ÿWPC£, ¬$ßne¾?¨†‚‹Bàˆ|†û<ªG†3ªÌHÛK92¢³[|nœ(.¡í \7ls"A)ÍÌ#®7ûnæ8aëó6æUªÚቮ~ŽˆýäZ]7ÃkÆF…x€ñö;.f£m‘–2‰d :•oÎ5AaÀs”Ùa)ë™ØÉ'Ô~ÈïVçi•]¾ŠfœÒ‹\×SÔ‚6Ü÷è[qxÛ±Àv3 0>Mgæ…&†¾[Z·š˜b¼¼[Œ¸ÔššØß¼ŠS|)]ag´™GpN<’SÿX’! IÃôQ+ý'tâ1×3µt/sç_ÍÖÀÆL‚öûûH¤"7 ûøºØ¯dÀèót)×½ Ô=ÚßzT»´êÜÛÍçY¶ akRûkÄÔ'2ŸFX~9ùaÍßK¸ï=8q7çv'¥vô ép@]†¾lõ(ÅÅoÑ+Q¿qk_Výæ›HØû”Ýë5F!Tï%O'Ûÿ|‹hàw2'@g êCþJ¬Z¹!aÞAÚŒöâæ‘Ý \²¡°•¼ sIÄ;‚±zöDãD1|ŽÒ¹°7âãw…Èá,¢˜j‚­™WíuíÝ…e•T+ó¦™äOok r@Ù´b2à«™›rb#Á\ % ^ # 0ˆ/ U"N· w 4 z Ò— i x mz 1‘ Æ Æä ƪ Æp 0 D6Nz 1u| 72ñE####U%”zé÷÷äÿwããÍZ8'<_0›#ÍË%Ë%Ë%Ë%Ë%b˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜'˜' 0 ë ' ' ' ' B‹(‹( 0¤¨( D3L) D-) 0K¬)¬) AS÷)ÆJ* 0¤+ 0D´+ A«ø+˜HP LaserJet 4000 Series PCL 6ÈÈÈÈÈÈÈÈ0»ç| ) (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman RegularÖJ~' ¨Ÿ¤   ˜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‹ÿÀÀÀ0ånCEMU]ekqyAutoList1(1)(1)(1)(1)A.A.(1)(1)Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i) KÝ ƒRZ*$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô0´ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔCo„defendant€Allen€Rick€ð ðCry€Babyðð€Jordan€pled€guilty€to€especially€aggravated€robbery€before€the€trialÐ ° Ðbegan,€and€the€other€co„defendant,€Oswald€Nelson,€was€tried€as€a€juvenile.€ ŠÝ ƒRZ*$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô0´ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€State€recalled€Trooper€Gooding€to€the€stand,€who€identified€the€single€shotgun€shell€as€the€one€he€tookÐ ° Ðfrom€Groomes€and€gave€to€Officer€Bradley.€€The€shell€and€two€photographs€taken€of€the€shell€were€entered€intoÐ n¾ Ðevidence.€ ßÝ ƒRZ*$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô0´ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔJordan€testified€on€redirect€that€the€shotgun€was€located€in€the€backseat€of€Groomesððs€car.€€He€agreed€that,Ð ° Ðafter€Groomes€pulled€his€car€up€and€blocked€the€victimððs€car,€Akins€had€to€get€out€of€Groomesððs€car,€get€the€shotgunÐ n¾ Ðout€of€the€backseat,€and€come€to€stand€behind€Jordan€at€the€victimððs€car.€€  ÚÝ ƒRZ*$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô0´ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔEspecially€aggravated€robbery€is€committed€when:€(1)€a€person€commits€an€intentional€or€knowing€theft€ofÐ ° Ðproperty€from€the€person€of€another€by€violence€or€putting€the€person€in€fear;€(2)€accomplished€with€a€deadly€weapon;Ð n¾ Ðand€(3)€the€victim€suffers€serious€bodily€injury.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„403(a). mÝ ƒRZ*$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô0´ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔFollowing€the€challenge€to€Danita€Amos€by€the€State,€the€court€said€to€the€prosecutor,€ð ðThis€is€not€the€onlyÐ ° Ðcase€where€you€have€dismissed€the€only€black€juror.ðð€€Matters€then€proceeded€as€set€out€in€this€opinion. ÃÝ ƒRZ*$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô0´ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔMr.€Bradford,€a€white€juror,€was€subsequently€stricken€from€the€jury. .Ý ƒRZ*$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô0´ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔIn€his€brief,€defendant€Groomes€also€challenges€the€fact€that€a€white€juror,€Donna€Casey,€indicated€on€the€jurorÐ ° Ðquestionnaire€that€her€brother€was€accused€of€vandalizing€a€car€but€was€not€stricken€from€the€jury€by€the€prosecution.€Ð n¾ ÐNo€objection€was€made€by€the€defendant.€€Thus,€we€have€nothing€in€the€record€to€review€in€relation€to€this€claim€andÐ ,| Ðdecline€to€address€it. 2Ý ƒRZ*$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô0´ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔAn€offense€is€a€lesser„included€offense€if:Ð ° ÐÌÓ*°,XƒX× –X°œX*Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(a)€à8× ` x` xàall€of€its€statutory€elements€are€included€within€the€statutory€elementsÐ ,| Ðof€the€offense€charged;€orÐê:× ×  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(b)€à8× ` x` xàit€fails€to€meet€the€definition€in€part€(a)€only€in€the€respect€that€itÐ ¨ø Ðcontains€a€statutory€element€or€elements€establishingÐf¶× ×  ÐÓ9°,XƒX" ™ h•X°,XƒX× –X9Óà0  àà0` (#(#àà8" ` (#` (#à(1)€à8™ " f!" f!àa€different€mental€state€indicating€a€lesser€kind€of€culpability;€and/orÐ$ t™ ï™ ï Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0" ` (#` (#à(2)€à8™ " (#" (#àa€less€serious€harm€or€risk€of€harm€to€the€same€person,€property€or€public€interest;Ð â 2 ÐorР ð™ ±!™ ±! Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(c)à " àit€consists€of€Ð^ ® ` x` x Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0" ` (#` (#à(1)€à8™ " (#" (#àfacilitation€of€the€offense€charged€or€of€an€offense€that€otherwise€meets€theÐ  l  Ðdefinition€of€lesser„included€offense€in€part€(a)€or€(b);€or€ÐÚ * ™ ±!™ ±! Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0" ` (#` (#à(2)€à8™ " (#" (#àan€attempt€to€commit€the€offense€charged€or€an€offense€that€otherwise€meets€theÐ ˜ è  Ðdefinition€of€lesser„included€offense€in€part€(a)€or€(b);€orÐV¦ ™ ±!™ ±! Ðà0  àà0` (#(#àà0" ` (#` (#à(3)€à8™ " (#" (#àsolicitation€to€commit€the€offense€charged€or€an€offense€that€otherwise€meets€theÐ d  Ðdefinition€of€lesser„included€offense€in€part€(a)€or€(b).ÐÒ" ™ ±!™ ±! ÐÌòòà  àòòóóBurnsóó,€6€S.W.3d€at€466„67.Ð Nž  Ðà  à€ &Ý ƒRZ*$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô0´ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔFacilitation€of€a€felony€under€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€39„11„403(a)€(1997)€makes€a€defendant€criminallyÐ ° Ðresponsible€if,€ð ðknowing€that€another€intends€to€commit€a€specific€felony,€but€without€the€intent€required€for€criminalÐ n¾ Ðresponsibility€under€ðð€39„11„402(2),€the€person€knowingly€furnishes€substantial€assistance€in€the€commission€of€theÐ ,| Ðfelony.ðð€ ÃÝ ƒRZ*$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô0´ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔProbation€Officer€David€Pratt€testified€at€the€sentencing€hearing€that€Groomes€pled€guilty€to€these€offensesÐ ° Ðon€July€14,€1997,€and€was€out€on€bond€approximately€one€month€when€the€current€offense€occurred.€€He€was€sentencedÐ n¾ Ðon€September€4,€1997,€for€the€weapons€and€pipe€bomb€charges.- ù-(|G2Z*$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€L »»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ô0´ò»»Ô d(|3‡$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€L »»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€L »»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€L »»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÔ€¼L »»»ÔÑ8€>\XXdæ»»d8Ñà@ttìàÔ‡îx³î»¼L ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€CRIMINAL€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼L »îîx³ #ԈРР ÐÓ  Óà @ àà @` àDecember€1999€SessionÐ ð@ ÐÔ‡X>\X»¼L ÔÌò òÔ#†¼L »XX>\#ÔSTATE€OF€TENNESSEEòòóó€v.€CECIL€L.€GROOMES,€òòet€alóó.Ô‡X>\X»¼L Ôó óÐ ä4 ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òDirect€Appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Williamson€CountyÐ Ø ( Ðà@@øøìàNo.€I„1097„381„B,€I„1097„381„C€€€€€€Donald€P.€Harris,€JudgeÐ ¾  ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<o` AßÐ pÀ  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M1998„00122„CCA„R3„CD€„€Filed€August€10,€Ô_Ô2000Ô_ÔÐ eµ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<0` AßÐ 1  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓThe€defendants€were€convicted€in€Williamson€County€of€especially€aggravated€robbery€from€anÐ &v  Ðincident€occurring€at€the€Cool€Springs€Mall.€€Defendant€Akins€was€sentenced€to€twenty€years€andÐ  \ Ðfined€$1,000,€while€defendant€Groomes€was€sentenced€to€twenty„two€years€and€fined€$4,000.€€BothÐ òB Ðtimely€appealed,€raising€as€issues€whether€Akins€should€have€been€transferred€from€juvenile€courtÐ Ø( Ðand€tried€as€an€adult,€whether€the€prosecutor€improperly€excused€a€potential€juror€and€madeÐ ¾ Ðprejudicial€statements€in€closing€argument,€whether€the€court€properly€instructed€the€jury,€whetherÐ ¤ô Ðthe€evidence€was€sufficient,€whether€the€victimððs€family€and€friends€had€improper€contact€with€theÐ ŠÚ Ðjurors,€and€whether€the€defendants€received€appropriate€sentences.€€Based€upon€our€review,€weÐ pÀ Ðaffirm€the€judgments€of€the€trial€court.Ð V¦ ÐÔ#†¼L »XX>\“#ÔÔ‡X>\X»¼L ÔÓÏÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Circuit€Court€Affirmedó óÐ "r ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼L »àX>\Ý#ÔÔ‡X>\X.¼L ÔAlan€E.€Glenn,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòJoe€G.€Riley,€J.,óó€joined.€€òòJamesÐ î> ÐCurwood€Witt,€Jr.,€J.óó,€filed€a€concurring€opinion.Ð Ô$ ÐÌJudy€A.€Oxford,€Franklin,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Cecil€L.€Groomes.Ð  ð ÐMarilynn€A.€Tucker,€Primm€Springs,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Terranc€E.€Akins.Ð † Ö  ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter;€Lucian€D.€Geise,€Assistant€Attorney€General;Ð R"¢" ÐRonald€L.€Davis,€District€Attorney€General;€and€Derek€Keith€Smith,€Assistant€District€AttorneyÐ 8#ˆ# ÐGeneral,€for€the€appellee,€State€of€Tennessee.Ð $n$ ÐÔ#†¼L »XX>\¨ #ÔÔ‡X>\X»¼L ÔÌÓy Óà@@OO&ìàò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼L »XX>\¤ #ÔÔ‡X>\X»¼L ÔÐ ê%:!& ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼L »XX>\ #ÔÓ  ÓÔ€X>\X»¼L Ôà  àThe€defendants,€Cecil€L.€Groomes€and€Terranc€E.€Akins,€appeal€as€of€right€from€theirò òó óÐ ¶'#( Ðconvictions€in€a€consolidated€trial€for€the€especially€aggravated€robbery€of€the€victim,€Jesse€Puckett.€Ð œ(ì#) ÐAfter€a€jury€trial€in€the€Williamson€County€Circuit€Court€on€April€7„9,€1998,€defendant€Akins€wasÐ ‚)Ò$* Ðsentenced€to€twenty€years€at€one€hundred€percent,€based€upon€the€trial€courtððs€finding€that€he€wasÐ h*¸%+ Ða€violent€offender€pursuant€to€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€40„35„501(i)(2)(E).€€Akins€was€alsoÐ N+ž&, Ðfined€$1,000.€€Defendant€Groomes€received€a€sentence€of€twenty„two€years€at€one€hundred€percentÐ 4,„'- Ðas€a€violent€offender€plus€a€fine€of€$4,000.Ð -j(.ý ЇÓ*°,XƒX× –X°œX*Óà  àDefendant€Terranc€Akins,€a€juvenile€being€tried€as€an€adult,€proceeded€at€trial€òòpro€seóó€withÐ ° Ðelbow€counsel€but€was€appointed€counsel€for€his€appeal.€€His€appellate€counsel€filed€several€briefsÐ –æ Ðand€then€withdrew.€€Substitute€appellate€counsel€was€appointed€to€represent€Akins€and€hasÐ |Ì Ðincorporated€the€issues€raised€by€Akinsððs€previous€counsel€into€his€brief.€€Therefore,€we€will€addressÐ b² Ðall€of€the€issues€raised€by€Akinsððs€two€attorneys€in€addition€to€those€raised€by€defendant€Groomes.€Ð H˜ ÐThe€defendants€collectively€raise€the€following€issues€for€our€consideration:€Ð . ~ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)€à8× ` x` xàWhether€the€juvenile€court€judge€erred€in€transferringÐ ú J Ðdefendant€Akins,€a€juvenile€at€the€time€of€the€allegedÐ à 0 Ðoffense,€from€juvenile€court€to€be€tried€as€an€adult;€ÐÆ  × ×  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(2)€à8× ` x` xàWhether€the€trial€court€erred€in€allowing€the€State€toÐ ’â  Ðexercise€a€peremptory€challenge€on€the€basis€of€race€inÐ xÈ  Ðviolation€of€òòBatson€v.