ÿWPCú TøQÝLY¡ÅpöÄüõƒ{€¦ØFÏUK:ª@Â*ð ŽSAP‰æ¥q%ÎüꃙaÇ“KKd‡Ïl&ál…ðÓKŸÁ‹çJr[ÈS?ÒöKF$i­ËérüßÇhAk&h6w­‰ÛäBØPPàˆ§ó.Có:“€„æ™è¯E‰BafíÓWVÞ08¼$wË÷+4Æä!Ôó-‰jŒg ±ÊŽ'>I| X‚óÍëÐínq32Ù¡U]’Ò{Iwå@ÓŽÓf*¢ü‡oYÆ–~A)>BJÝrs®!ÀµqâÒÓàZf»[a î½ïïøLA¬ZeÒøÁSÉÉ =³ ˜fÔÓÂ?}Á&Ê‘1P.ÒŒ™¤#‹ ØÆÅ}ƒ¤ï3ñè 9d¬yUñ¸2øRB!6¡‚~òß‹©Õúäïü–-…ålÚúP1]­Vb³"êcàx܈Ûû8âa° –d¾À9fQ"Æ ÌÆPá6 œ¤;êø«{VL(fúïk¹]þÕȼÀª°a u»}‡þ"ªD˜ñóÞÿ™•„›Ä”܉(惲îñ{zÇÍy$‘2eÁknEÙ«ÝÙ|ÿ:ŒëW¾ÈþõgYKæ[YÌb#Á\ % UN# 0ˆq UNù ^ G wS zW ÒÑ 4£ · Æ mÈ Æß Æ¥ Æk Æ1 ÷N 0D 1uHE½©¿ 72h 0 cš 1‡ý 72„ 1‡¶ 72= 1‡o 72ö 1‡( 72¯ áááááááçççççbïïïïïïïïïïïïïïïïïïïïïïïïïïïïïïïïïïïï 0ë÷÷÷÷ Bââ 0¤ÿ D3£ D-Ö 0K ASNÆ¡ 0¤g 0D  A«O˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 5eÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0»(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular O+  ˜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.wptÖJ~'RDPE~1’¢3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 Ý ƒRÞƒ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôà=ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡ôà=òòôà=ÔThe€Defendant€and€Mary€Browning€had€apparently€dated€in€the€past.Ô#†ôà=òòôà=~#Ô(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a) ŸÝ ƒRÞƒ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôà=ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡ôà=òòôà=ÔÔ‡&¿» %òôà=ÔDetective€Putnam€described€the€utility€tool€as€a€multiple„type€tool,€and€when€opened,€it€containsÐ ° Ðpliers,€screwdrivers€and€a€knife€blade.Ô#†&¿» % %&¿»~#ÔÔ#†ôà=ò %&¿»#Ôi)(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à(нCEKQW]cioAutoList1A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.(š½CEKQW]cioAutoList2A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.(ª½CEKQW]cioAutoList3A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.(º½CEKQW]cioAutoList4A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A. A.H - ù-(|G2Þƒ$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€[Å»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôà=ò»»Ô d(|3‡$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€[Å»»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€[Å»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€[Å»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÔ€¼[Å»»»ÔÑ8€yXXdì»»d8Ñà@ttìàÔ‡îMD[ÅÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€CRIMINAL€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼[Å»îîMD #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  Óà @ àà @` àAssigned€on€Briefs€June€19,€2001Ð üL ÐÔ‡XyX»¼[ÅÔÌò òÔ#†¼[Å»XXy#ÔSTATE€OF€TENNESSEEòòóó€v.€MARTIN€STUART€HAMMOCKòòóóÔ‡XyX»¼[ÅÔó óÐ úJ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òDirect€Appeal€from€the€Criminal€Court€for€Davidson€CountyÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€98„B„1430€€€€€€Carol€Ô_ÔSolomanÔ_Ô,€JudgeÐ æ 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` AßÐ ªú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M2000„00334„CCA„R3„CD€„€Filed€October€12,€Ô_Ô2001Ô_ÔÐ ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÔ‡XyXXXyÔÔ#†¼[Å»XXy›#Ôà0  àÐ (#(# ÐÔ€XyX»¼[ÅÔAfter€a€trial,€Defendant,€Martin€Stuart€Hammock,€was€found€guilty€by€a€Davidson€County€jury€ofÐ ŠÚ Ðmurder€first€degree.€€In€accordance€with€the€juryððs€verdict,€the€trial€court€imposed€a€sentence€of€lifeÐ vÆ Ðimprisonment€with€parole.€€Also€accused€of€murder€first€degree€was€a€co„Defendant,€Brent€Rollins,Ð b² Ðwith€Angela€Watson€being€indicted€for€Accessory€After€the€Fact€to€murder€first€degree.€€The€co„Ð Nž ÐDefendants€were€severed€prior€to€trial.€€In€this€direct€appeal,€Defendant€contends€that:€(1)€the€trialÐ :Š Ðcourt€erred€in€denying€introduction€of€testimony€from€the€victimððs€neighbor,€David€Thompson,Ð &v Ðregarding€the€victimððs€past€violent€behavior;€and€(2)€the€verdict€was€contrary€to€the€evidence€and€lawÐ b Ðin€that€the€proof€was€insufficient€to€support€a€verdict€of€guilty.€€After€reviewing€the€record,€weÐ þN Ðreverse,€modify€and€remand€the€trial€courtððs€judgment.€Ô#†XyXXXyï#ÔÐ ê: ÐÓãÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3;€Judgment€of€the€Criminal€Court€is€Reversed,€Modified€and€Remanded.ó óÐ Â ÐÌòòÓ  ÓL.€Terry€Lafferty,€Sr.€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòDavid€G.€Hayes,€J.,óó€andÐ šê ÐòòThomas€T.€Ô_ÔWoodallÔ_Ô,€J.óó,€joined.Ð †Ö ÐÌLeslie€A.€Bruce,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Martin€Stuart€Hammock.Ð ^!®  ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter;€Thomas€E.€Williams,€III,€Assistant€AttorneyÐ 6#†" ÐGeneral;€and€Bret€Gunn,€Assistant€District€Attorney€General,€for€the€appellee,€State€of€Tennessee.Ð "$r# ÐÓ+ ÓÌà@@OO&ìàò òOPINIONó óÐ ú%J!% ÐÌòòóóÓ  ÓÔ‡XyXXXyÔà  àAt€trial,€Virgie€Soapes,€sister€of€Gary€Jackson,€testified€that€the€victim€was€49€years€old€atÐ Ò'"#' Ðthe€time€of€his€death€in€February€1998.€€The€victim€was€employed€at€the€S€&€S€Tire€Company.€€SheÐ ¾($( Ðstated€that€her€brother€had€a€drinking€problem€for€21€years.€€When€she€went€to€his€apartment,€sheÐ ª)ú$) Ðwas€unable€to€find€his€wallet,€nor€any€identification€that€he€usually€carried.€Ð –*æ%* ÐÌà  àOn€February€16,€1998,€about€8:00€a.m.,€a€co„worker,€Dewey€Alan€Brooks€testified€that€heÐ n,¾', Ðand€Tim€Ô_ÔSoutherlandÔ_Ô€stopped€by€the€victimððs€apartment€to€take€him€to€work.€€When€there€was€noÐ Z-ª(-ý Ðanswer€to€his€knock,€he€looked€in€the€window,€saw€the€television€on€and€the€victim€laying€by€a€couchÐ ° Ðbetween€the€kitchen€and€living€room.€€Southerland€went€through€a€window€and€opened€the€front€doorÐ œì Ðthen€ran€across€the€street€to€call€the€police.€€When€Brooks€went€inside€the€apartment,€he€saw€bloodÐ ˆØ Ðall€over€the€victim,€the€floor,€the€wall€and,€ð ðit€was€a€total€mess.ðð€Ð tÄ ÐÌà  àTim€Southerland€testified€that€he€and€Alan€Brooks€stopped€by€the€victimððs€home€to€take€himÐ L œ Ðto€work.€€Southerland€looked€through€a€window€and€saw€blood€all€over.€€He€went€through€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðwindow€and€reached€for€a€phone,€but€it€had€been€ripped€out.€€He€ran€across€the€street€to€call€theÐ $ t Ðpolice.€Ð  ` ÐÌà  àOfficer€Steve€Underwood€of€the€Metropolitan€Police€Department,€stated€that€he€received€aÐ è 8  Ðcall€to€3812„B€Old€Hickory€Boulevard€in€Nashville,€Tennessee.€€Some€co„workers€found€a€friendÐ Ô$  Ðinside€the€house€with€a€lot€of€blood€around€him.€€Upon€entry,€Officer€Underwood€found€the€victimÐ À  Ðface€down€on€the€floor.