Sullivan€House€and€his€gradesÐ °"  Ðdeteriorated.€€Ð  #ð! ÐÌà  àDr.€Miller€related€that€the€defendant€continued€school€into€the€eleventh€grade.€€He€workedÐ €%Ð # Ðpart„time€at€a€fast€food€restaurant€and€impregnated€a€girlfriend.€€According€to€Dr.€Miller,€theÐ p&À!$ Ðgirlfriend€moved€away€and€never€notified€the€defendant€of€his€paternity.€€Later,€the€defendant€learnedÐ `'°"% Ðthrough€friends€that€the€girlfriend€had€had€his€child.€€Dr.€Miller€reported€that€the€defendant€wantedÐ P( #& Ðto€join€the€military€but€was€not€accepted€because€he€had€no€high€school€diploma.€€As€an€adult,€theÐ ° Ðdefendant€was€convicted€of€possession€of€marijuana.€€He€worked€periodically€as€a€cook€and€busboy.€Ð  ð ÐBy€age€19,€he€had€been€convicted€of€joyriding,€DUI,€and€underage€possession€of€alcohol.€€Later,€heÐ à Ðwas€cited€for€driving€on€a€revoked€license€and€his€probation€was€revoked.€€The€defendant€lived€withÐ €Ð Ða€friend€for€about€six€months€in€Augusta,€Maine,€and€upon€his€return€met€Ms.€Marshall,€with€whomÐ pÀ Ðhe€stayed€until€the€death€of€the€victim.€€Ð ` ° ÐÌà  àDr.€Miller€described€the€defendant€as€having€a€dysfunctional€family,€as€being€emotionallyÐ @  Ðneglected,€and€as€having€led€a€life€devoid€of€any€male€role€model.€€Dr.€Miller€described€the€commonÐ 0 € Ðthreads€in€the€defendant's€life€as€poverty€and€alcohol€abuse.€€Ð  p  ÐÌà  àClaude€Robinson,€a€first€cousin€of€the€defendant,€testified€that€he€had€at€one€time€served€inÐ P  ÐKingsport€as€a€recruiting€officer€for€the€United€States€Army.€€He€stated€that€the€defendant€had€takenÐ ð@  Ðan€admission€test€for€the€military€and€had€been€targeted€as€a€quality€applicant.€€Robinson€testifiedÐ à0  Ðthat€the€defendant's€father€would€not€provide€the€necessary€permission€for€the€defendant€to€join€theÐ Ð  Ðmilitary.€€He€recalled€that€by€the€time€the€defendant€reached€the€age€of€eighteen,€the€regulations€forÐ À Ðnew€recruits€had€been€changed€so€that€a€high€school€diploma€was€necessary.€€It€was€Robinson's€viewÐ ° Ðthat€the€military€would€have€been€a€very€positive€influence€in€the€life€of€the€defendant.€€Ð  ð ÐÌà  àRobert€Miller,€who€had€been€"pretty€much€like€[a€brother]"€to€the€defendant€while€they€wereÐ €Ð Ðin€high€school,€testified€that€he€and€the€defendant€had€both€wanted€to€join€the€military.€€Miller,€whoÐ pÀ Ðwas€able€to€join€the€Marines,€stated€that€his€military€experience€had€been€very€positive€and€that€theÐ `° Ðdefendant€would€have€benefitted€from€military€service.€€Ð P  ÐÌà  àSharon€Godsey,€the€defendant's€mother,€also€testified€on€behalf€of€her€son.€€She€stated€thatÐ 0€ Ðthe€defendant's€child€had€been€left€in€her€care€at€the€age€of€two€and€one„half€months€for€a€period€ofÐ  p Ðsix€months.€€She€stated€that€during€this€time,€she€had€been€given€legal€guardianship€of€the€child€andÐ ` Ðthat€the€defendant€had€worked€in€order€to€provide€financial€assistance.€€She€testified€that€when€theÐ P Ðchild€was€eight€and€one„half€months€old,€the€child's€mother€took€the€baby€on€the€pretext€of€havingÐ ð@ Ða€photograph€taken€and€never€returned.€€Later,€Ms.€Godsey€learned€from€a€newspaper€article€that€theÐ à0 Ðchild€had€been€placed€for€adoption€and€that€she€had€no€legal€rights.€€She€testified€that€this€incidentÐ Ð  Ðhad€been€devastating€to€the€defendant.€€Ms.€Godsey€expressed€her€love€for€the€defendant€and€askedÐ À! Ðthe€jury€to€spare€his€life.€€Ð °"  ÐÌà  àThe€jury€returned€a€sentence€of€death.€€Later,€the€trial€court€conducted€a€sentencing€hearingÐ $à" Ðon€the€aggravated€child€abuse€conviction€and€imposed€a€consecutive€twenty„five€year€term.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Ð €%Ð # ÐÐ  p&À!$ ÐÓ  Ó(I)Ð ° ÐÌÓõÑÓà  àThe€first€issue€is€whether€the€1995€amendments€to€Tennessee's€first€degree€murder€statute,Ð à ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„202,€violate€due€process€or€amount€to€cruel€and€unusual€punishment€underÐ €Ð Ðthe€Tennessee€and€United€States€Constitutions.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Const.€art.€I,€ðð€8;€U.S.€Const.€amend.€VIII.€Ð pÀ ÐThe€statute€under€which€the€defendant€was€prosecuted€for€felony€murder€provides,€in€pertinent€part,Ð ` ° Ðas€follows:Ð P   ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(a)€€First€degree€murder€is:€.€.€.€(2)€€A€killing€of€another€committed€inÐ 0 € Ðthe€perpetration€of€or€attempt€to€perpetrate€any€first€degree€murder,Ð  p  Ðarson,€rape,€robbery,€burglary,€theft,€kidnapping,€òòaggravated€childÐ `  Ðabuseóó€or€aircraft€piracy€.€.€.€.€€(b)€òòNo€culpable€mental€state€is€requiredÐ P  Ðfor€conviction€under€subdivision€(a)(2)€.€.€.€except€the€intent€toÐ ð@  Ðcommit€the€enumerated€offenses€or€actsóó€in€such€subdivisions.€€Ðà0 ` x` x ÐÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„202(a)(2),€(b)€(emphasis€added).€€Prior€to€1995,€aggravated€child€abuseÐ À Ðwas€not€one€of€the€enumerated€felonies€capable€of€supporting€a€felony€murder€conviction.€Ð ° ÐAdditionally,€the€minimum€culpable€mental€state€required€to€support€a€felony€murder€conviction€wasÐ  ð Ðone€of€recklessness.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„202(a)(2)€(1991€Repl.).€€Chapter€460€of€theÐ à ÐPublic€Acts€of€1995€added€aggravated€child€abuse€to€the€list€of€felonies€available€to€support€a€felonyÐ €Ð Ðmurder€conviction.€€The€amendment€further€abolished€the€requirement€that€recklessness€be€foundÐ pÀ Ðon€the€part€of€the€offender.€€Ð `° ÐÌà  àThe€defendant€contends€that€the€1995€amendments€violate€due€process€and€constitute€cruelÐ @ Ðand€unusual€punishment.€€As€support€for€his€claims,€the€defendant€specifically€asserts€the€followingÐ 0€ Ðarguments:€€(1)€that€the€due€process€restrictions€our€supreme€court€set€forth€in€òòState€v.€Anthonyóó,€817Ð  p ÐS.W.2d€299€(Tenn.€1991),€bar€the€felony€murder€conviction€under€the€amended€statute€unless€theÐ ` Ðunderlying€felony€"substantially€increased€the€risk€of€harm€over€and€above€that€necessarily€presentÐ P Ðin€the€crime€.€.€.€itself,"€€817€S.W.2d€at€306;€(2)€that€the€1995€amendments€are€unconstitutionalÐ ð@ Ðbecause€they€abolish€the€distinctions€between€the€varying€grades€of€homicide€and€that€suchÐ à0 Ðdistinctions€are€necessary€to€ensure€proportionality€in€punishment€and€restrict€the€imposition€of€theÐ Ð  Ðdeath€penalty;€(3)€that€the€amended€statute€allows€for€the€imposition€of€the€death€penalty€in€theÐ À! Ðabsence€of€a€jury€finding€that€the€defendant€exhibited€"reckless€disregard€for€human€life€[by]Ð °"  Ðknowingly€engaging€in€criminal€activities€known€to€carry€a€great€risk€of€death";€òòóóand€(4)€that€theÐ  #ð! Ðamended€statute€allows€for€a€felony€murder€conviction€in€the€absence€of€the€commission€of€aÐ $à" Ðsimultaneous,€separate€crime€which€causes€death€and€that€implied€or€express€malice€is€required.