€Kentuckyóó;€Ð^® × ×  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(3)€à8× ` x` xàWhether€the€trial€court€erred€in€allowing€the€prosecutor€toÐ *z  Ðmake€improper€and€prejudicial€statements€in€his€closingÐ ` Ðargument;€ÐöF× ×  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(4)€à8× ` x` xàWhether€the€trial€court€erred€by€not€letting€the€jury€considerÐ Â Ðwhether€the€prosecution€had€proved€the€element€of€seriousÐ ¨ø Ðbodily€injury€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt;€ÐŽÞ× ×  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(5)à8× ` x` xàWhether€the€trial€court€erred€in€refusing€to€instruct€the€juryÐ Zª Ðon€all€lesser„included€offenses,€including€carjacking,Ð @ Ðrobbery,€aggravated€robbery,€and€an€attempt€to€commitÐ &v Ðthese€offenses;Ð \× ×  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(6)€à8× ` x` xàWhether€the€evidence€at€trial€was€insufficient€to€support€aÐ Ø( Ðfinding€of€guilt€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt€on€the€charge€ofÐ ¾ Ðespecially€aggravated€robbery;Фô× ×  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(7)€à8× ` x` xàWhether€the€jury€verdict€is€invalid€because€of€improperÐ p!À  Ðcontact€with€the€victimððs€family€and€friends;€andÐV"¦!× ×  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(8)€à8× ` x` xàWhether€the€trial€court€erred€in€failing€to€sentence€defendantÐ "$r# ÐAkins€as€an€especially€mitigated€offender€and€in€failing€toÐ %X $ Ðconsider€mitigating€factors€(1)€and€(2)€in€sentencingÐ î%>!% Ðdefendant€Groomes.€ÐÔ&$"&× ×  ÐÌà  àAfter€careful€review€of€the€record,€we€AFFIRM€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court.Ð  (ð#( ÐÌà  àà ` àà × àà  àò ò€€PROCEDURAL€BACKGROUNDÐ l*¼%* Ðâ âÐ R+¢&+ Ðó óà  àThe€Williamson€County€Grand€Jury€returned€indictments€against€the€defendants,€chargingÐ ° Ðâ âthem€with€especially€aggravated€robbery.€€Defendant€Akins€was€transferred€from€juvenile€court€toÐ –æ Ðstand€trial€as€an€adult.€€Defendants€Akins€and€Groomes€pleaded€not€guilty.€€The€cases€wereÐ |Ì Ðconsolidated€and€subsequently€tried€for€four€days€in€April€1998,€before€the€jury€returned€a€verdictÐ b² Ðof€guilty€as€charged€for€both€defendants.€€The€defendants€were€sentenced€on€June€22,€1998.€€€Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àà ` àà × àà  àà h àò ò€€€€€€FACTSÐ  d ÐÌó ó€€€€€€€€€€€The€Stateððs€first€witness€was€the€victim,€Jesse€Puckett,€who€described€the€events€at€the€CoolÐ à 0 ÐSprings€Mall€in€Franklin,€Tennessee,€on€August€31,€1997,€that€left€him€with€a€gunshot€wound€to€theÐ Æ   Ðchest.€€The€victim€testified€that€he€and€his€cousin,€Greg€Moore,€drove€the€victimððs€1988€blue€CadillacÐ ¬ ü  Ðto€the€mall€between€5:00€and€5:30€p.m.€€The€victim€had€just€added€$4,000€worth€of€new€rims€andÐ ’â  Ðtires€to€his€car.€€As€he€was€looking€for€a€parking€space,€the€victim€noticed€a€maroon,€four„doorÐ xÈ  ÐCadillac€Fleetwood€following€him€as€he€traveled€up€and€down€several€aisles.€€The€victim€parked€hisÐ ^®  Ðcar,€and€he€and€his€cousin€proceeded€to€the€entrance€of€a€store,€where€the€victim€was€going€toÐ D”  Ðexchange€some€tennis€shoes.€€The€maroon€car€parked€several€spaces€up€from€his€car,€after€which,€theÐ *z  Ðvictim€saw€four€black€males€looking€around€and€in€his€car.€€Thinking€that€they€were€about€to€stealÐ ` Ðhis€car,€the€victim€told€his€cousin€to€exchange€the€shoes,€and€he€returned€to€the€vehicle.€€At€someÐ öF Ðpoint,€the€victim€saw€two€of€the€men€walking€toward€the€mall€and€the€other€two€getting€into€theÐ Ü, Ðmaroon€Cadillac.€€Ð  ÐÌà  àAs€the€victim€started€his€car€and€began€backing€out€of€the€parking€space,€his€driverððs€sideÐ ŽÞ Ðdoor€flew€open.€€He€testified€that€he€saw€a€black€male,€identified€as€Rick€ð ðCry€Babyðð€Jordan,€withÐ tÄ Ða€pistol€and€another€black€male€standing€behind€Jordan€with€a€shotgun€pointing€upright€at€the€victim.€Ð Zª ÐAt€trial,€the€victim€identified€defendant€Akins€as€the€man€with€the€shotgun.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Meanwhile,€the€maroonÐ @ Ðcar€backed€out€of€its€parking€space€and€was€positioned€in€a€way€that€blocked€the€victimððs€car€fromÐ &v Ðexiting.€€Jordan€ordered€the€victim€to€get€out€of€his€car,€and,€when€the€victim€refused,€Jordan€shotÐ  \ Ðhim€in€the€chest€with€the€pistol.€€Jordan€then€proceeded€to€pull€the€victim€out€of€his€car,€and€JordanÐ òB Ðand€Akins€fled€the€scene€in€the€victimððs€car.Ð Ø( ÐÌà  àThe€victim€described€how€he€held€his€chest,€which€was€bleeding€profusely,€and€began€callingÐ ¤ô Ðfor€help.€€A€lady€came€to€his€aid,€and€an€ambulance€was€called.€€The€victim€remained€conscious€andÐ Š Ú Ðremembered€talking€to€the€ambulance€attendants.€€He€testified€that€he€spent€two€days€in€theÐ p!À  Ðhospitalððs€intensive€care€unit€in€extreme€pain,€and€chest€tubes€had€to€be€inserted€to€treat€his€damagedÐ V"¦! Ðlung.€€He€stayed€in€the€regular€ward€of€the€hospital€for€two€additional€days€before€being€released.€Ð <#Œ" ÐThe€victim€explained€that€the€bullet€is€still€lodged€in€his€body€and€displayed€his€scars€from€the€chestÐ "$r# Ðtubes€and€the€gunshot€wound€to€the€judge€and€jury.Ð %X $ ÐÌà  àOn€cross„examination,€the€victim€admitted€that€his€attention€was€on€the€shooter,€but€he€statedÐ Ô&$"& Ðthat€the€maroon€Cadillac€ð ðpeeled€tiresðð€and€blocked€him€in€a€parallel€fashion.€€He€admitted€thatÐ º' #' Ðdefendant€Groomes€did€not€say€anything€to€the€gunmen€or€get€out€of€the€car.€€The€victim€admittedÐ  (ð#( Ðthat€he€knew€Akinsððs€identity€from€the€news€but€stated€that€he€also€remembered€Akinsððs€face;Ð ° Ðhowever,€he€could€not€specifically€remember€what€clothing€Akins€had€on,€whether€he€had€on€a€cap,Ð –æ Ðor€whether€his€hair€was€long€or€short€on€the€day€of€the€robbery.€€€€€à È àà  àà x àò òÐ |Ì ÐÌà  àó óLaura€Pierce€testified€that€she€had€just€returned€to€her€van€from€the€mall€on€August€31,€1997,Ð H˜ Ðand€was€watching€the€mall€entrance€for€her€husband€to€come€out.€€She€noticed€a€commotion€to€theÐ . ~ Ðleft€and€saw€a€group€of€young€black€men,€possibly€teenagers,€scuffling.€€As€her€husband€started€outÐ  d Ðof€the€mall,€she€heard€a€ð ðpop.ðð€€She€then€saw€the€victim€struggling€out€from€among€the€group€ofÐ ú J Ðyoung€men€as€if€trying€to€get€away€from€them.€€Ms.€Pierce€told€the€court€that€some€of€the€men€gotÐ à 0 Ðinto€the€blue€car,€and€the€victim€began€yelling€that€he€had€been€carjacked€and€shot.€€Ms.€PierceÐ Æ   Ðhesitated€momentarily,€thinking€that€this€might€be€a€prank,€until€she€saw€the€massive€amount€ofÐ ¬ ü  Ðblood€on€the€victimððs€shirt.€€As€she€walked€to€the€victim€in€the€next€aisle,€she€noticed€there€was€aÐ ’â  Ðtrail€of€blood€across€the€parking€lot€and€that€the€victimððs€shirt€and€shoes€were€covered€with€blood.€Ð xÈ  ÐAs€she€laid€him€on€the€ground,€Ms.€Pierce€saw€a€hole€in€the€victimððs€chest€and€a€ð ðfountain€of€bloodððÐ ^®  Ðthat€was€squirting€out€of€the€hole€as€his€heart€pumped.€€She€stated€that€she€realized€the€victim€wouldÐ D”  Ðbleed€to€death€quickly,€so€she€used€his€wadded„up€shirt€to€apply€pressure€on€the€chest€wound€andÐ *z  Ðcalled€for€help.€€Ms.€Pierce€related€how€the€victim€asked€her€if€he€was€going€to€die€and€that€sheÐ ` Ðprayed€for€him.€€After€the€ambulance€came,€Ms.€Pierce€took€the€victimððs€cousin€to€the€hospital.€€SheÐ öF Ðremembered€that€the€blue€car€left€the€scene€of€the€shooting€and€stated€that€she€did€not€see€the€maroonÐ Ü, Ðcar.€Ð  ÐÌà  àDavid€Sutton,€another€witness€at€the€mall,€testified€that€he€was€driving€northbound€onÐ ŽÞ ÐPerimeter€Drive€toward€the€Sears€at€the€Cool€Springs€Mall€when€he€noticed€two€black€males€on€theÐ tÄ Ðopposite€side€of€the€median€running€from€a€blue€car€toward€a€brownish,€burgundy€Oldsmobile€orÐ Zª ÐCadillac.€€The€blue€car€was€situated€slightly€behind€the€burgundy€car€and€was€sideways€in€the€streetÐ @ Ðafter€impacting€the€curb.€€Sutton€drove€past€the€median€and€turned€around€to€go€back€to€the€scene,Ð &v Ðbut€the€burgundy€car€sped€away,€and€the€two€men€were€gone.€€The€doors€of€the€blue€car€had€beenÐ  \ Ðleft€open,€and€the€engine€was€running.€€He€could€see€that€the€front€tire€and€wheel€of€the€blue€car€wereÐ òB Ðvirtually€destroyed.€€The€witness€identified€photographs€of€the€victimððs€blue€Cadillac€and€theÐ Ø( Ðdefendantsðð€maroon€Cadillac€as€the€cars€he€saw€that€day.€€On€cross„examination,€Sutton€admittedÐ ¾ Ðthat€he€could€not€identify€any€of€the€individuals€he€saw.Ð ¤ô ÐÌà  àHighway€Patrolman€Harold€Gooding€testified€that,€on€August€31,€1997,€he€received€a€ð ðbeÐ p!À  Ðon€the€lookoutðð€radio€broadcast€for€a€rust€or€maroon€1985€Cadillac€with€a€temporary€tag€in€the€leftÐ V"¦! Ðrear€window€that€was€suspected€in€a€carjacking€at€the€mall.€€Gooding€spotted€a€car€on€Old€HickoryÐ <#Œ" ÐBoulevard€matching€the€description€that€had€been€broadcast€and€notified€the€dispatcher€around€5:00Ð "$r# Ðp.m.€of€a€possible€sighting.€€He€turned€and€followed€the€vehicle.€€Gooding€followed€the€car€as€itÐ %X $ Ðmade€a€left€turn€to€go€north€on€Hill€Road€and€then€observed€it€turning€right€on€Woodbridge.€Ð î%>!% ÐKnowing€that€this€was€a€cul„de„sac€and€that€his€backup€was€on€the€way,€Gooding€turned€around€onÐ Ô&$"& ÐHill€Road€and€waited€for€the€car€to€emerge€from€the€cul„de„sac.€€The€car€appeared€less€than€a€minuteÐ º' #' Ðlater€and€turned€south€on€Hill€Road.€€As€the€driver€made€a€left€on€Old€Hickory,€Gooding€stopped€theÐ  (ð#( Ðcar€with€his€backup€present.€€Initially,€he€had€observed€at€least€two€people€in€the€car,€but,€at€the€timeÐ †)Ö$) Ðof€the€stop,€only€the€driver,€defendant€Groomes,€was€present.€€A€cooperative€Groomes€was€taken€intoÐ l*¼%* Ðcustody,€and€the€suspect€and€his€vehicle€were€searched.€€Ð R+¢&+ ÐÐ 8,ˆ', Ðà  àThe€search€turned€up€a€live€12„gauge€shotgun€shell€in€Groomesððs€right€front€pocket€and€aÐ ° ÐRemington€shotgun€on€the€rear€floorboard.€€Gooding€took€photographs€of€the€shotgun,€which€heÐ –æ Ðidentified€at€trial,€and€gave€the€shotgun€shell€to€Officer€Charles€Bradley.€€He€also€identified€twoÐ |Ì Ðphotographs€of€the€maroon€Cadillac€as€the€car€he€stopped.€€On€cross„examination,€the€trooperÐ b² Ðadmitted€that€he€had€given€a€written€statement€in€which€he€said€that€the€shotgun€shell€was€found€inÐ H˜ ÐGroomesððs€left€front€pocket€rather€than€the€right€pocket,€as€he€testified€at€trial.€Ð . ~ ÐÌà  àThe€Stateððs€next€witness€was€Detective€Tommy€Heithcock€of€the€Franklin€PoliceÐ ú J ÐDepartment,€through€whom€a€number€of€exhibits€were€placed€into€evidence.€€Detective€HeithcockÐ à 0 Ðtestified€that,€on€August€31,€1997,€around€6:15€p.m.,€he€responded€to€the€scene€of€defendantÐ Æ   ÐGroomesððs€arrest€on€Old€Hickory€Boulevard.€€He€identified€the€Mossberg€12„gauge€shotgun€that€heÐ ¬ ü  Ðfound€in€the€backseat€of€the€burgundy€Cadillac,€photographs€that€he€took€of€the€gun€that€day,€as€wellÐ ’â  Ðas€four€shotgun€shells€found€in€the€car€and€photographs€taken€of€the€shells€while€they€were€still€inÐ xÈ  Ðthe€pocket€attached€to€the€back€of€the€front€passenger€seat.€€All€were€admitted€into€evidence.€Ð ^®  ÐAccording€to€Heithcock,€the€shotgunððs€safety€was€off€when€he€found€it.€€The€shotgun€shell€found€inÐ D”  ÐGroomesððs€pocket€during€the€search€was€given€to€Heithcock€by€Officer€Bradley,€who€did€not€testifyÐ *z  Ðat€trial.€€Due€to€an€objection€of€improper€foundation,€the€single€shell€was€moved€into€evidence€laterÐ ` Ðin€the€trial€through€Trooper€Gooding.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Ð öF ÐÌà  àDetective€Heithcock€was€later€called€to€5552€Hill€Drive€in€Nashville,€where€he€recovered€aÐ Â Ð.380€Larson€semiautomatic€handgun€that€had€been€discovered€approximately€100€yards€off€Hill€RoadÐ ¨ø Ðunder€some€bushes€at€the€home.€€This€was€the€same€area€where€the€burgundy€Cadillac€had€beenÐ ŽÞ Ðobserved€turning€into€a€cul„de„sac,€and€some€of€the€suspects€had€gotten€out€of€the€car.€€HeithcockÐ tÄ Ðidentified€photographs€of€the€house€and€weapon.