€€He€backed€out€of€the€apartment€and€secured€the€scene€for€the€homicideÐ ¬ü  Ðdetectives.€Ð ˜è  ÐÌà  àOfficer€Raymond€T.€Rader,€Jr.,€a€Metropolitan€Police€Department€Crime€Scene€Technician,Ð pÀ Ðtestified€that€he€took€photographs€of€the€crime€scene,€made€measurements€for€a€diagram€and€liftedÐ \¬ Ðseveral€latent€prints€for€possible€fingerprint€identification.€Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àStanley€Shoemaker€testified€that€on€the€night€of€February€15,€1998,€at€9:15€p.m.,€he€pickedÐ  p Ðthe€victim€up€from€Alan€Brooks'€home€then€took€him€home.€€The€victim€had€been€drinking€quite€aÐ  \ Ðbit.€Ð øH ÐÌà  àDavid€Thompson€testified€that€he€lived€at€3116„A€Old€Hickory€Boulevard€in€February€ofÐ Ð  Ð1998.€€The€victim€lived€next€door.€€On€February€15,€1998,€about€9:30€p.m.,€Thompson€saw€a€truckÐ ¼  Ðpull€up€and€the€victim€got€out.€€He€heard€some€doors€slamming€from€next€door.€€About€10:15€p.m.,Ð ¨ø ÐThompson€heard€the€loud€voices€of€two€men€from€next€door.€€One€voice€said,€ð ðGet€the€fð!ðk€out€ofÐ ”ä Ðmy€house.ðð€€Another€voice€said€ð ðno.ðð€€Thompson€walked€into€his€kitchen€and€heard€some€rumbling,Ð €Ð Ðsome€banging€against€the€wall€and€glass€breaking.€€Then€there€was€silence.€€About€11:15€p.m.,Ð l¼ ÐThompson€heard€a€car€screeching€out€of€the€driveway.€€The€next€day,€Thompson€talked€to€the€policeÐ X ¨ Ðand€advised€them€of€what€he€had€heard.€€Thompson€stated€that€he€lived€at€his€apartment€for€aboutÐ D!” Ðsix€months.€Ð 0"€  ÐÌà  àMary€Browning€testified€that€she€dated€Defendant€for€a€few€months,€knew€the€victim€and€hadÐ $X" Ðbeen€to€the€victimððs€apartment€about€three€or€four€times.€€At€the€time€of€the€victimððs€death,€she€andÐ ô$D # Ðthe€victim€were€friends.€€Also,€she€knew€Brent€Rollins€and€had€introduced€Rollins€to€the€victim.Ð à%0!$ ÐThey€appeared€to€get€along€fine.€€On€the€night€of€February€15,€she€talked€to€the€victim€on€theÐ Ì&"% Ðtelephone.€€She€testified€the€victim€said,€ð ðBrent€and€some€other€guy€had€come€over€to€his€apartmentÐ ¸'#& Ðand€that€he€didnððt€want€them€drinking€his€beer,€so€he€really€didnððt€want€them€to€come€back.€€And€wasÐ ¤(ô#' Є„€he€sounded€kind€of€down€and€depressed€like€he€was€drunk€or€whatever.€.€.€.€€Just€that€he€didnððtÐ )à$( Ðreally€want€them€to€come€back€over€there.ðð€€He€said€they€had€gone€to€get€some€beer.€€She€stated€thatÐ |*Ì%) Ðshe€attempted€to€page€Rollins,€but€was€unsuccessful.€€She€talked€to€RollinsÔ#†XyXXXy³ #Ô€the€next€day€and€he€saidÐ h+¸&* Ðhe€was€afraid€and€asked€if€she€had€heard€that€Gary€had€been€killed.€€Ms.€Browning€stated€that€sheÐ ° Ðtalked€to€the€police.€€She€told€them€she€did€not€believe€90€percent€of€what€Rollins€said.€€Also,€theÐ œì Ðvictim€had€said€that€Rollins€might€have€stolen€his€radio€the€week€before.€Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àAshley€Hickman,€ex„girlfriend€of€Brent€Rollins,€testified€that€she€had€met€the€victim€and€hadÐ `° Ðbeen€to€his€apartment€once€or€twice.€€She€knew€the€Defendant€as€ð ðBubba.ðð€€On€the€night€of€FebruaryÐ L œ Ð15,€about€10:30€p.m.,€she€learned€from€Rollins€that€Gary€Jackson€had€been€killed.€€Rollins€wasÐ 8 ˆ Ðscared€to€call€the€police€and€scared€of€ð ðBubba.ðð€€On€a€job€site€the€next€day,€she€saw€Rollins,€theÐ $ t ÐDefendant€and€Angela€Watson.€€She€talked€to€Rollins€and€they€planned€to€go€to€the€police€onÐ  ` ÐWednesday€night.€€Ms.€Hickman€stated€that€she€had€told€her€parents€about€what€she€knew,€and€theyÐ ü L  Ðcalled€the€police.€€She€talked€to€Detective€Putnam€and€told€him€what€she€knew€and€gave€him€theÐ è 8  Ðnames€of€Rollins,€the€Defendant€and€Watson.€€Ms.€Hickman€testified€that€Rollins€told€her€that€he€andÐ Ô$  ÐGary€were€joking€around.€€Gary€pushed€Rollins.€€Rollins€fell€back€against€the€couch€and€Gary€fellÐ À  Ðon€top€of€him.€€She€stated€that€Rollins€and€the€Defendant€were€good€friends.€Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àOfficer€Harmon€Ô_ÔHunsickerÔ_Ô,€a€crime€scene€investigator€with€the€Metropolitan€PoliceÐ „Ô  ÐDepartment,€€testified€that€he€was€called€to€916€Kippling€Drive€on€February€19,€1998,€to€assist€in€theÐ pÀ Ðexecution€of€a€search€warrant.€€Detective€Putnam€directed€Hunsicker€to€go€to€the€backyard€and€takeÐ \¬ Ðphotographs€of€a€burned€trash€pile.€€In€the€burned€pile,€Officer€Hunsicker€saw€a€set€of€eyeglasses,Ð H˜ Ða€utility€knife,€a€set€of€keys,€burned€pieces€of€a€phone€with€wiring€attached,€and€some€clothing.€€Also,Ð 4„ Ðthe€officer€took€a€photograph€of€a€bottle€of€lighter€fluid.€€Inside€the€house€at€this€address,€OfficerÐ  p ÐHunsicker€took€a€photograph€of€a€hunting€knife€in€a€sheath€found€in€the€bottom€of€a€dresser€in€theÐ  \ Ðbedroom.€€Also,€the€officer€took€photographs€of€one€of€the€suspects€who€had€a€cut€on€his€palm.€Ð øH ÐÌà  àDetective€William€S.€Cleek€of€the€Metropolitan€Police€Department,€testified€that€he€metÐ Ð  ÐDetective€Putnam€at€916€Ô_ÔKipplingÔ_Ô€Drive€to€assist€in€the€investigation€of€a€murder€case.€€DetectiveÐ ¼  ÐCleek€was€to€secure€the€residence€at€this€address€while€a€search€warrant€was€obtained.€€There€wereÐ ¨ø Ðno€occupants€in€the€residence.€€Detective€Cleek€observed€a€maroon/reddish€car€coming€downÐ ”ä ÐKippling,€it€slowed€or€stopped€at€the€driveway€of€916,€hesitated€and€drove€off.€€A€Channel€2€NewsÐ €Ð Ðcameraman€followed€the€car€and€was€able€to€obtain€the€license€number.€Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àOfficer€Michael€Alexander,€Metropolitan€Police€Department,€testified€that€he€went€to€948Ð D!” ÐWimberton€Drive€in€response€to€the€broadcast€of€the€car€seen€at€916€Ô_ÔKipplingÔ_Ô€Drive.€€DetectiveÐ 0"€  ÐPutnam€had€given€Officer€Alexander€the€names€of€three€suspects.€€The€Defendant€answered€the€doorÐ #l! Ðand€Officer€Alexander€found€Brent€Rollins€and€Angela€Watson€inside.€€Officer€Alexander€detainedÐ $X" Ðall€three€suspects€until€Detective€Putnam€arrived.€€Rollins€was€placed€in€Officer€Alexanderððs€patrolÐ ô$D # Ðcar.€Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà  àDarren€Brent€Rollins€testified€that€he€was€charged€with€the€murder€of€Gary€Jackson.€€He€hasÐ ¸'#& Ðknown€the€Defendant€since€1992€and€they€were€real€good€friends.€€He€has€known€Mary€BrowningÐ ¤(ô#' Ðfor€two€years€and€met€the€victim€through€her.€€He€and€the€victim€became€friends€and€Rollins€hadÐ )à$( Ðbeen€to€the€victimððs€apartment€six€or€seven€times,€where€they€would€sit€around€and€drink.€€OnÐ |*Ì%) ÐFebruary€15,€1998,€prior€to€going€over€to€the€victimððs€apartment,€he€and€the€Defendant€had€beenÐ h+¸&* Ðdrinking€beer.