€€InÐ €%Ð # Ðsupport€of€his€last€argument,€the€defendant€asserts€that€the€offenses€that€have€traditionally€triggered€Ð p&À!$ Ða€felony€murder€prosecution€have€been€separate€and€distinct€from€the€acts€that€caused€death.€€Ð `'°"% ÐÌà  àInitially,€the€distinction€between€the€underlying€offense€in€a€felony€murder€and€the€actÐ @)$' Ðcausing€death€has€been€important€for€several€reasons.€€The€intent€to€commit€the€separate€felony€wasÐ 0*€%( Ðâ âconsidered€the€legal€equivalent€of€malice:€Ð  +p&) Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIn€the€typical€case€of€felony„murder,€there€is€no€malice€in€'fact'€withÐ ° Ðâ ârespect€to€the€homicide;€the€malice€is€supplied€by€the€'law'.€€There€isÐ  ð Ðan€intended€felony€and€an€unintended€homicide.€€The€malice€whichÐ à Ðplays€a€part€in€the€commission€of€the€felony€is€transferred€by€law€toÐ €Ð Ðthe€homicide.€€As€a€result€of€the€fictional€transfer,€the€homicide€isÐ pÀ Ðdeemed€committed€with€malice.Ð` °` x` x ÐÌòòState€v.€Kimbroughóó,€924€S.W.2d€888,€890€(Tenn.€1996).€€Ð @  ÐÌà  àThis€court€has€observed€that€the€felony€murder€doctrine€"predicates€guilt€of€the€murder€notÐ  p  Ðupon€the€culpability€of€the€defendant€with€respect€to€the€killing,€but€upon€the€culpability€requiredÐ `  Ðfor€the€underlying€felony."€€òòState€v.€Gilliamóó,€901€S.W.2d€385,€390€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1995).€Ð P  ÐÌà  àThe€1995€amendments€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„202€did,€of€course,€add€aggravated€childÐ à0  Ðabuse€to€the€list€of€felonies€capable€of€supporting€a€first€degree€murder€conviction.€€The€amendmentsÐ Ð  Ðalso€deleted€the€requirement€that€the€killing€be€reckless,€an€element€which€had€been€added€to€theÐ À Ðstatute€in€1989.€€òòState€v.€Barberóó,€753€S.W.2d€659€(Tenn.€1988),€was€decided€under€pre„1989€law,Ð ° Ðwhich€did€not€require€that€the€killing€be€reckless.€€In€òòBarberóó,€the€defendant€challenged€the€felonyÐ  ð Ðmurder€statute€as€violative€of€due€process€because€a€first€degree€murder€conviction,€and€possibly€aÐ à Ðdeath€sentence,€could€result€even€if€the€killing€had€been€accidental€or€in€self€defense.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Our€supremeÐ €Ð Ðcourt€rejected€the€challenge,€holding€that€a€first€degree€murder€conviction€emanating€from€theÐ pÀ Ðperpetration€of€a€felony€met€constitutional€safeguards.€€More€recently,€in€òòState€v.€Kimbroughóó,€ourÐ `° Ðsupreme€court€implicitly€approved€the€concept€of€vicarious€culpability.€€The€court€determined€thatÐ P  Ðattempted€felony€murder€was€not€an€offense€and,€in€doing€so,€€observed€that€"[f]elony„€murder€differsÐ @ Ðfrom€other€forms€of€murder€because€it€holds€the€actor€strictly€accountable€even€where€the€killing€isÐ 0€ Ðunintended."€€924€S.W.2d€at€890.Ð  p ÐÌà  àIn€our€view,€aggravated€child€abuse€is€no€different€than€any€of€the€other€listed€felonies€whichÐ P Ðmay€support€a€felony€murder€conviction.€€Criminal€intent€is€required€for€aggravated€child€abuse.€€TheÐ ð@ Ðculpable€mental€state€for€the€abuse€"knowingly"€transfers€to€the€felony€murder.€€òòSee,€e.g.óó,€òòState€v.Ð à0 ÐGilliamóó,€901€S.W.2d€at€385;€2€Charles€E.€Torcia,€òòWharton's€Criminal€Lawóó€ðð€147€at€296€(15òòthóó€ed.Ð Ð  Ð1994).Ð À! ÐÌà  àIn€òòFarmer€v.€Stateóó,€201€Tenn.€107,€296€S.W.2d€879€(1956),€our€supreme€court€required€theÐ  #ð! Ðkilling€in€a€felony€murder€to€be€closely€connected€to€the€underlying€felony,€a€view€this€court€adoptedÐ $à" Ðin€òòState€v.€Seversóó,€759€S.W.2d€935€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1988).€€The€requirement€for€such€a€temporal,Ð €%Ð # Ðspatial€alliance€between€the€felony€and€the€killing€would€not,€however,€warrant€a€"merger"€of€theÐ ° Ðcrimes€or€the€application€of€an€òòAnthonyóó„type€due€process€risk€of€harm€analysis,€as€suggested€by€theÐ  ð Ðdefendant,€so€as€to€preclude€the€felony€murder€conviction.€€In€òòPeople€v.€Viseróó,€343€N.E.2d€903Ð à Ð(1975),€decided€in€a€state€where€an€assault€may€support€a€felony€murder€prosecution,€the€courtÐ €Ð Ðupheld€a€felony€murder€conviction€based€on€aggravated€battery€as€the€underlying€felony.€€TheÐ pÀ ÐIllinois€court€approved€the€legislative€objective€to€deter€the€commission€of€the€enumerated€feloniesÐ ` ° Ðby€holding€the€perpetrator€accountable€for€any€death€that€might€result.€€òòId.óó€at€909.€€The€legislativeÐ P   Ðhistory€accompanying€the€passage€of€the€1995€amendment€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„202€suggestsÐ @  Ða€similar€objective.€€Ð 0 € ÐÌà  àThe€assault„type€cases€cited€by€the€defendant,€wherein€the€merger€doctrine,€by€implication,Ð `  Ðmight€have€arguably€precluded€a€felony€murder€conviction,€or€at€least€a€conviction€for€the€underlyingÐ P  Ðfelony,€did€not€involve€child€abuse.€€For€example,€in€òòDunford€v.€Stateóó,€702€P.2d€1051€(Okla.€Crim.Ð ð@  ÐApp.€1985),€the€felony€of€pointing€a€gun€was€not€sufficiently€independent€to€qualify€as€an€underlyingÐ à0  Ðfelony€for€felony€murder€purposes€when€the€defendant,€moments€after€pointing€the€gun,€actually€shotÐ Ð  Ðthe€victim.€€The€defendant's€second€degree€murder€conviction€was€upheld,€however,€after€anÐ À Ðinstruction€on€felony€murder€was€found€to€be€harmless€error.€€In€òòState€v.€Milleróó,€520€P.2d€1113Ð ° Ð(1974),€the€defendant€broke€into€the€home€of€his€estranged€wife€with€the€intent€to€assault€her.€€TheÐ  ð Ðdefendant's€wife€was€struck€in€the€hand€by€a€bullet€and€her€boyfriend€was€mortally€wounded.€€TheÐ à ÐArizona€Supreme€Court€agreed€with€the€defendant's€contention€that€the€assault€could€not€justify€aÐ €Ð Ðfelony€murder€instruction€because€it€merged€into€the€homicide.€€Nevertheless,€the€court€upheld€theÐ pÀ Ðtrial€court's€felony€murder€instruction€where€the€defendant's€burglary€was€an€alternative€basisÐ `° Ðtherefor.€€Neither€case€is€persuasive€authority€for€application€of€the€merger€doctrine€to€theÐ P  Ðcircumstances€involved€in€this€case.€€In€òòMapps€v.€Stateóó,€520€So.2d€92€(Fla.€App.€4òòthóó€Dist.€1988),€theÐ @ ÐFlorida€District€Court€of€Appeals€rejected€the€notion€of€merger€in€a€felony€murder€case€where€theÐ 0€ Ðtriggering€felony€was€an€assault€and€upheld€separate€convictions€as€compliant€with€legislative€intent.€Ð  p ÐÌà  àIn€òòState€v.€Anthonyóó,€our€supreme€court€precluded€a€conviction€for€a€kidnaping€that€wasÐ P Ðincidental€to€a€robbery.€€817€S.W.2d€at€306„07.€€While€òòAnthonyóó€involved€the€issue€of€multipleÐ ð@ Ðconvictions€based€upon€the€same€acts€or€transaction,€this€case€nevertheless€would€pass€theÐ à0 Ð"substantial€increase€in€the€risk€of€harm"€test€employed€in€that€case€by€our€supreme€court.