€€He€testified€that€the€gun€was€loaded,€the€safety€wasÐ Zª Ðoff,€and€there€was€a€spent€shell€lodged€in€the€chamber€which€had€improperly€ejected.€€The€handgunÐ @ Ðand€the€rounds€found€in€it,€including€the€spent€round,€were€identified€by€Heithcock€and€also€movedÐ &v Ðinto€evidence.Ð  \ ÐÌà  àDetective€Heitchcockððs€inspection€ò òó óof€the€maroon€Cadillac€revealed€blood€on€the€right€rearÐ Ø( Ðdoor€handle.€€Two€photographs€of€the€blood€spatter€were€admitted€into€evidence€through€DetectiveÐ ¾ ÐHeithcockððs€testimony.€€He€had€also€recorded€the€VIN€number€of€the€vehicle€on€the€tow€slip€the€dayÐ ¤ô Ðof€the€incident€and€matched€that€number€to€a€certified€copy€of€the€title€and€registration€of€the€maroonÐ Š Ú ÐCadillac€showing€defendant€Groomes€as€the€owner.Ð p!À  ÐÌà  àThe€Stateððs€next€witness€was€co„defendant€Allen€Rick€ð ðCry€Babyðð€Jordan,€who€had€alreadyÐ <#Œ" Ðpled€guilty.€€He€testified€that€Cecil€Groomes,€Terranc€Akins,€and€Oswald€Nelson€went€to€the€CoolÐ "$r# ÐSprings€Mall€with€him€on€August€31,€1997,€in€Groomesððs€burgundy€Cadillac.€€At€the€time€of€trial,Ð %X $ ÐGroomes€and€Jordan€were€nineteen€years€old,€Akins€was€eighteen,€and€Nelson€was€still€a€juvenile.€Ð î%>!% ÐAccording€to€Jordan,€they€went€to€the€mall€to€look€for€an€amplifier€for€Groomesððs€speakers.€€WhenÐ Ô&$"& Ðthey€saw€the€victimððs€blue€Cadillac,€Groomes€said,€ð ðLook€at€that€ride.ðð€€After€both€cars€parked,€allÐ º' #' Ðfour€occupants€of€Groomesððs€car€followed€the€victim€and€his€cousin€up€to€the€mall.€€Jordan€testifiedÐ ° Ðthat€he€intended€to€get€some€money€from€the€men€but€that€his€three€friends€were€just€going€to€theÐ –æ Ðmall.€€Before€reaching€the€mall,€the€victim€turned€around€and€went€back€to€his€car.€€According€toÐ |Ì ÐJordan,€Groomes€saw€a€closer€parking€space€and€asked€Jordan€to€move€the€car,€but€Groomes€endedÐ b² Ðup€going€back€to€his€car€as€well.€€Jordan€retrieved€a€handgun€from€under€the€front€seat€of€the€car€andÐ H˜ Ðwent€to€the€victimððs€blue€Cadillac.€€He€stated€that€he€bought€the€gun€from€Akins€about€a€week€beforeÐ . ~ Ðthe€incident.€€At€some€point,€Akins€and€Nelson€also€returned€to€Groomesððs€car.€€As€the€victim€wasÐ  d Ðpulling€out€of€his€parking€space,€Groomes€pulled€his€car€in€front€of€the€victimððs€car.€€Jordan€statedÐ ú J Ðthat€he€opened€the€driverððs€side€door€and€ð ðdrew€down€on€him€[the€victim]ðð€with€the€handgun.€€WithÐ à 0 ÐAkins€behind€him€holding€a€shotgun,׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€Jordan€ordered€the€victim€to€get€out€of€his€car,€but€the€victimÐ Æ   Ðbegan€kicking€him€and€was€accidentally€shot.€€He€then€pulled€the€victim€out€of€his€car€and€told€AkinsÐ ¬ ü  Ðto€get€in€the€victimððs€car.€€With€Jordan€driving,€the€two€defendants€sped€away€to€catch€up€withÐ ’â  ÐGroomesððs€car,€which€had€already€left€the€scene.€€As€he€caught€up€with€Groomes€and€applied€hisÐ xÈ  Ðbrakes,€Jordan€was€forced€to€swerve€around€Groomesððs€car€and€hit€the€curb.€€Jordan€and€Akins€ranÐ ^®  Ðfrom€the€victimððs€car,€jumped€into€Groomesððs€burgundy€Cadillac,€and€got€back€on€the€interstate.€Ð D”  ÐThey€noticed€a€state€trooper€following€them,€and€Jordan,€Akins,€and€Nelson€ran€from€the€car€afterÐ *z  ÐGroomes€pulled€into€a€side€street€off€Old€Hickory€Boulevard.€€Jordan€testified€that€he€left€theÐ ` Ðhandgun€there.€€A€female€eventually€helped€them€check€into€the€Liberty€Inn€off€Trinity€Lane.€€JordanÐ öF Ðtestified€that€he€and€Akins€discussed€their€plans€to€leave€the€state.€€Ð Ü, ÐÌà  àAccording€to€Jordan,€there€was€no€discussion€among€the€co„defendants€about€robbing€anyoneÐ ¨ø Ðbefore€the€incident.€€When€asked€why€Groomes€had€pulled€his€car€in€front€of€the€victimððs€car,€JordanÐ ŽÞ Ðreplied€that€he€thought€Groomes€blocked€the€victim€off€so€he€could€not€go€anywhere.€€JordanÐ tÄ Ðacknowledged€giving€a€written€statement€to€Franklin€Police€Detective€Ray€Dilworth€a€few€days€afterÐ Zª Ðthe€shooting€that€said,€ð ðWe€was€going€to€rob€the€boy€but€the€situation€changed€and€we€ended€upÐ @ Ðcarjacking.ðð€€On€cross„examination,€Jordan€said€that€the€previous€statement€was€not€correct.€€HeÐ &v Ðexplained€that€the€defendants€did€not€take€the€shotgun€out€of€Groomesððs€car€when€they€fled€on€foot,Ð  \ Ðbecause,€if€they€were€going€to€get€caught,€the€shotgun€was€registered€and€the€pistol€was€not.€€JordanÐ òB Ðadmitted€that€he€is€a€member€of€the€South€40€Gangster€Disciples.€Ð Ø( ÐÌà  àOn€cross„examination,€Jordan€stated€that€it€was€his€idea€to€rob€the€victim,€and€he€was€theÐ ¤ô Ðonly€one€that€planned€the€robbery.€€Jordan€testified€that,€as€they€were€walking€toward€the€mall,€heÐ Š Ú Ðtold€Groomes€that€he€forgot€something€and€needed€to€go€back€to€the€car.€€Groomes€asked€Jordan€toÐ p!À  Ðmove€his€car€closer€to€the€mall,€but€Jordan€gave€the€keys€back€to€him€at€the€car.€€Jordan€testified€thatÐ V"¦! Ðhe€did€not€ask€Groomes€to€block€the€victimððs€car.€€He€also€stated€that€when€he€hit€the€curb€and€blewÐ <#Œ" Ðout€the€tires€on€victimððs€car,€Groomes€was€forced€to€stop€behind€him.€€When€Jordan€and€AkinsÐ "$r# Ðjumped€into€Groomesððs€car,€Jordan€still€had€the€gun€in€his€hand€and€told€Groomes€to€drive.€€€€Ð %X $ ÐÌà  à€Jordan€also€described€how€both€he€and€Akins€had€been€kicked€out€of€their€homes€and€wereÐ Ô&$"& Ðstaying€with€Groomes€in€a€townhouse€recently€vacated€by€Groomesððs€mother.€€Jordan€testified€thatÐ º' #' Ðhe€does€not€have€a€high€school€diploma€and€felt€bad,€homeless,€left€on€his€own,€and€was€not€workingÐ ° Ðat€the€time€of€the€arrest.€€He€agreed€that€Akins€was€under€considerable€stress€at€the€time.€€JordanÐ –æ Ðtestified€that€Akins€backed€him€up€with€the€shotgun€during€the€robbery,€but€Akins€did€not€know€itÐ |Ì Ðwas€a€carjacking€and€did€not€use€the€shotgun€in€any€threatening€manner€or€point€it€at€the€victim.€Ð b² ÐAccording€to€Jordan,€Akins€seemed€surprised€and€confused€after€the€incident.€€Jordan€expressedÐ H˜ Ðremorse€for€what€had€happened,€because€he€did€not€intend€for€the€victim€to€be€shot,€and€stated€thatÐ . ~ Ðwhat€they€did€was€a€mistake.€€He€denied€that€the€defendants€followed€the€victimððs€car€in€the€mallÐ  d Ðparking€lot€or€that€he€asked€Akins€to€back€him€up.€€€€Ð ú J ÐÌà  àThe€next€witness€to€testify€was€Tjwani€(West)€Cain,€a€resident€of€the€ValleybrookÐ Æ   ÐApartments,€whom€the€defendants€asked€to€take€them€to€a€hotel.€€This€request€did€not€seem€unusualÐ ¬ ü  Ðto€her,€because€she€knew€that€Akinsððs€mother€had€kicked€him€out€of€her€apartment,€but€she€did€notÐ ’â  Ðknow€the€defendants€had€been€involved€in€a€crime.€€After€taking€them€to€several€hotels€that€were€tooÐ xÈ  Ðexpensive,€she€was€able€to€get€them€checked€into€the€Liberty€Inn€Hotel€on€Trinity€Lane.€€AkinsÐ ^®  Ðspoke€to€her€about€going€back€to€St.€Louis,€and€Jordan€wanted€to€go€to€Texas.€€Ms.€Cain€heard€aboutÐ D”  Ðthe€carjacking€after€Labor€Day€and€called€the€police.€€On€cross„examination,€Ms.€Cain€stated€thatÐ *z  ÐAkinsððs€hair€was€long€and€pulled€straight€back€in€a€ponytail€on€the€day€he€came€to€her€apartment.€Ð ` ÐÌà  àThe€lead€investigator€from€the€Franklin€Police€Department,€Detective€Ray€Dilworth,€testifiedÐ Ü, Ðnext.€€On€August€31,€1997,€Dilworth€arrived€at€the€Cool€Springs€Galleria€to€supervise€evidenceÐ Â Ðgathering€and€witness€interviews€by€the€other€detectives.€€The€crime€scene€had€already€beenÐ ¨ø Ðsequestered,€and€the€patrolmen€had€located€the€witnesses.€€Dilworth€personally€interviewed€oneÐ ŽÞ Ðwitness€and€photographed€the€crime€scene,€including€the€blood€trail€on€the€ground.€€He€arrestedÐ tÄ ÐAkins€at€his€motherððs€Valleybrook€apartment€three€days€later€on€September€3.€Dilworth€andÐ Zª ÐDetective€Hale€interviewed€Akins€at€the€police€station€in€the€presence€of€his€mother.€€Both€Akins€andÐ @ Ðhis€mother€signed€a€waiver€of€rights€form€after€Akins€was€advised€of€his€òòMirandaóó€rights.€€Akins€Ð &v Ðsubsequently€gave€the€detectives€a€written€statement,€which€he€and€his€mother€signed,€about€hisÐ  \ Ðinvolvement€in€the€carjacking.€€Dilworth€read€the€statement€to€the€jury€as€follows:Ð òB ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àI€went€on€the€city.€€I€donððt€remember.€€I€stopped€a€while€and€thenÐ ¾ Ðcontinued€on€to€the€mall.€€There€I€saw€two€men€in€a€Cadillac.€€IÐ ¤ô Ðfollowed€them.€They€parked€and€got€out€and€went€into€the€mall.€€I€gotÐ Š Ú Ðout€[of]€the€car€and€was€going€to€go€in€the€mall.€€Then€I€saw€one€ofÐ p!À  Ðthe€man€[sic]€come€out€of€the€mall€and€went€to€the€car€and€I€startedÐ V"¦! Ðwalking€back€to€[the]€car[.]€€[T]he€man€was€driving€the€car.€€Cry€BabyÐ <#Œ" Ðand€I€went€to€the€car€with€the€gun€and€told€him€to€get€out.€€I€had€noÐ "$r# Ðintentions€of€shooting€or€killing€nobody.€€I€had€no€intention€off€[sic]Ð %X $ Ðcarjacking.€€All€I€wanted€was€some€money€but€back€to€the€story.€€TheÐ î%>!% Ðman€started€kicking€and€saying€heððs€not€getting€out€[of]€the€car.€€IððmÐ Ô&$"& Ðnot€sure€if€thatððs€how€the€gun€went€off€or€not.€€Then€we€jump[ed]€inÐ º' #' Ðthe€Cadillac€and€drove€off€and€we€hit€the€car€on€the€curve€and€jumpÐ  (ð#( Ðback€into€another€car€and€drove€back€toward€the€way€I€live€when€I€gotÐ †)Ö$) Ðto€this€street€and€Cry€Baby€and€I€jump€out.€€I€had€no€intention€ofÐ l*¼%* Ðnobody€[sic]€getting€hurt.€€During€the€shooting,€Cry€Baby€went€up€toÐ R+¢&+ Ðthe€car€with€the€hand[gun,]€and€I€went€to€the€car€with€the€shotgun€andÐ 8,ˆ', Ðwhile€we€were€telling€him€to€get€out€[of]€the€car[,]€the€man€wasÐ ° Ðkicking€and€saying€heððs€not€getting€out.€€Then€the€gun€went€off.€€IððmÐ –æ Ðnot€sure€if€Cry€Baby€shot€him€or€not.Ð|Ì` x` x ÐÌà  àOn€cross„examination,€Detective€Dilworth€stated€that€Akinsððs€mother€had€paged€him€at€10:30Ð H˜ Ða.m.€on€September€3€and€told€him€that€her€son€was€at€her€house€and€that€she€wanted€to€turn€him€overÐ . ~ Ðto€the€police.€€Detectives€Dilworth€and€Hale€took€Akins€into€custody€approximately€twenty€minutesÐ  d Ðlater.€€The€detective€agreed€that€the€time€between€his€motherððs€phone€call€and€their€arrival€at€herÐ ú J Ðhome€was€enough€time€for€Akins€to€have€escaped.€€He€testified€that€Akins€was€cooperative€duringÐ à 0 Ðthe€arrest.€€Once€he€and€his€mother€were€advised€of€and€waived€his€rights€at€the€police€station,€AkinsÐ Æ   Ðwas€willing€to€talk€to€the€detectives€and€immediately€gave€a€statement.€€à  àÐ ¬ ü  ÐÌà  àThe€last€witness€for€the€State€was€Dr.€Tim€VanNetta,€the€Vanderbilt€University€MedicalÐ xÈ  ÐCenter€trauma€surgeon€who€treated€the€victimððs€gunshot€wound€in€the€hospital€from€August€31€untilÐ ^®  ÐSeptember€4,€1997.€€When€Dr.€VanNetta€first€saw€the€victim,€he€was€suffering€from€a€bullet€woundÐ D”  Ðthat€had€entered€his€chest€just€to€the€right€of€his€left€nipple,€traveled€behind€the€breastbone,€andÐ *z  Ðpenetrated€the€middle€and€upper€lobes€of€his€right€lung.€€As€a€result,€the€victim€suffered€from€aÐ ` Ðpneumothorax€and€a€hemothorax€(collection€of€air€and€blood€in€the€chest€cavity).€€The€victimððs€lungÐ öF Ðwas€reexpanded,€and€an€ultrasound€was€€performed,€which€showed€no€blood€around€the€heart.€Ð Ü, ÐAccording€to€Dr.€VanNetta,€the€bullet€just€missed€the€victimððs€heart,€went€into€the€lung,€and€lodgedÐ Â Ðin€the€victimððs€armpit,€where€it€still€remained.€€It€was€necessary€for€the€doctor€to€insert€two€chestÐ ¨ø Ðtubes€in€the€victim€to€drain€the€blood€out€from€around€the€lung€and€to€make€sure€that€it€was€notÐ ŽÞ Ðleaking€air.€€It€was€the€doctorððs€opinion€that€the€victimððs€injury€was€life„threatening,€and,€withoutÐ tÄ Ðthe€chest€tubes,€he€would€have€died.Ð Zª ÐÌà  àAfter€this€testimony,€the€State€rested€its€case,€and€the€defendants€elected€not€to€testify€or€putÐ &v Ðon€any€evidence.