€€He€stated€that€each€of€them€had€consumed€about€a€12„pack€of€beer.€€He€testified€thatÐ ° Ðthey€went€to€Jacksonððs€to€look€for€marijuana,€because€Jackson€had€put€him€in€touch€with€people€toÐ œì Ðget€marijuana€in€the€past.€€He€and€the€Defendant€arrived€at€the€apartment€at€approximately€10:30Ð ˆØ Ðp.m.€€The€victim€did€not€know€the€Defendant€prior€to€that€evening.€€They€sat€around€drinking€beerÐ tÄ Ðthat€they€€brought€with€them€and€the€victim€drank€his€own.€€Rollins€described€the€victim€as€beingÐ `° Ðintoxicated.€€The€name€of€Mary€Browning€came€up,€which€he€supposed€got€the€DefendantððsÐ L œ Ðattention.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€They€ran€out€of€beer,€so€he€and€the€Defendant€went€to€the€store€to€buy€some€more.€€WhenÐ 8 ˆ Ðthey€returned,€Rollins€asked€the€victim€for€his€half€of€the€money€for€the€12„pack,€but€the€victimÐ $ t Ðrefused.€€Rollins€told€the€victim€they€were€leaving,€so€the€victim€got€mad€and€he€and€RollinsÐ  ` Ðexchanged€a€few€words.€€Rollins€testified€that€he€told€the€victim,€ð ðkiss€my€ass.ðð€€Rollins€stated€thatÐ ü L  Ðhe€was€standing€by€the€couch€and€the€Defendant€was€sitting€in€a€chair€across€the€room.€€The€victimÐ è 8  Ðshoved€Rollins,€who€fell€over€the€couch.€Ð Ô$  ÐÌà  àRollins€testified€that€he€saw€the€Defendant€grab€the€victim€from€behind€and€strike€him€on€theÐ ¬ü  Ðtop€of€the€head€with€a€knife€handle.€€Rollins€had€not€seen€the€knife€before.€€The€victim€kept€puttingÐ ˜è  Ðhis€hands€on€top€of€his€head.€€The€victim€fell€and€the€Defendant€put€his€foot€in€the€middle€of€theÐ „Ô  Ðvictimððs€back,€grabbed€the€top€of€his€hair,€pulled€the€victimððs€head€back€and€cut€his€throat.€€RollinsÐ pÀ Ðstated€that€he€was€in€a€state€of€shock€and€did€not€do€anything€to€stop€the€attack.€€Afterwards,€he€andÐ \¬ Ðthe€Defendant€retrieved€a€trash€bag€from€the€top€of€the€refrigerator,€and€put€the€telephone,€a€plate€andÐ H˜ Ðan€ashtray€into€the€bag.€€Rollins€and€the€Defendant€did€not€discuss€why€the€Defendant€assaulted€theÐ 4„ Ðvictim.€€They€left€the€apartment€in€Watsonððs€car.€€He€and€the€Defendant€got€into€an€argument€aboutÐ  p Ðwhat€happened.€€He€threatened€to€kill€Rollins€and€his€family€if€he€said€anything€about€the€incident.€Ð  \ ÐDuring€this€encounter,€the€Defendant€cut€Rollins€on€the€palm€of€his€hand.€€When€they€got€toÐ øH ÐWatsonððs€house,€they€took€the€trash€bag€and€its€contents€into€the€house.€€The€Defendant€told€WatsonÐ ä4 Ðthat€he€had€killed€someone,€but€did€not€say€who€it€was.€€Watson€gave€them€some€lighter€fluid€andÐ Ð  Ðthe€Defendant€suggested€that€they€burn€their€clothes€and€the€items€in€the€trash€bag.€€Rollins€statedÐ ¼  Ðthat€he€and€the€Defendant€burned€these€items€in€a€trash€pile€in€the€backyard.€€Later,€Rollins€toldÐ ¨ø ÐAshley€Ô_ÔHickmanÔ_Ô€over€the€telephone€what€had€happened.€€They€discussed€plans€to€tell€the€police,Ð ”ä Ðhowever,€he€could€not€get€out€of€the€presence€of€the€Defendant.€€For€the€next€two€days,€RollinsÐ €Ð Ðworked€with€the€Defendant€and€spent€the€night€at€Watsonððs€house.€€On€Wednesday€night,€RollinsÐ l¼ Ðstated€that€they€drove€by€Watsonððs€house€and€they€saw€the€police,€so€they€drove€to€the€DefendantððsÐ X ¨ Ðmotherððs€house.€€While€at€this€house,€he€was€arrested€and€told€Detective€Putnam€what€happened€inÐ D!” Ðthe€victimððs€apartment.€€Rollins€is€hoping€that€with€his€testimony€he€might€get€a€lighter€sentence€forÐ 0"€  Ðhis€charge.€€When€shown€a€utility€tool,€Rollins€stated€that€he€had€not€seen€it€before€and€that€theÐ #l! Ðvictim€did€not€have€a€knife€that€night.€Ð $X" ÐÌà  àDuring€cross„examination,€Rollins€testified€that€he€had€bought€marijuana€from€the€victim,Ð à%0!$ Ðbut€would€not€call€him€a€drug€dealer.€€Rollins€denied€that€he€had€taken€the€victimððs€radio€the€weekÐ Ì&"% Ðbefore€and€that€this€was€the€reason€the€victim€became€angry.€€Rollins€acknowledged€that€he€had€beenÐ ¸'#& Ðto€the€victimððs€apartment€on€several€occasions,€but€this€was€the€first€time€the€Defendant€had€beenÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthere.€€Rollins€denied€he€told€Watson€that€ð ðif€Bubba€hadnððt€killed€him€Iððd€be€dead.ðð€€Also,€RollinsÐ )à$( Ðdenied€that€the€Defendant€told€Watson€it€was€self„defense€or€that€he€was€protecting€him€from€theÐ ° Ðvictim.€€Again,€Rollins€testified€that€he€did€not€remove€a€ð ðlettermanððs€knifeðð€from€the€victimððs€handÐ œì Ðand€put€it€in€the€trash€bag.€€€Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àBrad€Putnam,€a€detective€with€the€Metropolitan€Nashville€Police€Department,€testified€thatÐ `° Ðhe€observed€the€victim€at€the€scene€on€February€16,€1998.€€There€was€blood€on€the€wall€about€threeÐ L œ Ðfeet€above€the€body,€and€a€bloody€palm€print.€€The€phone€was€missing€and€also€the€victimððs€wallet.Ð 8 ˆ ÐDetective€Putnam€talked€to€a€neighbor€who€had€overheard€arguments€from€the€apartment.€€HeÐ $ t Ðinterviewed€Mary€Browning€from€whom€he€learned€about€Brent€Rollins.€€She€informed€DetectiveÐ  ` ÐPutnam€that€Brent€Rollins€and€another€subject€had€gone€by€the€victimððs€apartment€the€night€before.Ð ü L  ÐOn€February€18,€Detective€Putnam€received€a€call€from€Ashley€Hickman,€the€girlfriend€of€Rollins,Ð è 8  Ðin€which€she€stated€that€Rollins€and€ð ðBubbaðð€had€gone€over€to€the€victimððs€apartment€that€night.Ð Ô$  ÐAlso,€Ms.€Hickman€told€him€about€Angela€Watsonððs€home€at€916€Kippling€Drive€and€that€someÐ À  Ðitems€were€burned€in€a€trash€pile€in€the€back€yard.€€Based€upon€this€information,€Detective€PutnamÐ ¬ü  Ðobtained€a€search€warrant€for€916€Kippling€Drive.€€In€the€back€yard,€he€found€the€burned€trash€pileÐ ˜è  Ðand€certain€items€were€recovered,€particularly€a€set€of€keys€and€a€utility„type€tool.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Inside€the€house,Ð „Ô  Ðin€a€bedroom€dresser,€Detective€Putnam€found€a€white,€bone„handled€hunting€knife.€€Also,€recoveredÐ pÀ Ðwas€some€marijuana€and€a€black€leather€coat.€€Detective€Putnam€heard€about€the€car€driving€by€andÐ \¬ Ðthat€the€three€persons€inside€were€Brent€Rollins,€the€Defendant€and€Angela€Watson.€Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àDetective€Putnam€proceeded€to€the€Wimberton€address€and€talked€to€Rollins€in€the€rear€ofÐ  p Ða€patrol€car.€€Rollins€told€Detective€Putnam€what€happened€in€the€apartment€on€the€night€of€FebruaryÐ  \ Ð15òòthóó.€€When€he€talked€to€the€Defendant€and€Watson,€they€denied€knowing€anything€about€the€deathÐ øH Ðof€Gary€Jackson.