€€TheÐ Ð  Ðvictim€here€suffered€a€broken€arm€at€the€hands€of€the€defendant€before€receiving€the€more€seriousÐ À! Ðinjuries€to€his€spine€and€the€head.€€The€defendant€then€left€the€unconscious€victim€unattended€forÐ °"  Ðover€an€hour€before€taking€any€remedial€action.€€According€to€experts,€the€delay€was€a€critical€factorÐ  #ð! Ðin€the€death€of€the€victim.€€In€our€view,€the€due€process€constraints€identified€in€òòAnthonyóó€would€notÐ $à" Ðpreclude€dual€convictions.€€Ð €%Ð # ÐÌà  àIn€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„202,€the€General€Assembly€has€expressed€an€unmistakableÐ `'°"% Ðintent€to€have€aggravated€child€abuse€resulting€in€death€qualify€as€felony€murder.€€The€course€ofÐ P( #& Ðevents€that€led€to€the€amendment€of€the€statute€is€well€documented€since€the€ruling€in€òòState€v.Ð @)$' ÐBowersóó,€No.€115€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.,€at€Knoxville,€Aug.€2,€1989).€€The€legislature€does€not€intendÐ 0*€%( Ðfor€the€merger€doctrine€to€preclude€a€first€degree€murder€conviction€where€death€is€the€consequenceÐ  +p&) Ðof€an€aggravated€child€abuse.Ð ,`'* Їà  àFurthermore,€the€ruling€in€òòTison€v.€Arizonaóó,€481€U.S.€137€(1987),€does€not€afford€theÐ ° Ðdefendant€relief.€€That€case€considered€the€appropriateness€of€the€death€penalty€for€an€accompliceÐ  ð Ðin€a€shooting€death€where€fatal€shots€were€fired€by€the€primary€actor.€€While€the€defendant€pointsÐ à Ðout€that€in€òòTisonóó,€the€Supreme€Court€required€reckless€indifference€for€human€life€as€a€prerequisiteÐ €Ð Ðto€the€implementation€of€the€death€penalty,€we€note€that€the€culpable€mental€state€for€aggravatedÐ pÀ Ðchild€abuse,€which€transfers€to€the€felony€murder,€is€"knowing."€€Because€"knowing"€is€a€higherÐ ` ° Ðstandard€than€"reckless€indifference,"€òòcompareóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„11„106(a)(2)(20)€(definitionÐ P   Ðof€"knowing")€with€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„11„106(a)(31)€(definition€of€"reckless"),€reliance€uponÐ @  Ðaggravated€child€abuse€to€support€a€felony€murder€conviction€is€in€accord€with€the€principles€ofÐ 0 € ÐòòTisonóó.€€Ð  p  ÐÌà  àThe€defendant€also€argues€that€when€the€1995€amendments€dispensed€with€the€reckless€mensÐ P  Ðrea€requirement,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„202€could€no€longer€support€a€capital€sentence.€€For€theÐ ð@  Ðsame€reasons€that€the€statute€does€not€offend€the€pronouncement€of€the€United€States€Supreme€CourtÐ à0  Ðin€òòTisonóó,€it€supports€application€of€the€death€penalty.€€The€"knowing"€requirement€necessary€toÐ Ð  Ðsupport€an€aggravated€child€abuse€precludes€imposition€of€the€death€penalty€in€cases€involving€mereÐ À Ðinadvertence€on€the€part€of€the€defendant.€€This€argument€is€without€merit.€Ð ° ÐÌà  àIn€our€view,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„202€meets€the€applicable€constitutional€due€processÐ à Ðsafeguards.€Ð €Ð ÐÌÓ  Ó(II)Ð `° ÐÌÓ Óà  àThe€defendant's€second€issue€is€whether€the€state€may€seek€the€death€penalty€for€a€felonyÐ @ Ðmurder€in€the€perpetration€of€aggravated€child€abuse€where€the€sole€aggravating€circumstance€is€thatÐ 0€ Ðthe€victim€is€under€twelve€years€of€age.€€The€indictment€charged€and€the€jury€convicted€the€defendantÐ  p Ðof€"unlawfully€and€feloniously€kill[ing]€.€.€.€Evan€Price,€a€child€7€months€of€age,€in€the€perpetrationÐ ` Ðof€or€attempt€to€perpetrate€the€felony€offense€of€aggravated€child€abuse."€€The€single€aggravatingÐ P Ðcircumstance€found€and€applied€by€the€jury€in€imposing€the€death€penalty€was€that€the€"murder€wasÐ ð@ Ðcommitted€against€a€person€less€than€twelve€(12)€years€of€age€and€the€defendant€was€eighteen€(18)Ð à0 Ðyears€of€age,€or€older."€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„204(i)(1).€€The€defendant€contends€that€theÐ Ð  Ðaggravating€circumstance€of€the€victim's€age€duplicates€the€age€element€of€the€offense€of€child€abuseÐ À! Ðand€therefore€does€not€sufficiently€narrow€the€class€of€death„eligible€defendants€under€the€EighthÐ °"  ÐAmendment€to€the€United€States€Constitution€and€Article€I,€Section€16€of€the€TennesseeÐ  #ð! ÐConstitution.€€We€disagree.Ð $à" ÐÌà  àIn€òòState€v.€Middlebrooksóó,€840€S.W.2d€317€(Tenn.€1992),€our€supreme€court€ruled€that€underÐ p&À!$ Ðthe€Tennessee€Constitution,€felony€murder€is€a€death„eligible€offense,€but€that€the€death€penalty€mayÐ `'°"% Ðnot€be€imposed€unless€the€jury€finds€an€aggravating€circumstance€other€than€the€murder€having€beenÐ P( #& Ðcommitted€during€the€perpetration€of€a€felony.€€In€doing€so,€the€court€reaffirmed€prior€decisions€inÐ @)$' Ðwhich€it€held€that€"the€death€penalty€in€felony€murder€does€not€per€se€violate€Article€I,€ðð€16€of€theÐ 0*€%( Ðâ âTennessee€Constitution."€€òòId.óó€at€341.€€The€primary€concern€in€òòMiddlebrooksóó€was€whether€theÐ  +p&) Ðapplication€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð39-2-203(i)(7),׃'×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€that€the€murder€was€committed€during€theÐ ° Ðâ âperpetration€of€a€felony,€as€the€sole€aggravating€circumstance€in€imposing€the€death€penalty€for€firstÐ  ð Ðdegree€felony€murder€served€to€narrow€the€class€of€death„eligible€defendants,€a€concept€recognizedÐ à Ðby€the€United€States€Supreme€Court€in€òòFurman€v.€Georgiaóó,€408€U.S.€238€(1972),€and€under€ArticleÐ €Ð ÐI,€Section€16€of€the€Tennessee€Constitution.€€At€the€time€of€the€trial€in€òòMiddlebrooksóó,€the€felonyÐ pÀ Ðmurder€aggravating€circumstance€was€defined€as€follows:Ð ` ° ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThe€murder€was€committed€while€the€defendant€was€engaged€inÐ @  Ðcommitting,€or€was€an€accomplice€in€the€commission€of,€or€wasÐ 0 € Ðattempting€to€commit,€or€was€fleeing€after€committing€or€attemptingÐ  p  Ðto€commit,€any€first€degree€murder,€arson,€rape,€robbery,€burglary,Ð `  Ðlarceny,€kidnaping,€aircraft€piracy,€or€unlawful€throwing,€placing€orÐ P  Ðdischarging€of€a€destructive€device€or€bomb€.€.€.€.Ðð@ ` x` x ÐÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39-2-203(i)(7)€(1982).€€The€supreme€court€òòóóobserved€that€subsection€203(i)(7)Ð Ð  Ð"essentially€duplicates"€the€elements€of€first€degree€felony€murder.€€òòMiddlebrooksóó,€840€S.W.2d€atÐ À Ð341;€òòsee€alsoóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39-2-202(a)€(1982).€€It€determined€that€the€same€felony€used€as€theÐ ° Ðpredicate€for€a€felony€murder€conviction€must€be€reconsidered€by€the€jury€in€essentially€the€sameÐ  ð Ðform€as€an€aggravating€circumstance€in€the€penalty€phase€of€the€trial.