€€Their€motions€for€acquittal€were€denied€by€the€trial€court.€€€€Ð  \ ÐÌò òÓ  ÓÐ  Ø( ÐANALYSISó óÐ ° ÐÌÓ©~Óà  àà ` àà × àò òTransfer€of€Defendant€Akins€from€Juvenile€Courtó óÐ |Ì ÐÌà  àBecause€defendant€Akins€was€seventeen€years€old€at€the€time€of€the€offense,€he€was€takenÐ H˜ Ðto€juvenile€court€following€his€arrest.€€The€State€then€filed€a€petition€in€juvenile€court€requesting€thatÐ . ~ Ðhe€be€transferred€to€circuit€court€to€be€tried€as€an€adult.€€A€hearing€was€held€on€September€25,€1997.€Ð  d ÐThe€juvenile€court€judge€granted€the€Stateððs€petition€after€finding€reasonable€grounds€to€believe€thatÐ ú J ÐAkins€committed€the€delinquent€act€charged,€that€he€was€not€committable€to€an€institution€for€theÐ à 0 Ðmentally€retarded€or€mentally€ill,€and€that€the€interests€of€the€community€required€that€Akins€beÐ Æ   Ðrestrained€or€disciplined.€€Akins€argues€that€the€juvenile€court€judge€erred€in€granting€the€transferÐ ¬ ü  Ðto€adult€court,€because€the€evidence€was€insufficient€to€find€the€three€criteria€required€by€TennesseeÐ ’â  ÐCode€Annotated€ðð€37„1„134(a)(4)(A)„(C)€in€order€to€transfer€a€minor€from€juvenile€court.€€WeÐ xÈ  Ðdisagree.Ð ^®  ÐÌà  àA€child€charged€with€a€criminal€act€is€to€be€treated€as€an€adult€if€the€court€finds€that€there€areÐ *z  Ðreasonable€grounds€to€believe€that:€(1)€the€child€committed€the€alleged€delinquent€act;€(2)€the€childÐ ` Ðis€not€committable€to€an€institution€as€retarded€or€mentally€ill;€and€(3)€the€interests€of€the€communityÐ öF Ðrequire€that€the€child€be€restrained€or€disciplined.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„134(a)(4)(A)„(C)€(1996).€Ð Ü, ÐIn€addition,€ðð€37„1„134(b)€lists€a€number€of€factors€that€the€judge€shall€consider€in€deciding€whetherÐ Â Ða€juvenile€should€be€treated€as€an€adult.€€These€factors€relate€to€the€interests€of€the€community€andÐ ¨ø Ðwhether€the€juvenile€is€amenable€to€treatment€or€rehabilitation€through€juvenile€court€rather€thanÐ ŽÞ Ðrestraint€or€punishment€meted€out€through€the€adult€court,€and€include:Ð tÄ ÐÌÓ€ (ån03Óà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)€à8× ` x` xàThe€extent€and€nature€of€the€childððs€prior€delinquencyÐ @ Ðrecords;Ð&v× ×  ÐÌà  àà ` à(2)€à8 × àThe€nature€of€past€treatment€efforts€and€the€nature€of€theÐ òB Ðchildððs€response€thereto;ÐØ(× ×  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(3)€à8× ` x` xàWhether€the€offense€was€against€person€or€property,€withÐ ¤ô Ðgreater€weight€in€favor€of€transfer€given€to€offenses€againstÐ Š Ú Ðthe€person;Ðp!À × ×  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(4)€à8× ` x` xàWhether€the€offense€was€committed€in€an€aggressive€andÐ <#Œ" Ðpremeditated€manner;€andÐ"$r#× ×  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(5)€à8× ` x` xàThe€possible€rehabilitation€of€the€child€by€use€ofÐ î%>!% Ðprocedures,€services€and€facilities€currently€available€to€theÐ Ô&$"& Ðcourt€in€this€state.к' #'× ×  ÐÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€37„1„134(b)(1)„(5)€(1996).€€This€list€is€by€no€means€exclusive.Ð †)Ö$) ÐÌà  àOn€appeal€of€an€order€of€transfer€from€juvenile€court,€we€do€not€decide€where€theÐ R+¢&+ Ðpreponderance€of€the€evidence€lies,€but€whether€there€were€reasonable€grounds€for€the€juvenile€courtÐ 8,ˆ', Ðjudge€to€believe€that€the€three€criteria€of€ðð€37„1„134(a)(4)(A)„(C)€mentioned€above€were€present.€Ð ° ÐòòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Stricklandóó,€532€S.W.2d€912,€920€(Tenn.€1975),€òòappealóó€òòdismissedóó,€425€U.S.€929,€96€S.Ð –æ ÐCt.€1657,€48€L.€Ed.€2d€170,€òòcertóó.€òòdeniedóó,€429€U.S.€805,€97€S.€Ct.€38,€50€L.€Ed.€2d€65€(1976);€òòStateÐ |Ì Ðv.€Layneóó,€546€S.W.2d€220,€224€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.),€òòcertóó.€òòdeniedóó€(Tenn.€1976).€€In€other€words,€if€thereÐ b² Ðwas€probable€cause€to€believe€that€the€juvenile€committed€the€crime€and€the€evidence€at€the€hearingÐ H˜ Ðshowed€that€the€defendant€was€not€mentally€impaired€and€should€be€legally€restrained,€a€juvenileÐ . ~ Ðcourt€judgeððs€discretionary€decision€to€allow€a€juvenile€to€be€treated€as€an€adult€should€not€beÐ  d Ðdisturbed€on€appeal.€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Orangeóó,€543€S.W.2d€344,€346„47€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.),€òòcertóó.€òòdeniedóóòòÐ ú J Ðóó(Tenn.€1976).€€Ð à 0 ÐÌà  àThe€juvenile€court€judge,€in€making€his€ruling€to€transfer€Akins€to€adult€court,€stated:Ð ¬ ü  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àThese€are€extraordinary€proceedings.€€Sending€a€juvenile,€sending€aÐ xÈ  Ðchild€to€adult€court€is€an€extraordinary€proceeding€and€thereððs€a€veryÐ ^®  Ðdifficult€burden€placed€on€the€state€in€establishing€the€criteria€underÐ D”  Ðwhich€we€would€do€that.€€Looking€at€those€criteria€one€by€one,€I€thinkÐ *z  Ðitððs€pretty€clear€that€this€child€did€commit€this€delinquent€act.€€I€thinkÐ ` Ðitððs€pretty€clear€that€this€child€is€not€mentally€retarded.€€Heððs€veryÐ öF Ðarticulate,€he€speaks€well.€€I€think€he€has€potential.€€I€hope€before€hisÐ Ü, Ðyoung€life€is€entirely€over€that€that€potential€can€be€channeled€andÐ Â Ðdeveloped€and€turned€around.€€But€heððs€certainly€not€a€young€manÐ ¨ø Ðwhoððs€committable€for€an€institution€for€the€mentally€retarded€or€theÐ ŽÞ Ðmentally€ill.ÐtÄ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àDo€the€interest[s]€of€the€community€require€that€he€be€put€underÐ @ Ðrestraint€or€discipline?€€I€think€thatððs€pretty€clear€that€they€do.€Ð &v ÐLooking€at€the€factors€involved,€itððs€true€that€his€prior€record€is€not€asÐ  \ Ðextensive€as€some€other€young€men€that€we€see€in€juvenile€court,€butÐ òB Ðhe€does€have€a€prior€record€and€heððs€been€on€probation€.€.€.€I€think€theÐ Ø( Ðpast€treatment€efforts,€the€only€ones€we€heard€about€were€prettyÐ ¾ Ðincomplete,€pretty€sketchy.€€I€donððt€think€heððs€had€a€whole€lot€of€aÐ ¤ô Ðchance.€€I€think€maybe€at€age€twelve€if€the€courts€and€the€system€inÐ Š Ú ÐWisconsin€had€been€able€to€get€a€hold€of€him€and€do€something€otherÐ p!À  Ðthan€putting€him€on€probation,€maybe€they€couldððve€headed€some€ofÐ V"¦! Ðthis€off,€I€donððt€know.Ð<#Œ"` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA€heinous€offense.€€It€was€not€against€property,€although€it€started€outÐ %X $ Ðto€be€a€theft,€but€Mr.€Puckett€was€shot,€nearly€killed,€and€I€think€theÐ î%>!% Ðthing€that€sticks€in€my€mind€and€makes€this€more€certain€for€me€isÐ Ô&$"& Ðthat€nobody,€none€of€these€four€guys€ð!ð€itððs€true,€Mr.€Plummer,€thatÐ º' #' ÐMr.€Akins€had€a€shotgun€and€didnððt€shoot€him€again,€and€I€supposeÐ  (ð#( Ðthat€militates€in€his€favor,€but€he€also€didnððt€help€him.€€He€didnððt€putÐ †)Ö$) Ðthe€gun€down€and€say,€ð ðMy€God,€guys,€what€have€we€done?€€Letððs€getÐ l*¼%* Ðhelp€for€this€young€man,€heððs€bleeding€to€death€on€the€pavement.ðð€Ð R+¢&+ ÐNo,€he€grabbed€the€gun,€jumped€in€the€car€and€took€off.Ð8,ˆ',` x` x Їà8  àà8` Ð Ð àAnd€I€donððt€know€about€the€possible€rehabilitation€by€use€of€theÐ ° Ðprocedures,€services€and€facilities€currently€available€to€this€court.€Ð –æ ÐIððm€afraid€that€ð!ð€heððs€going€to€turn€eighteen€in€November,€betweenÐ |Ì Ðnow€and€his€nineteenth€birthday,€I€donððt€believe€that€thereððs€muchÐ b² Ðlikelihood€that€weððre€going€to€be€able€to€turn€this€young€man€around.ÐH˜` x` x ÐÌà  àà ` à.€.€.€.Ð  d Ðà  àà ` àà × àà  àÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àAnd€so€I€am€granting€the€petition€of€the€district€attorney€and€IððmÐ à 0 Ðtransferring€this€case,€jurisdiction€of€this€case,€to€the€Circuit€Court€ofÐ Æ   ÐWilliamson€County.€.€.€.Ь ü ` x` x ÐÌà  àIt€is€clear€from€the€judgeððs€ruling€that€he€considered€the€appropriate€factors€and€made€theÐ xÈ  Ðrequired€findings€in€transferring€Akins€from€juvenile€court.€€The€evidence€presented€at€the€hearingÐ ^®  Ðwas€sufficient€to€give€the€juvenile€court€judge€reasonable€grounds€to€believe€that€Akins€committedÐ D”  Ðespecially€aggravated€robbery.׃"×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€victim€testified€about€the€events€surrounding€AkinsððsÐ *z  Ðparticipation€in€the€carjacking€with€the€shotgun€and€Akinsððs€escape€in€the€victimððs€car€after€JordanÐ ` Ðshot€the€victim€in€the€chest.€€€In€the€statement€given€to€Detective€Hale,€Akins€described€how€he,Ð öF Ðdefendant€Groomes,€Harris,€and€Jordan€followed€the€victimððs€Cadillac€in€the€mall€parking€lot,€whereÐ Ü, ÐGroomes€blocked€the€victimððs€exit€from€the€parking€space.€€Akins€admitted€to€Detective€Hale€thatÐ Â Ðhe€was€one€of€the€gunmen€who€ordered€the€victim€out€of€his€car€in€order€to€rob€him€of€his€money.€Ð ¨ø ÐAfter€the€victim€was€shot,€Akins€admitted€in€his€statement€to€jumping€into€the€victimððs€car€andÐ ŽÞ Ðleaving€the€scene.€€Akinsððs€own€testimony€at€the€hearing€showed€that€he€ð ðjust€went€with€it€[walkingÐ tÄ Ðup€to€the€victimððs€car€with€a€gun]€.€.€.€just€did€it€.€.€.€I€know€now€that€I€should€not€have.ðð€€He€admittedÐ Zª Ðthat€he€wanted€the€victimððs€money€and€that€he€and€his€friends€had€discussed€robbing€the€victim€priorÐ @ Ðto€doing€so.€€Once€Jordan€had€approached€the€victim€with€Akinsððs€handgun,€Akins€made€the€decisionÐ &v Ðto€return€to€Groomesððs€car€and€get€a€shotgun€from€the€backseat.€€Akinsððs€participation€in€the€crimeÐ  \ Ðis€virtually€undisputed.Ð òB ÐÌà  àThe€record€likewise€supports€the€judgeððs€ruling€that€Akins€was€not€mentally€ill€or€retarded.€Ð ¾ ÐThere€was€testimony€from€his€high€school€guidance€counselor,€the€school€librarian,€his€formerÐ ¤ô ÐEnglish€teacher,€his€employer€at€Valvoline€Instant€Oil€Change,€and€his€mother.€€Nothing€in€any€ofÐ Š Ú Ðthis€testimony€showed€that€Akins€was€committable€to€an€institution€for€the€mentally€impaired.€€InÐ p!À  Ðaddition,€Akinsððs€and€his€motherððs€testimony€at€the€hearing€showed€him€to€be€a€confused€young€manÐ V"¦! Ðwho€has€had€an€extremely€difficult€upbringing,€but€not€one€with€a€committable€illness.€€It€wasÐ <#Œ" Ðreasonable€for€the€juvenile€court€judge€to€believe€that€Akins€was€not€committable€to€a€mentalÐ "$r# Ðinstitution.Ð %X $ ÐÌà  àFinally,€the€record€supports€the€judgeððs€finding€that€it€is€in€the€best€interests€of€theÐ Ô&$"& Ðcommunity€for€Akins€to€be€tried€as€an€adult.€€Akinsððs€delinquent€activities€began€at€age€twelve,€whenÐ º' #' Ðhe€got€involved€with€stealing€cars,€smoking€marijuana,€and€drinking€alcohol.€€In€addition,€his€currentÐ ° Ðoffense€was€a€violent€and€heinous€act€against€a€person,€which€is€given€more€weight€by€the€statute.€Ð –æ ÐThe€victim€described€the€near€fatal€injuries€he€received,€as€well€as€the€sleeplessness€and€soreness€heÐ |Ì Ðwas€still€suffering€at€the€time€of€the€hearing.€€The€bullet€still€remains€in€his€body,€which€bears€theÐ b² Ðscars€of€the€gunshot€and€tubes€that€had€to€be€inserted€in€his€side€for€a€punctured€lung.€€Akins€himselfÐ H˜ Ðtestified€that€he€left€the€scene€of€the€crime€to€elude€capture,€not€knowing€if€the€victim€was€dead€orÐ . ~ Ðalive€and€without€attempting€to€assist€the€victim€in€any€way.€€He€also€testified€that€he€was€planningÐ  d Ðto€flee€to€another€state.€€Detective€Allen€Hale€testified€that€Akins€hid€out€for€three€days€after€theÐ ú J Ðshooting€and€turned€himself€in€only€after€Jordan€was€arrested€on€September€3€because€he€was€leftÐ à 0 Ðalone.€€Ð Æ   ÐÌà  àIt€is€also€disturbing€that€Akins€does€not€seem€to€have€learned€much€of€a€lesson€from€his€brushÐ ’â  Ðwith€the€law€at€age€twelve.€€He€testified€at€the€hearing€that€he€was€fired€from€a€job€at€Wal„Mart€forÐ xÈ  Ðgiving€a€friend€free€merchandise€less€than€a€year€before€he€was€involved€in€this€violent€crime.