€€All€three€were€arrested€and€transported€to€Metropolitan€Police€Department€Ð ä4 ÐHomicide€Division.€€At€the€police€department,€the€Defendant€gave€a€video€statement€in€which€heÐ Ð  Ðadmitted€killing€the€victim.€€In€this€statement,€the€Defendant€contended€that€the€victim€attackedÐ ¼  ÐRollins€with€a€knife.€€€Ð ¨ø ÐÌà  àIn€the€video€statement€played€for€the€jury,€the€Defendant€stated€that€he€had€driven€to€theÐ €Ð Ðvictimððs€apartment€with€Rollins.€€They€were€in€Watsonððs€car.€€The€Defendant€did€not€know€or€hadÐ l¼ Ðnot€seen€the€victim€before€that€night.€€He€stated€that€Rollins€and€the€victim€got€into€an€argument€overÐ X ¨ Ðthe€purchase€of€some€beer€they€had€gone€to€get.€€The€Defendant€stated€that€the€victim€attackedÐ D!” ÐRollins€with€a€small€knife€and€it€looked€like€he€was€going€to€cut€Ô_ÔRollinÔ_Ôððs€throat.€€The€DefendantÐ 0"€  Ðbegan€hitting€the€victim€in€the€head€with€the€knife€found€at€Watsonððs€house.€€The€victim€reared€backÐ #l! Ðand€grabbed€the€Defendant.€€The€Defendant€cut€the€victimððs€throat.€€The€only€reason€he€did€so€wasÐ $X" Ðto€protect€Rollins.€€The€Defendant€stated€that€Rollins€cut€the€phone€line€and€they€took€the€bag€withÐ ô$D # Ðthem.€€At€Watsonððs€house,€the€Defendant€told€her€what€happened.€€Rollins€got€some€lighter€fluidÐ à%0!$ Ðfrom€Watson,€but€she€did€not€know€what€was€going€on.€€He€burned€some€items€in€the€back€yard,Ð Ì&"% Ðincluding€the€Defendantððs€shirt.€€The€Defendant€admitted€cleaning€the€knife€in€the€sink€and€hisÐ ¸'#& Ðleather€coat€in€the€bathtub.€Ð ¤(ô#' Їà  àDetective€Putnam€stated€that€the€latent€prints€obtained€at€the€scene€were€not€capable€of€beingÐ ° Ðmatched€with€any€person,€nor€was€there€any€blood€found€on€any€evidence€seized€from€the€WatsonððsÐ œì Ðhome.€€The€keys€found€in€the€burned€trash€pile€matched€the€victimððs€front€door.€Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àDr.€Bruce€P.€Levy,€a€medical€examiner€for€Metropolitan€Nashville€Davidson€County,€testifiedÐ `° Ðthat€he€performed€an€autopsy€on€the€victim€on€February€16,€1998.€€The€victim€had€sustained€aÐ L œ Ðmultitude€of€injuries€to€the€head€and€neck.€€Also,€the€forearms€and€hands€had€what€appeared€to€beÐ 8 ˆ Ðdefensive€wounds.€€Dr.€Levy€determined€that€the€victim€died€from€a€sharp€cut€to€the€neck€resultingÐ $ t Ðin€a€great€loss€of€blood.€€It€was€his€opinion€that€the€victim€lived€from€two€to€five€minutes€after€hisÐ  ` Ðthroat€had€been€cut.€€The€cut€severed€the€jugular€veins,€the€larynx€and€was€deep€to€the€neck€bone.Ð ü L  ÐIt€was€Dr.€Levyððs€opinion€that€a€person€stood€behind€the€victim€and€pulled€the€knife€from€the€leftÐ è 8  Ðaround€to€the€right€side€of€the€neck.€€The€victim€had€a€blood€alcohol€level€of€.24.€Ð Ô$  ÐÌà  àOn€behalf€of€the€defense,€Angela€P.€Watson€testified€she€that€has€known€the€Defendant€sinceÐ ¬ü  Ðhigh€school.€€They€renewed€their€acquaintance€in€November€of€1997.€€She€stated€that€she€met€BrentÐ ˜è  ÐRollins€who€worked€with€the€Defendant€in€December€1997.€€On€February€15,€1998,€she€and€theÐ „Ô  ÐDefendant€were€at€home,€when€Rollins€and€Ashley€Hickman€came€by.€€That€evening€the€DefendantÐ pÀ Ðhad€been€drinking.€€He€and€Rollins€left€about€9:00€p.m.€and€returned€about€11:00€p.m.€€She€wasÐ \¬ Ðasleep€on€the€couch€when€the€Defendant€woke€her€up.€€He€was€very€agitated€and€upset.€€Rollins€wasÐ H˜ Ða€little€bit€agitated.€€Both€the€Defendant€and€Rollins€made€statements€as€to€why€they€were€upset.Ð 4„ ÐRollins€stated€that€he€had€been€in€fear€of€his€life€earlier€that€evening.€€The€fear€was€not€of€theÐ  p ÐDefendant.€€Rollins€and€the€Defendant€were€very€good€friends€and€the€Defendant€would€protectÐ  \ ÐRollins€when€he€got€involved€in€confrontations.€€She€stated€that€the€next€morning€while€eatingÐ øH Ðbreakfast,€Rollins€showed€her€Gary€Jacksonððs€driverððs€license.€When€asked€about€the€victimððsÐ ä4 Ðphysical€threat€to€Rollins€on€Sunday€night,€the€following€dialogue€occurred:Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àQ.€à0 ` àDid€Brent€Rollins€ever€make€a€statement€to€the€affect€that€Gary€Jackson€was€aÐ ¨ø Ðphysical€threat€to€him€on€Sunday€night?Дä` (#` (# ÐÌà  àA.€à0 ` àYes.Ðl¼` (#` (# ÐÌÓ€ (н83ÓØ! !ØÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà  àÝ‚3£:`ÝÔ2нÔÚ  ÚQÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0 ` àÝ  ÝCan€you€recall€what€he€said?݃3£:`s`ÝŒÐD!”` (#` (# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌØ! !ØÓ€ (š½88ÓÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà  àÝ‚3£ÎaÝÔ2š½ÔÚ  ÚAÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0 ` àÝ  ÝHe€said,€if€it€happened€that€way,€Iððd€be€dead,€Angie.݃3£ÎabÝŒÐ#l!` (#` (# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà  àQ.€à0 ` àDid€he€make€any€other€statements€to€that€affect?Ðô$D #` (#` (# ÐÌØ! !ØÓ€ (ª½88ÓÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà  à€Ý‚3£écÝÔ2ª½ÔÚ  ÚAÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0 ` àÝ  ÝHe€said€Gary€Jackson€was€a€mean€and€violent€man.݃3£éc#dÝŒÐÌ&"%` (#` (# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌà  àQ.€à0 ` àDid€he€say€how€he€knew€Mr.€Jackson€was€a€mean€or€violent€man?Ф(ô#'` (#` (# ÐÌà  àA.€à0 ` àHe€said€he€had€„„€he€told€me€he€had€been€in€trouble€too,€in€that€nature.€Ð|*Ì%)` (#` (# ÐÐ h+¸&* Ðà  àQ.€à0 ` àDid€he€specify€what€kind€of€trouble€that€was?а` (#` (# ÐÌà  àA.€à0 ` àNo.€ÐˆØ` (#` (# ÐÌÌà  àMs.€Watson€acknowledged€that€she€was€charged€with€accessory€after€the€fact€of€murder€firstÐ L œ Ðdegree,€but€she€did€not€destroy€any€evidence,€nor€harm€anyone.€€She€admitted€she€did€furnish€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðlighter€fluid.€€She€admitted€she€knew€about€the€death€and€saw€the€Defendantððs€jacket€in€the€bathtub,Ð $ t Ðbut€denies€she€saw€any€blood€or€telling€Detective€Putnam€that€the€water€turned€pinkish.€€The€nightÐ  ` Ðthey€drove€by€her€house,€the€Defendant€was€driving€and€Rollins€told€him€to€get€them€out€of€there.Ð ü L  ÐThey€went€to€the€Defendantððs€motherððs€home.€€She€admitted€that€she€told€Detective€Putnam€that€sheÐ è 8  Ðdid€not€know€anything€about€Jacksonððs€death€on€their€first€meeting.€Ð Ô$  ÐÌà  àIn€rebuttal€to€Watsonððs€testimony,€Virgie€Soapes€testified€that€her€brother,€Gary€Jackson,€didÐ ¬ü  Ðnot€have€a€driverððs€license.€€His€license€had€been€suspended€for€several€years€due€to€a€DUIÐ ˜è  Ðconviction,€which€is€why€he€did€not€own€a€car.€€Also,€to€her€knowledge,€her€brother€did€not€have€anÐ „Ô  Ðidentification€license.