€€After€a€comparison€of€theÐ à Ðstatutory€similarities,€the€court€considered€whether€this€"duplication"€complied€with€the€requirementÐ €Ð Ðthat€an€aggravating€circumstance€"'genuinely€narrow€the€class€of€persons€eligible€for€the€deathÐ pÀ Ðpenalty€and€.€.€.€reasonably€justify€the€imposition€of€a€more€severe€sentence€on€the€defendantÐ `° Ðcompared€to€others€found€guilty€of€murder.'"€€òòMiddlebrooksóó,€840€S.W.2d€at€342€(quoting€òòZant€v.Ð P  ÐStephensóó,€462€U.S.€862,€877€(1983)).€€A€majority€of€the€court€ultimately€concluded€that€subsectionÐ @ Ð203(i)(7)€did€not€achieve€any€narrowing€of€death„eligible€defendants€such€as€is€required€by€theÐ 0€ ÐEighth€Amendment€to€the€United€States€Constitution€and€Article€I,€Section€16€of€the€TennesseeÐ  p ÐConstitution:Ð ` ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àAutomatically€instructing€the€sentencing€body€on€the€underlyingÐ ð@ Ðfelony€in€a€felony„murder€case€does€nothing€to€aid€the€jury€in€its€taskÐ à0 Ðof€distinguishing€between€first„degree€homicides€and€defendants€forÐ Ð  Ðthe€purpose€of€imposing€the€death€penalty.€€Relevant€distinctions€dim,Ð À! Ðsince€all€participants€in€a€felony„murder,€regardless€of€varyingÐ °"  Ðdegrees€of€culpability,€enter€the€sentencing€stage€with€at€least€oneÐ  #ð! Ðaggravating€factor€against€them.€€Ð$à"` x` x ÐÌòòId.óó€at€342€(quoting€òòEngberg€v.€Stateóó,€686€P.2d€541,€560€(Wyo.€1984)).€€Based€upon€the€provisionsÐ p&À!$ Ðof€the€Tennessee€Constitution,€our€supreme€court€ruled€that€in€order€to€serve€as€a€legitimate€basis€forÐ `'°"% Ðthe€death€penalty,€an€aggravating€circumstance€must€have€the€effect€of€narrowing€the€class€of€thoseÐ P( #& Ðeligible€for€the€ultimate€punishment:€€Ð @)$' Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à[I]n€light€of€the€broad€definition€of€felony€murder€and€the€duplicatingÐ ° Ðlanguage€of€the€felony€murder€aggravating€circumstance,€noÐ  ð Ðnarrowing€occurs€under€Tennessee's€first„degree€murder€statute.€€WeÐ à Ðhold€that,€when€the€defendant€is€convicted€of€first-degree€murderÐ €Ð Ðsolely€on€the€basis€of€felony€murder,€the€aggravating€circumstance€setÐ pÀ Ðout€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðððð€39-2-203(i)(7)€(1982)€and€39-13-204(i)(7)Ð ` ° Ð(1991),€does€not€narrow€the€class€of€death„eligible€murderersÐ P   Ðsufficiently€under€the€Eighth€Amendment€to€the€U.S.€Constitution,Ð @  Ðand€Article€I,€ðð€16€of€the€Tennessee€Constitution€because€it€duplicatesÐ 0 € Ðthe€elements€of€the€offense.€€Ð p ` x` x ÐÌòòId.óó€at€346.€€Ð P  ÐÌà  àThe€amended€felony€murder€statute,€under€which€the€defendant€in€this€case€was€convicted,Ð à0  Ðprovides€as€follows:€€€Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(a)€€First€degree€murder€is:€.€.€.€(2)€€A€killing€of€another€committed€inÐ ° Ðthe€perpetration€of€or€attempt€to€perpetrate€any€first€degree€murder,Ð  ð Ðarson,€rape,€robbery,€burglary,€theft,€kidnapping,€aggravated€childÐ à Ðabuse€or€aircraft€piracy€.€.€.€.€€Ð€Ð` x` x ÐÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„202(a)(2)€(1996€Supp.).€€Ð `° ÐÌà  àChild€abuse€is€defined€as€follows:Ð @ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(a)€Any€person€who€knowingly,€other€than€by€accidental€means,€treatsÐ  p Ðòòa€child€under€eighteen€(18)€years€of€ageóó€in€such€a€manner€as€to€inflictÐ ` Ðinjury€or€neglects€such€a€child€so€as€to€adversely€affect€the€child'sÐ P Ðhealth€and€welfare€commits€a€Class€A€misdemeanor;€provided,€thatÐ ð@ Ðif€the€abused€child€is€six€(6)€years€of€age€or€less,€the€penalty€is€a€ClassÐ à0 ÐD€felony.ÐÐ ` x` x ÐÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„15„401(a)€(emphasis€added).€€Child€abuse€becomes€aggravated€when€the€"actÐ °"  Ðof€abuse€results€in€serious€bodily€injury€to€the€child;€or€.€.€.€a€deadly€weapon€is€used."€€Tenn.€CodeÐ  #ð! ÐAnn.€ðð€39„15„402(a).€€Ð $à" ÐÌà  àThe€aggravating€circumstance€relied€upon€by€the€jury€in€imposing€the€death€penalty€in€thisÐ p&À!$ Ðcase€provides€as€follows:€€"The€murder€was€committed€against€a€person€less€than€twelve€(12)€yearsÐ `'°"% Ðof€age€and€the€defendant€was€eighteen€(18)€years€of€age,€or€older."€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„Ð P( #& Ð204(i)(1).€€Aggravated€child€abuse€may€be€committed€against€a€person€who€is€under€18€years€of€age,Ð @)$' Ðbut€the€aggravating€circumstance€supporting€the€death€sentence€only€applies€if€the€victim€is€less€thanÐ 0*€%( Ð12€years€of€age.€€Ð  +p&) ÐÐ ,`'* Ðà  àIn€òòState€v.€Lacyóó,€983€S.W.2d€686,€696€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1997),€this€court€addressed€theÐ ° Ðissue:Ð  ð ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àWe€further€note€that€the€use€of€this€aggravating€circumstance€is€notÐ €Ð Ð"double€enhancement"€in€this€case.€€The€statutory€age€element€is€aÐ pÀ Ðchild€less€than€sixteen€years€of€age€while€the€aggravatingÐ ` ° Ðcircumstance€age€element€is€a€person€less€than€twelve€years€of€age.€Ð P   ÐThus,€had€the€defendant€been€convicted€of€first„degree€murder€byÐ @  Ðaggravated€child€abuse€of€a€fourteen„year„old€child,€the€aggravatingÐ 0 € Ðcircumstance€could€not€apply.€€In€addition,€the€aggravatingÐ  p  Ðcircumstance€requires€another€element,€that€is,€that€the€defendantÐ `  Ðmust€be€eighteen€years€old€or€older.€€Therefore,€it€is€our€òòconclusionÐ P  Ðthat€this€circumstance€applies€to€this€defendant€regardless€of€anyÐ ð@  Ðarguments€about€"double€enhancementóó."Ðà0 ` x` x ÐÌòòId.óó€at€696€(emphasis€added).€€Ð À ÐÌà  àBased€upon€the€ruling€in€òòLacyóó,€this€court€concludes€that€the€aggravating€circumstance€appliedÐ  ð Ðhere€does€sufficiently€narrow€the€class€of€death„eligible€defendants.€€A€defendant€convicted€of€felonyÐ à Ðmurder€in€furtherance€of€aggravated€child€abuse€may€be€sentenced€to€death€based€upon€the€felonyÐ €Ð Ðmurder€aggravator€only€if€the€victim€is€less€than€twelve€years€of€age.€€The€statute€recognizes€thatÐ pÀ Ðvictims€under€twelve€years€of€age€are€typically€more€vulnerable€to€abuse€than€those€between€thirteenÐ `° Ðand€seventeen.€€The€younger€the€victim,€the€less€likely€it€is€that€he€or€she€is€capable€of€defending€himÐ P  Ðor€herself€or€fleeing.€€Infant€or€toddler€victims€may€often€be€unable€to€testify€or€to€identify€theirÐ @ Ðassailants€and,€depending€on€how€young€they€are,€may€be€unable€to€either€articulate€or€evenÐ 0€ Ðcomprehend€the€abuse€they€have€suffered.€€In€our€view,€there€is€a€legitimate€state€interest€in€affordingÐ  p Ðheightened€protection€to€those€most€vulnerable€in€our€society.