€€TheÐ ^®  Ðdefendantððs€choice€of€friends€and€decision€to€drop€out€of€school€show€extremely€poor€judgment.€€TheÐ D”  Ðjuvenile€court€judge€also€expressed€concern€that€there€was€not€enough€time€at€the€defendantððs€ageÐ *z  Ðfor€him€to€be€rehabilitated€through€any€programs€available€to€juveniles.€Akins€had€his€eighteenthÐ ` Ðbirthday€two€months€after€the€hearing.€€The€record€supports€the€judgeððs€reasonable€belief€that€it€wasÐ öF Ðin€the€interest€of€the€community€that€Akins€be€restrained€or€disciplined€by€the€adult€court.Ð Ü, ÐÌà  àSince€all€three€statutory€criteria€were€met,€we€affirm€the€juvenile€court€judgeððs€decision€toÐ ¨ø Ðtransfer€Akins€to€adult€court.€€This€issue€is€without€merit.Ð ŽÞ ÐÌà  àà ` àà × àò òà  àà h àBatson€Violation€ó óÐ Zª ÐÌà  àThe€defendants€argue€that€the€only€African„American€left€in€the€venire€was€excused€whenÐ &v Ðthe€State€exercised€a€pretextual€peremptory€challenge€in€violation€of€the€defendantsðð€equal€protectionÐ  \ Ðrights€under€òòBatson€v.€Kentuckyóó,€476€U.S.€79,€106€S.€Ct.€1712,€90€L.€Ed.€2d€69€(1986).€€All€otherÐ òB Ðjurors€were€white,€and€the€defendants€are€both€African„American.€€After€a€careful€review€of€theÐ Ø( Ðrecord€and€applicable€law,€we€affirm€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€in€allowing€the€juror€to€beÐ ¾ Ðexcused.€Ð ¤ô ÐÌà  àDuring€the€jury€selection€process,€the€State€excused€juror€Danita€Amos,€over€the€defendantsððÐ p!À  Ðobjections.׃#×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€In€a€jury„out€conference,€the€prosecutor€gave€three€reasons€why€he€wanted€to€strikeÐ V"¦! ÐAmos:€(1)€she€indicated€on€the€juror€questionnaire€that€she€had€a€relative€who€was€charged€with€aÐ <#Œ" Ðcrime€or€had€been€the€subject€of€a€criminal€investigation;€€(2)€she€indicated€that€she€considers€herselfÐ "$r# Ðto€be€politically€slightly€liberal;€and€(3)€she€indicated€that,€if€she€was€a€lawyer€in€this€case,€she€wouldÐ %X $ Ðwant€to€know€how€a€juror€felt€about€blacks€and€crime,€their€thoughts€about€blacks,€and€whether€theyÐ î%>!% Ðhad€ever€been€robbed€by€a€black€person.€€Both€defendants€objected€to€the€reasons€as€pretextual.€€TheÐ Ô&$"& Ðâ âprosecutor€explained€to€the€judge€that€he€was€planning€to€also€strike€a€white€juror,€Mr.€Bradford,Ð º' #' Ðbecause€he€had€also€indicated€that€he€was€slightly€liberal.׃%×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Since€the€judge€could€not€tell€whatÐ ° Ðâ ârelationship€the€juror€had€with€the€relative€charged€with€a€crime,€an€individual€voir€dire€wasÐ –æ Ðconducted€with€Ms.€Amos.€€The€relative€turned€out€to€be€her€brother,€and€the€trial€judge€eventuallyÐ |Ì Ðallowed€Amos€to€be€excused.Ð b² ÐÌà  àThe€defendants€allege€that€two€white€members€of€the€jury€indicated€on€their€questionnairesÐ . ~ Ðthat€they€also€had€brothers€accused€or€convicted€of€crimes€but€were€not€excused;€therefore,€theÐ  d ÐStateððs€neutral€reason€for€the€peremptory€challenge€is€not€valid.€€In€the€record,€we€have€the€affidavitÐ ú J Ðof€juror€Linda€Suggs€stating€that€she€had€indicated€on€her€juror€questionnaire€that€her€brother€hadÐ à 0 Ðbeen€convicted€of€a€crime.€€The€State€argues€that€the€defendants€could€have€asked€questions€of€jurorÐ Æ   ÐSuggs€during€voir€dire€about€her€brotherððs€conviction€but€chose€not€to.€€It€defends€the€race„neutralÐ ¬ ü  Ðreasons€given€the€trial€court€for€excusing€Amos.€€€€€Ð ’â  ÐÌà  àIn€òòBatson€v.€Kentuckyóó,€the€Court€held€that€it€is€a€violation€of€a€defendantððs€equal€protectionÐ ^®  Ðrights€for€the€State€to€exclude€all€members€of€the€defendantððs€race€from€the€jury€on€account€of€race.€Ð D”  ÐòòBatsonóó,€476€U.S.€at€89;òò€òòóóWoodson€v.€Porter€Brown€Limestone€Co.òòóóóó,€916€S.W.2d€896,€902€(Tenn.Ð *z  Ð1996).€€To€challenge€a€peremptory€strike€as€a€òòBatsonóó€violation,€the€defendant€must€establish€a€primaÐ ` Ðfacie€case€of€purposeful€discrimination.€€òòBatsonóó,€476€U.S.€at€96;€òòWoodsonóó,€916€S.W.2d€at€902.€€TheÐ öF Ðdefendant€must€show€that€he€is€a€member€of€a€cognizable€racial€group,€that€the€prosecutor€exercisedÐ Ü, Ða€peremptory€challenge€to€remove€members€of€his€race€from€the€jury,€and€that€all€the€relevant€factsÐ Â Ðpoint€to€an€inference€of€a€discriminatory€purpose.€€òòBatsonòòóó,€óó476€U.S.€at€96;€òòState€v.€Brownóó,€915Ð ¨ø ÐS.W.2d€3,€8€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1995).€€A€defendant€may€show€such€a€discriminatory€purpose€withÐ ŽÞ Ðevidence€of€systematic€racial€exclusion€by€the€prosecution,€a€venire€that€is€substantiallyÐ tÄ Ðunderrepresented€by€that€racial€group,€or€the€particular€selection€methods€and€results€of€the€presentÐ Zª Ðcase,€such€as€questions€and€statements€made€during€voir€dire.€€òòWoodsonóó,€916€S.W.2d€at€902,€904.€Ð @ ÐIn€addition,€the€defendant€is€allowed€to€rely€on€the€presumption€that€the€nature€of€a€peremptoryÐ &v Ðchallenge€itself€allows€one€who€wants€to€discriminate€to€do€so.€òò€òòóóBatsonòòóó,€óó476€U.S.€at€96;€òòWoodsonóó,Ð  \ Ð916€S.W.2d€at€902.Ð òB ÐÌà  àOnce€the€defendant€makes€such€a€prima€facie€showing,€the€burden€shifts€to€the€State€toÐ ¾ Ðdemonstrate€a€neutral€reason€for€excluding€the€potential€juror.€€òòBatsonóó,€476€U.S.€at€97;òò€òòóóWoodsonóó,Ð ¤ô Ð916€S.W.2d€at€903.€€The€racially„neutral€reason€does€not€have€to€be€plausible€or€persuasive;€it€justÐ Š Ú Ðcannot€be€a€reason€that€denies€equal€protection.€€òòPurkett€v.€Elemóó,€514€U.S.€765,€768„69,€115€S.€Ct.Ð p!À  Ð1769,€1771,€131€L.€Ed.€2d€834€(1995)€(long,€unkept€hair,€mustache,€and€beard€are€sufficient€racially„Ð V"¦! Ðneutral€reasons€to€strike€black€juror).€€The€defendant€then€must€be€given€the€opportunity€to€show€thatÐ <#Œ" Ðthe€reason€given€is€pretextual€or€inadequate.€€òòWoodsonóó,€916€S.W.2d€òòóóat€904.€€After€hearing€all€of€theÐ "$r# Ðrelevant€facts,€the€trial€court€must€determine€whether€purposeful€racial€discrimination€has€beenÐ %X $ Ðdemonstrated€based€on€a€totality€of€the€circumstances.€€òòSeeóó€òòidóó.Ð î%>!% ÐÌà  àIn€reviewing€the€facts€surrounding€the€exclusion€of€Amos€from€the€jury,€we€must€be€mindfulÐ º' #' Ðof€the€proper€use€of€peremptory€strikes.€€It€is€permissible€for€parties€to€use€their€peremptory€strikesÐ  (ð#( Ðto€eliminate€those€jurors€who€are€sympathetic€to€the€opposing€side,€as€well€as€those€who€are€the€mostÐ †)Ö$) Ðextreme€in€their€perceived€biases€toward€the€striking€partyððs€position.€€òòState€v.€Turneróó,€879€S.W.2dÐ ° Ð819,€821€(Tenn.€1994)€(citing€òòSwain€v.€Alabamaóó,€380€U.S.€202,€218„20,€85€S.€Ct.€824,€831„35,€13Ð –æ ÐL.€Ed.€2d€759)€(1965),€and€òòHolland€v.€Illinoisóó,€493€U.S.€474,€484,€110€S.€Ct.€803,€809,€107€L€Ed.€2dÐ |Ì Ð905€(1990)).€€ð ðPeremptory€strikes,€by€definition,€may€be€exercised€for€any€reason€unless€that€reasonÐ b² Ðis€specifically€prohibited€by€legislation€or€by€judicial€decision.ðð€€òòTurneróó,€879€S.W.2d€at€821.€€InÐ H˜ Ðaddition,€a€determination€of€whether€the€prosecutorððs€intent€in€exercising€a€peremptory€strike€isÐ . ~ Ðdiscriminatory€turns€largely€on€the€prosecutorððs€credibility,€which€can€best€be€gauged€by€hisÐ  d Ðdemeanor.€€òòBatsonóó,€476€U.S.€at€98€n.21;€òòState€v.€Smithóó,€893€S.W.2d€908,€914€(Tenn.€1994);€òòStateÐ ú J Ðv.€Ellisonóó,€841€S.W.2d€824,€827€(Tenn.€1992).€€Therefore,€the€trial€courtððs€decision€as€to€whether€theÐ à 0 Ðchallenged€strike€is€permissible€is€given€great€deference€on€appeal€and€will€not€be€set€aside€unlessÐ Æ   Ðclearly€erroneous.€€òòWoodsonóó,€916€S.W.2d€at€906.€€Since€an€attorney€is€allowed€to€rely€on€ð ðgutÐ ¬ ü  Ðinstinctðð€and€experience€in€choosing€a€jury€that€is€the€most€favorable€to€his€or€her€side,€excludingÐ ’â  Ðone€juror€for€having€a€relative€convicted€of€a€crime€and€not€excluding€another€is€not€necessarilyÐ xÈ  Ðimproper.€€Many€factors€and€circumstances€go€into€an€attorneyððs€concept€of€whether€a€juror€isÐ ^®  Ðfavorable€to€his€side€or€not,€and€the€attorneyððs€judgment€is€acceptable€unless€motivated€solely€byÐ D”  Ðrace.€€We€find€nothing€in€the€case€law€that€requires€the€prosecution€to€pick€one€factor,€such€as€havingÐ *z  Ða€relative€involved€in€a€crime,€and€exclude€every€single€juror€who€has€that€factor,€regardless€ofÐ ` Ðwhether€the€attorneyððs€gut€feeling€is€that€the€particular€juror€would€be€favorable€to€his€side.€€òòSeeóóÐ öF Ðòògenerallyóó,€òòKelly€v.òò€óóWithrowóó,€25€F.3d€363,€367„68€(6òòthóó€Cir.€1994);€òòUnited€States€v.€Valleyóó,€928€F.2dÐ Ü, Ð130,€135„36€(5òòthóó€Cir.€1991).òòóó€€Ð  ÐÌà  àOur€review€of€the€record€regarding€the€trial€courtððs€exclusion€of€Amos€and€the€retention€of€Ð ŽÞ ÐLinda€Suggs׃&×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€as€a€juror€reveals€no€error.€€The€trial€judge€was€very€careful€in€his€consideration€of€theÐ tÄ Ðperemptory€challenge€of€Amos€by€the€prosecution€and€conducted€an€individual€voir€dire€to€exploreÐ Zª Ðthe€prosecutionððs€race„neutral€reasons.€€Amos€told€the€judge€that€her€half„brother€was€involved€inÐ @ Ðan€ongoing€legal€battle€after€being€convicted€of€selling€drugs.€€When€asked€about€her€answers€relatedÐ &v Ðto€race,€Amos€expressed€her€opinion€that€race€has€a€bearing€on€the€outcome€of€a€trial,€in€that€a€whiteÐ  \ Ðjuror€may€convict€a€defendant€just€because€he€is€black.€€The€judge€was€satisfied€that€the€closeÐ òB Ðrelationship€of€Amos€to€her€brotherððs€conviction€was€sufficient€to€exercise€the€peremptory€challengeÐ Ø( Ðand€excused€her.€€The€only€other€black€juror,€Ms.€Flowers,€was€excused€for€cause€without€objection.€Ð ¾ ÐÌ€€€à  àThe€defendants€never€raised€any€questions€at€trial€about€juror€Linda€Suggs,€who€also€Ð Š Ú Ðindicated€on€the€questionnaire€that€her€brother€had€a€conviction.€€An€individual€voir€dire€was€alsoÐ p!À  Ðconducted€with€Suggs€as€one€of€the€jurors€who€indicated€that€she€had€heard€about€the€case€from€theÐ V"¦! Ðmedia€or€other€outside€sources.€€She€subsequently€served€on€the€jury.€€In€her€affidavit€filed€withÐ <#Œ" ÐGroomesððs€post„trial€motion,€Suggs€stated€that€she€did€not€know€much€about€the€charge€against€herÐ "$r# Ðbrother,€other€than€the€conviction€was€in€Texas€and€was€related€to€possession€of€drugs.€€€€€Ð %X $ ÐÌà  àSince€the€prosecution€articulated€race„neutral€reasons€for€striking€Amos,€the€burden€of€proofÐ Ô&$"& Ðshifted€back€to€the€defendants€to€show€purposeful€discrimination.€€òòSeeóó€òòPurkettóó,€514€U.S.€at€768.€€TheÐ º' #' Ðdefendants€have€not€carried€that€burden.€€We€are€satisfied€that€the€trial€judge€used€his€discretionÐ ° Ðproperly€in€allowing€the€prosecution€to€peremptorily€strike€Amos€and€that€no€constitutional€violationÐ –æ Ðoccurred.Ð |Ì ÐÌà  àà ` àà × àà  àò òProsecutorððs€Closing€ArgumentÐ H˜ ÐÌó óà  àThe€defendants€allege€that€the€prosecutor€made€prejudicial€and€improper€statements€in€hisÐ  d Ðclosing€argument.€€Groomes€argues€that€the€prosecutorððs€references€to€the€defendantsðð€actions€in€theÐ ú J Ðpresent€case€being€consistent€with€their€characters,€statements€urging€the€jury€to€vindicate€the€victim,Ð à 0 Ðand€references€to€making€the€mall€safe€for€everyone€were€reversible€error.€€The€State€argues€thatÐ Æ   ÐGroomes€waived€his€objection€to€statements€regarding€deterrence,€since€he€did€not€object€at€trial,€andÐ ¬ ü  Ðany€improper€statements€were€harmless€error.€€Akins€objected€to€the€comments€on€the€defendantsððÐ ’â  Ðcharacter€at€trial.€€After€careful€review,€we€conclude€that€any€improper€statements€by€the€prosecutionÐ xÈ  Ðwere€harmless€error.€Ð ^®  ÐÌà  àWide€latitude€is€given€to€both€the€prosecution€and€defense€during€closing€argument€and€isÐ *z  Ðsubject€to€the€trial€courtððs€discretion.