€Ð pÀ ÐÌÓ  ÓLEGAL€ANALYSISÐ H˜ ÐPART€AÐ 4„ ÐFIRST€AGGRESSOR€RULEÐ  p ÐÌÓ  Óà  àThe€Defendant€asserts€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€denying€him€the€right€to€bring€forth€certainÐ øH Ðrelevant€evidence€concerning€the€victimððs€past€through€the€testimony€of€David€Thompson,€theÐ ä4 Ðneighbor.€€Thompsonððs€unbiased€testimony€would€establish:€(1)€that€Jackson€had€a€propensity€andÐ Ð  Ðreputation€for€violent€behavior;€(2)€that€Jackson€was€the€aggressor€in€the€fight€that€led€to€his€death;Ð ¼  Ð(3)€that€Jackson€was€an€experienced€fighter,€which€would€have€had€bearing€on€Jacksonððs€ability€asÐ ¨ø Ðan€older€and€smaller€man€to€be€a€formidable€opponent€in€a€physical€altercation;€(4)€which€the€juryÐ ”ä Ðcould€consider€in€assessing€the€necessity€and€reasonableness€of€Defendantððs€actions€regarding€theÐ €Ð Ðphysical€injuries€inflicted€pertaining€to€the€issue€of€self„defense€and€defense€of€co„Defendant;€andÐ l¼ Ð(5)€which€the€jury€would€consider€in€evaluating€Defendantððs€state€of€mind€which€was€an€essentialÐ X ¨ Ðelement€of€the€crime€charged€and€of€the€lesser„included€offenses.€Ð D!” ÐÌà  àThis€proposed€testimony€came€about€during€the€cross„examination€of€David€Thompson,€aÐ #l! Ðneighbor,€concerning€noises€that€he€heard€in€the€past€coming€from€the€victimððs€apartment.€€TheÐ $X" Ðtranscript€reflects:Ð ô$D # ÐÌà  àBy€defense€counsel:€Ð Ì&"% ÐÌÓ€ (º½88ÓØ! !ØÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà  àÝ‚3£{rÝÔ2º½ÔÚ  ÚQÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0 ` àÝ  ÝAll€right.€€When€you€talked€to€the€police,€did€you€discuss€with€them€any€other€noisesÐ ¤(ô#' Ðor€arguing€or€fighting,€things€that€you€consider€as€arguing€or€fighting€that€had€goneÐ )à$( Ðon€over€in€that€apartment?݃3£{r´rÝŒÐ|*Ì%)` (#` (# ÐŒÝ  ÝÐ h+¸&* Ðà  àA.€à0 ` àYes.€Ð°` (#` (# ÐÌà  àQ.€à0 ` àAnd€what€kind€of€things€did€you€tell€the€detective?ЈØ` (#` (# ÐÌà  àA.€à0 ` àI€just€said,€there€was€usually€„„€it€was€a€common€thing€to€hear€them€arguing€overÐ `° Ðthere.€€Thatððs€what€I€told€them.€ÐL œ` (#` (# ÐÌà@ŽŽ&ìà*€*€*€*€*ˆÐ $ t ÐÌà  àThe€Court:€à0 ¸ àI€just€heard€the€word€arguing.Ðü L ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà  àThe€Witness:€à0 ¸ àTo€be€honest€with€you,€I€meant€yelling€and€fighting.€€I€mean€loud€noises.€€IÐ Ô$  Ðhave€never€seen€an€actual€fight€over€there.€€But€I€have€heard€yelling€andÐ À  Ðthings€of€that€sort.Ьü ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà  àMs.€Bruce:€à0 ¸ àOkay.€€And€loud€noises?Ð„Ô ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà  àThe€Witness:€à0 ¸ àAnd€loud€noises.€Ð\¬¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà  àMs.€Bruce:€à0 ¸ àSuch€as?Ð4„¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà  àThe€Witness:€à0 ¸ àSuch€as€„„€€itððs€been€two€years€ago€maððam.€€Youððre€going€to€have€to€give€meÐ  \ Ðsome€leeway.ÐøH¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà  àMs.€Bruce:€à0 ¸ àLoud€noises,€banging,€as€you€say,€like€two€men€fighting,€scuffling.€ÐÐ ¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌà  àThe€Witness:€à0 ¸ àTo€be€honest€with€you,€I€really€couldnððt€remember.€€I€had€to€listen€to€the€tapesÐ ¨ø Ðto€remember€most€of€the€stuff€I€remember€today.€Ð”ä¸ (#¸ (# ÐÌÌà  àThe€trial€court€sustained€the€Stateððs€objection€that€the€defense€had€failed€to€establish€the€issueÐ X ¨ Ðof€self„defense€to€permit€testimony€as€to€the€victimððs€past€history€as€a€first€aggressor.€€However,€theÐ D!” Ðcourt€advised€defense€counsel€that€it€may€be€able€to€re„call€witnesses.€Ð 0"€  ÐÌà  àAt€the€conclusion€of€the€Stateððs€proof€in€chief,€the€State€advised€the€trial€court€that€it€hadÐ $X" Ðintroduced€evidence€of€its€own€that€the€victim,€Gary€Jackson,€was€in€fact,€the€first€aggressor.€€Thus,€Ð ô$D # Ðthere€is€no€need€to€call€witnesses€to€establish€that€fact,€since€the€State€concedes€that€the€victim€wasÐ à%0!$ Ða€first€aggressor.€€Furthermore,€the€witness,€Thompson,€does€not€have€sufficient€information€to€knowÐ Ì&"% Ðexactly€what€went€on€next€door,€merely€from€the€presence€of€loud€noises€and€arguments.€€TheÐ ¸'#& ÐDefendant€contends€that€the€evidence€is€admissible€to€corroborate€the€Defendantððs€claim€of€self„Ð ¤(ô#' Ðdefense.€€Furthermore,€the€evidence€is€relevant,€Rule€404.€Ð )à$( Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà  àThe€trial€court€ruled€the€issue€is€not€relevant,€the€question€of€the€first€aggressor€has€beenÐ ° Ðâ âadmitted€and€raised€and€would€not€offer€€help€to€the€jury€in€this€case.€€The€trial€court€did€not€permitÐ œì Ðthe€remainder€of€the€witness,€Thompsonððs,€cross„examination.€Ð ˆØ ÐÌà  àAs€a€general€rule,€character€evidence€to€prove€conduct€is€inadmissible.€€Tenn.€R.€Ô_ÔEvidÔ_Ô.Ð `° Ð404(a).€€However,€there€are€certain€exceptions€to€this€rule.€€Exceptions:€in€pertinent€part:Ð L œ ÐÌà0  à(2)€Character€of€Victim.€€Evidence€of€a€pertinent€character€trait€of€the€victim€of€crime€offeredÐ $ t Ðby€an€accused€or€by€the€prosecution€to€rebut€the€same,€or€evidence€of€a€character€trait€ofÐ  ` Ðpeacefulness€of€the€victim€offered€by€the€prosecution€in€a€homicide€case€to€rebut€evidenceÐ ü L  Ðthat€the€victim€was€the€first€aggressor.€Ðè 8 (#(# ÐÌà0  à(b)€Other€Crimes,€Wrongs,€or€Acts.€€Evidence€of€other€crimes,€wrongs€or€acts€is€notÐ À  Ðadmissible€to€prove€the€character€of€a€person€in€order€to€show€action€in€conformity€with€theÐ ¬ü  Ðcharacter€trait.€€It€may,€however,€be€admissible€for€other€purposes.€€The€conditions€whichÐ ˜è  Ðmust€be€satisfied€before€allowing€such€evidence€are:Ð„Ô (#(# ÐÌà  àà0 ` à(1)€The€court€upon€request€must€hold€a€hearing€outside€the€juryððs€presence;Ð\¬` (#` (# ÐÌà  àà0 ` à(2)€The€court€must€determine€that€a€material€issue€exists€other€than€conductÐ 4„ Ðconforming€with€a€character€trait€and€must€upon€request€state€on€the€record€theÐ  p Ðmaterial€issue,€the€ruling,€and€the€reasons€for€admitting€the€evidence;€and€Ð \` (#` (# ÐÌà  àà0 ` à(3)€The€court€must€exclude€the€evidence€if€its€probative€value€is€outweighed€by€theÐ ä4 Ðdanger€of€unfair€prejudice.€ÐÐ ` (#` (# ÐÌà  àRule€405€sets€forth€the€methods€of€proving€character.Ð ¨ø ÐÌà0  à(a)€Reputation€or€Opinion.€€In€all€cases€in€which€evidence€of€character€or€a€trait€of€characterÐ €Ð Ðof€a€person€is€admissible,€proof€may€be€made€by€testimony€as€to€reputation€or€by€testimonyÐ l¼ Ðin€the€form€of€an€opinion.