€€Thus,€the€age€aggravatingÐ ` Ðcircumstance€sufficiently€and€meaningfully€narrows€the€class€of€death„eligible€defendants€convictedÐ P Ðof€felony€murder€in€the€perpetration€of€aggravated€child€abuse.€€€€€€€€Ð ð@ ÐÌà@GG(ìà(III)ˆÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àThe€third€issue€is€whether€the€death€sentence€imposed€upon€the€defendant€is€disproportionateÐ °"  Ðunder€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„206(c)(1)(D)€or€under€the€Tennessee€or€United€States€Constitutions.€Ð  #ð! ÐThe€defendant€submits€that€a€comparison€of€the€"pool"€of€first€degree€murder€cases€in€which€age€wasÐ $à" Ðfound€to€be€an€aggravating€factor€demonstrates€that€he€is€the€least€culpable€and€the€least€deservingÐ €%Ð # Ðof€the€punishment€of€death€of€any€defendant€in€a€first€degree€murder€case€involving€a€child€victim.€Ð p&À!$ ÐThe€defendant€submits€that€he€is€the€only€person€sentenced€to€death€where€age€was€the€singleÐ `'°"% Ðaggravating€circumstance.€€The€defendant€contends€that€this€case€did€not€involve€chronic€child€abuse,Ð P( #& Ðmultiple€beatings,€or€a€"torturing€type"€death€and€that€there€is€no€evidence€that€he€intended€to€killÐ @)$' Ðor€even€injure€the€victim.€€He€argues€that€his€prior€criminal€record€consists€only€of€misdemeanorÐ 0*€%( Ðâ âconvictions,€none€of€which€€involve€children.€€He€also€maintains€that€he€is€a€good€candidate€forÐ  +p&) Ðrehabilitation.€€The€defendant€€contends€that€he€cooperated€with€authorities€by€providing€statementsÐ ° Ðand€by€allowing€the€collection€of€evidence€in€his€residence.Ð  ð Ðâ âÌà  àIn€òòGregg€v.€Georgiaóó,€428€U.S.€153€(1976),€the€Supreme€Court€upheld€the€Georgia€capitalÐ €Ð Ðsentencing€scheme,€which€required€the€Georgia€Supreme€Court€to€"review€every€death€sentence€toÐ pÀ Ðdetermine€whether€it€was€imposed€under€the€influence€of€passion,€prejudice,€or€any€other€arbitraryÐ ` ° Ðfactor,€whether€the€evidence€supports€the€findings€of€a€statutory€aggravating€circumstance,€andÐ P   Ð'[w]hether€the€sentence€of€death€is€excessive€or€disproportionate€to€the€penalty€imposed€in€similarÐ @  Ðcases,€considering€both€the€crime€and€the€defendant.'"€€òòId.óó€at€204.€€The€Court,€in€doing€so,Ð 0 € Ðspecifically€approved€appellate€proportionality€review€as€"a€check€against€the€random€or€arbitraryÐ  p  Ðimposition€of€the€death€penalty."€€òòId.óó€at€206.€€Ð `  ÐÌà  àThe€Tennessee€capital€sentencing€procedure,€effectively€invalidated€by€òòFurman€v.€Georgiaóó,Ð ð@  Ð408€U.S.€238€(1972),€was€replaced€in€1977€in€response€to€the€òòGreggóó€decision.€€The€1977€enactment,Ð à0  Ðwhich€serves€as€the€basis€for€our€current€capital€sentencing€statute,€includes€a€comparativeÐ Ð  Ðproportionality€review€process€similar€to€that€approved€in€òòGreggóó.€€In€òòPulley€v.€Harrisóó,€465€U.S.€37Ð À Ð(1984),€the€Supreme€Court€determined€that€the€United€States€Constitution€did€not,€in€fact,€requireÐ ° Ða€proportionality€review.€€Nevertheless,€a€proportionality€review€must€be€undertaken€in€capital€casesÐ  ð Ðin€Tennessee€pursuant€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„106(c)(1)(D)€(1997).€€Ð à ÐÌà  àA€comparative€proportionality€review€begins€with€the€presumption€that€the€sentence€of€deathÐ pÀ Ðis€appropriate€for€the€crime€of€first€degree€murder.€€òòState€v.€Hallóó,€958€S.W.2d€679,€699€(Tenn.€1997).€Ð `° ÐCourts€of€review€must€compare€the€defendant€and€the€nature€of€his€crime€with€the€crimes€in€otherÐ P  Ðcases€in€which€the€state€has€sought€the€death€penalty.€€This€"precedent„seeking€approach"€requiresÐ @ Ðthat€(1)€the€defendant€be€convicted€of€first€degree€murder,€and€(2)€a€capital€sentencing€hearing€takeÐ 0€ Ðplace.€€The€purpose€of€the€review€is€to€identify€aberrant,€arbitrary,€or€capricious€sentences€byÐ  p Ðdetermining€whether€the€death€penalty€imposed€by€the€jury€is€"'disproportionate€to€the€punishmentÐ ` Ðimposed€on€others€convicted€of€the€same€crime.'"€€òòState€v.€Blandóó,€958€S.W.2d€651,€662€(Tenn.€1997)Ð P Ð(quoting€òòPulleyóó,€465€U.S.€at€42„43).€€The€precedent„seeking€method€of€proportionality€review€Ð ð@ Ðrequires€a€comparison€of€"the€case€before€it€to€other€cases€in€which€defendants€were€convicted€of€theÐ à0 Ðsame€or€similar€crimes€by€examining€the€facts€of€the€crimes,€the€characteristics€of€the€defendants,Ð Ð  Ðand€the€aggravating€and€mitigating€factors€involved."€€òòId.óó€at€664.€€€€Ð À! ÐÌà  àMany€factors€apply€in€the€comparison€of€the€circumstances€of€capital€crimes:€(1)€the€meansÐ  #ð! Ðof€death;€(2)€the€manner€of€death;€(3)€the€motivation€for€the€killing;€(4)€the€place€of€death;€(5)€theÐ $à" Ðsimilarity€of€the€victims'€circumstances,€including€age,€physical,€and€mental€conditions,€and€theÐ €%Ð # Ðvictims'€treatment€during€the€killing;€(6)€the€absence€or€presence€of€premeditation;€(7)€the€absenceÐ p&À!$ Ðor€presence€of€provocation;€(8)€the€absence€or€presence€of€justification;€and€(9)€the€injury€to€andÐ `'°"% Ðeffect€on€nondecedent€victims.€€òòId.óó€at€667.Ð P( #& ÐÌà  àIn€comparing€capital€case€defendants,€other€factors€must€be€considered:€€€(1)€the€defendant'sÐ 0*€%( Ðprior€criminal€record€or€prior€criminal€activity;€(2)€the€defendant's€age,€race,€and€gender;€(3)€theÐ  +p&) Ðdefendant's€mental,€emotional,€or€physical€condition;€(4)€the€defendant's€involvement€or€role€in€theÐ ,`'* Ðmurder;€(5)€the€defendant's€cooperation€with€authorities;€(6)€the€defendant's€remorse;€(7)€theÐ ° Ðdefendant's€knowledge€of€helplessness€of€the€victim(s);€and€(8)€the€defendant's€capacity€forÐ  ð Ðrehabilitation.€€òòId.óó€€Ô‡Xb· XXX¢#ÔÐ à ÐÌà  àThe€aim€of€proportionality€review€is€to€assure€that€no€aberrant€death€sentence€is€approved.€Ð l¼ ÐòòId.óó€at€665.€€Yet€a€death€sentence€is€not€necessarily€disproportionate€even€when€a€comparison€of€cases,Ð X ¨ Ðone€involving€a€life€sentence€and€the€other€capital€punishment,€yields€"no€discernable€basis€for€theÐ D ” Ðdifference.€.€.€."€€òòId.óó€€An€"isolated€decision€of€a€jury€to€afford€mercy€does€not€render€unconstitutionalÐ 0 € Ðdeath€sentences€imposed€on€defendants€who€were€sentenced€under€a€system€that€does€not€create€aÐ  l Ðsubstantial€risk€of€arbitrariness€or€caprice."€€òòGreggóó,€428€U.S.€at€208.€€Similar€cases,€for€purposes€ofÐ  X  Ðproportionality€review,€include€"all€cases€.€.€.€in€which€the€defendant€is€convicted€of€first€degreeÐ ô D  Ðmurder."€€Tenn.€Sup.€Ct.€R.€12.€€In€òòBlandóó,€however,€the€comparison€was€limited€to€those€casesÐ à0  Ðinvolving€a€separate€hearing€to€determine€whether€the€sentence€should€be€life,€life€without€parole,Ð Ì  Ðor€death.€€òòBlandóó,€958€S.W.2d€at€666.€€Ð ¸  ÐÌà  àAfter€a€review€of€the€similar€cases,€our€task€requires€consideration€of€a€"multitude€ofÐ à  Ðvariables,€some€of€which€were€listed€in€òòBlandóó,€in€light€of€the€experienced€judgment€and€intuition€ofÐ |Ì Ðthe€members€of€this€Court."