€€òòState€v.€Middlebrooksóó,€995€S.W.2d€550,€557€(Tenn.€1999).€Ð ` ÐHowever,€closing€arguments€should€be€based€on€the€evidence€presented€and€not€be€improper€underÐ öF Ðeither€the€facts€or€the€law.òò€€òòóóIdóóòò.óó€€Where€the€argument€is€found€to€be€improper,€we€must€decide€if€theÐ Ü, Ðimproper€remarks€prejudiced€the€defendant€by€affecting€the€verdict.€€òòIdóóòò.€óóat€559.€€In€making€such€aÐ Â Ðdetermination,€the€following€factors€are€considered:€(1)€the€conduct€viewed€in€light€of€theÐ ¨ø Ðcircumstances€and€facts€in€the€case;€(2)€any€curative€measures€taken€by€the€trial€court€and€theÐ ŽÞ Ðprosecution;€(3)€the€prosecutorððs€intent€in€making€the€improper€statements;€(4)€the€cumulative€effectÐ tÄ Ðof€the€prosecutorððs€statements€and€other€errors€in€the€record;€and€(5)€the€relative€strength€andÐ Zª Ðweakness€of€the€case.€€òòIdóóòò.óó€at€560.€Ð @ ÐÌà  à€€€Statements€of€the€prosecutor€regarding€the€current€actions€of€each€defendant€beingÐ  \ Ðconsistent€with€his€character€were€improper,€unless€the€defendants€opened€the€door€to€their€ownÐ òB Ðcharacters.€€It€may€be€that€Akins€cracked€open€that€door€in€his€cross„examination€of€€Jordan€byÐ Ø( Ðeliciting€responses€that€Akins€was€still€working,€even€though€he€was€homeless€and€had€to€walk€toÐ ¾ Ðwork,€and€how€surprised€and€confused€he€was€after€Jordan€shot€the€victim.€€Akins€elicited€responsesÐ ¤ô Ðfrom€Detective€Dilworth€that€Akins€stated€that€he€was€ð ðlost€and€confused,ðð€that€he€did€not€escapeÐ Š Ú Ðafter€Dilworth€was€called€to€come€to€his€motherððs€house,€that€he€was€polite€and€cooperative€duringÐ p!À  Ðthe€arrest,€and€that€he€was€concerned€about€the€victimððs€condition.€€Jordan€also€testified€at€trial€thatÐ V"¦! Ðhe€was€a€gang€member,€but€Akins€was€not.€€This€testimony€appears€to€have€been€intended€to€showÐ <#Œ" Ðthat€the€robbery€was€not€consistent€with€Akinsððs€character.€€But,€in€any€event,€in€view€of€the€judgeððsÐ "$r# Ðinstruction€to€the€jury€that€statements€of€counsel€are€not€evidence€and€in€light€of€the€strength€of€theÐ %X $ Ðcase€against€both€defendants,€we€find€no€prejudice€to€the€defendants€or€effect€on€the€verdict€fromÐ î%>!% Ðthese€statements.€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Tysonóó,€603€S.W.2d€748,€754€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.),€òòpermóó.€òòappóó.€òòdeniedóóÐ Ô&$"& Ð(Tenn.€1980)€(reference€to€defendants€as€rats€improper€but€harmless€error)òòóó.€€This€error€was€harmless.Ð º' #' ÐÌà  àLikewise,€the€prosecutorððs€statements€that€the€jurors€ð ðcannot€condone€this€activity€in€ourÐ †)Ö$) Ðcounty,ðð€ð ðset€the€standard€for€how€safe€our€county€is,ðð€and€ð ðhave€to€let€these€individuals€know€.€.€.€Ð l*¼%* Ðyou€canððt€do€that€in€a€civilized€societyðð€basically€asked€the€jurors€to€be€the€conscience€of€theÐ R+¢&+ Ðcommunity€with€their€verdict.€€It€is€not€necessarily€improper€for€the€prosecutor€to€appeal€to€the€juryÐ 8,ˆ', Ðto€be€the€conscience€of€the€community.€€òòState€v.€Pattersonóó,€966€S.W.2d€435,€446€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.Ð ° Ð1997);€òòState€v.€Pulliamóó,€950€S.W.2d€360,€368€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1996),€òòpermóó.€òòappóó.€òòdeniedóó€(Tenn.Ð –æ Ð1997).€€However,€the€prosecutor€also€made€statements€that€border€on€asking€the€jury€to€deter€futureÐ |Ì Ðcrimes€with€their€verdict,€which€was€improper:Ð b² ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àPeople€at€the€mall€have€a€right€to€be€free€from€crime.€€They€have€aÐ . ~ Ðright€to€go€there€and€shop€and€to€enjoy€life€without€having€this€thingÐ  d Ðshoved€in€their€chest.€€They€have€a€right€to€that,€and€I€ask€you.€.€.€I€askÐ ú J Ðyou,€Ladies€and€Gentlemen,€on€behalf€of€the€people€of€the€State€ofÐ à 0 ÐTennessee,€to€find€these€two€people€guilty€of€what€they€have€beenÐ Æ   Ðindicted€for,€which€is€especially€aggravated€robbery.Ь ü ` x` x ÐÌà  àThe€prosecutor€could€have€replaced€ð ðpeopleðð€with€the€victimððs€name€and€comported€with€theÐ xÈ  Ðevidence,€so€we€do€not€find€these€remarks€to€be€so€prejudicial€or€inflammatory€to€have€affected€theÐ ^®  Ðverdict.€€The€trial€judge€also€instructed€the€jury€to€disregard€statements€of€counsel€that€did€notÐ D”  Ðcomport€with€the€evidence€presented,€and€the€jury€is€presumed€to€have€followed€the€judgeððsÐ *z  Ðinstructions.€€òòóóòòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Carteróó,€988€S.W.2d€145,€152€(Tenn.€1999);€òòState€v.€Breweróó,€932€S.W.2dÐ ` Ð1,€27€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.),€òòpermóó.€òòappóó.€òòdeniedóó€(Tenn.€1996).€€This€error€is€harmless.Ð öF Ðò òÓ  ÓÌSufficiency€of€the€EvidenceÐ Â ÐÌó óÓëùÓà  àDefendant€Groomes€asserts€that€the€evidence€at€trial€was€insufficient€to€sustain€a€guiltyÐ ŽÞ Ðverdict€against€him€for€especially€aggravated€robbery.€€The€defendant€is€initially€cloaked€with€aÐ tÄ Ðpresumption€of€innocence,€but€this€presumption€is€lost€following€a€jury€verdict.€€Thus,€on€appeal,Ð Zª Ðthe€defendant€has€the€burden€to€prove€that€the€evidence€is€insufficient.€€òòState€v.€Tuggleóó,€639€S.W.2dÐ @ Ð913,€914€(Tenn.€1982).€€We€must€affirm€the€conviction,€unless€the€evidence€at€trial€was€so€deficientÐ &v Ðthat€no€rational€trier€of€fact€could€have€found€all€of€the€essential€elements€of€the€convicting€crimeÐ  \ Ðbeyond€a€reasonable€doubt.€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(e);€òòState€v.€Cazesóó,€875€S.W.2d€253,€259€(Tenn.Ð òB Ð1994).€€This€applies€to€€convictions€based€on€either€direct€or€circumstantial€evidence€or€aÐ Ø( Ðcombination€of€the€two.€€òòState€v.€Matthewsóó,€805€S.W.2d€776,€779€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.),€òòóóòòpermóó.€òòappóó.Ð ¾ Ðòòdeniedóó€(Tenn.€1990).€€In€determining€the€sufficiency€of€the€evidence,€we€do€not€reweigh€the€evidenceÐ ¤ô Ðor€substitute€our€own€inferences€for€those€of€the€jury.€€òòState€v.€Cabbageóó,€571€S.W.2d€832,€835€(Tenn.Ð Š Ú Ð1978).€€In€addition,€we€give€the€strongest€legitimate€view€of€the€evidence€and€all€reasonableÐ p!À  Ðinferences€to€the€State.€€òòState€v.€Harrisóó,€839€S.W.2d€54,€75€(Tenn.€1992),€òòcertóó.€òòdeniedóó,€507€U.S.€954,Ð V"¦! Ð113€S.€Ct.€1368,€122€L.€Ed.€2d€746€(1993).€€With€these€principles€in€mind,€we€turn€to€the€evidence.Ð <#Œ" ÐÌà  àThe€defendant€was€convicted€of€especially€aggravated€robbery,€which€€is€defined€inÐ %X $ ÐTennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€39„13„403€as€robbery:€(1)€accomplished€with€a€deadly€weapon;ò òó ó€andÐ î%>!% Ð(2)€where€the€victim€suffers€serious€bodily€injury.€€Robbery€is€defined€in€Tennessee€Code€AnnotatedÐ Ô&$"& Ððð€39„13„401€as:€(a)€the€intentional€or€knowing€theft€of€property€from€the€person€of€another€byÐ º' #' Ðviolence€or€putting€the€person€in€fear.€€Ð  (ð#( ÐÌà  àAt€trial,€there€was€a€plethora€of€evidence€supporting€Groomesððs€conviction.€€The€victimÐ l*¼%* Ðdescribed€in€detail€how€the€defendants€followed€him,€were€looking€at€his€car,€and€how€GroomesÐ R+¢&+ Ðblocked€his€car€while€Jordan€and€Akins€robbed€him.€€There€is€no€doubt€that€the€victim€suffered€aÐ 8,ˆ', Ðpainful€and€life„threatening€injury€from€being€shot€point„blank€in€the€chest.€The€victimððs€testimony,Ð ° Ðas€well€as€that€of€Laura€Pierce€and€Dr.€VanNetta,€was€sufficient€for€the€jury€to€find€that€Groomes,Ð –æ Ðas€well€as€Akins,€meant€to€rob€the€victim,€who€sustained€serious€bodily€injury€as€a€result.€€TheÐ |Ì Ðtestimony€is€undisputed€that€Akins€and€Jordan€took€the€victimððs€car€in€the€robbery.€€The€testimonyÐ b² Ðfrom€Jordan€about€the€shooting€and€flight,€the€testimony€from€Trooper€Gooding€and€the€FranklinÐ H˜ Ðpolice€officers€involved€in€the€arrest€of€Groomes€and€Akins,€and€the€testimony€of€Tjwani€Cain,€whoÐ . ~ Ðhelped€the€defendants€rent€a€hotel€room€to€hide€out,€further€supported€the€essential€elements€of€theÐ  d Ðoffense€and€allowed€the€jury€to€infer€guilt€from€the€defendantsðð€flight.€€The€jury€simply€did€notÐ ú J Ðbelieve€Groomesððs€story€that€he€was€just€backing€out€his€car€to€move€it€to€a€closer€parking€space€andÐ à 0 Ðwas€not€involved€in€the€robbery.€€There€is€no€merit€to€this€issue.€€€Ð Æ   ÐÌ€à  àà ` àò òSerious€Bodily€Injury€and€Lesser€Offense€of€Carjackingó óÐ ’â  ÐÌà  àDefendant€Akins€next€argues€that€the€trial€judge€erred€in€taking€the€issue€of€serious€bodilyÐ ^®  Ðinjury€away€from€the€jury€by€only€giving€instructions€on€especially€aggravated€robbery€andÐ D”  Ðfacilitation€of€especially€aggravated€robbery,€which€both€require€serious€bodily€injury€to€the€victim.€Ð *z  ÐThis€is€actually€a€challenge€to€the€courtððs€decision€not€to€instruct€on€ð ðbodily€injuryðð€or€on€the€lesserÐ ` Ðoffense€of€carjacking,€which€does€not€include€serious€bodily€injury€to€the€victim.€€In€addition,Ð öF Ðdefendant€Groomes€argues€that€the€trial€court€erred€by€not€giving€an€instruction€on€aggravatedÐ Ü, Ðrobbery,€robbery,€carjacking,€and€an€attempt€to€commit€these€offenses.€€The€State€argues€that€the€juryÐ Â Ðwas€instructed€on€all€elements€of€especially€aggravated€robbery,€including€serious€bodily€injury,€andÐ ¨ø Ðthat€an€instruction€on€the€lesser€offenses€was€not€required.€€We€agree€with€the€State€and€conclude€thatÐ ŽÞ Ðthe€judge€was€not€required€to€give€an€instruction€on€ð ðbodily€injuryðð€or€any€of€the€other€offensesÐ tÄ Ðlisted.€€This€issue€is€without€merit.Ð Zª ÐÌà  àThe€judge€charged€the€jury€as€follows:Ð &v ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àFor€you€to€find€the€defendant€guilty€of€this€offense€[especiallyÐ òB Ðaggravated€robbery],€the€state€must€have€proven€beyond€a€reasonableÐ Ø( Ðdoubt€the€existence€of€each€of€the€following€essential€elements:о` x` x Ðà  àà ` à.€.€.€.Ð ¤ô ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8× ` x` xà(6)€that€the€alleged€victim€suffered€serious€bodily€injury.Ðp!À × ×  Ðà  àà ` àà × àà  àà h àÌà  àà ` àà × à.€.€.€.Ð <#Œ" Ðà  àà ` àÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àð ðSerious€bodily€injuryðð€means€bodily€injury€which€involves€aÐ %X $ Ðsubstantial€risk€of€death;€protracted€unconsciousness;€extremeÐ î%>!% Ðphysical€pain;€protracted€or€obvious€disfigurement;€or€protracted€lossÐ Ô&$"& Ðor€substantial€impairment€of€a€function€of€a€bodily€member,€organ,€orÐ º' #' Ðmental€faculty.€Ð (ð#(` x` x ÐÌà  àThe€judge€also€gave€an€instruction€on€facilitation€of€especially€aggravated€robbery,€whichÐ l*¼%* Ðâ âalso€requires€that€the€victim€suffer€serious€bodily€injury.€€There€was€no€doubt€from€the€trial€courtððsÐ R+¢&+ Ðinstruction€that€the€jury€was€required€to€find€that€the€victim€sustained€serious€bodily€injury€under€theÐ ° Ðlegal€definition€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt€in€order€to€return€a€guilty€verdict,€which€they€did.€€Ð –æ Ðâ âÌà  àThus,€as€to€both€defendants,€the€trial€court€instructed€as€to€especially€aggravated€robbery,€aÐ b² ÐClass€A€felony,€and€facilitation€of€especially€aggravated€robbery,€a€Class€B€felony.€€Both€defendantsÐ H˜ Ðargue€that€the€court€should€have€also€instructed€as€to€carjacking,€a€Class€B€felony.€Additionally,Ð . ~ ÐGroomes€claims€that€the€jury€should€have€been€instructed€as€to€aggravated€robbery,€a€Class€B€felony,Ð  d Ðrobbery,€a€Class€C€felony,€and€the€attempt€to€commit€each€of€these€offenses,€which€is€oneÐ ú J Ðclassification€below€the€most€serious€crime€attempted.Ð à 0 ÐÌà  àòòòòóóóóWe€will€now€consider€whether€it€was€error€for€the€court€not€to€have€instructed€as€to€theÐ ¬ ü  Ðadditional€offenses€set€out€by€the€defendants.