€€After€application€to€the€court,€inquiry€on€cross„examination€isÐ X ¨ Ðallowable€into€relevant€specific€instances€of€conduct.€€The€conditions€which€must€be€satisfiedÐ D!” Ðbefore€allowing€inquiry€on€cross„examination€about€specific€instances€of€conduct€are:Ð0"€ (#(# ÐÌà  àà ` à(1)€The€court€upon€request€must€hold€a€hearing€outside€the€juryððs€presence;Ð $X" ÐÌà  àà ` à(2)€The€court€must€determine€that€a€reasonable€factual€basis€exists€for€the€inquiry;€and€Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà  àà0 ` à(3)€The€court€must€determine€that€the€probative€value€of€a€specific€instance€ofÐ ¸'#& Ðconduct€on€the€character€witness's€credibility€outweighs€its€prejudicial€effect€onÐ ¤(ô#' Ðsubstantive€issues.Ð)à$(` (#` (# Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà0  à(b)€Specific€Instances€of€Conduct.€€In€cases€in€which€character€or€a€trait€of€character€of€aÐ ° Ðâ âperson€is€an€essential€element€of€a€charge,€claim,€or€defense,€proof€may€also€be€made€ofÐ œì Ðspecific€instances€of€that€personððs€conduct.ЈØ(#(# ЀÌÌà  àSeveral€Tennessee€appellate€decisions€have€addressed€the€question€of€the€ð ðfirst€aggressorððÐ L œ Ðor€the€ð ðtrue€aggressorðð€in€determining€whether€a€victimððs€background€contains€evidence€of€€violence.Ð 8 ˆ ÐIn€òòState€v.€Butler,€óó626€S.W.2d€6,€11,€(Tenn.€1981),€the€supreme€court€addressed€the€deceasedððsÐ $ t Ð(victim)€state€of€mind€as€to€her€animosity€towards€her€estranged€husband,€the€Defendant.€€Butler€hadÐ  ` Ðdropped€his€children€at€the€home€of€his€estranged€wife,€the€victim,€when€they€exchanged€words.Ð ü L  ÐButler€contended€that€when€his€wife€approached€the€mobile€home€and€returned€to€talk€to€him,€as€heÐ è 8  Ðhad€requested,€he€saw€a€gun€barrel€sticking€from€under€her€crossed€arms.€€Butler€shot€and€killed€hisÐ Ô$  Ðwife€in€self„defense.€€The€trial€court€had€excluded€the€testimony€of€Ms.€Ô_ÔSolchenbergerÔ_Ô,€that€four€daysÐ À  Ðprior€to€the€shooting,€the€victim€had€told€her€ð ðno,€that€she€wanted€a€divorce€but€that€BobbyÐ ¬ü  Ð(Defendant)€wouldnððt€give€her€one,€and€went€on€to€say€ð ð(she€was€going)€to€get€rid€of€that€son„of„a„Ð ˜è  Ðbitch€one€way€or€another.ðð€€When€asked€what€she€meant,€Mrs.€Butler€opened€her€purse€and€showedÐ „Ô  Ða€white„handled€.22€caliber€pistol.ðð€€This€threat€was€not€communicated€to€the€Defendant,€but€theÐ pÀ Ðwitness€was€permitted€to€testify€that€the€victim€had€a€pistol€in€her€purse.€€The€Court€held€that€theÐ \¬ Ðcharacter€of€the€deceased€for€violence,€as€well€as€her€animosity€toward€the€Defendant,€as€indicatedÐ H˜ Ðby€words€and€actions€at€the€time€of€the€killing€and€before,€are€proper€matters€for€consideration€of€theÐ 4„ Ðjury€upon€the€question€of€self„defense.€(Citations€omitted.)€€In€some€cases€where€self„defense€is€anÐ  p Ðissue,€Ô_ÔuncommunicatedÔ_Ô€threats€made€by€a€deceased€against€a€Defendant€are€admissible€as€going€toÐ  \ Ðthe€state€of€mind€of€the€deceased.€€(Citations€omitted.)€€However,€the€applicability€of€this€rule€isÐ øH Ðlimited,€and€it€becomes€operative€only€where€relevant€to€explain€the€conduct€of€the€deceased€inÐ ä4 Ðestablishing€who€was€the€aggressor.€€Reversed€for€a€new€trial.€Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àIn€òòState€v.€Barnes,€óó675€S.W.2d€195,€197€(Tenn.€Ô_ÔCrimÔ_Ô.€App.€1984),€this€Court€found€that€€theÐ ¨ø Ðtrial€court€erred€in€excluding€the€victimððs€reputation€for€violence€in€the€determination€of€who€wasÐ ”ä Ðthe€first€aggressor.€€The€Defendant€had€gone€to€the€aid€of€a€friend€whom€the€Defendant€hadÐ €Ð Ðthreatened€to€beat.€€The€Defendant€struck€the€deceased€in€the€jaw,€and€the€victim€died€from€a€headÐ l¼ Ðinjury€when€his€head€struck€the€floor€of€the€bar.€Ð X ¨ ÐÌà  àIn€òòState€v.€Furlough,€óó797€S.W.2d€631,€649€(Tenn.€Ô_ÔCrimÔ_Ô.€App.€1990),€this€Court€addressedÐ 0"€  Ðthe€distinction€between€the€Defendant€being€unaware€of€a€victimððs€prior€acts€of€violence€and€if€aÐ #l! ÐDefendant€is€aware€of€the€prior€violent€acts.€€This€Court€held€that€if€the€Defendant€was€unaware€ofÐ $X" Ðprior€acts€of€violence€by€the€victim,€the€evidence€is€admissible€for€corroborative€purposes€only.€€IfÐ ô$D # Ðthe€Defendant€is€aware€of€the€prior€violent€acts,€he€may€so€testify.€€òòState€v.€Hill,€óó885€S.W.2d€357,Ð à%0!$ Ð361,€(Tenn.€Ô_ÔCrimÔ_Ô.€App.€1994),€òòperm.€app.€denied,€óó(Tenn.€1994).€Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà  àIn€òòState€v.€Ô_ÔÔ% €" ÔRuaneÔ_Ô,€óó912€S.W.2d€766,€779€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1995),€Judge€Wade€speaking€forÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthis€Court€undertook€an€analysis€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Evidence€and€prior€authorities€on€theÐ )à$( Ðadmissibility€of€a€victimððs€specific€acts€of€violence€and€reputation€for€such€acts.€€Judge€Wade€stated:Ð |*Ì%) ÐÐ h+¸&* Ðà8  àAlthough€a€recent€Tennessee€decision,€òòState€v.€Furlough,€óósuggested€that€the€victimððsÐ ° Ðpast€specific€violent€acts€can€also€be€used€to€corroborate€testimony€that€the€victimÐ œì Ðwas€the€first€aggressor,€it€is€doubtful€if,€under€Rule€405(a),€the€Tennessee€Rules€ofÐ ˆØ ÐEvidence€would€permit€this€other€than€on€cross„examination.€€Despite€òòState€v.Ð tÄ ÐFurloughððsóó€statement€that€such€evidence€is€not€used€to€prove€that€the€victim€acted€inÐ `° Ðaccordance€with€a€character€trait,€the€use€of€specific€acts€to€prove€first€aggression€isÐ L œ Ðcharacter€proof€of€the€victimððs€propensity€for€violence.€€This€type€of€evidence€is€notÐ 8 ˆ Ðauthorized€on€direct€testimony€under€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Evidence.€Ð$ tÐ Ð  ÐÌà8  àFrom€this,€and€upon€concluding€that€any€violent€nature€on€the€part€of€the€victim€wasÐ ü L  Ðnot€essential€to€the€defense,€we€have€determined€that€the€new€rules€would€limit€useÐ è 8  Ðof€the€proffered€evidence€here€to€cross„examination€of€the€victim.€€And,€of€course,Ð Ô$  Ðthat€would€have€been€impossible€in€this€instance€due€to€the€death€of€the€victim.€òòóóÐ À  ÐThus,€the€evidence€was€properly€excluded€if€offered€for€anything€more€than€mereÐ ¬ü  Ðcorroboration.€(Cite€omitted.)Иè Ð Ð  ÐÌà8  àThis€Defendant,€unaware€at€the€time€of€the€shooting€to€a€specific€instance€of€priorÐ pÀ Ðviolent€conduct€by€the€victim,€nonetheless€sought€to€introduce€the€incident€throughÐ \¬ Ðthe€testimony€of€a€third€person.€€Under€òòHill,€óóthis€evidence€could€have€been€used€toÐ H˜ Ðcircumstantially€corroborate€the€Defendantððs€claim€that€the€victim€was€the€firstÐ 4„ Ðaggressor.