€€òòState€v.€Cribbsóó,€967€S.W.2d€773,€790€(Tenn.€1998).€€Courts€are€notÐ h¸ Ðlimited€to€the€factors€identified€in€òòBlandóó.€€òòState€v.€Hendersonóó,€____€S.W.3d€____€(Tenn.€2000),€No.Ð T¤ ÐW1998„00342„SC„DDT„DD,€2000€WL€949217€(July€10,€2000).€€If€this€case,€taken€as€a€whole,Ð @ Ðclearly€lacks€circumstances€found€in€similar€cases€in€which€the€death€penalty€is€imposed,€our€dutyÐ ,| Ðis€to€set€aside€the€death€penalty€as€arbitrary.€€òòBlandóó,€958€S.W.2d€at€665.€€Ð h ÐÌà  àAn€analysis€of€the€circumstances€of€the€crime€is€required€by€òòBlandóó.€€Here,€the€defendant,€whoÐ ð@ Ðhad€no€prior€history€of€abusive€behavior€toward€children€and€who€had€served€as€a€caretaker€for€theÐ Ü, Ðinfant€victim€and€his€two€siblings€for€months,€reacted€angrily€and€unexpectedly€to€persistent€cryingÐ È Ðand,€through€one€or€more€acts€of€violence,€administered€severe,€and€ultimately€fatal,€injuries.€€ThereÐ ´ Ðwas€no€proof€of€premeditation.€€By€any€interpretation€of€the€facts,€there€was€inadequate€provocationÐ  ð Ðand€no€justification€for€the€attack.€€The€adverse€effect€of€the€defendant's€act€upon€the€victim's€family,Ð ŒÜ Ðincluding€the€victim's€mother,€siblings,€and€extended€family,€is€immeasurable.€€Ð xÈ ÐÌÔ#†X¢#X XXb·N#ÔÔ‡Xb· XXX¢#Ôà  àAs€indicated,€a€comparison€of€the€defendant€with€other€capital€case€defendants€is€alsoÐ P!  Ðrequired€by€òòBlandóó.€€Here,€the€defendant€had€prior€misdemeanor€convictions€for€DUI,€driving€on€aÐ <"Œ  Ðrevoked€license,€and€joyriding.€€While€the€defendant€was€relatively€youthful€at€the€time€of€the€offenseÐ (#x! Ð(22€years€of€age),€other€personal€characteristicsð!ðhe€is€a€male€Caucasianð!ðare€of€little€consequence€toÐ $d" Ðthe€state€or€the€defense.€€Other€than€irritation€due€to€his€efforts€to€stop€smoking,€the€defendant€couldÐ %P # Ðcite€no€mental€or€physical€conditions€as€relevant€factors.€€As€to€the€other€òòBlandóó€factors,€the€defendantÐ ì%ø  Ðbrain€and€skull€and€her€liver€had€been€lacerated.€€Death€was€caused€by€blunt€force€injury€to€the€headÐ .è  Ðand€torso.€€òòId.óó€at€615.€€The€victim€had€been€dead€for€several€hours€before€medical€personnel€wereÐ Ø Ðcalled€to€the€scene.€€While€accepting€responsibility€for€the€death€of€her€daughter,€the€mother€of€theÐ È Ðchild€also€blamed€the€defendant€who,€babysitting€for€the€victim€much€of€the€day€while€the€motherÐ þ¸ Ðwas€at€work,€claimed€that€the€victim€had€fallen€in€the€bathroom.€€The€defendant€was€convicted€ofÐ î¨ Ðaggravated€child€abuse€and€sentenced€to€25€years.€€He€was€also€convicted€of€felony€murder€andÐ Þ˜ Ðsentenced€to€life€without€the€possibility€of€parole€based€on€two€aggravating€factors:€that€the€murderРΈ Ðwas€committed€against€a€person€less€than€12€years€of€age€by€a€person€18€years€of€age€or€older,€andÐ ¾x Ðthat€the€murder€was€heinous,€atrocious,€or€cruel.€€While€this€€court€affirmed€Hodges'€convictions€andÐ ®h Ðsentences,€the€opinion€included€little€information€about€his€social€history€or€his€prior€criminal€record.€Ð žX ÐÌÔ‡Xb· XXX¢#Ôà  àIn€òòState€v.€Lacyóó,€the€defendant€was€convicted€of€first€degree€murder€by€aggravated€childÐ ~8 Ðabuse€for€the€death€of€the€five„year„old€victim,€the€son€of€the€defendantððs€girlfriend.€€983€S.W.2d€atÐ j$ Ð687.€€The€child€died€from€multiple€blunt€force€injuries€causing€him€to€endure€painful€internalÐ V Ðbleeding€for€about€two€to€six€hours€before€bleeding€to€death.€€òòId.óó€at€690.€€The€defendant€did€not€seekÐ B ü Ðmedical€attention€for€the€child.€€An€expert€at€trial€testified€that€the€victim€would€have€survived€theÐ .!è Ðinjuries€had€he€been€treated€and€that€the€child€had€been€subjected€to€a€horrific€pattern€of€physicalÐ "Ô Ðabuse.€€òòId.óó€€The€jury€found€two€aggravating€factors,€that€the€murder€was€committed€against€a€personÐ #À  Ðless€than€12€years€old€by€a€defendant€over€the€age€of€18,€and€that€the€murder€was€especially€heinous,Ð ò#¬! Ðatrocious,€or€cruel.€€After€a€separate€sentencing€hearing,€in€which€the€state€did€not€seek€the€deathÐ Þ$˜" Ðpenalty,€the€defendant€was€sentenced€to€life€imprisonment€without€the€possibility€of€parole.Ð Ê%„ # ÐÌà  àIn€òòState€v.€James€Lloyd€Julian€IIóó,€No.€03C02„95110„CV„00370€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.,€atÐ ¢'\"% ÐKnoxville,€July€24,€1997),€the€death€penalty€was€not€imposed€where€the€defendant,€an€acquaintanceÐ Ž(H#& Ðof€the€family€of€the€victim,€was€convicted€of€the€rape€and€murder€of€a€three„year„old€child.€€AfterÐ z)4$' Ðabducting€the€child,€who€had€been€left€by€the€parents€to€the€care€of€a€babysitter,€the€defendant€tookÐ f* %( Ðher€to€a€remote€area€and€raped€her,€choked€her€to€death,€and€threw€her€body€into€some€underbrush.Ð R+ &) ÐWhen€questioned€by€police,€he€initially€lied€about€the€incident.€€In€the€penalty€phase€of€the€trial,€theÐ F Ðdefendant€was€sentenced€to€life€without€parole.€€While€the€jury€did€find€the€murder€was€especiallyÐ 2ì Ðheinous€and€applied€the€age€aggravating€circumstance,€it€concluded€that€the€mitigating€evidence,Ð Ø Ðwhich€included€a€history€of€polysubstance€abuse€and€prior€sex€abuse€by€a€grandfather,€outweighedÐ  Ä Ðthe€aggravating€factors.Ð ö° ÐÌà  àIn€òòState€v.€Bibbsóó,€806€S.W.2d€786€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1991),€the€defendant€sexually€assaultedÐ Î ˆ Ðand€then€beat€an€eleven„year„old€girl.€€He€then€threw€her€from€a€third€floor€balcony.€€€€òòId.óó€at€788.Ô#†X¢#X XXb·d#ÔÔ‡Xb· XXX¢#Ô€€TheÐ º t Ðdefendant€was€found€guilty€of€premeditated€murder€and€Ô#†X¢#X XXb·¼—#ÔÔ‡Xb· XXX¢#Ôwas€sentenced€to€life€in€prison.€€òòId.óó€at€789.€Ð ¦ ` ÐThe€state€did€not€seek€the€death€penalty.€€This€case€was€concluded€prior€to€the€enactment€€ofÐ ’ L  Ðlegislation€authorizing€a€sentence€of€life€without€the€possibility€of€parole.€€Ð ~8  ÐÔ#†X¢#X XXb·N˜#ÔÔ‡Xb· XXX¢#ÔÌÔ#†X¢#X XXb·¯™#Ôà  àCases€from€other€jurisdictions€provide€some€context€regarding€when€the€death€penalty€hasÐ V  Ðbeen€approved€for€proportionality€purposes€and€when€it€has€not.€€For€example,€in€òòWard€v.€Stateóó,€No.Ð F  ÐCR„98„0800,€2000€WL€127207€(Ala.€Crim.€App.,€Feb.€4,€2000),€the€defendant€was€convicted€of€firstÐ 6ð  Ðdegree€murder€for€the€suffocation€of€his€four„month„old€son.€€An€autopsy€revealed€that€the€victimÐ &à  Ðhad€suffered€multiple€fractures€to€the€arms€and€ribs€and€damage€to€his€toenails€and€fingernails,Ð Ð Ðindications€of€instances€of€torture€or€extreme€abuse.€€òòId.óó€€The€victim€had€also€suffered€a€spiralÐ À Ðfracture€of€his€right€arm€the€day€before€his€death.€€òòId.óó€€The€causes€of€death€were€established€asÐ ö° Ðmultiple€blunt€force€injuries€and€suffocation.