€€òòóóBy€statute,€a€trial€court€is€required€to€instruct€on€anyÐ ’â  Ðlesser„included€offenses€that€are€supported€by€the€evidence€at€trial,€regardless€of€whether€any€requestÐ xÈ  Ðis€made.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„18„110;òòóó€òòState€v.€Eric€Flemmingóó,€No.€M1997„0073„SC„R11„CD,Ð ^®  Ð2000€WL€520933€(Tenn.€Apr.€3,€2000);€òòState€v.€Burnsóó,€6€S.W.3d€453,€464€(Tenn.€1999);€òòElderóó,€982Ð D”  ÐS.W.2d€at€876„77.€€Our€supreme€court€has€recently€given€us€a€step„by„step€analysis€for€determiningÐ *z  Ðwhen€an€instruction€is€required€on€a€lesser„included€offense.€€At€the€same€time,€the€court€alsoÐ ` Ðoverruled€the€language€in€òòòòóóState€v.€Trustyóó,€919€S.W.2d€305€(Tenn.€1996),€that€made€a€distinctionÐ öF Ðbetween€lesser€ð ðgradesðð€and€ð ðlesser„includedðð€offenses,€which€was€causing€much€confusion€in€ourÐ Ü, Ðcourts.€€òòBurnsóó,€6€S.W.3d€at€464„65;òò€óóòòState€v.€Dominyóó,€6€S.W.3d€472,€477€(Tenn.€1999).òòóóÐ Â ÐÌà  àUnder€òòBurnsóó,€trial€courts€must€now€engage€in€a€two„step€process€that:€(1)€requires€the€courtÐ ŽÞ Ðto€determine€whether€the€offense€in€question€fits€the€òòBurnsóó€courtððs€definition€of€a€lesser„includedÐ tÄ Ðoffense,׃'×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€and,€if€the€answer€to€step€one€is€ð ðyes,ðð€then€(2)€the€court€must€determine€if€the€evidenceÐ Zª Ðsupports€an€instruction€on€that€lesser€offense.€€òòBurnsóó,€6€S.W.3d€at€467.€€€If€the€answer€to€step€one€isÐ @ Ðð ðno,ðð€then€an€instruction€is€not€required,€even€if€the€evidence€warrants€one.€€òòIdóó.Ð &v ÐÐ  \ Ðà  àRobbery€is€defined€in€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€39„13„401(a)€as€ð ðthe€intentional€orÐ ° Ðknowing€theft€of€property€from€the€person€of€another€by€violence€or€putting€the€person€in€fear.ððÐ –æ ÐÌà  àAggravated€robbery€is€defined€in€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€39„13„402€as€robbery€plus:Ð b² ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(1)€à8× ` x` xàAccomplished€with€a€deadly€weapon€or€by€display€of€anyÐ . ~ Ðarticle€used€or€fashioned€to€lead€the€victim€to€reasonablyÐ  d Ðbelieve€it€to€be€a€deadly€weapon;€ò òoró óÐú J× ×  ÐÌà  àà ` à(2)€Where€the€victim€suffers€serious€bodily€injury.€€(emphasis€added)Ð Æ   ÐÌà  àEspecially€aggravated€robbery€is€defined€in€ðð€39„13„403(a)€as€robbery:Ð ’â  ÐÌà  àà ` à(1)€Accomplished€with€a€deadly€weapon;€ò òandó óÐ ^®  ÐÌà  àà ` à(2)€Where€the€victim€suffers€serious€bodily€injury.€€(emphasis€added)à Ð àÐ *z  ÐÌà  àFinally,€carjacking€is€defined€by€ðð€39„13„404€as:Ð öF ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(a)€à8× ` x` xàthe€intentional€or€knowing€taking€of€a€motor€vehicle€fromÐ Â Ðthe€possession€of€another€by€use€of:Шø× ×  ÐÌÌà  àà ` àà × à(1)€A€deadly€weapon;€orÐ Zª ÐÌà  àà ` àà × à(2)€Force€or€intimidation.Ð &v ÐÌà  àApplying€the€first€step€of€the€òòBurnsòòóó€óóanalysis,€we€conclude€that€carjacking€is€not€a€lesser„Ð òB Ðincluded€offense€of€especially€aggravated€robbery,€since€it€has€an€essential€element,€the€taking€of€aÐ Ø( Ðmotor€vehicle,€that€is€not€present€in€the€offense€charged.€€Thus,€the€trial€court€was€correct€not€toÐ ¾ Ðinstruct€on€carjacking.Ð ¤ô ÐÌà  àAggravated€robbery,€robbery,€and€an€attempt€to€commit€these€offenses€all€fall€under€theÐ p!À  ÐòòBurnsóó€definition€of€lesser„included€offenses,€but€that€is€not€where€our€inquiry€ends.€€We€must€decideÐ V"¦! Ðif€the€evidence€at€trial€warranted€an€instruction€on€these€offenses€under€the€second€step€of€the€òòBurnsóóÐ <#Œ" Ðanalysis.€€In€completing€this€step,€we€must€view€the€evidence€in€the€light€most€favorable€to€theÐ "$r# Ðlesser„included€offense,€without€making€judgments€on€the€credibility€of€witnesses€or€evidence,€andÐ %X $ Ðdetermine€whether€any€evidence€exists€that€reasonable€minds€could€accept€as€to€the€lesser„includedÐ î%>!% Ðoffense.€€Next,€we€must€determine€if€the€evidence,€when€viewed€in€this€light,€is€legally€sufficient€toÐ Ô&$"& Ðsupport€a€conviction€on€the€lesser€offense.€€òòBurnsóó,€6€S.W.3d€at€469.Ð º' #' ÐÌà  àThere€were€a€number€of€undisputed€facts€in€this€case:€€the€victim€had€a€life„threateningÐ †)Ö$) Ðinjury;€Jordan€was€the€shooter;€Akins€held€a€shotgun€and€stood€behind€Jordan€during€the€robbery;Ð l*¼%* ÐGroomesððs€car€blocked€the€victimððs€car€from€backing€out;€Jordan€and€Akins€took€the€victimððs€carÐ R+¢&+ Ðand€wrecked€it;€all€of€the€defendants€fled€the€scene;€and€Jordan€and€Akins€hid€out€for€three€daysÐ 8,ˆ', Ðbefore€being€captured.€€However,€there€are€three€scenarios€that€the€rest€of€the€evidence€could€haveÐ ° Ðraised.€€First,€there€is€the€victimððs€version€that€the€defendants€followed€him€and€acted€in€concert€toÐ –æ Ðrob€him.€€This€is€also€supported€by€statements€made€by€Akins€and€Jordan€to€police€that€the€fourÐ |Ì Ðdefendants€followed€the€victim€and€planned€to€rob€him.€€Second,€there€is€the€version€raised€by€Akins,Ð b² Ðthrough€his€questioning€of€witnesses,€that€the€defendants€had€no€plans€to€rob€the€victim€and€thatÐ H˜ ÐAkins€just€went€along€with€Jordan€without€having€any€intent€to€take€the€victimððs€car€or€to€shoot€him.€Ð . ~ ÐA€third€version€was€raised€by€Groomes€through€cross„examination,€that€the€defendants€had€gone€toÐ  d Ðthe€mall€to€buy€an€amplifier,€that€he€did€not€know€what€Jordan€had€planned€to€do,€and€that€he€wasÐ ú J Ðsimply€backing€his€car€out€to€move€it€to€a€closer€parking€space€when€he€blocked€the€victimððs€car.€Ð à 0 ÐHe€left€the€scene€when€he€realized€what€Jordan€was€doing.€€However,€he€allowed€Jordan€and€AkinsÐ Æ   Ðto€flee€in€his€car€because€he€was€forced€to€stop€when€the€victimððs€car€hit€the€curb,€and€Jordan€stillÐ ¬ ü  Ðhad€a€gun€in€his€hand€when€he€approached€Groomesððs€car.€€Coupled€with€the€undisputed€facts,€weÐ ’â  Ðconclude€that€the€only€evidence€presented€that€a€reasonable€mind€could€accept€was€especiallyÐ xÈ  Ðaggravated€robbery€as€to€all€three€defendants€(version€1),€facilitation€of€a€felony׃(×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€(version€2€or€3),Ð ^®  Ðor€acquittal.€€There€was€no€evidence€that€reasonable€minds€could€accept€that€the€victim€did€not€incurÐ D”  Ðserious€bodily€injury€or€that€the€robbery€was€accomplished€without€a€deadly€weapon.€€Both€elementsÐ *z  Ðwere€undisputably€present,€so€there€was€no€need€to€instruct€on€aggravated€robbery€or€simple€robbery.€Ð ` ÐThe€jury€simply€did€not€believe€the€defendantsðð€versions€and€found€them€guilty€of€the€greater€chargeÐ öF Ðrather€than€merely€facilitation€of€Jordanððs€robbery.€€Ð Ü, ÐÌà  àLikewise,€an€instruction€for€attempted€especially€aggravated€robbery€was€not€required.€€EvenÐ ¨ø Ðthough€this€meets€the€exception€of€òòBurnsóó€as€a€lesser„included€offense,€there€was€no€evidence€thatÐ ŽÞ Ðreasonable€minds€could€accept€that€either€Akins€or€Groomes€acted€with€the€intent€necessary€forÐ tÄ Ðespecially€aggravated€robbery€but€merely€went€beyond€mere€preparation€toward€the€commission€ofÐ Zª Ðthe€robbery€or€intentionally€engaged€in€conduct€designed€to€rob€the€victim,€but€that€the€crime€wasÐ @ Ðnot€completed.€€òòSee€óóTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„12„101.€€Thus,€no€instruction€was€required€on€attempt.€Ð &v Ѐ€€€€Ð  \ Ðà  àAdditionally,€we€note€that€the€jury€was€instructed€both€as€to€especially€aggravated€robbery,Ð òB Ða€Class€A€felony,€and€facilitation€of€this€offense,€a€Class€B€felony,€and€that€both€defendants€wereÐ Ø( Ðconvicted€of€the€Class€A€felony.€€Thus,€the€jury€having€been€instructed€as€to€a€Class€B€felony,€andÐ ¾ Ðhaving€convicted€the€defendants€of€the€Class€A€felony,€it€would€have€been€harmless€error€for€the€trialÐ ¤ô Ðcourt€not€to€have€instructed€as€to€the€additional€offenses€claimed€by€the€defendants€had€suchÐ Š Ú Ðinstructions€been€warranted.€€òòState€v.€Williamsóó,€977€S.W.2d€101,€105€(Tenn.€1998).€€In€òòWilliamsóó,Ð p!À  Ðour€supreme€court€said:Ð V"¦! ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àReversal€is€required€if€the€error€affirmatively€appears€to€have€affectedÐ "$r# Ðthe€result€of€the€trial€on€the€merits,€or€in€other€words,€reversal€isÐ %X $ Ðrequired€if€the€error€more€probably€than€not€affected€the€judgment€toÐ î%>!% Ðthe€defendantððs€prejudice.ÐÔ&$"&` x` x ÐÐ º' #' ÐòòIdóó.€(citation€omitted).Ð ° ÐÌà  àThus,€even€if€there€should€have€been€an€instruction€as€to€these€additional€offenses,€it€does€notÐ |Ì Ðaffirmatively€appear€that€such€alleged€error€affected€the€results€of€the€trial€or€that€it€more€probablyÐ b² Ðthan€not€affected€the€judgment€to€the€defendantsðð€prejudice.€€Thus,€for€this€additional€reason,€thisÐ H˜ Ðassignment€of€error€is€without€merit.Ð . ~ ÐÌà  à€€€€€€€à0 ` àà0× ` (#` (#àà0× (#× (#àò òImproper€Contact€with€Jurorsó óÐú J(#(# ÐÌà  àDefendant€Groomes€asserts€that€the€verdict€against€him€is€tainted,€because€jurors€hadÐ Æ   Ðimproper€conversations€with€the€victimððs€family,€and€that€he€is€entitled€to€a€new€trial.€€The€StateÐ ¬ ü  Ðargues€that€Groomes€has€not€shown€any€prejudice€from€any€alleged€contacts.€€After€a€careful€reviewÐ ’â  Ðof€the€record,€we€affirm€the€trial€courtððs€denial€of€Groomesððs€motion€for€new€trial.€€Ð xÈ  ÐÌà  à€Communication€about€the€case€with€a€non„juror€third€party€is€one€type€of€external€influenceÐ D”  Ðthat€could€warrant€a€new€trial€if€it€is€also€found€to€be€prejudicial.€€òòCaldararo€v.€Vanderbilt€Univ.óó,€794Ð *z  ÐS.W.2d€738,€742€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.),€òòpermóó.€òòappóó.€òòdeniedóó€(Tenn.€1990).€€When€a€jury€is€not€sequestered,Ð ` Ðthe€defendant€has€the€burden€of€showing€more€than€mere€interactions€between€jurors€and€third€partiesÐ öF Ðto€shift€the€burden€to€the€prosecution€to€show€that€no€prejudice€to€the€defendant€occurred.€€TheÐ Ü, Ðdefendant€must€show€that€extraneous€prejudicial€information€or€some€outside€improper€influenceÐ Â Ðwas€imparted€to€one€or€more€jurors.€€òòState€v.€Blackwellóó,€664€S.W.2d€686,€689€(Tenn.€1984);€òòStateÐ ¨ø Ðv.€Clintonóó,€754€S.W.2d€100,€103€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.),€òòpermóó.€òòappóó.€òòdeniedóó€(Tenn.€1988).€€€Ð ŽÞ ÐÌà  àIn€support€of€his€allegations€of€improper€jury€contact€at€the€hearing€on€his€motion€for€a€newÐ Zª Ðtrial,€Groomes€offered€the€affidavits,€as€well€as€the€testimony,€of€his€mother€and€sister€stating€thatÐ @ Ðthey€overheard€the€victim€discussing€the€facts€of€the€case€with€two€female€jurors,€one€of€whom€wasÐ &v Ðblonde€and€pregnant.€€In€their€testimony€at€the€motion€hearing,€neither€woman€was€able€to€identifyÐ  \ Ða€specific€juror€that€had€improper€contact€with€witnesses.€€Two€jurors,€Chantelle€Smith€and€LindaÐ òB ÐKelly,€were€brought€to€court€on€the€day€of€the€motion€hearing€to€meet€Ms.€Groomes€and€herÐ Ø( Ðdaughter,€because€they€most€closely€matched€the€descriptions€in€the€Groomesððs€affidavits€of€jurorsÐ ¾ Ðwho€had€conversations€with€the€victim€and€his€family€during€the€jury€selection€process.€€Linda€KellyÐ ¤ô Ðwas€not€the€juror€either€woman€remembered,€and€Ms.€Smith€testified€at€the€hearing€that€she€wasÐ Š Ú Ðpregnant€at€the€time€of€trial€but€did€not€have€a€conversation€with€the€victim€or€his€family.€€She€wasÐ p!À  Ðalso€not€a€blonde.€€Her€only€conversation€was€with€a€woman€identified€as€Ann€Sleigh,€who€had€askedÐ V"¦! Ðthe€younger€Ms.€Groomes€what€her€jury€number€was.€€When€Ms.€Groomes€answered€that€she€wasÐ <#Œ" Ðthe€defendantððs€sister,€the€woman€patted€her€and€said,€ð ðOh,€bless€your€heart.€€Iððm€so€sorry.ðð€€Ms.Ð "$r# ÐSleigh€had€related€this€story€to€Chantelle€Smith€but€was€later€stricken€from€the€jury€by€defendantÐ %X $ ÐGroomes.