€€The€prior€conduct€was€not€an€essential€element€of€a€defense,€however,€and€Ð  p Ðthus,€by€the€rationale€in€òòRay€óówas€not€admissible€as€substantive€proof€by€the€terms€ofÐ  \ ÐRule€405(b).€ÐøHÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àIn€this€case,€the€Defendant€did€not€know€the€victim,€nor€had€he€seen€the€victim€prior€to€theÐ Ð  Ðnight€of€February€15,€1998.€€Thus,€the€Defendant€would€not€have€any€knowledge€of€any€priorÐ ¼  Ðspecific€acts€of€violence€on€the€part€of€the€victim,€nor€of€the€victimððs€reputation€of€such€acts.Ð ¨ø ÐThrough€his€video€statement€to€Detective€Putnam,€the€Defendant€stated€that€he€acted€to€protect€BrentÐ ”ä ÐRollins,€in€that€the€victim€was€threatening€Rollins€with€a€knife.€€There€is€nothing€in€the€trial€recordÐ €Ð Ðthat€reflects€that€two€persons,€Mary€Browning€or€Brent€Rollins,€had€informed€the€Defendant€of€theÐ l¼ Ðvictimððs€past€history.€€The€Defendant€contends€that€the€cross„examination€of€David€Thompson,€aÐ X ¨ Ðnext€door€neighbor,€would€corroborate€a€claim€that€the€victim€was€a€violent€person.€€In€analyzing€theÐ D!” Ðproffered€testimony€of€David€Thompson,€the€most€this€witness€can€say€is€that€he€heard€loud€noisesÐ 0"€  Ðcoming€from€the€victimððs€apartment€in€the€past.€€He€does€not€know€the€source€of€these€noises,€whichÐ #l! Ðmight€indicate€some€fighting€and€arguing.€€He€cannot€say€who€might€have€been€an€aggressor€orÐ $X" Ðexactly€what€these€encounters€entailed.€€We€cannot€say,€even€circumstantially,€that€such€proposedÐ ô$D # Ðtestimony€rises€to€specific€acts€of€violence€on€the€part€of€the€victim.€€Notwithstanding€this€analysis,Ð à%0!$ Ðthe€State€conceded€that€on€the€night€in€question,€the€victim€started€the€scuffle€between€he€andÐ Ì&"% ÐRollins.€€Thus,€the€victim€was€the€first€aggressor€between€he€and€Rollins.€€Also,€the€defense€witnessÐ ¸'#& Ðtestified€that€Rollins€had€informed€her,€after€the€event,€that€the€victim€was€a€mean€and€violent€man.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐThus,€the€jury€had€some€information€before€it€that€the€victim€may€have€some€questionable€pastÐ )à$( Ðconcerning€some€violence.€€In€conclusion,€we€agree€with€the€trial€court€that€the€proposed€cross„Ð |*Ì%) Ðexamination€of€the€witness,€David€Thompson,€was€not€relevant.€€There€is€no€merit€to€this€issue.€€Ð h+¸&* ЇÓ  ÓPART€BÐ ° ÐÔ‡XyXXXyÔSUFFICIENCY€OF€THE€EVIDENCEÐ œì ÐÌÓ  Óà  àIn€this€issue,€the€Defendant€contends€that€the€evidence€at€trial€is€insufficient€to€establish€theÐ tÄ Ðessential€elements€of€premeditation€to€support€a€conviction€for€first„degree€murder.€€The€DefendantÐ `° Ðinfers€that,€at€most,€the€evidence€would€establish€second„degree€murder,€citing€òòState€v.€Brownóó,€836Ð L œ ÐS.W.2d€530,€539€(Tenn.€1992).€Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àTennessee€Rule€of€Appellate€Procedure€13(e)€prescribes€that€ð ðfindings€of€guilt€in€criminalÐ  ` Ðactions€whether€by€the€trial€court€or€jury€shall€be€set€aside€if€the€evidence€is€insufficient€to€supportÐ ü L  Ðthe€findings€by€the€trier€of€fact€of€guilt€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt.ðð€€Evidence€is€sufficient€if,€afterÐ è 8  Ðreviewing€the€evidence€in€the€light€most€favorable€to€the€prosecution,€any€rational€trier€of€fact€couldÐ Ô$  Ðhave€found€the€essential€elements€of€the€crime€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt.€€òòJackson€v.€Virginiaóó,€443Ð À  ÐU.S.€307,€319,€S.€Ct.€2781,€2789€(1979);€òòState€v.€Smithóó,€24€S.W.3d€274,€278€(Tenn.€2000).€€Also,Ð ¬ü  Ða€conviction€by€a€trier€of€fact€destroys€the€presumption€of€innocence€and€imposes€a€presumption€ofÐ ˜è  Ðguilt.€€On€appeal,€a€convicted€criminal€bears€the€burden€of€showing€that€the€evidence€wasÐ „Ô  Ðinsufficient.€€òòMcBee€v.€Stateóó,€372€S.W.2d€173,€176€(Tenn.€1963);€òòState€v.€Buggsóó,€995€S.W.2d€102,Ð pÀ Ð105„06€(Tenn.€1999).Ð \¬ ÐÌà  àIn€its€review€of€the€evidence,€an€appellate€court€must€afford€the€State€ð ðthe€strongest€legitimateÐ 4„ Ðview€of€the€evidence€as€well€as€all€reasonable€and€legitimate€inferences€that€may€be€drawnÐ  p Ðtherefrom.ðð€€òòState€v.€Tuggleóó,€639€S.W.2d€913,€914€(Tenn.€1982);€òòSmith€v.€Stateóó,€24€S.W.3d€at€279.€Ð  \ ÐThe€court€may€not€ð ðreweigh€or€re„evaluate€the€evidenceðð€in€the€record€below.€€òòState€v.€Buggsóó,€995Ð øH ÐS.W.2d€at€105.€€Likewise,€should€the€reviewing€court€find€particular€conflicts€in€the€trial€testimony,Ð ä4 Ðthe€court€must€resolve€them€in€favor€of€the€jury€verdict€or€trial€court€judgment.€€òòState€v.€Tuggleóó,€639Ð Ð  ÐS.W.2d€at€914.€€All€questions€involving€the€credibility€of€witnesses,€the€weight€and€value€to€be€givenÐ ¼  Ðthe€evidence,€and€all€factual€issues€are€resolved€by€the€trier€of€fact,€not€the€appellate€courts.€€òòStateÐ ¨ø Ðv.€Morrisóó,€24€S.W.3d€788,€795€(Tenn.€2000);€òòState€v.€Pappasóó,€754€S.W.2d€620,€623€(Tenn.€Crim.Ð ”ä ÐApp.€1987).Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àThe€indictment€in€this€cause€alleges€that€on€February€15,€1998,€the€Defendant€and€DarrenÐ X ¨ ÐBrent€Rollins€intentionally€and€with€premeditation€did€kill€Gary€Jackson€in€violation€of€Tenn.€CodeÐ D!” ÐAnn.€ðð€39„13„202.€€Thus,€this€indictment€sets€forth€the€essential€elements€necessary€for€a€jury€toÐ 0"€  Ðmake€a€determination,€based€upon€the€evidence€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt,€that€the€Defendant€did,Ð #l! Ðin€fact,€commit€first„degree€murder.€€First„degree€murder€is€the€premeditated€and€intentional€killingÐ $X" Ðof€another.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„202(a)(1).€€As€set€forth€in€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„13„202(d),Ð ô$D # Ðpremeditation€is€defined€as:Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà8  à[A]n€act€done€after€the€exercise€of€reflection€and€judgment.€€ð ðPremeditationðð€meansÐ ¸'#& Ðthat€the€intent€to€kill€must€have€been€formed€prior€to€the€act€itself.€€It€is€not€necessaryÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthat€the€purpose€to€kill€pre„exist€in€the€mind€of€the€accused€for€any€definite€period€ofÐ )à$( Ðâ âtime.€€The€mental€state€of€the€accused€at€the€time€the€accused€allegedly€decided€to€killÐ |*Ì%) Ðmust€be€carefully€considered€in€order€to€determine€whether€the€accused€wasÐ ° Ðsufficiently€free€from€excitement€and€passion€as€to€be€capable€of€premeditation.МìÐ Ð  Ðâ âÌà  àA€death€caused€by€the€intentional€act€of€another€is€presumed€to€be€second„degree€murder.€Ð tÄ ÐòòState€v.€Brownóó,€836€S.W.2d€at€543.