€€òòId.óó€€On€the€jury's€recommendation,€the€trial€courtÐ æ  Ðimposed€the€death€sentence€based€on€the€aggravating€circumstance€that€the€murder€qualified€asÐ Ö Ðheinous,€atrocious€and€cruel.€€The€Alabama€Court€of€Criminal€Appeals€affirmed€the€conviction€andРƀ Ðsentence.€€Ô‡Xb· XXX¢#ÔÐ ¶p ÐÌà  àIn€òòState€v.€€Jonesóó,€937€P.2d€310€(Ariz.€1997),€the€defendant€was€convicted€of€sexual€assault,Ð ’L Ðchild€abuse€and€felony€murder.€€The€Supreme€Court€of€Arizona€upheld€the€convictions€and€anÐ ~8 Ðattendant€sentence€of€death€on€the€murder€charge.€€The€defendant€had€struck€the€four„year„old€victimÐ j$ Ðseveral€times€on€the€day€before€the€childððs€death.€€òòId.óó€at€313.€€One€blow€was€severe€enough€to€ruptureÐ V Ðthe€childððs€small€intestine,€which€resulted€in€death€due€to€peritonitis.€€òòId.óó€€The€aggravating€factorsÐ Bü Ðwere€that€the€murder€was€especially€cruel€and€the€victim€was€less€than€15€years€old.€€No€statutoryÐ . è Ðor€non„statutory€mitigating€factors€were€established.Ð !Ô ÐÌà  àIn€òòState€v.€Milkeóó,€865€P.2d€779€(Ariz.€1993),€€the€Supreme€Court€of€Arizona€upheld€the€deathÐ ò"¬  Ðpenalty€for€a€female€defendant€convicted€of€first€degree€murder,€conspiracy€to€commit€first€degreeÐ Þ#˜! Ðmurder,€kidnaping,€and€child€abuse€for€the€murder€of€her€four„year„old€son.€€The€defendant€had€noÐ Ê$„" Ðprior€criminal€record€but€two€aggravating€factors€were€found€to€warrant€the€sentence:€that€theÐ ¶%p # Ðdefendant€was€an€adult€and€the€victim€was€less€than€fifteen€years€old€and€that€the€murder€wasÐ ¢&\!$ Ðcommitted€in€an€especially€heinous€and€depraved€manner.€€The€evidence€established€that€theÐ Ž'H"% Ðdefendant€wanted€to€kill€her€son€in€order€to€prevent€him€from€turning€out€like€his€father.€€òòId.óó€at€782.€Ð z(4#& ÐShe€enlisted€the€aid€of€her€boyfriend,€who€shot€the€victim€to€death€and€disposed€of€his€body€in€theÐ f) $' Ðdesert,€to€carry€out€her€wishes.€€òòId.óó€€Ð R* %( Ðâ âÐ >+ø%) Ðà  àÔ#†X¢#X XXb·°ž#ÔIn€òòState€v.€Kilesóó,€857€P.2d€1212€(Ariz.€1993),€the€defendant€was€convicted€on€three€countsÐ F Ðâ âof€first€degree€murder€and€two€counts€of€child€abuse€for€an€attack€upon€his€girlfriend€and€her€twoÐ 6ð Ðchildren,€ages€five€and€nine€months.€€òòId.óó€at€1216.€€Ô‡Xb· XXX¢#ÔHe€received€22€years€for€the€child€abuseÐ &à Ðconvictions€and€the€death€penalty€for€each€of€the€first€degree€murder€convictions.€€òòId.óó€at€1215.€€TheÐ &à Ðdefendant€shot€the€three€victims€after€arguing€with€his€girlfriend€over€money€and€drugs.€€òòId.óó€€TheÐ  Ì ÐSupreme€Court€of€Arizona€upheld€the€convictions€and€sentences.Ô#†X¢#X XXb·š§#ÔÔ‡Xb· XXX¢#ÔÐ þ ¸ ÐÔ#†X¢#X XXb·T©#ÔÔ‡Xb· XXX¢#ÔÌÔ#†X¢#X XXb·«©#Ôà  àIn€òòState€v.€Lopezóó,€847€P.2d€1078€(Ariz.€1992),€the€defendant€was€convicted€of€child€abuseÐ Ö  Ðand€felony€murder€in€connection€with€the€death€of€his€one„year„old€son.€€He€received€a€sentence€ofÐ Æ € Ð22€years€for€the€child€abuse€conviction€and€the€death€penalty€for€the€felony€murder€conviction.€€òòId.óóÐ ¶ p  Ðat€1081.€€The€Supreme€Court€of€Arizona€upheld€both€the€convictions€and€the€sentences.€€EvidenceÐ ¦`  Ðshowed€that€the€victim€died€as€a€result€of€peritonitis,€an€infection€of€the€lining€of€the€abdomen€causedÐ –P  Ðby€a€ruptured€intestine.€€òòId.óó€at€1083.€€€The€defendant€struck€the€victim€in€the€abdomen€severelyÐ †@  Ðenough€to€cause€the€peritonitis.€€òòId.óó€€The€victimððs€mother€wanted€to€take€him€to€the€hospital,€but€theÐ v0  Ðdefendant€would€not€allow€her€to€do€so.€€òòId.óó€at€1081.€€The€jury€found€two€aggravating€factors€on€theÐ f  Ðchild€abuse€charge:€the€defendant€inflicted€serious€physical€harm€to€cause€the€abuse,€and€the€abuseÐ V Ðwas€committed€in€a€heinous,€cruel€or€depraved€manner.€€There€were€two€aggravating€circumstancesÐ F Ðfound€on€the€felony€murder€charge:€the€murder€was€committed€in€a€heinous,€cruel€or€depravedÐ 6ð Ðmanner,€and€the€victim€was€less€than€15€years€of€age€at€the€time.€€No€mitigating€factors€were€found.Ð &à ÐÔ‡Xb· XXX¢#ÔÌÔ#†X¢#X XXb·¨¯#Ôà  àIn€òòLukehart€v.€Stateóó,€No.€SC90507,€2000€WL€796061€(Fla.,€June€22,€2000),€the€defendant,Ð ¼ Ðconvicted€of€first€degree€murder€and€aggravated€child€abuse,€was€sentenced€to€death€for€the€killingÐ ò¬ Ðof€a€five„month„old€girl.€€The€defendant,€who€was€the€boyfriend€of€the€victim's€mother,€admitted€toР✠Ðpolice€that€he€had€shaken€the€victim€and€dropped€her€on€her€head.€€When€the€defendant€realized€thatÐ ÒŒ Ðthe€victim€was€dead,€he€disposed€of€her€body€in€a€pond€and€claimed€that€she€had€been€kidnapped.€Ð Â| ÐThe€trial€court€found€three€statutory€aggravators:€(1)€that€the€murder€was€committed€during€theÐ ²l Ðperpetration€of€aggravated€child€abuse,€a€felony;€(2)€that€the€victim€was€under€12€years€of€age;€andÐ ¢\ Ð(3)€that€the€defendant€had€a€prior€violent€felony€conviction€and€was€on€felony€probation€at€the€timeÐ ’L Ðof€the€offense.€€On€appeal,€the€Florida€Supreme€Court€affirmed€the€defendant's€murder€convictionÐ ‚< Ðand€death€sentence.€Ð r , ÐÌà  àÔ‡Xb· XXX¢#ÔIn€òòDavis€v.€Stateóó,€703€So.2d€1055€(Fla.€1997),€the€22„year„old€defendant€was€convicted€ofÐ R"  Ðthe€first€degree€murder,€aggravated€child€abuse€and€sexual€battery€of€the€two„year„old€victim.€€TheÐ >#ø  ÐSupreme€Court€of€Florida€held€that€the€death€penalty€in€that€case€was€not€disproportionate€based€onÐ *$ä! Ðevidence€of€the€defendantððs€three€prior€convictions€and€the€two€aggravating€factors€which€wereÐ %Ð" Ðfound:€the€murder€was€committed€during€a€sexual€battery€and€the€murder€was€especially€heinous,Ð &¼ # Ðatrocious€or€cruel.€€òòId.óó€at€1062.€€No€statutory€mitigating€factors€were€established€and€the€non„Ð î&¨!$ Ðstatutory€mitigating€factors€were€deemed€to€be€slight€at€best.€€Ð Ú'”"% ÐÔ#†X¢#X XXb·W´#ÔÌà  àIn€òòCardona€v.€Stateóó,€641€So.2d€361€(Fla.€1994),€the€defendant€was€convicted€of€aggravatedÐ ¶)p$' Ðchild€abuse€and€first€degree€murder€in€connection€with€the€death€of€her€three„year„old€son.€€She€wasÐ ¦*`%( Ðsentenced€to€death€on€the€murder€conviction.€€The€victimððs€battered€body€was€discovered€underneathÐ –+P&) Ðthe€bushes€of€a€residence€in€Miami€Beach,€Florida.€€òòId.óó€€The€defendant€had€beaten€the€victim€withÐ F Ða€baseball€bat€on€the€day€he€died,€but€medical€evidence€indicated€that€the€child€died€not€from€thatÐ 6ð Ðsingle€incident€of€abuse,€but€rather€from€several€months€of€severe€abuse€and€neglect.€€òòId.óó€at€362.€€TheÐ &à Ðsingle€aggravating€factor€applied€in€the€case€was€that€the€murder€was€especially€heinous,€atrocious,Ð Ð Ðor€cruel.€€It€was€found€to€outweigh€any€mitigating€factors.€€On€appeal,€the€Florida€Supreme€CourtÐ  À Ðaffirmed€the€defendant's€convictions€and€sentence.