€€€€€€à ` àÐ î%>!% ÐÌà  àJoe€Burns,€a€transportation€deputy€with€the€sheriffððs€department,€also€testified€at€the€hearingÐ º' #' Ðon€Groomesððs€motion€for€a€new€trial.€€He€testified€that€he€saw€an€older€man€with€the€victim€pointingÐ  (ð#( Ðtoward€the€two€defendants€and€mouthing€profanity€during€a€courtroom€break.€€Deputy€Burns€did€notÐ †)Ö$) Ðknow€if€any€jurors€were€present€in€the€courtroom€during€this€time,€and€the€man€was€excluded€fromÐ l*¼%* Ðthe€courtroom€by€the€judge.€€Ð R+¢&+ ÐÐ 8,ˆ', Ðà  àIn€reviewing€the€record,€we€find€no€indication€that€any€members€of€the€jury€panel€thatÐ ° Ðdecided€this€case€were€involved€in€any€improper,€prejudicial€communications.€€At€the€end€of€the€juryÐ –æ Ðselection€process,€a€male€jury€panel€member,€Richard€Coles,€Jr.,€notified€the€judge€that€he€had€heardÐ |Ì Ðwitnesses€discussing€the€case€and€pointing€out€defendant€Akins.€€The€judge€excused€Mr.€Coles€andÐ b² Ðquestioned€the€entire€panel€as€to€whether€any€other€jurors€had€overheard€conversations€about€theÐ H˜ Ðcase.€€None€of€the€jurors€responded€in€the€affirmative.€€At€that€point,€three€jurors€were€stricken€byÐ . ~ Ðthe€parties,€and€alternates€were€picked.€€Defense€attorneys€could€have€questioned€the€twoÐ  d Ðunidentified€women€from€the€Groomesððs€affidavits€or€any€of€the€other€jurors€about€contact€with€thirdÐ ú J Ðparties€if€a€problem€were€perceived.€€In€fact,€in€her€brief,€Groomesððs€counsel€alleges€that€sheÐ à 0 Ðobserved€the€victim€talking€to€a€jury€panel€member€during€the€selection€process,€but€there€is€nothingÐ Æ   Ðin€the€record€to€show€that€she€pursued€this€with€the€jurors€during€voir€dire.€€We€conclude€that€theÐ ¬ ü  Ðdefendant€has€failed€to€show€that€there€were€improper€communications€between€any€member€of€theÐ ’â  Ðjury€panel€and€a€non„juror€third€party€or€that€the€outcome€of€the€trial€was€affected€by€any€allegedÐ xÈ  Ðcommunications.€€This€issue€is€without€merit.€€€€€€€€€€€Ð ^®  ÐÌÐ  *z  Ðà  àà ` àà × àà  àà h à€€ò òSentencing€FactorsÐ ° ÐÌó óà  àIn€reviewing€a€sentence,€we€conduct€a€òòdeóó€òònovoóó€review€with€a€presumption€of€correctness€ofÐ |Ì Ðthe€trial€courtððs€findings.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„35„401(d).€€This€presumption€is€ð ðconditioned€uponÐ b² Ðthe€affirmative€showing€in€the€record€that€the€trial€court€considered€the€sentencing€principles€and€allÐ H˜ Ðrelevant€facts€and€circumstances.€€òòState€v.€Ashbyóó,€823€S.W.2d€166,€169€(Tenn.€1991).€€We€concludeÐ . ~ Ðthat€the€trial€court€properly€considered€the€appropriate€factors,€and€the€presumption€of€correctnessÐ  d Ðapplies.€€à ` àÐ ú J ÐÌà  àIn€conducting€our€òòde€novoóó€review€of€the€sentences,€we€must€consider:€(1)€the€evidenceÐ Æ   Ðreceived€at€trial€and€at€the€sentencing€hearing;€(2)€the€presentence€report;€(3)€sentencing€principles;Ð ¬ ü  Ð(4)€arguments€for€sentencing€alternatives;€(5)€the€nature€and€characteristics€of€the€criminal€conductÐ ’â  Ðinvolved;€(6)€any€mitigating€and€enhancing€factors;€(7)€the€defendantððs€statements€regardingÐ xÈ  Ðsentencing;€and€(8)€the€defendantððs€potential,€or€lack€thereof,€for€rehabilitation€or€treatment.€€Tenn.Ð ^®  ÐCode€Ann.€ðð€ðð€40„35„102,€„103,€„210€(1997);€òòState€v.€Smithóó,€735€S.W.2d€859,€863€(Tenn.€Crim.Ð D”  ÐApp.€1987).€€€à ` àò òÐ *z  ÐÌà  àà ` àà × àà  àà h àA.€€Cecil€GroomesÐ öF Ðó óÌà  àDefendant€Groomes€argues€that€his€sentence€of€twenty„two€years€is€excessive€and€that€theÐ Â Ðtrial€court€erred€in€not€applying€additional€mitigating€factors€to€his€case,€which€would€reduce€hisÐ ¨ø Ðsentence€to€twenty€years.€€We€disagree€and€conclude€that€the€defendant€was€properly€sentenced€byÐ ŽÞ Ðthe€trial€court.€Ð tÄ ÐÌà  àBecause€especially€aggravated€robbery€is€a€Class€A€felony,€the€trial€judge€began€sentencingÐ @ Ðusing€the€midpoint€of€twenty€years.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„35„210(c)€(1997);€òòState€v.€Chanceóó,€952Ð &v ÐS.W.2d€848,€851€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1997).€€He€applied€three€enhancing€factors€set€out€in€TennesseeÐ  \ ÐCode€Annotated€ðð€40„35„114:€(1)€the€defendant€had€a€prior€criminal€history€of€a€misdemeanorÐ òB Ðconviction€for€possession€of€a€gun€and€a€felony€conviction€for€possession€of€pipe€bombs;׃)×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€(13)€theÐ Ø( Ðdefendant€committed€the€current€offense€while€on€probation€for€the€felony;€(21)€the€defendantÐ ¾ Ðdeceived€the€court€in€his€affidavit€of€indigency€and€failed€to€pay€the€administrative€fee.€€The€trialÐ ¤ô Ðjudge€then€applied€three€mitigating€factors€set€out€in€ðð€40„35„113:€(4)€the€defendant€played€a€minorÐ Š Ú Ðrole€in€the€offense;€(6)€because€of€his€youth,€the€defendant€lacked€substantial€judgment€in€theÐ p!À  Ðcommission€of€the€offense;€and€(9)€the€defendant€assisted€authorities€in€apprehending€the€otherÐ V"¦! Ðdefendants.Ð <#Œ" ÐÌà  àWe€conclude€that€the€trial€court€properly€considered€the€enhancing€and€mitigating€factors€inÐ %X $ Ðreaching€the€twenty„two„year€sentence.€€Testimony€was€presented€at€the€sentencing€hearing€thatÐ î%>!% ÐGroomes€had€assets€that€he€did€not€divulge€to€the€court€in€procuring€court„appointed€counsel€and€didÐ Ô&$"& Ðnot€pay€his€administrative€fee.€€Groomes€gave€testimony€that€showed€he€has€been€involved€in€fightsÐ º' #' Ðin€the€jail€and€at€school,€as€well€as€convicted€of€prior€criminal€offenses.€€In€addition,€there€wasÐ ° Ðtestimony€that€the€defendants€were€involved€in€another€shooting€incident€earlier€in€the€day€of€theÐ –æ Ðcarjacking.€€The€trial€judge€apparently€weighed€the€enhancing€factors€heavily,€and€we€presume€hisÐ |Ì Ðfindings€to€be€correct.€€Ð b² ÐÌà  àGroomes€further€argues€that€the€court€failed€to€apply€mitigating€factor€(1),€because€hisÐ . ~ Ðconduct€neither€caused€nor€threatened€serious€bodily€injury.€€We€cannot€agree.€€Groomes€was€armedÐ  d Ðthat€day,€and€it€was€his€shotgun€that€Akins€used€in€the€robbery.€€The€victim€sustained€a€life„Ð ú J Ðthreatening€injury€as€a€result.€€The€trial€court€did€not€err€in€refusing€to€apply€this€factor.Ð à 0 ÐÌà  àGroomes€also€claims€that€mitigating€factor€(11)€should€have€been€applied,€in€that€heÐ ¬ ü  Ðcommitted€this€offense€under€such€unusual€circumstances€that€it€is€unlikely€that€a€sustained€intentÐ ’â  Ðto€violate€the€law€motivated€his€conduct.€€In€light€of€the€evidence€presented€that€he€was€involvedÐ xÈ  Ðearlier€that€day€in€another€shooting€incident€and€continued€to€go€armed€with€the€other€defendants,Ð ^®  Ðwe€conclude€that€the€trial€court€correctly€refused€to€apply€this€factor.€€Groomes€was€properlyÐ D”  Ðsentenced,€and€we€affirm€the€trial€courtððs€findings.€Ð *z  ÐÌØ! !Øò òÓ  ÓB.€€Terranc€AkinsÐ öF ÐÌó óÓjÓà  àAkins€argues€that€he€should€have€been€sentenced€as€an€especially€mitigated€offender.€€HeÐ Â Ðfurther€argues€that€the€trial€court€failed€to€apply€three€other€mitigating€factors:€(3)€substantial€groundsÐ ¨ø Ðexist€to€justify€the€defendantððs€conduct;€(4)€the€defendant€played€a€minor€role€in€the€offense;€and€(11)Ð ŽÞ Ðthe€offense€was€committed€under€such€unusual€circumstances€that€it€is€unlikely€that€a€sustainedÐ tÄ Ðintent€to€violate€the€law€motivated€his€conduct.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„35„113.€€€In€setting€thisÐ Zª Ðdefendantððs€twenty„year€sentence,€the€trial€judge€applied€one€enhancing€factor,€the€defendant€hadÐ @ Ða€previous€juvenile€conviction€for€auto€theft€that€would€be€a€felony€if€committed€by€an€adult€(factorÐ &v Ð20),€and€one€mitigating€factor,€his€youth€caused€him€to€lack€substantial€judgment€in€committing€thisÐ  \ Ðoffense€(factor€6).€€Ð òB ÐÌà  àAs€to€enhancing€factor€(20),€Akins€argues€that€there€was€no€valuation€of€the€vehicle€involvedÐ ¾ Ðin€the€juvenile€car€theft€conviction,€so€the€court€had€no€evidence€that€this€would€be€considered€aÐ ¤ô Ðfelony€rather€than€a€misdemeanor.€€As€provided€by€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€39„14„105(1),€aÐ Š Ú Ðtheft€of€property€under€$500€is€a€Class€A€misdemeanor.€€Juvenile€offenses€occurring€after€July€1,Ð p!À  Ð1995,€can€be€considered€only€if€they€qualify€under€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„35„114(20),€which€requiresÐ V"¦! Ðthat,€for€consideration,€a€juvenile€offense€must€be€such€that,€if€committed€by€an€adult,€it€would€beÐ <#Œ" Ða€felony.€€òòSeeóó€òòState€v.€Glynnon€Bradshawóó,€No.€01C01„9810„CR„00439,€1999€WL€737871,€at€*2Ð "$r# Ð(Tenn.€Crim.€App.,€Nashville,€Sept.€22,€1999);€òòState€v.€Jeffery€Ray€Jenningsóó,€No.€E1999„00848„Ð %X $ ÐCCA„R3„CD,€2000€WL€274078,€at€*4€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.,€Knoxville,€Mar.€14,€2000).€€Thus,€sinceÐ î%>!% Ðthere€was€no€proof€presented€as€to€the€value€of€the€vehicle€stolen,€we€agree€that€factor€(20)€did€notÐ Ô&$"& Ðpermit€this€conviction€to€be€considered€for€enhancement€purposes.€€Accordingly,€there€were€noÐ º' #' Ðapplicable€enhancing€factors.Ð  (ð#( ÐÌÌà  àThe€additional€mitigating€factors€that€Akins€asks€us€to€apply€fly€in€the€face€of€the€testimonyÐ R+¢&+ Ðat€trial€and€the€sentencing€hearing.€€Not€only€was€Akins€one€of€the€gunmen€in€the€robbery,€he€wasÐ 8,ˆ', Ðwith€the€other€defendants€earlier€in€the€day€when€Jordan€fired€the€shotgun€out€of€the€car€window€atÐ ° Ðanother€motorist€on€the€freeway.€€In€addition,€there€was€testimony€from€several€witnesses€that€AkinsÐ –æ Ðwas€working€at€the€time€of€the€offense,€but€in€his€statement€given€to€police,€he€stated€that€he€wantedÐ |Ì Ðto€take€money€from€the€victim.€€The€fact€that€he€was€put€out€of€his€house€and€could€not€graduateÐ b² Ðfrom€high€school€on€time€is€no€excuse€for€committing€such€a€violent€crime.€€It€was€his€choice€notÐ H˜ Ðto€remain€in€school€so€that€he€could€live€at€home.€€The€trial€judge€already€took€into€account€his€poorÐ . ~ Ðyouthful€judgment€as€a€mitigating€factor,€and€we€cannot€disagree€with€the€courtððs€refusal€to€applyÐ  d Ðother€mitigating€factors.€€Ð ú J ÐÌà  àThus,€as€to€defendant€Akins,€it€appears€that€there€were€no€enhancing€factors€and€that€the€trialÐ Æ   Ðcourt€could€have€considered€him€as€an€especially€mitigated€offender.€€However,€it€was€discretionaryÐ ¬ ü  Ðwith€the€trial€court€as€to€whether€to€do€so.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€40„35„109(a)€(ð ðThe€court€òòmayóóÐ ’â  Ðfind€the€defendant€is€an€especially€mitigated€offender,€if:€(1)€The€defendant€has€no€prior€felonyÐ xÈ  Ðconvictions;€and€(2)€The€court€finds€mitigating,€but€no€enhancing€factors.ðð)€(emphasis€added);€òòStateÐ ^®  Ðv.€Bradenóó,€867€S.W.2d€750,€762„63€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.),€òòpermóó.€òòappóó€òòdeniedóó€(Tenn.€1993)€(It€is€withinÐ D”  Ðthe€ð ðsound€discretionðð€of€the€trial€court€whether€a€defendant€should€be€sentenced€as€an€especiallyÐ *z  Ðmitigated€offender€and,€given€the€serious€nature€of€the€offenses,€the€court€did€not€abuse€its€discretionÐ ` Ðin€refusing€to€do€so.).€€As€to€defendant€Akins,€we€conclude€that€the€trial€court€did€not€abuse€itsÐ öF Ðdiscretion€in€not€sentencing€him€as€an€especially€mitigated€offender.€€Accordingly,€we€affirm€theÐ Ü, Ðtwenty„year€sentence.Ð Â ÐÌà  àà ` àà × àò òà  àà h àCONCLUSIONÐ ŽÞ ÐÌà  àó óBased€upon€the€authorities€and€reasoning€set€out€herein,€we€affirm€the€judgments€of€the€trial€Ð Zª Ðcourt€as€to€both€defendants.ò òÐ @ Ðó ó€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð &v ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà × àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð ¾ Ðà  àà ` àà × àà  àà h àà À àà  àALAN€E.€GLENN,€JUDGE