€€Thus,€the€State€must€prove,€beyond€a€reasonable€doubt,€theÐ `° Ðelements€of€premeditation€in€order€to€elevate€the€offense€to€first„degree€murder.€€òòId.óó€€The€elementsÐ L œ Ðof€premeditation€are€questions€for€the€jury€and€may€be€inferred€from€the€circumstances€surroundingÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€killing.€€òòState€v.€Gentryóó,€881€S.W.2d€1,€3€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€1993),€òòperm.€to€appeal€denied,óóÐ $ t Ð(Tenn.€1994).€€Although€there€are€no€strict€standards€governing€what€constitutes€proof€ofÐ  ` Ðpremeditation,€several€relevant€circumstances€are€helpful€in€the€inquiry,€including:€the€use€of€aÐ ü L  Ðdeadly€weapon€upon€an€unarmed€victim;€the€fact€that€the€killing€was€particularly€cruel;€declarationsÐ è 8  Ðby€the€defendant€of€his€intent€to€kill;€and€the€making€of€preparations€before€the€killing€for€theÐ Ô$  Ðpurpose€of€concealing€the€crime.€€òòState€v.€Bland,€óóNo.€02C01„9412„CR„0028€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€atÐ À  ÐJackson,€Mar.€27,€1996),€òòrehððg€denied,€óó(Tenn.€Crim.€App.€€May€1,€1996);€òòState€v.€Brownóó,€836Ð ¬ü  ÐS.W.2d€at€541„42.€€Additional€factors€from€which€the€jury€may€infer€premeditation€include€planningÐ ˜è  Ðactivities€by€the€Appellant€prior€to€the€killing,€the€Appellantððs€prior€relationship€with€the€victim,€andÐ „Ô  Ðthe€nature€of€the€killing.€€òòId.óó€(citing€òòState€v.€Bordis,óó€No.€01C01„9305„CR„00157€(Tenn.€Crim.€App.Ð pÀ Ðat€Nashville,€Feb.€24,€1995),€òòperm.€to€appeal€deniedóó,€(Tenn.€July€10,€1995)(quoting€2€W.€LaFave€andÐ \¬ ÐA.€Scott,€Jr.,€òòSubstantive€Criminal€Lawóó€Sec.€7.7€(1986)));€òòState€v.€Gentryóó,€881€S.W.2d€at€4„Ð H˜ Ð5)(citations€omitted).Ð 4„ ÐÌ€€à  àIn€essence,€the€Defendant€contends€that€the€rapidity€in€the€manner€in€which€the€murder€wasÐ  \ Ðcarried€out€negates€the€concept€of€cool€reflection,€judgment€and€calmness€without€passion€andÐ øH Ðprovocation.€€The€State,€on€the€other€hand,€€asserts€that€the€evidence€is€sufficient€to€support€theÐ ä4 Ðverdict€by€arguing€ð ðthat€the€defendant€had€time€to€reflect€upon€and€choose€a€course€or€action€whenÐ Ð  Ðhe€first€sprung€to€the€defense€of€Rollins,€and€again€when€he€brandished€his€hunting€knife,€and€againÐ ¼  Ðeach€time€before€he€struck€the€victim€.€.€.€.ðð€€The€proof€at€trial€showed€that€the€victim,€Rollins€andÐ ¨ø Ðthe€Defendant€all€got€into€an€argument€over€Defendantððs€failure€to€pay€for€his€share€of€the€beer€theyÐ ”ä Ðwere€consuming.€€After€the€victim€shoved€Rollins€over€the€couch,€the€Defendant€immediatelyÐ €Ð Ðassaulted€the€victim€with€his€knife€handle.€Although€the€State€argues€that€the€repeated€blows€wereÐ l¼ Ðevidence€of€premeditation,€our€supreme€court€has€held€that€ð ðthe€fact€repeated€blows€were€inflictedÐ X ¨ Ðupon€the€victim€is€not€sufficient,€by€itself,€to€establish€first„degree€murder.ðð€€òòState€v.€Brown,óó€836Ð D!” ÐS.W.2d€at€542.€€ð ðRepeated€blows€can€be€delivered€in€the€heat€of€passion,€with€no€design€or€reflect.ðð€Ð 0"€  ÐòòId.óó€òòóóÐ #l! ÐÌà  àBecause€the€trier€of€fact€cannot€speculate€as€to€what€was€in€the€killerððs€mind,€the€existenceÐ ô$D # Ðof€facts€of€premeditation€must€be€determined€from€the€Appellantððs€conduct€in€light€of€theÐ à%0!$ Ðsurrounding€circumstances.€€òòState€v.€Wright,óó€No.€01C01„9503„CC„00093€(Tenn.€Crim.€at€Nashville,Ð Ì&"% ÐJan.€5,€1996).€€The€State€bears€the€burden€of€demonstrating€some€affirmative€evidence€to€support€aÐ ¸'#& Ðfinding€of€premeditation.€€òòBrownóó,€836€S.W.2d€at€530.€€By€all€accounts,€the€proof€in€the€recordÐ ¤(ô#' Ðreveals€that€the€intent€to€assault€was€formed€in€passion,€òòi.e.,€óóthe€Appellant€reacted€to€the€victimÐ )à$( Ðstriking€Rollins€immediately€following€a€dispute€over€money€for€the€purchase€of€beer.€€There€wasÐ |*Ì%) Ðno€proof€in€the€record€that€the€Appellant€had€formed€a€design€or€intent€to€kill€the€victim€prior€to€hisÐ h+¸&* Ðassault.€€To€the€contrary,€the€assault€proceeded€to€a€conclusion€without€any€intervening€orÐ ° Ðdispassionate€reflection.€€It€was€only€after€the€victimððs€throat€was€slit€that€the€assault€ended.€€InÐ œì ÐòòBrownóó,€our€Supreme€Court€stated:Ð ˆØ ÐÌà8  à[I]t€has€been€held€several€times€that€the€purpose€need€not€be€deliberated€upon€anyÐ `° Ðparticular€length€of€time€€„€it€is€enough€if€it€precede€the€act,€but€in€all€such€cases€theÐ L œ Ðpurpose€must€be€cooly€formed,€and€not€in€passion,€or,€if€formed€in€passion,€it€mustÐ 8 ˆ Ðbe€executed€after€the€passion€has€had€time€to€subside€.€.€.€[I]f€the€purpose€to€kill€isÐ $ t Ðformed€in€passion€.€.€.€and€executed€without€time€for€the€passion€to€cool,€it€is€notÐ  ` Ðmurder€in€the€first€degree,€but€murder€in€the€second€degree.Ðü L Ð Ð  ÐÌÌòòState€v.€Brown,óó€836€S.W.2d€at€539€(quoting€òòRader€v.€Stateóó,€73€Tenn.€610,€619„20€(1880)).€€BasedÐ À  Ðupon€these€facts,€we€conclude€that€there€is€insufficient€evidence€to€support€the€juryððs€findings€ofÐ ¬ü  Ðpremeditation.€€Accordingly,€the€Appellantððs€conviction€of€first„degree€murder€cannot€stand.Ð ˜è  ÐÌà  àAgain,€once€a€homicide€has€been€established,€it€is€presumed€to€be€second„degree€murder.€Ð pÀ ÐòòState€v.€Brownóó,€836€S.W.2d€at€543.€€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€ðð€39„13„210€(1991)€defines€second„Ð \¬ Ðdegree€murder€as,€ð ða€knowing€killing€of€another.ðð€€Clearly,€under€the€facts€of€this€case,€the€AppellantÐ H˜ Ðacted€ð ðknowinglyðð€with€an€awareness€that€his€repeated€and€forceful€blows€to€the€head€and€body€ofÐ 4„ Ðthe€victim€were€reasonably€certain€to€produce€death.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€39„11„106(20).€€WeÐ  p Ðconclude€that€there€is€evidence€to€support€ð ðknowingðð€conduct,€and,€therefore,€a€second„degreeÐ  \ Ðmurder€conviction.€Ð øH ÐÌà@ll%ìàCONCLUSIONˆÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àFor€the€reasons€set€forth€above,€we€reverse€the€Appellantððs€conviction€for€first„degree€murderÐ ¨ø Ðand€modify€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€to€reflect€his€conviction€of€murder€in€the€second„degree.€Ð ”ä ÐAccordingly,€we€remand€this€case€to€the€trial€court€for€entry€of€a€judgment€of€conviction€inÐ €Ð Ðaccordance€with€this€opinion€and€for€re„sentencing€consistent€with€the€principles€of€sentencing.Ô#†XyXXXy™¯#ԀРl¼ Ðà  àÌà  àÌÌà  àÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð ô$D # Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àL.€TERRY€LAFFERTY,€SENIOR€JUDGE