€€Ð ö ° ÐÌà  àThe€circumstances€in€òòState€v.€Smalleyóó,€546€So.2d€720€(Fla.€1989),€are€particularly€helpfulÐ Ö  Ðin€evaluating€the€gravity€of€the€crime€at€issue€here.€€Smalley€resided€with€Cecilia€Cook€and€her€threeÐ Æ € Ðchildren€from€a€prior€relationship.€€Babysitting€for€the€children€while€Ms.€Cook€worked,€theÐ ¶ p  Ðdefendant€struck€the€victim,€Julie€Cook,€who€was€two€years€and€four€months€old,€in€an€effort€to€stopÐ ¦`  Ðher€from€crying:Ð –P  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThis€quieted€her,€but€soon€she€began€crying€and€whining€again,€soÐ v0  ÐSmalley€again€struck€her.€€This€pattern€went€on€throughout€the€day,Ð f  Ðwith€one€variation.€€On€three€separate€occasions,€he€repeatedlyÐ V Ðdunked€Julie's€head€into€water.€€Shortly€after€the€third€episode€failedÐ F Ðto€stop€Julie€from€crying,€Smalley€picked€her€up€by€her€feet€andÐ 6ð Ðbanged€her€head€on€a€carpeted€floor€several€times.€€Julie€lostÐ &à Ðconsciousness€at€this€point,€but€was€still€breathing.€€Smalley€wrappedÐ Ð Ðher€in€a€sheet€and€put€her€on€his€waterbed.€€When€he€checked€threeÐ À Ðhours€later,€Julie€had€quit€breathing.€€Smalley€and€a€neighbor€triedÐ ö° Ðcardiopulmonary€resuscitation,€to€no€avail,€and€the€child€was€rushedÐ æ  Ðto€the€doctor,€who€pronounced€her€dead.€€An€autopsy€determined€thatÐ Ö Ðshe€died€of€a€cerebral€hemorrhage.€€The€entire€episode€of€abuse€hadРƀ Ðtaken€about€eight€hours.€€After€initially€claiming€that€the€child€hadÐ ¶p Ðfallen€in€the€bathtub,€Smalley€gave€police€a€detailed€statement.€€Ð¦`` x` x ÐÌòòId.óó€at€721.€€The€defendant€was€convicted€of€felony€murder€with€child€abuse€as€the€underlying€felonyÐ †@ Ðand€sentenced€to€death€based€upon€the€heinous,€atrocious,€and€cruel€aggravating€circumstance.€€TheÐ v 0 ÐFlorida€Supreme€Court,€which€also€utilizes€the€precedent„seeking€method€of€proportionality€analysis,Ð f!  Ðmodified€punishment€to€a€life€sentence€without€the€possibility€of€parole.€€Concluding€that€it€wasÐ V" Ðunlikely€that€the€defendant€intended€to€kill€the€victim,€the€high€court€based€its€decision€to€modifyÐ F#  Ðthe€defendant's€sentence€on€the€defendant's€lack€of€significant€criminal€activity,€diagnosis€ofÐ 6$ð! Ðdepression,€impaired€ability€to€appreciate€the€criminality€of€his€conduct,€good€work€record,Ð &%à" Ðdemonstrated€prior€care€of€the€victim,€and€genuine€remorse.€€The€court€concluded€that€"the€entireÐ &Ð # Ðpicture€of€mitigation€and€aggravation€did€not€warrant€the€death€penalty."€€òòId.óó€at€723.€€Ð 'À!$ ÐÌÔ‡Xb· XXX¢#Ôà  àBecause€this€is€the€first€case€in€which€capital€punishment€has€been€imposed€under€the€1995Ð æ( #& Ðamendment€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„202,€this€court€has,€in€an€effort€to€conduct€an€appropriateÐ Ò)Œ$' Ðproportionality€review,€expanded€the€scope€of€its€research€to€include€other€jurisdictions€within€theÐ ¾*x%( ÐUnited€States.€€A€review€of€relevant€case€law€from€those€jurisdictions€indicates€that€the€death€penaltyÐ ª+d&) Ðhas€typically€been€imposed€only€in€those€cases€involving€multiple€aggravating€factors€or€in€casesÐ F Ðinvolving€circumstances€even€more€egregious€than€these.Ð 2ì ÐÔ#†X¢#X XXb·Ç#ÔÌà  àThe€state€of€Florida€upheld€the€death€penalty€for€the€defendant€in€òòDobbert€€v.€Stateóó,€328Ð È ÐSo.2d€433€(Fla.€1976).€€In€òòDobbertóó,€the€defendant€was€convicted€of€first€degree€murder,€secondÐ þ¸ Ðdegree€murder,€child€torture,€and€child€abuse€in€connection€with€the€killing€of€his€two€children.€€òòId.óóÐ î ¨ Ðat€434.€€The€evidence€showed€that€the€defendant€had€subjected€his€children€to€severe€abuse€over€aÐ Þ ˜ Ðsignificant€€amount€of€time,€which€ultimately€resulted€in€their€deaths.€€òòId.óó€at€435.€Ð Î ˆ ÐÌà  àIn€òòState€v.€Aragonóó,€690€P.2d€293€(Idaho€1984),€the€Supreme€Court€of€Idaho€upheld€the€deathÐ ® h  Ðsentence€for€a€defendant€convicted€of€the€first€degree€murder€beating€death€of€his€eight„month„oldÐ žX  Ðchild.€€An€autopsy€showed€that€the€victim€died€as€a€result€of€at€least€three€blows€to€the€head.€€òòId.óó€atÐ ŽH  Ð296.€€At€the€sentencing€hearing,€the€jury€found€no€mitigating€circumstances€and€three€aggravatingÐ ~8  Ðcircumstances:€the€murder€was€especially€heinous,€atrocious,€or€cruel,€the€defendant€showed€an€utterÐ n(  Ðdisregard€for€human€life,€and€the€defendant€exhibited€a€propensity€to€commit€murder€and€posed€aÐ ^  Ðthreat€to€society€based€on€his€prior€criminal€record,€which€included€convictions€for€child€abuse€andÐ N Ðassault€with€a€deadly€weapon.Ð >ø ÐÌà  àIn€òòState€v.€Tyeóó,€565€N.E.2d€2d€931€(Ill.€1990),€the€defendant€was€convicted€of€the€murderÐ Ø Ðof€his€three„year„old€daughter€and€sentenced€to€death.€€When€the€victim€refused€to€go€to€bed,€theÐ È Ðdefendant€began€to€beat€her€with€a€belt€and€then€continued€to€beat€her€with€an€electrical€cord.€€òòId.óóÐ þ¸ Ðat€934.€€The€defendant€testified€that€the€beating€lasted€for€over€an€hour.€€òòId.óó€The€child€eventually€diedÐ î¨ Ðas€a€result€of€the€injuries€inflicted.€€òòId.óó€at€936.€€No€mitigating€factors€were€established.€€TwoÐ Þ˜ Ðaggravating€circumstances€were€found€to€support€the€imposition€of€the€death€penalty:€the€victim€wasРΈ Ðless€than€12€years€old€and€death€resulted€from€exceptionally€brutal€or€heinous€behavior€indicativeÐ ¾x Ðof€wanton€cruelty.€€The€Supreme€Court€of€Illinois€upheld€the€conviction€and€death€sentence.€€€Ð ®h ÐÌà  àIn€òòState€v.€Andersonóó,€513€S.E.2d€296€(N.C.€1999),€the€defendant,€the€girlfriend€of€the€victim'sÐ ŽH Ðuncle/custodian,€was€convicted€of€first€degree€murder€on€the€basis€of€premeditation,€on€the€basis€ofÐ ~8 Ðtorture,€and€under€the€felony€murder€rule.€€She€was€also€convicted€of€felonious€child€abuse.€€ThereÐ n ( Ðwas€proof€that€the€defendant€forced€food€down€the€throat€of€the€two„and„one„half„year„old€victim,Ð ^! Ðshoved€paper€towels€into€the€victim's€throat€to€stop€her€from€crying,€struck€the€victim€with€a€shoe,Ð N" Ðbit€the€victim,€and€deprived€the€victim€of€liquids.׃*×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€defendant€received€a€sentence€of€three€yearsÐ >#ø  Ðfor€the€felonious€child€abuse€conviction€and€was€sentenced€to€death€for€the€first€degree€murderÐ .$è! Ðconviction.€€Both€sentences€were€upheld€by€the€Supreme€Court€of€North€Carolina.€€The€victim€wasÐ %Ø" Ðtwo€and€one„half€years€old€at€the€time€of€her€death€and€there€was€evidence€of€abuse€which€hadÐ &È # Ðoccurred€over€several€days€or€weeks.€€The€single€aggravating€circumstance€was€that€the€murder€wasÐ þ&¸!$ Ðespecially€heinous,€atrocious,€and€cruel.€€Ð î'¨"% ÐÐ Þ(˜#& Ðà  àIn€òòState€v.€Elliottóó,€475€S.E.2d€202€(N.C.€1996),€the€defendant€was€convicted€of€first€degreeÐ F Ðmurder€and€chi